Davis Roberts | Candler School of Theology (original) (raw)
Papers by Davis Roberts
The Candler Journal of Theological and Religious Studies (TRS ), the student-run academic review ... more The Candler Journal of Theological and Religious Studies (TRS ), the student-run academic review of Candler School of Theology at Emory University, is soliciting essay submissions for its inaugural issue, to be published in the spring of 2019. TRS accepts essays written by current graduate students and recent Ph.D. graduates on any topic within the fields of religious studies and theology, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary engagement. Topics of inquiry may include but are not limited to world religions, church history, historical theology, philosophy of religion, biblical studies, sociology of religion, anthropology, and feminist, queer, and critical race perspectives on religion.
Sartre's existentialism is often accused--and for valid reasons--of presenting an image of human ... more Sartre's existentialism is often accused--and for valid reasons--of presenting an image of human relationships which is, at best, always grounded in conflict against the Other; at worst, a violent battle for ownership of a situation. This paper will argue against such a view. In part one I will reference the works of Jean-Paul Sartre, arguing for the possibility of genuine relationships between individuals--in particular, I will contrast "bad faith" and "good faith" relationships. Part two will present an example of a bad faith relationship from the fiction of Søren Kierkegaard. This parable of sorts will then be examined against what I see as a Sartrean possibility of genuine relationship. Part three will argue for the existential right of consent for all people; I will furthermore argue that we have a moral obligation to respect and support the autonomy and freedom of the Other. Ultimately, I will conclude that the negative portrayal of Existentialism regarding human relationships is misguided. Rather, the philosophy has potential for a clear ethic regarding our interaction with the Other, as well as presenting us with a moral obligation to support the Other and advocate for the freedom and autonomy of all.
Book Reviews by Davis Roberts
Reviews in Religion and Theology, 2018
A lot has been said by the church in reference to the lives of queer people but only recently--th... more A lot has been said by the church in reference to the lives of queer people but only recently--the last several decades--have queer people been able to talk about the church. The faith of LGB people was a major topic following Stonewall in the the 21st century with famous names such as Robert Goss and Marcella Althaus-Reid. Although some was said here and there about transgender people little was able to said by them. Where we now find ourselves, this unfortunate fact is changing. In This Is My Body , Anglican priest and trans woman Christina Beardsley compiles essays from two different approaches to the faithful experiences of trans Christians. Beardsley's co-editor Michelle O'Brien has been involved with activism and research regarding the lives of trans and intersex people for many years. Both women come from different experiences with trans people come together to create an interesting approach to theological writing.
Conference Presentations by Davis Roberts
Thesis Chapters by Davis Roberts
This essay examines the problems which face the concept of consent, especially as it has come to ... more This essay examines the problems which face the concept of consent, especially as it has come to be understood: the grounding principal of sexual ethics. I argue that, while consent is of import for developing sexual legislation regarding assault and harm, it is insufficient to address the complexities of interpersonal sexual ethics. This is demonstrated by showing the inability of consent to address variations of human sexuality. In place of consent, I examine the possibilities held in a relational rethinking of classical autonomy in the form of the feminist project of relational autonomy. However, this option is limited in that it does not adequately address how it is that human beings are in relation with one another, while maintaining a certain kind of autonomy. In order to address this, I turn to the early work of existential-phenomenologist Jean-Paul Sartre to establish a model by which we may be able to understand our autonomy as interwoven with that of the other, including, and perhaps especially, the other(s) with whom we are having sex.
The Candler Journal of Theological and Religious Studies (TRS ), the student-run academic review ... more The Candler Journal of Theological and Religious Studies (TRS ), the student-run academic review of Candler School of Theology at Emory University, is soliciting essay submissions for its inaugural issue, to be published in the spring of 2019. TRS accepts essays written by current graduate students and recent Ph.D. graduates on any topic within the fields of religious studies and theology, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary engagement. Topics of inquiry may include but are not limited to world religions, church history, historical theology, philosophy of religion, biblical studies, sociology of religion, anthropology, and feminist, queer, and critical race perspectives on religion.
Sartre's existentialism is often accused--and for valid reasons--of presenting an image of human ... more Sartre's existentialism is often accused--and for valid reasons--of presenting an image of human relationships which is, at best, always grounded in conflict against the Other; at worst, a violent battle for ownership of a situation. This paper will argue against such a view. In part one I will reference the works of Jean-Paul Sartre, arguing for the possibility of genuine relationships between individuals--in particular, I will contrast "bad faith" and "good faith" relationships. Part two will present an example of a bad faith relationship from the fiction of Søren Kierkegaard. This parable of sorts will then be examined against what I see as a Sartrean possibility of genuine relationship. Part three will argue for the existential right of consent for all people; I will furthermore argue that we have a moral obligation to respect and support the autonomy and freedom of the Other. Ultimately, I will conclude that the negative portrayal of Existentialism regarding human relationships is misguided. Rather, the philosophy has potential for a clear ethic regarding our interaction with the Other, as well as presenting us with a moral obligation to support the Other and advocate for the freedom and autonomy of all.
Reviews in Religion and Theology, 2018
A lot has been said by the church in reference to the lives of queer people but only recently--th... more A lot has been said by the church in reference to the lives of queer people but only recently--the last several decades--have queer people been able to talk about the church. The faith of LGB people was a major topic following Stonewall in the the 21st century with famous names such as Robert Goss and Marcella Althaus-Reid. Although some was said here and there about transgender people little was able to said by them. Where we now find ourselves, this unfortunate fact is changing. In This Is My Body , Anglican priest and trans woman Christina Beardsley compiles essays from two different approaches to the faithful experiences of trans Christians. Beardsley's co-editor Michelle O'Brien has been involved with activism and research regarding the lives of trans and intersex people for many years. Both women come from different experiences with trans people come together to create an interesting approach to theological writing.
This essay examines the problems which face the concept of consent, especially as it has come to ... more This essay examines the problems which face the concept of consent, especially as it has come to be understood: the grounding principal of sexual ethics. I argue that, while consent is of import for developing sexual legislation regarding assault and harm, it is insufficient to address the complexities of interpersonal sexual ethics. This is demonstrated by showing the inability of consent to address variations of human sexuality. In place of consent, I examine the possibilities held in a relational rethinking of classical autonomy in the form of the feminist project of relational autonomy. However, this option is limited in that it does not adequately address how it is that human beings are in relation with one another, while maintaining a certain kind of autonomy. In order to address this, I turn to the early work of existential-phenomenologist Jean-Paul Sartre to establish a model by which we may be able to understand our autonomy as interwoven with that of the other, including, and perhaps especially, the other(s) with whom we are having sex.