Description
Book SynopsisGod Talk: The Problem of Divine-Human Communication is a landmark publication, the first book to address the problem from the perspective of communication studies. In ten thought-provoking essays, communication scholars confront the God Problem by describing diverse approaches they have used in field research to study groups that claim to hear God while also balancing respect for informants' claims with their own personal beliefs.
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The intelligence of this exceptional book is a perfect ten. The theoretical depth of every chapter reflects research brilliance. The authors' clarity with ideas, ancient and contemporary, is knowledge production at its substantive best.
Clifford G. Christians, Research Professor of Communications Emeritus, University of Illinois
Whether your interests include communication theory, rhetorical criticism, ethnography, or theology, regardless of your faith traditionor absence of a faith traditionit is a stimul
Trade Review
“When I was invited to endorse God Talk: The Problem of Divine-Human Communication, I was very excited and anticipated a body of work that further solidifies the importance of a marginalized area of communication scholarship. It did not disappoint! The collection of critiques advances a powerful question that must be asked if we are to gain a broader and deeper understanding of humanity. The phenomenon of Divine-human communication (DHC) is framed as an area of scholarship replete with heurism, not limiting itself to Judeo-Christian belief systems. Instead, the authors individually and collectively address the ideological diversity in existent DHC and the robust research that has yet to be explored in the discipline. The chapters beautifully tie together and articulate the necessity of theistic communication research, stressing the intersectional identities of theist-scholars in their study of phenomena where religious ideologies are activated. As a religious communication scholar who also identifies as a theist-scholar, I found every chapter empowering, as they encourage the field to reconsider its positionality towards an area of scholarship that attempts to 'measure the immeasurable.' God Talk debunks the broad misconception that theist-scholars are attempting to advance a religious campaign of indoctrination. Moreover, the book provides a very strong foundation upon which others can stand as they interrogate communication phenomena where one’s religious identity and relationship and communication with God/Creator/Higher Power are intertwined in theoretical yet practical ways. Upon reading each chapter, I was further convinced of the necessity and continued relevance of theistic communication studies. It is not a monolith but a swath of religious ideological diversity that is beyond worthy of further exploration. This book is a must!” —Tina M. Harris, Ph.D., Professor, Endowed Chair of Race, Media, and Cultural Literacy, Louisiana State University
“God Talk: The Problem of Divine-Human Communication is a timely contribution to religious communication and communication studies. The authors examine the absence of God in communication theory and in engagement with others. Alasdair MacIntyre, the premier ethicist of our time, warned of the epidemic of emotivism: decision-making by personal preference, no longer tempered or guided by an external standard. This volume takes on MacIntyre’s warning and asks: What happens when the external standard of God fades from relevance, leaving us with the emotive demands of individual communicators? I highly recommend this relevant work.” —Ronald C. Arnett, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Duquesne University; Author of Communication Ethics and Tenacious Hope: Contemporary Implications of the Scottish Enlightenment
Table of Contents
List of Contributors – Acknowledgments – Preface – Mark Ward Sr.: Introduction: "A Possible Relationship between Belief and Knowledge" – Quentin J. Schultze: The "God-Problem" in Communication Studies – Lakelyn E. Taylor: Let Them Take the Lead: A Holistic, Culture-Centered Approach to Divine-Human Communication – Elaine Schnabel: The Politics of Knowledge Production: Situating the "God Problem" in the Context of Decolonization – Arielle Leonard Hodges: Religion and Spirituality in Communication Research: Moving Toward a Sociocultural Identity Framework – Christine J. Gardner: The Researcher as Translator: Locating the God Problem in Researcher Identity – Kathleen D. Clark: "Silence is the Communication Behavior of God": Contemplation and Collaborative Autoethnography – Joshua D. Hill: The "Still Small Voice": A Phenomenological Approach to Divine Communication – Mark Ward Sr.: Toward a Theory of Divine Communication? Prospects and Problems – Edward Lee Lamoureux: Who Owns the God Problem? A Reader Response Solution – Quentin J. Schultze: Reconsidering the "God-Problem" in Communication Studies.
