Cross Featured in German Book of Theology
By Britain Miethe
Dr. Terry Cross, dean of the School of Religion and professor of Systematic Theology at Lee, will have his theological work featured in a book by Giovanni Maltese and published by Vandenhoeck and Ruprecht Verlag in German.
The book, titled “Geisterfahrer zwischen Transcendenz und Immanenz: Die Erfahrungsbegriffe in den pfingstlich-charismatischen Theologien von Terry L. Cross und Amos Yong im Vergleich,” can be translated as “One who Experiences the Spirit Between Transcendence and Immanence: The Concept of Experience in the Pentecostal-Charismatic Theologies of Terry L. Cross and Amos Yong in Comparison.”
Maltese writes about the influences behind both Cross’ and Yong’s work, and how ultimately, although they do not agree on everything, both are necessary to accurately critique each other.
“It is quite amazing to think that Pentecostal Theology has grown enough to have serious theologians throughout the world engaging our thought with careful reflection,” said Cross. “I think both Pentecostals and other Christian confessions will benefit from the theological conversation.”
Originally from Big Rapids, Mich., Cross came to Lee’s faculty in 1997 from Connecticut. Since then, he has divided his time between teaching and administrative duties. In fall 2000, he directed the new graduate programs in religion as three new masters degrees were inaugurated, and in 2002 became the dean of the School of Religion. In 2007-2008, Cross was elected president of the Society for Pentecostal Studies, a 500-member organization to enhance the study of Pentecostalism worldwide.
While on sabbatical in 2008 Cross gave a lecture at Heidelberg University where he met Giovanni Maltese. Maltese was intrigued by the differences he saw between another Pentecostal scholar, Amos Yong, and Cross. In this 250-page book, Maltese has fleshed out the contrasts as part of his work at the History of Religions and Intercultural Theology Center in the theological faculty at Heidelberg.
Prior to his work at Lee, Cross was a pastor for twelve years and a high school teacher of Latin and history. He has been listed in Who’s Who Among American Teachers. He was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award at Lee University in May 2000 and the Excellence in Scholarship Award in May 2001.
Cross earned his PhD in Systematic Theology and his ThM in Doctrinal Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary. He received his MDiv in Theology and MA in Church History from Ashland Theological Seminary (Ohio), and his BA from Lee in 1978.
Cross and his wife, Linda, have one daughter, Tara, who teaches at Taylor Elementary and is married to Kevin Snider. Aside from golf, tennis, and racquetball, Cross enjoys genealogy and Latin.
For more information about the book, please visit http://www.v-r.de/de/title-0-0/geisterfahrer_zwischen_transzendenz_und_immanenz-1011204/.
