Christopher Morse is a seminary professor and theologian whose previous writings include Not Every Spirit: A Dogmatics of Christian Disbelief (2009), and The Difference Heaven Makes: Rehearing the Gospel As News (2010). This is his first published fiction.
"Students and friends of Christopher Morse--often the same
people!--have long known that his theological erudition is equally
matched by a brilliant comic wit. In this charming academic
novella, Morse cleverly satirizes the world of seminary education,
offering the reader a delightful plot filled with characters lost
in the cynical power of sin and buoyed by the transforming power of
grace. A book like this that evokes both laughter at the vanity of
human failure and hope for the constancy of human faithfulness is a
tonic for the soul!"
--John E. Thiel, Professor at Fairfield University
"Reminiscent of David Lodge's satirical takes on British academic
life, Christopher Morse drills relentlessly into the troubled
industry of American theological education. Those who passed
through this system in the '70s and '80s will readily recognize the
cast of characters at Star-Cross Seminary, not least ourselves, as
we fumble and bumble on the road to Emmaus."
--James F. Kay, Princeton Theological Seminary
"In this work of fiction, Christopher Morse accomplishes a
seemingly impossible task: combining theology with humor. Most
readers will occasionally find themselves the target of his satire,
but his humor never resorts to cynicism, and he is never
mean-spirited toward his characters. As profound as it is humorous,
this book will appeal to anyone interested in the state of the
church, theological education, and cultural attitudes toward
religion."
--Nancy Duff, Associate Professor at Princeton Theological
Seminary
"Crossed wires and cross purposes ensure that life at Star-Cross
Seminary is never dull as the traditional school of theology
transforms itself into a Pan-Pneumatic Spirituality Center. With
deft send-ups of double-speak and institutional incoherence,
Christopher Morse exposes the perils of such a star-crossed
venture."
--Thomas Miller, Episcopal Priest and Writer on Religion and the
Arts
"Morse's hilarious new work takes us into the inner workings of
struggling Star-Cross Theological Seminary, a once staid but now
reinvented postmodern institution, where faculty, administrators,
trustees, and students attempt to further 'the Lord's work' while
disagreeing every step of the way as to what this entails. Some
potential readers may think the setting too parochial to be of
interest, but don't make this mistake. This finely crafted work
casts a brilliant and humorous light on modern society and how our
institutions, political, religious, and otherwise, contort
themselves to a place where meaning and facts no longer have
definitional authority."
--Craig Berggren, Author of a study of The Ethics of Motivational
Programs Within Today's Global Corporations
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