Harold K. Bush

The Future of the Word

“This is an impressively conceived and well-researched study of the intricate ways in which texts participate in the future of God's promise—or fail to participate. The Future of the Word draws deeply from theology, literary and cultural theory and criticism, and contemporary events and pop culture to show how our world is shot through with the hope, including the productions of so-called secular authors. Perhaps the most exciting element of this study is its convincing account of the way literary works, and our acts of reading and interpreting them, should be envisioned as a participation in the unfolding of God's hope and promise for the entire creation. As such, the 'future of words' becomes a profoundly sacred and mindful activity, one in which we are all called to contribute as worthy 'scribes' trained in God's eschatological purposes. The sheer scope of the research is impressive; but even more impressive is the user-friendly prose in which the author conveys difficult theoretical and theological concepts—it is challenging yet highly readable, and overall is a bracing, elevating, and edifying reading experience.”