Greensboro College Professor Publishes Book on Welcome in Christian Community

Benjamin S. Wall, assistant professor of religion

"GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Benjamin S. Wall, an assistant professor of religion at Greensboro College, has published a book, "Welcome as a Way of Life: A Practical Theology of Jean Vanier."

The book, published by Cascade Books, focuses on the theology of Jean Vanier, the Canadian philosopher, theologian and humanitarian who has published numerous books and founded two international groups that work with and for people with developmental disabilities.

Its publisher says, "It examines how welcome is a sign of community life, the visible expression of individual and communal trust in God's providence, and a conduit of God's presence in the world."

Stanley Hauerwas, Gilbert T. Rowe Professor Emeritus at Duke Divinity School, calls the book "a welcome addition to the growing realization that Jean Vanier and his friends have a lot to teach us about the Lord."

Brian Brock, a lecturer in Moral and Practical Theology at the University of Aberdeen, writes, "Wall shows why welcome and responsiveness must be central to any human community, Christian or otherwise, that we want to label 'caring.'" 

The book can be ordered online at http://wipfandstock.com/welcome-as-a-way-of-life.html.

Wall holds a B.A. from Southeastern College at Wake Forest, an M.A. and Th.M. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from the University of Aberdeen. He joined the Greensboro College faculty in 2015.

Greensboro College provides a liberal-arts education grounded in the traditions of the United Methodist Church and fosters the intellectual, social, and, spiritual development of all students while supporting their individual needs.

Founded in 1838 and located near downtown Greensboro, the college enrolls about 1,000 students from 29 states and territories, the District of Columbia and seven foreign countries in its undergraduate liberal-arts program and four master's degree programs. In addition to rigorous academics and a well-supported Honors program, the school features a 17-sport NCAA Division III athletic program and dozens of service and recreational opportunities."

- A Press Release