Doing Theology in Pandemics
Facing Viruses, Violence, and Vitriol
Edited by Zachary Moon
Foreword by Pamela R. Lightsey
Imprint: Pickwick Publications
The COVID-19 era will be remembered not only for the tragic global public health crisis, but also for the continued police violence against persons of color, the courageous activism that continues to rise up to confront racialized violence in all its forms, and the perpetuation of white nationalist rhetoric from the highest government elected offices. Everywhere we look, we find trauma and pain, and we find resilience and resolve. This volume, featuring leading theological scholars and religious leaders, is rich in analysis of the plagues we are facing and equally rich in the resources, practices, and inspirations that will carry our efforts to build a more just world.
Zachary Moon is Professor of Theology and Psychology at Chicago Theological Seminary. He is the author of three books Coming Home: Ministry That Matters with Veterans and Military Families (2015), Warriors between Worlds: Moral Injury and Identities in Crisis (2019), and Goatwalking: A Quaker Pastoral Theology (2021).
“This evocative book addresses both the crises of resources and meaning accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic. A welcome addition to the growing scholarly work related to the pandemic, this book theologically negotiates intersectional social identities in the midst of the complex pain and trauma of our age. Recommended to all interested in theology, care, and spiritual leadership now, and hopefully for a more just future.”
—Sheryl A. Kujawa-Holbrook, Claremont School of Theology
“Moon has put together a timely assembly of essays by outstanding practical theologians that can truly be described as apocalyptic. . . . The COVID-19 pandemic has ‘blown the cover’ of the entire world. The inequities of global economic, political, and health systems and the ongoing trauma of racial violence . . . are laid bare before us all throughout the world. Doing Theology in Pandemics unpacks as well as provides pointers to the theological work that these apocalyptic times call for.”
—Emmanuel Y. Lartey, Emory University
“Zachary Moon has gathered an intercultural assembly of scholars-practitioners to reflect on the most significant health crisis affecting the planet in the last one hundred years. This is a crisis of unmeasurable grief due to the loss of life and quality of life. Because violence is a common response to threat, people around the globe need better ways of understanding and coping with the uncertainties of the future. These scholars agree: theological reflection on life’s meaning is the way forward.”
—Lee H. Butler Jr., Phillips Theological Seminary