Ashland Seminary Professor Edits Works of Historical Theologian
A new book will be out titled “Selected Spiritual Writings of Ann Dutton: 18th- century British Baptist Woman Theologian. Works were edited by Ashland professor.
JoAnn Ford Watson, a H.R. Gill Family Professor of theology at Ashland Theological Seminary, has the honor of editing a series of never before seen writings of a once well-known 18th-century woman Baptist theologian Ann Dutton. After fading into obscurity for 150 years, Dutton’s work will soon be showcased in the book soon to be released.
Ann Dutton lived from 1692 to 1765. In her lifetime, Dutton explored the issue of whether it was “biblical” or not for women to be theological writers.
Dutton later wrote a then well-known work paper titled “A Discourse Upon Walking with God.” The paper, first published in 1735, and gave spiritual insights for daily living that has influenced the theological thinking since. According to Watson, Dutton’s writings laid the foundation for spiritual revival in England and America. Watson shared that Dutton’s work will be of great value to women studies and theology.
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A second set of Dutton’s work is out December as well. This second set encompasses a 245-page volume of additional writings Dutton wrote long ago. According to plans, a total of five volumes will be released. The third volume will include Dutton’s autobiography. The last two volumes will include Dutton’s theological works and misc. correspondence.
The volumes will be published through the Mercer University Press. Watson is native of Ashland, joining the local seminary in 1989. She has since then been ordained a woman minister in the Presbyterian Church. She has been involved in inner-city ministry, rural parish ministry, seminary teaching, and has even worked with Mother Teresa.
Ashland has also served as a staff member at the Ashland First Presbyterian Church, a chaplain at the Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, and pastored various churches in northwestern New York.
