Works by JLA

Books, collections, and Articles by James Luther Adams

This bibliography lists books and anthologies of essays by James Luther Adams, with links to book sellers and libraries where you can obtain a copy.

The Essential James Luther Adams: Selected Essays and Addresses. Edited with an introduction by George Kimmich Beach. Boston: Skinner House Books, 1998. This volume contains 12 “essential” essays by James Luther Adams, grouped together under the following topics: “Faith & Freedom”; “Time & History”;and “Association & Action.” The volume itself and each section is accompanied by an introduction by Beach. [Amazon | AbeBooks | UUA Bookstore | Libraries]

Examined Faith: Social Context and Religious Commitment. Edited with an introduction by George K. Beach. Boston: Beacon Press, 1991. Includes essays on Troeltsch, Tillich, “Prophetic Theology,” the demonic, existentialism, root metaphors, plus various religious themes. [Amazon | AbeBooks | UUA Bookstore | Google Books | Libraries]

“James Luther Adams at 75.” Edited by Herbert F. Vetter, Jr. The Unitarian Universalist Christian 32, Nos. 1-2 (1977). Contains 7 of Adams’ essays, all of which are reprinted in Vetter’s James Luther Adams: Prophet to the Powerful. [Libraries]

“James Luther Adams Papers.” Edited by Herbert F. Vetter, Jr. The Unitarian Universalist Christian 48, Nos. 3-4 (1993). Contains 19 of Adams’ essays, 18 of which are reprinted in Vetter’s James Luther Adams: Prophet to the Powerful. [Libraries]

James Luther Adams: Prophet to the Powerful. Edited by Herbert F. Vetter. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Square Library, 2008. This edited volume contains 27 of Adams’ essays and combines them with 3 biographical essays, two by Max L. Stackhouse and one by George Kimmich Beach.

Not Without Dust and Heat: A Memoir. Chicago: Exploration Press, 1995. Includes an introduction by Max L. Stackhouse and a reflective essay “Tribute to the Life of a Teacher,” by George Huntston Williams. This posthumously published 424 page “memoir” is derived from Adams’ 1,400 page autobiography, which is preserved in the Andover-Harvard Theological Library in Cambridge, MA. Of particular historical interest are the chapters concerning the German churches and universities during the rise of Nazism, from JLA’s eye-witness accounts.[Amazon | AbeBooks | Libraries]

On Being Human Religiously: Selected Essays on Religion and Society. Edited with introduction by Max L. Stackhouse. Boston: Beacon Press, 1976. This edited collection contains 18 of Adams’ essays grouped together under the headings: “The Spirit and Forms of Freedom”;  “Sources and Tests of Human Action”; and “Refractions of Meaning.” The book includes essays on Marx, Max Weber, Rudolph Sohm, Ernst Troeltsch, and Tillich. [Amazon | AbeBooks | Libraries]

Paul Tillich’s Philosophy of Culture, Science, and Religion. New York: Harper & Row, 1965. This is a revision of Adams’ 1945 doctoral dissertation at the University of Chicago. It focuses on Tillich earlier writings while he was still in Germany. [Amazon | AbeBooks | Libraries]

The Prophethood of All Believers. Edited with introduction by George K. Beach. Boston: Beacon Press, 1986. Includes essays on Troeltsch and Whitehead; on liberal religion, religious history, the arts, theological language, voluntary associations, and a mid-life autobiographical essay. [Amazon | AbeBooks | Libraries]

Taking Time Seriously. Glencoe, Ill.: The Free Press, 1957. This volume is largely a reflection upon Adams’ experiences in Germany during the rise of Nazism. [Amazon |AbeBooks | Libraries]

Voluntary Associations: Socio-cultural Analyses and Theological Interpretation. Edited by J. Ronald Engel. Chicago: Exploration Press, 1986. Reprints of nearly two dozen important essays on human nature, social action, voluntary associations, civil disobedience, the professions, symbols, mediating structures, economics, etc. [Amazon | AbeBooks | Libraries