Religion was largely ingrained into the identity and everyday existence of the nineteenth-century American woman, shaping the literature female authors produced. Nineteenth-Century American Women Write Religion examines this vast collection of fiction, political writings, poetry, and memoirs to explore the diversity of religious discourse of the time as told by authors, activists, and faith believers. Read More

It is our conviction that the patterns and practices of religious communities offer rich and generative material for theological inquiry and that, properly interpreted, the lived experiences of faith are communicative not only of a religious community’s collective self-understanding but of modes of divine presence as well. Bridging the gap between academia and the everyday, the Project further endeavors to demonstrate the importance of theological ideas in the public conversation about civic responsibility and social progress.

Founder and director Charles Marsh recently discussed these beginnings, influences, and goals of the Project with UVA Today. Read More

While the late 1800s brought a period of tremendous economic growth to the United States, this Gilded Age also revealed the extreme poverty and inequality suffered by the working class. In Union Made, author Heath W. Carter credits the beginnings of a new discipline– American Social Christianity– to these common laborers rather than the more often credited middle-class spiritual leaders of the day. Read More

Burdens of war extend far beyond the battlefield as civilian injury and death continue to make up an increasing proportion of total casualties. In his current book project, John Kiess focuses on civilian vulnerability in contemporary war through case studies on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and beyond. Read More

Mental illness has always comprised a fundamental component of health, although the overwhelming majority of historical evidence shows little acceptance of and care for affected individuals. In Madness, Heather Vacek follows this trend in the American Protestant church’s response to mental illness through the last three centuries. Read More

On Tuesday, March 14, 2017, Firmin DeBrabander will deliver two guest presentations at the University of Virginia on the “Christian” critique of the gun movement based on the Catholic social teachings. DeBrabander will lead a class discussion and book signing at 2:00pm, followed by a public seminar with interested students and other area practitioners at 5:00pm. Read More

In his latest release, acclaimed religious scholar Albert Raboteau explores the theology and legacy of seven major prophetic figures in twentieth-century America: Joshua Heschel, A. J. Muste, Dorothy Day, Howard Thurman, Thomas Merton, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Fannie Lou Hamer. Read More

The product of a two-year collaboration involving fifteen project contributors, Lived Theology: New Perspectives on Method, Style, and Pedagogy is published and available for purchase.

Lived Theology contains the work of an emerging generation of theologians and scholars who pursue research, teaching, and writing as a form of public responsibility motivated by the conviction that theological ideas aspire in their inner logic toward social expression. Read More

Is there any hope for a future of better relations and peaceful coexisting between and among communities? Author Beatrice Bruteau says yes, basing her argument on two premises of Holy Thursday: the Footwashing and the Supper, or Holy Communion. Read More

On September 15, the interns shared memorable stories and theological reflections from their summer work with the community, wrapping up this year’s internships in lived theology. The cohort included Tessa Crews (Col ’16), Brit Dunnavant (Col ’17), and Elizabeth Surratt (Col ’17). Read More