Submitted Our Manuscript, "Inner Light" to Fortress Press
Some books simply take a long time to finish.
My colleague, Dr. Stephen Angell at Earlham School of Religion, and I began work on our book, Inner Light, in 2017. After nearly a decade of research, writing, conversation, and discernment, we finally submitted our manuscript to Fortress Press.
This book has been ten years in the making, shaped by Steve and my shared conviction that the Holy Spirit is not an abstract doctrine, but a lived and transformative presence in our lives and in the world. We wanted to write a book that explores how the Holy Spirit is experienced through four interrelated social dimensions of justice.
We begin the book with a historical examination of the understandings of the Holy Spirit. We look at the Nicene Creed and trace developments from the Early Church through the Quaker tradition. From there, we turn to four pressing justice issues of our time: the economy, climate change, gender justice, and war and peace.
Throughout the book, we engage these social concerns through the lenses of liberation theology and Quaker studies, asking how the Spirit continues to move, challenge, and renew communities seeking justice today.
We recognize that we are living in very difficult and turbulent times. We hope that our book, Inner Light, will provide hope, empowerment, and strength for those seeking a more just world. It is through the work of the Spirit that we can move towards a beautiful, peaceful, and equitable world.
We are deeply grateful for each other’s scholarship and writing. We are glad for the journey this book represents and thrilled to share it with the wider world. While much work remains, such as editing, proofreading, and revising some more, it is always a moment of great joy and relief to send off our manuscript to the editor.
Please watch for Inner Light’s release next January and order copies for your libraries. We look forward to continuing the conversation with you.
In the meantime, read some of my other books on the Holy Spirit. As I like to say, “Everything leads to the Spirit”.
*Listen to Eerdmans Author Interview Series on Embracing the Other.
Special Events:
The Academy for Spiritual Formation invites you to Academy #44, beginning October 2026 at Camp McDowell in Nauvoo, Alabama. For two years, you’ll journey alongside a diverse community of seekers—practicing prayer, silence, study, and embodied faith. Through trusted faculty, guided retreats, and spacious rhythms, The Academy offers a sacred place to rest, heal, and be renewed.
Learn more and apply at Academy.UpperRoom.org/44.
2.Meet me at the Lead (Her) Conference in Kansas City on April 20-22, 2026.
3.Join Rev. Mark Koenig and me for an exciting writing retreat at Ghost Ranch. It is truly a magnificient place for a week of writing! Scholarships are available.
4.I am so grateful for PANAAWTM's sponsorship of Madang Podcast.
Check out their spring gathering!!
Congrats!