Summer Sermons, Winter Thoughts

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The "summer sermons" have been delivered in the Presbyterian Church of Eagles Mere, Pennsylvania, over a period of fifteen years. When someone first arrives in Eagles Mere for the summer, people ask how their "winter" has been--winter meaning the whole time that has elapsed since the previous summer. In the author's case, "winter" means Nashville, Tennessee, where he has lived since 1965 when he joined the faculty of Vanderbilt Divinity School, retiring after thirty-eight years. "Winter Thoughts" consists of autobiographical reflections on three topics: lives, theologies, and politics. The lives are those of Peter and Eva Hodgson. The longest section, "Theologies, " describes the various influences and directions the author's work has taken in systematic and historical theology. "Politics" reflects on the decline of the liberal democratic consensus. The whole is loosely held together by an underlying question: How is God efficaciously present in history without violating the fabric of history? "Peter Hodgson's lively summer and winter thoughts allow us to see beyond the theological texts for which he is known, into more informal and joyful aspects of his life. We get glimpses of the more occasional, often literary, theologizing of his summer sermons, hints of a long love affair with his wife Eva, the joy of sailing and travel, sobering thoughts of death, and mature reflections on theology and politics. A pleasure to read!" --Wendy Farley, Director of Program in Christian Spirituality, San Francisco Theological Seminary "Those who know Peter Hodgson only as a gifted teacher and scholar will be astonished and delighted with this collection. The 'Summer Sermons' show a thoughtful and compassionate mind at work. The 'Winter Thoughts' give the reader rich insights into the man behind the theologian and scholar of Hegel. Taken together, they present a portrait of an extraordinarily humane and gifted person, and they show that we need not choose between gratitude for the man and his work, for they are cut from the same fine cloth." --Paul F. Lakeland, Professor of Religious Studies, Fairfield University "In this timely and engaging memoir, Peter Hodgson artfully merges genres--sermons, autobiography, theological and ethical reflection--to offer a deep and honest engagement with scripture, theology, ethics, and contemporary politics. These reflections by a wise theologian will encourage readers to be mindful of religious resources for living with integrity, especially in these uncertain times." --John Shelley, Dorothy and B. H. Peace Professor of Religion, Emeritus, Furman University Peter C. Hodgson is the Charles G. Finney Professor of Theology Emeritus at the Vanderbilt University Divinity School. He has authored or edited over thirty books, including volumes about or translated works by F. C. Baur, G. W. F. Hegel, and George Eliot. His titles include Winds of the Spirit (1994) and Liberal Theology (2007).