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Andrew Wilson (theologian)
Encyclopedia
Andrew Wilson full name Andrew Murray Wilson, is a Professor of Scriptural Studies and the Academic Dean of the Unification Theological Seminary
(UTS), the main seminary of the international Unification Church
.
Ninian Smart
wrote the book's foreword. Its publisher quotes include praise for its contribution to comparative religion from clergy, scholars, and practitioners of multiple faith traditions, and it has been briefly and favorably mentioned in multiple non-UTS publications. Peace studies professor Lester Kurtz called the online version of the book, which is available in multiple online locations, a "wonderful compendium." The online version of World Scripture is linked to by many collegiate and independent websites as a comparative religion resource.
Born a Jew, Wilson performs speaking and leadership roles in the Unification Church's Middle East Peace Initiative, with a focus on Jewish-Christian reconciliation. 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. 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. Wilson joined the faculty of Unification Theological Seminary in 1985, the year his Ph.D. thesis was published. At UTS, Wilson currently teaches a variety of scriptural studies, living traditions, and theology courses.
Unification Theological Seminary
The Unification Theological Seminary , is the main seminary of the international Unification Church. It is located in Barrytown, New York and with an Extension Center in midtown Manhattan. Its purpose has been described as training leaders and theologians within the Unification Church. The...
(UTS), the main seminary of the international Unification Church
Unification Church
The Unification Church is a new religious movement founded by Korean religious leader Sun Myung Moon. In 1954, the Unification Church was formally and legally established in Seoul, South Korea, as The Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity . In 1994, Moon gave the church...
.
World Scripture and its reception
Wilson edited World Scripture: A Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts (published 1991), a comparative anthology that contains over 4,000 scriptural passages from 268 sacred texts and 55 oral traditions. Gifford LecturerGifford Lectures
The Gifford Lectures were established by the will of Adam Lord Gifford . They were established to "promote and diffuse the study of Natural Theology in the widest sense of the term — in other words, the knowledge of God." The term natural theology as used by Gifford means theology supported...
Ninian Smart
Ninian Smart
Professor Roderick Ninian Smart was a Scottish writer and university educator. He was a pioneer in the field of secular religious studies...
wrote the book's foreword. Its publisher quotes include praise for its contribution to comparative religion from clergy, scholars, and practitioners of multiple faith traditions, and it has been briefly and favorably mentioned in multiple non-UTS publications. Peace studies professor Lester Kurtz called the online version of the book, which is available in multiple online locations, a "wonderful compendium." The online version of World Scripture is linked to by many collegiate and independent websites as a comparative religion resource.
Other accomplishments
In Controversial New Religions, James R. Lewis describes Wilson as "a leading Unification scholar." Wilson has been editor of UTS's academic Journal of Unification Studies since its inception in 1997. Wilson led the translation committee for the main scripture of the Unification Church, Exposition of the Divine Principle. He is also the author of The Nations in Deutero-Isaiah: A Study on Composition and Structure and co-author of Cultivating Heart and Character: Educating for Life's Most Essential Goals. Wilson serves as senior advisor and chair of the editorial board for the Unification Church-sponsored New World Encyclopedia.Born a Jew, Wilson performs speaking and leadership roles in the Unification Church's Middle East Peace Initiative, with a focus on Jewish-Christian reconciliation. He received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1971, and later obtained an M.T.S from Harvard Divinity School
Harvard Divinity School
Harvard Divinity School is one of the constituent schools of Harvard University, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the United States. The School's mission is to train and educate its students either in the academic study of religion, or for the practice of a religious ministry or other public...
and Ph.D. from Harvard. Wilson was subject to a forced deprogramming
Deprogramming
Deprogramming refers to actions that attempt to force a person to abandon allegiance to a religious, political, economic, or social group. Methods and practices may involve kidnapping and coercion...
attempt in 1975, and in late 1980 protested a Harvard talk on the subject by cult critic Margaret Thaler Singer. Wilson joined the faculty of Unification Theological Seminary in 1985, the year his Ph.D. thesis was published. At UTS, Wilson currently teaches a variety of scriptural studies, living traditions, and theology courses.
External links
- World Scripture - complete online text
- Unification Theological Seminary