Acknowledgements
The present work, which began as my doctoral dissertation, would not have been possible without the assistance of others, whom I am delighted to acknowledge here. Sujin Pak, my doctoral supervisor at Duke University, modeled the erudition, wisdom, and charity I hope to emulate in my own scholarship and teaching. David Steinmetz’s helpful critiques and suggestions as I enjoyed hospitality at his kitchen table clarified much in the early stages of research. It was with great sadness that I received news of Professor Steinmetz’s death just two weeks before my dissertation defense. Others read all or parts of this text at various points in its development, offering careful, critical feedback that has been invaluable: Megan Armstrong, Jon Balserak, Tanner Capps, Curtis Freeman, Thomas Robisheaux, and the two anonymous reviewers. I am grateful for their help. Any mistakes that remain are entirely mine.
Wim Janse and Fred van Lieburg, editors of Brill’s Series in Church History and Religious Culture, offered encouragement and support that made this book a reality. Ingrid Heijckers-Velt, Assistant Editor at Brill, and Fem Eggers, Production Editor, kept the project on track with good communication and “all the answers” on the way. Pittsburgh Theological Seminary has proven to be an ideal place to teach and write. Holly McKelvey, Administrative Assistant to the Faculty, provided indispensable support during the process of research and writing. Preparing my final manuscript would have been much more arduous without the extensive resources of the Clifford E. Barbour Library and skilled assistance of its staff. I am especially grateful to Mark Russell, Reference and Interlibrary Loan Librarian, who patiently fielded seemingly endless requests and tracked down sources far and wide. Elizabeth DeBold, Assistant Curator of Collections at the Folger Shakespeare Library (Washington, DC), helped me locate the cover illustration. I also thank Trent Hancock for reading the manuscript, catching a number of errors, and preparing the index.
Some debts cannot be repaid. My parents, Antony and Suzanna, have been a source of unconditional love and support my whole life. My children, Hannah, Ryan, and Graeme grew up with this book, bearing patiently the sometimes-bewildering turns our life together has taken en route to its publication. Finally, I write this having just celebrated twenty years of marriage to my wife, Tisha. Her love, friendship, and good humor through “all the surprises” are a constant, sweet reminder that I have much more than I deserve—then, now, and every moment in between. I dedicate this book to her and to our children.