By Finbarr Curtis
Elections are in the air. Alongside the far more colorful contests for the American presidency, the American Academy of Religion put forth David P. Gushee and R. Kendall Soulen as candidates for the vice presidency of the organization. While lacking controversy of Trumpic proportions, the AAR did face criticism here and here from scholars who noted that the two candidates both advocate for more theological reflection in the study of religion. In his statement, Gushee expresses concern that the "AAR is seen as not particularly hospitable to, say, confessional or constructive theology, or more conservative religious viewpoints."
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Gushee and Soulen reopen some old debates in religious studies and appeal to American senses of fair play and inclusion. In their view, the AAR should be a big tent that includes lots of different perspectives. I am not persuaded that their tent building requires any changes in organizational direction, however, because it strikes me that the AAR is a big tent right now. Ironically, this means that everyone feels excluded. Evangelical theologians lament that secular approaches to religious studies have squeezed out faith while critical theorists see Christian theological categories everywhere.