The Logic of the Spirit in Human Thought and Experience

In March 2012 a small consultation convened on the campus of Princeton Theological Seminary, where James E. Loder Jr. had served for forty years as the Mary D. Synnott Professor of the Philosophy of Christian Education. Members from the Child Theology Movement had begun to read Loder's work and they wanted to go further. So they invited former students of Loder's to meet with them for conversations about things that really mattered to them and to Loder: human beings (and especially children), the church's witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and discerning the work of Spiritus Creator in the postmodern world. The conversations proved rich and rewarding and some would even say they took on a life of their own--serious scholarship set to the music of the Spirit's communion-creating artistry forming new relationships, inspiring new ideas, and sustaining all of it amid much laughter, joy, and hope. These essays, taken from the papers delivered at the consultation, are offered as a means of extending that conversation inspired by Loder's interdisciplinary practical theological science and his discernment of the ""logic of the Spirit."" They are offered with confidence that the same Spirit continues to work in all persons who hope for the Spirit's redemptive transformation of all creation, beginning with children.

""In my opinion, James Loder is one of the most creative theological minds of the last one hundred years. Unfortunately, because his genius was so deep, few have been willing to swim to the depth needed to engage his work. Dana Wright and his contributors have given us, in this book, a kind of vessel that promises exciting voyage into the deep waters of Loder's thought. Every chapter is a treasure for pastors and practical theologians.""
--Andrew Root, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN

""This book is a superb expression of the enduring relevance and ramifications of James E. Loder's creative work in practical theology. The editors and writers succeed in making Loder's unique contribution more widely accessible while demonstrating its fruitfulness from international and multidisciplinary perspectives. A timely gift for all those interested in human formation and transformation in light of the 'logic of the Spirit!'""
--Daniel S. Schipani, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, IN

""Read this book because Jesus's admonition that we all need to become like a child has been under-researched and James Loder's multidisciplinary work on theology, science, and spirit has been underutilized. This book remedies both while going beyond Loder's developed thought in some critical aspects, asking questions that will send readers in new directions, not with a map but with a dare to chart new territory.""
--Eolene M. Boyd-MacMillan, Integrative Complexity, Scotland


Dana R. Wright is the Director of Christian Formation and Discipleship at the First Presbyterian Church, Everett, Washington.

Keith J. White is the Founder and Chair of the Child Theology Movement.