Shorter College professor publishes book for season of Lent

February 1, 2010 - Dr. Carmen Acevedo Butcher, Shorter College Scholar-in-Residence and associate professor of English, has added another book to her constantly growing list of publications. “Following Christ: A Lenten Reader to Stretch Your Soul” was released this month by Paraclete Press.

Each chapter or station of this new book begins with scripture, reflection, and quotations for each day from people like John of the Cross, Hildegard, Athanasius, Antony the Great, Benedict of Nursia, Clare of Assisi, Mechthild of Magdeburg, Julian, Catherine of Siena, and Birgitta of Sweden.

Dr. Butcher began writing the book after being approached by an editor at Paraclete Press. “It sounded like a challenge intellectually, and I would also be able to feed my soul. I write about things that I have little of, or have a great need for.” Butcher said. She completed the book in eight months.

As the author of numerous books, scholarly articles and international lectures, Dr. Butcher believes the book will appeal to a wide audience. “The book is for anybody who wants to have a closer relationship with Jesus and for people who are spiritually hungry for Jesus. I write books for me first, so I can know Jesus better, and then for others to get to know Jesus better.” Dr. Butcher was the 2006 Carnegie Foundation Professor of the Year for Georgia and received the 2007 President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship at Shorter College. She has been a Fulbright scholar and lecturer twice. She was a Fulbright Senior Lecturer at Sogang University in Seoul, South Korea for the 2004-2005 academic year, and she was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of London from 1989-1991, conducting research in the British Library, the Bodleian, and other Oxbridge libraries. “Following Christ: A Lenten Reader to Stretch Your Soul” is available for purchase on Amazon.com. Read more about Dr. Butcher’s current book and other publications at www.carmenbutcher.com.

Founded in 1873, Shorter College is a Christian college committed to excellence in education. Since 2003, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Shorter among the South’s best baccalaureate colleges. The college offers traditional bachelor’s degrees in 48 major areas as well as undergraduate degree programs for working adults, the Master of Business Administration and the Master of Arts in Leadership. Online courses are also available. Shorter will transition to university status June 1, 2010. For more information, visit www.shorter.edu.

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