Andrew Wilson (academic)

Andrew Wilson

Dr. Wilson at an academic gathering
Born (1950-12-26) 26 December 1950
Syracuse, New York
Residence Red Hook, New York
Nationality American
Alma mater Harvard University
Occupation Professor, Academic Dean
Employer Unification Theological Seminary
Known for Unification Church theologian, author, educator

Andrew Wilson (born December 26, 1950), full name Andrew Murray Wilson, is the Director of Scriptural Research[1] and Professor of Scriptural Studies of the Unification Theological Seminary (UTS), the main seminary of the international Unification Church.[2]

World Scripture and its reception

Wilson edited World Scripture: A Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts (published 1991),[3] a comparative anthology that contains over 4,000 scriptural passages from 268 sacred texts and 55 oral traditions.[4] Gifford Lecturer Ninian Smart wrote the book's foreword.[3] Its publisher quotes include praise for its contribution to comparative religion from clergy, scholars, and practitioners of multiple faith traditions,[3] and it has been briefly and favorably mentioned in multiple non-UTS publications.[5] Peace studies professor Lester Kurtz called the online version of the book, which is available in multiple online locations,[6] a "wonderful compendium."[7] The online version of World Scripture is linked to by many collegiate[8] and independent[9] websites as a comparative religion resource.

Other accomplishments

In Controversial New Religions, James R. Lewis describes Wilson as "a leading Unification scholar."[10] Wilson has been editor of UTS's academic Journal of Unification Studies since its inception in 1997[11][12] and of all the contributors of this Journal, he has the most hits with 194242 with his paper entitled "40th Anniversary Forum: The Unification Church in America".[13] Wilson led the translation committee for the main scripture of the Unification Church, Exposition of the Divine Principle.[14][15] and co-author of Cultivating Heart and Character: Educating for Life's Most Essential Goals.[16] Wilson serves as senior advisor[17] and chair of the editorial board[18] for the Unification Church-sponsored New World Encyclopedia.

Born a Jew,[10] Wilson performs speaking[19] and leadership roles[20] in the Unification Church's Middle East Peace Initiative, with a focus on Christian–Jewish reconciliation.[21] He received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University in 1971, and later obtained an M.T.S from Harvard Divinity School and Ph.D. from Harvard.[22] Wilson was subject to a forced deprogramming attempt in 1975, and in late 1980 protested a Harvard talk on the subject by cult critic Margaret Thaler Singer.[22] Wilson joined the faculty of Unification Theological Seminary in 1985, the year his Ph.D. thesis was published.[23] At UTS, Wilson currently teaches a variety of scriptural studies, living traditions, and theology courses.[24]

References

  1. ↑ "Biography" Retrieved February 19, 2012
  2. ↑ Wilson, Andrew (January 1999). "A guidebook to our culture" 14 (1). The World & I: 266.
  3. 1 2 3 "World Scripture: A Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts". Paragon House. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  4. ↑ Howard University Library System, Divinity Library.
  5. ↑ In Booklist, Bibel and McConnell list it among 12 volumes which "will help librarians provide quick answers to many questions" and "are appropriate for both academic- and public-library collections." (Bibel, Barbara; J. Christopher McConnell (1999-10-15). "World Scripture: A Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts" 96 (4). The Booklist.). In Library Journal, Bill Piekarski highlights the online version of World Scripture in a "Religious Pluralism on the Web" roundup.(Piekarski, Bill (2001-02-01). "Webwatch-Religious Pluralism on the Web". Library Journal 126 (2).) In the Chronicle of Higher Education, the online version is mentioned as a case study in converting a book to a web resource. (S., R. (1996-11-01). "Project Will Aid the Study of Religion". Chronicle of Higher Education 43 (10): A27.)
  6. ↑ For example: World Scripture: A Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts, accessed July 5, 2008
  7. ↑ Kurtz, Lester R. (July 2005). "Gülen's Paradox: Combining Commitment and Tolerance" 95 (3). The Muslim World: 373–385.
  8. ↑ see, e.g., Southwestern University, Howard University, Austin Community College, among others
  9. ↑ General Anthologies of Sacred Texts
  10. 1 2 Lewis, James R.; Jesper Aagaard Petersen (2004). Controversial New Religions. Oxford University Press. p. 46. ISBN 0-19-515682-X.
  11. ↑ Journal Of Unification Studies
  12. ↑ Wilson, Andrew (1997). "From the Editor" 1. Journal of Unification Studies.
  13. ↑ "Articles by Andrew Wilson" Retrieved February 19, 2012
  14. ↑ He is also the author of The Nations in Deutero-Isaiah: A Study on Composition and Structure
  15. ↑ Wilson, A. (1986). The Nations in Deutero-Isaiah: A Study on Composition and Structure. Lewiston, NY: Edwin Mellen Press. (ISBN 0-88946-086-8)
  16. ↑ Devine, Tony; Joon Ho Seuk; Andrew Wilson (2000-10-31). Cultivating Heart and Character: Educating for Life's Most Essential Goals. Character Development Foundation. ISBN 1-892056-15-1.
  17. ↑ "New World Encyclopedia:About". New World Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 23 July 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  18. ↑ "Info:Editorial Leadership". New World Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  19. ↑ "IIFWP assembly 2004". Retrieved 2008-07-09.
  20. ↑ "MEPI Leadership". Retrieved 2008-07-09.
  21. ↑ c.f. Wilson, Andrew (2007-01-12). "'Tikkun Olam' in Jerusalem". Retrieved 2008-07-08., Wilson, Andrew. "Guidelines for Members of the Unification Church in Relations with the Jewish People". Retrieved 2008-07-09., and other such writings archived here.
  22. 1 2 "Student Remains in Unification Church After Forced 'Deprogramming' Attempt". The Harvard Crimson. 1980-10-25. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
  23. ↑ "The nations in Deutero-Isaiah :--a study on composition and structure". Harvard University. 1985. Retrieved 2008-07-08.
  24. ↑ "Unification Theological Seminary Catalog 07-08". Retrieved 2008-07-08.

External links

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