Desert, Wilderness, Wasteland, and Word: A New Essay by Jacques Ellul and Five Critical Engagements
Ebook
Desert, Wilderness, Wasteland, and Word features an English translation of a recently discovered and until-now unpublished essay of Jacques Ellul's that examines the significance of the desert from biblical, theological, and ethical perspectives. It also provides an introduction that contextualizes Ellul's piece, and five incendiary essays that critically reflect on Ellul's work. Altogether, this volume offers fresh and provocative insight into the writings of Jacques Ellul during a historical moment that appears to be on its way to, or already in, a desert, wilderness, and wasteland, with many people in it who are desperate for encounters with a new, revitalizing Word.
“Jacques Ellul is a gift who keeps on giving. The great French sociologist has seen clearly (and before the rest of us) the toxic dangers of modern technological development. . . . This book is an important probe into Ellul, and a shrewd discernment about what serious faith requires and makes possible when we are woke to the undercurrents of the power of death that are all around us.”
—Walter Brueggemann, professor emeritus of Old Testament, Columbia Theological Seminary
“From the biblical topic of desert to modern desert and spiritual wilderness in our lives, this book is a fascinating course between void and voice, fullness and silence, death and life, on the way to the real life which rises from void and death. Jacques Ellul and several high experts on Ellulian thought lead us along this hard road. A nourishing, thirst-quenching and essential book!”
—Frédéric Rognon, professor of philosophy, University of Strasbourg
“Desert, Wilderness, Wasteland, and Word is a wonderful collection of essays, a gift not just to Jacques Ellul scholars but to thoughtful readers, especially Christians, everywhere. As Ellul provided us with a fully-developed biblical study of The Meaning of the City in 1970, so he provides here an insightful collection of insights and challenges about ‘the meaning of desert and wilderness’—thanks to the careful reconstruction of his notes by Jean-Philippe Qadri and Jerome Ellul. This is an extraordinary and timely book.”
—David W. Gill, president, International Jacques Ellul Society
- Title: Desert, Wilderness, Wasteland, and Word: A New Essay by Jacques Ellul and Five Critical Engagements
- Authors: Jacques Ellul, Michael Morelli, Kelsey Haskett
- Publisher: Pickwick Publications
- Print Publication Date: 2023
- Logos Release Date: 2023
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781666742558, 9781666742541, 1666742546, 9781666742534, 1666742538, 1666742554
- Resource ID: LLS:9781666742558
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-04-16T09:54:19Z
Jacques Ellul (1912–94) was professor of the history and sociology of institutions at the University of Bordeaux. A sociologist, historian, and Protestant lay theologian, Ellul is primarily known for his writings on technology, propaganda, and Christian anarchism.
Michael Morelli is assistant professor of theology and ethics at Northwest Seminary and College, a founding member of ACTS Seminaries, and an affiliate of Trinity Western University. He is the author of Theology, Ethics, and Technology in the Work of Jacques Ellul and Paul Virilio.