Hogg, David S. 1971–

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Hogg, David S. 1971–

PERSONAL:

Born July 24, 1971. Education: University of Toronto, B.A.; Westminster Theological Seminary, M.Div.; University of St. Andrews, Ph.D.

ADDRESSES:

Office—Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, P.O. Box 1889, Wake Forest, NC 27588. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC, elected faculty, 2002—.

WRITINGS:

Anselm of Canterbury: The Beauty of Theology, Ashgate (Burlington, VT), 2004.

SIDELIGHTS:

Born July 24, 1971, David S. Hogg received his B.A. from the University of Toronto, his M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary, and his Ph.D. from the University of St. Andrews in Fife, Scotland. In 2002 he began teaching church history and medieval studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

In his first book, Anselm of Canterbury: The Beauty of Theology, Hogg examines the aesthetic in Anselm's philosophy by emphasizing his many references to beauty, symmetry, harmony, unity, and proportion. Considered to be Christianity's first scholarly philosopher, Anselm of Canterbury served the English church in the important office of Archbishop of Canterbury from 1093 to 1109. In his writings he attempted to give rational explanations to Christian beliefs. Hogg examines Anselm's belief that all the senses participate in worshiping the divine. Hogg further considers how this is applied in the relationship between thought and prayer and analyzes Anselm's writings with a view to pointing out his appreciation for aesthetics as a basis for his definition and understanding of truth.

Assessing Anselm of Canterbury for the Anglican Theological Review, Joseph H. Pearson welcomed the book, saying: "This volume is noteworthy for its close reading of key texts considered in the light of the larger Anselmian canon…. [It] has the effect of relocating Anselm to a wider landscape where he may be seen against the background both of his own time and within the longer Christian tradition." He also recommended it for research: "For a student who wishes to read through the Anselmian canon by tracing an important theme across many different works, this welcome study of a neglected aspect of Anselm is an excellent place to begin."

Calling Anselm of Canterbury "rich and insightful," Paschal Baumstein, in his review for Heythrop Journal, praised it highly, commenting that it was "a book of which Anselm himself might have approved," and one that is "distinguished by the breadth of its vision as well as the acuity of its insight."

Benedicta Ward's review for the Journal of Ecclesiastical History declared that Hogg had taken "a sensitive and positive approach to the works of Anselm." Like Baumstein, she thought that Hogg had captured Anselm's spirit, declaring: "This study is an accessible introduction to Anselm's theology by means of a new emphasis on its basis in ‘beauty,’ that is, the extension of longing and desire for the ultimate beauty of God, an approach with which Anselm would have agreed."