New Books in Religion

Dr. Richard A. Muller, P.J. Zondervan Professor of Historical Theology Emeritus, dives into the intricate doctrine of predestination in early modern Reformed theology. He discusses the evolution of thought on this controversial topic, challenging simplistic interpretations and the perspectives on Calvin's work. Muller highlights key figures like Franciscus Junius and offers insights into the broader implications of predestination, emphasizing its significance in theological debates while debunking myths surrounding hyper-dogmatism.

Eli Rubin, a contributing editor at Chabad.org and PhD holder from UCL, explores the fascinating world of Chabad Hasidism in his latest work. He discusses the Kabbalistic concept of ṣimṣum and its implications for modernity and Jewish identity. Rubin reflects on the movement's historical evolution, the role of mentorship, and the impact of Kabbalistic ideas on individual spirituality. He also delves into the dynamic relationships among Chabad leaders and how their intellectual pursuits shaped the movement's response to modern challenges.

Deborah Savage, a theology professor specializing in St. John Paul II's anthropology, teams up with Robert Fastiggi, an expert in ecclesiology and moral theology. Together, they delve into the tension between subjective and absolute truths in Catholic sexual morality. They analyze personal narratives of those who strayed from church teachings, emphasizing the Church's role in guiding individuals back to fulfillment. Highlighting the interplay of gender identity and morality, they advocate for compassionate discourse in understanding personal and ecclesiastical truths.

In this discussion, Jonathan Rauch, a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution and contributing editor at The Atlantic, dives into his latest book, analyzing the fraught relationship between Christianity and democracy. He highlights the urgent need for dialogue amid the cultural chasm between secular liberals and religious conservatives. Topics include the decline of mainline Protestantism, the impact of political alignment on faith, and the crucial Christian values that underpin liberal democracy. Rauch argues for understanding rather than division to create a more harmonious society.

Wafik W. Wahba, a Professor of Global Christianity at Tyndale University, dives deep into the intricate relationships between Christianity and Islam. He blends personal insights from his journey from Egypt with a look at historical interactions that shaped these faiths. Wahba highlights key moments of coexistence and tension, discusses the influence of theological traditions, and emphasizes the importance of interfaith dialogue for a harmonious future. His perspectives serve as a guide for understanding contemporary dynamics between these two world religions.

Bruce L. Venarde, an independent researcher in medieval monasticism and religion, dives into the riveting world of Marian miracles in twelfth-century France. He discusses how the Virgin Mary's cult evolved, her role in healing, and communal responses to crises. Venarde shares intriguing tales of miraculous rescues and the tension between belief and skepticism. He also highlights the interplay of medieval medicine, faith, and the dynamic involvement of women in healing practices, all while shedding light on the cultural landscape shaped by these narratives.

In this fascinating discussion, Dr. Rune Nyord, an associate professor at Emory University specializing in ancient Egyptian art, uncovers how our modern views of the Egyptian afterlife have been shaped by European interpretations through a Christian lens. He highlights the misinterpretations stemming from the Victorian era and explores the influence of deciphering hieroglyphics on understanding ancient funerary practices. Nyord urges a return to indigenous sources to gain a clearer picture of ancient Egyptian beliefs, challenging the biases that have distorted our perception.

Syaifudin Zuhri’s book Wali Pitu and Muslim Pilgrimage in Bali, Indonesia: Inventing a Sacred Tradition (Leiden, 2022) is a detailed examination of the recent emergence of the Wali Pitu (“Seven Saints”) tradition in Bali, Indonesia. The study is a multi-sited ethnography of pilgrimage traditions to the grave sites of the Wali Pitu, which is a part of a larger context of rising interest in saint veneration in Indonesia generally, and Muslim religious tourism on the Hindu-majority island of Bali in particular.Themes of the book include saint veneration in historical and contemporary Indonesia, the relationship between religious invention and religious authenticity in Islamic traditions, religious cultures and the economic imperative of the tourism industry, relationships between Hindus and Muslims sharing religious space, and the diversity of approaches to religion and Islamic experience in Southeast Asia. Zuhri’s work offers important new perspectives on Indonesian Islam by examining the creation, experience, economy, and contestations of popular Muslim practices that are only growing in their significance.Dr. Syaifudin Zuhri is a lecturer at the State Islamic University of Sayyid Ali Rahmatullah Tulungagung (UIN SATU) and a former research fellow at the Berlin Graduate School of Muslim Cultures and Societies.Dr. Jaclyn Michael is Assistant Professor of Religion at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (USA). She is the author of several articles on Muslim cultural representation, performance, and religious belonging in India and in the United States. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/religion

The small town of Vṛndāvana is today one of the most vibrant places of pilgrimage in northern India. Throngs of pilgrims travel there each year to honour the sacred land of Kṛṣṇa’s youth and to visit many of its temples. The Building of Vṛndāvana: Architecture, Theology, and Practice in an Early Modern Pilgrimage Town (Brill, 2023) explores the complex history of this town’s early modern origins. Bringing together scholars from various disciplines to examine history, architecture, art, ritual, theology, and literature in this pivotal period, the book examines how these various disciplines were used to create, develop, and map Vṛndāvana as the most prominent place of pilgrimage for devotees of Kṛṣṇa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/religion

For generations, American Catholics went faithfully to confession, admitting their sins to a priest and accepting through him God’s forgiveness. The sacrament served as a distinctive marker of Catholic identity, shaping parishioners’ views of their relationship to God, their neighbors, and the wider world. But starting in the 1970s, many abandoned confession altogether. Focusing on the experiences of both laypeople and priests, in For I Have Sinned: The Rise and Fall of Catholic Confession in America (Harvard University Press, 2025) Dr. James M. O’Toole reconstructs the history of confession’s steady rise—and dramatic fall—among American Catholics.In the early United States, the Catholic Church grew rapidly—and with it, confession’s centrality. Although the sacrament was practiced unevenly for much of the nineteenth century, frequent confession became common by the early twentieth. Both priests and parishioners understood confession as a ritual crucial for the soul, while on a social level, it established Catholic distinctiveness within a largely Protestant country. Today, however, even faithful Catholics seldom confess. The reasons for this change, Dr. O’Toole reveals, include the emergence of psychology and other forms of counseling; the Church’s stance against contraception, which alienated many parishioners; and a growing sense of confession’s inability to confront social problems like structural racism, poverty, and sexism. Meanwhile, increasing recognition of sexual abuse within the Church further undermined trust in clergy as confessors.Sensitively attuned to the historical importance of confession, For I Have Sinned also suggests that, if the sacrament no longer serves the needs of US Catholics, the Church and its members might find new ways to express their ideals in the twenty-first century.This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose new book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda’s episodes on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/religion