Tracing the Lines

"This learned book reads like an exciting detective story. A 'Christian scholarship' Whodunit? Rather than give a traditional argumentative judgment, Sweetman ends by surprising us, and invites every scholar into the confessional: What is the shape of your heart aligned with the Scriptures? A genial, engaging, profound book."

--Calvin Seerveld, Senior Member in Philosophical Aesthetics, Emeritus, Institute for Christian Studies, Toronto



"What is Christian scholarship? Robert Sweetman's new book is a penetrating, synthetic reflection on this precise question. Sweetman provides an historically rich view of this question with illuminating meditations on patristic, medieval, and modern figures. This is a conversation Sweetman wants to move forward, and he does so down a new, imaginative, and speculative path."

--John F. Boyle, Professor of Catholic Studies and Theology, University of St. Thomas, Minnesota



"A lovely, challenging book for all Christian scholars concerned with a real connection between their scholarship and their hearts. Sweetman writes with the generous humility he advocates; describing Christian scholarship as 'a beloved folk-recipe,' he manages to [simultaneously] be philosophically rigorous and spiritually winsome. I want to be part of the scholarly community of mutual trust and correction to which he calls his readers."

--Deborah C. Bowen, Chair of English, Redeemer University College



"Sweetman does Christian scholars a great service by framing and re-framing our discussions of the unity, diversity, and distinctiveness of our scholarship. He probes the conceptual assumptions and deep metaphors behind the ways we think about and practice our vocation, seamlessly mixing unstinting charity to the variety of expressions with incisive critique. This book traces the shape of the heart of the Christian scholar in a way that should reshape the conversation."

--Michael J. DeMoor, Associate Professor of Social Philosophy in Politics, History, and Economics, The King's University