God Talk

The Problem of Divine-Human Communication

Mark Ward Sr.

• Publisher: Peter Lang Inc., International Academic Publishers
• Year: 2022
• Print ISBN: 9781433196171, 9781433196188
• eBook ISBN: 9781433196157
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Media Studies
• Index: Social Sciences

God 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.

***

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 tradition—or absence of a faith tradition—it is a stimulating read. I highly recommend it.

—Steven A. Beebe, Regents' and University Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Texas State University; Past President, National Communication Association

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." This book is a must!

—Tina M. Harris, 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. I highly recommend this relevant work.

—Ronald C. Arnett, Professor Emeritus, Duquesne University

A much-needed contribution to the growing body of research at the intersection of communication and religion, this scholarly volume gathers work from established and emerging scholars to address a long-standing issue in the field of religious communication: the conundrum of divine-human communication. —Janie M. H. Fritz, Duquesne University; Executive Director, Religious Communication Association

Table of contents

• Cover
• Table of Contents
• List of Contributors
• Acknowledgments
• Preface
• Introduction: “A Possible Relationship between Belief and Knowledge” (Mark Ward Sr.)
• Chapter One: The “God-Problem” in Communication Studies (Quentin J. Schultze)
• Chapter Two: Let Them Take the Lead: A Holistic, Culture-Centered Approach to Divine-Human Communication (Lakelyn E. Taylor)
• Chapter Three: The Politics of Knowledge Production: Situating the “God Problem” in the Context of Decolonization (Elaine Schnabel)
• Chapter Four: Religion and Spirituality in Communication Research: Moving Toward a Sociocultural Identity Framework (Arielle Leonard Hodges)
• Chapter Five: The Researcher as Translator: Locating the God Problem in Researcher Identity (Christine J. Gardner)
• Chapter Six: “Silence is the Communication Behavior of God”: Contemplation and Collaborative Autoethnography (Kathleen D. Clark)
• Chapter Seven: The “Still Small Voice”: A Phenomenological Approach to Divine Communication (Joshua D. Hill)
• Chapter Eight: Toward a Theory of Divine Communication? Prospects and Problems (Mark Ward Sr.)
• Chapter Nine: Who Owns the God Problem? A Reader Response Solution (Edward Lee Lamoureux)
• Chapter Ten: Reconsidering the “God-Problem” in Communication Studies (Quentin J. Schultze)