New Books by Faculty Authors

Writing to Teach

During the past year several Seattle Pacific University faculty members have published books on topics ranging from the Holy Spirit to love and marriage to the “math wars.” But it’s not writing for writing’s sake.

As a “teaching university,” explains Vice President of Academic Affairs Les Steele, SPU demands first-rate teaching from its faculty. “A primary way of accomplishing this is to be an active scholar in your subject,” he says. “In many disciplines, this is accomplished through research and writing. This results in the faculty member returning to the classroom with great enthusiasm and knowledge — and that leads to a great education for our students.”

Some of this year’s faculty authors include Professor of Sociology Martin Abbott, Director of Washington School Research Center Duane Baker, adjunct education faculty member Karen Smith, and Professor of English Thomas Trzyna. They teamed up to write Winning the Math Wars: No Teacher Left Behind.

William Purcell, associate professor of communication, used war stories to take the emotional temperature of the home front in The Rhetorical Short Story: Best American Short Stories on War and Military, 1915–2006.

Professor of Psychology Les Parrott and Leslie Parrott, a marriage and family therapist, released their newest book, L.O.V.E.: Putting Your Love Styles to Work for You.

And four professors from the School of Theology released books gaining attention in the blogosphere and elsewhere: Filled With the Spirit by Professor of New Testament John R. Levison; The Catholic Epistles and Apostolic Tradition by Paul T. Walls Professor of Scripture and Wesleyan Studies Robert Wall; The Apathetic God by Assistant Professor of Theology Daniel Castelo; and Not by Paul Alone by Associate Professor of New Testament Studies David Nienhuis.

Editor’s note: Over the course of this year, each book has been or will be featured as a Response online exclusive.

Exclusive: Faculty Book

The Catholic Epistles and Apostolic Tradition by Paul T. Walls Professor of Scripture and Wesleyan Studies Robert Wall.


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