Theodore Jennings

Theodore Wesley Jennings Jr.[1][2] (born 1942-2020), also known as Ted Jennings, is an American theologian and Methodist minister. He is Professor of Biblical and Constructive Theology at the United Church of Christ's Chicago Theological Seminary, where he has previously served as Acting Academic Dean.[3] Jennings has gained a notoriety for his work on ritual studies,[4] the Messianic politics of Pauline discourse, and theological engagement with the work of Dietrich Bonhoeffer[5] and Jacques Derrida.

For the American football player, see Ted Jennings.
The Reverend

Theodore Jennings
Born
Theodore Wesley Jennings Jr.

(1942-10-24) October 24, 1942
DiedMarch 25, 2020(2020-03-25) (aged 77)
Mexico City, Mexico
NationalityAmerican
Other namesTed Jennings
Ecclesiastical career
ReligionChristianity (Methodist)
ChurchUnited Methodist Church
Academic background
Alma mater
ThesisMan as the Subject of Existence[1] (1971)
Doctoral advisorTheodore Runyon[1]
Academic work
DisciplineTheology
Sub-discipline
InstitutionsChicago Theological Seminary
Doctoral studentsAdam Kotsko

Jennings' radically pro-homosexuality and otherwise sexual theology was welcomed, even when provocative, in liberal circles[6], but was cast as outright heretical by conservative theologians such as Dr. R. Albert Mohler, a Southern Baptist theologian and minister.[7] Or even when he publishes across ecumenical aisles, such as coauthoring with Jesuit's College of the Holy Cross, Prof. Tat-siong Benny Liew, also called a heretic even among non-denominational writers for the Institute on Religion and Public Life such as Charlotte Allen[8].

Biography

Jennings was born on October 24, 1942. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University in 1964 and his Bachelor of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Emory University in 1967 and 1971 respectively. He taught for three years at Seminario Metodista (Methodist Seminary) in Mexico City and is an ordained Methodist minister. His scholarly work and publications have focused on a broad array of topics, such as Methodism, ritual studies,[9] biblical hermeneutics, liberation theology, LGBT rights and queer theology, the politics of Pauline Messianism, and the work of Jacques Derrida.[10]

Following a serious stroke on March 5th, 2020, at his second home near Acapulco, Mexico, Jennings was transported by ambulance to Hospital Angeles Roma in Mexico City where he passed away almost three weeks later on March 25, 2020.[11]

Works by Jennings
  • An Ethic of Queer Sex: Principles and Improvisations. Exploration Press, Chicago, Illinois 2013, ISBN 978-0-913552-72-8
  • Plato or Paul? The Origins of Western Homophobia. Pilgrim Press, Cleveland 2009, ISBN 0-8298-1855-3
  • Jacob's Wound: Homoerotic Narrative in the Literature of Ancient Israel. Continuum, New York 2005, ISBN 0-8264-1712-4
  • Reading Derrida, Thinking Paul: On Justice. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California 2005, ISBN 0-8047-5267-2
  • Mistaken Identities but Model Faith: Rereading the Centurion, the Chap, and the Christ in Matthew 8:5-13. Theodore W. Jennings, Jr. and Tat-Siong Benny Liew. Journal of Biblical Literature Vol. 123, No. 3 (Autumn, 2004), pp. 467–494
  • The Insurrection of the Crucified: The ‘Gospel of Mark’ as Theological Manifesto. Exploration Press, Chicago, Illinois 2003, ISBN 0-913552-65-8
  • The Man Jesus Loved: Homoerotic Narratives from the New Testament. Pilgrim Press, Cleveland 2003, ISBN 0-8298-1535-X
  • Santidad bìblica (Seminario Metodista de Mexico), 2002
  • Loyalty to God: The Apostles Creed in Life and Liturgy. Abingdon Press, Nashville 1992, ISBN 0-687-22821-2
  • Good News to the Poor: John Wesley’s Evangelical Economics. Abingdon Press, Nashville 1990, ISBN 0-687-15528-2
  • Beyond Theism: A Grammar of God-Language. Oxford University Press, New York 1985, ISBN 0-19-503613-1
  • Introduction to Theology: an Invitation to Reflection on the Christian Mythos. London: SPCK. 1977. ISBN 0281029857.

References
  1. Jennings, Theodore W. (1971). Man as the Subject of Existence: A Study of Post-Hegelian Anthropologies in Continental Theology (PhD thesis). Atlanta: Emory University. OCLC 26275269.
  2. Catalog of Copyright Entries. Third Series. Vol. 26, Part 1, No. 1, Sect. 1. Washington: US Copyright Office. 1974. p. 790. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  3. faculty website, Chicago Theological Seminary
  4. "On Ritual Knowledge", Theodore W. Jennings, The Journal of Religion , Vol. 62, No. 2 (Apr., 1982)
  6. Mollenkott, virginia (2012). "When the Bible Speaks Concerning Homosexuality, Why Does It Seem to Say Different Things to Different People?". virginia ramey mollenkott. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  7. Mohler, Albert (October 15, 2003). "Homosexuality and Heresy: Liberal Theology Loses its Mind". Albert Mohler. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  8. Allen, Charlotte (April 17, 2018). "HERESY AT A JESUIT COLLEGE". First Things. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  9. "On Ritual Knowledge," Theodore W. Jennings, The Journal of Religion , Vol. 62, No. 2 (Apr., 1982), pp. 111-127
  10. faculty website, Chicago Theological Seminary
  11. Cherry, Kittredge (March 26, 2020). "RIP Theodore Ted Jennings: LGBTQ-affirming Biblical theologian". QSpirit. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
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