Celebrating 50 published books
March 2026 — Edwin David Aponte, dean of Drew Theological School and professor of religion and culture, recently joined leading scholars from across the country to celebrate a momentous academic milestone, the publication of the 50th book by Miguel De La Torre, professor of social ethics and Latinx studies at Iliff School of Theology.
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The achievement places De La Torre among only a handful of scholars in the history of the American Academy of Religion to reach such a prolific benchmark—marking what has been described as a once-in-a-generation contribution to the study of religion, ethics, and public life. De La Torre’s first book, Introducing Latino/a Theologies was co-authored with Aponte.
As part of the celebration, Aponte delivered a lecture titled Types of Deceptive Hope: Historia and Religious Nationalism in the USA, engaging critical questions at the intersection of history, theology, and contemporary political discourse. He also participated in a panel discussion reflecting on De La Torre’s scholarly legacy while exploring De La Torre’s concept of embracing hopelessness as a means to subverting structures and resisting injustice.
Aponte was joined by an esteemed group of scholars, including Stacey Floyd-Thomas of Vanderbilt University; Joerg Rieger of Vanderbilt University; Kwok Pui-lan of Episcopal Divinity School; and Tink Tinker of Iliff School of Theology—each contributing to the dynamic conversation.
The celebration also marked a shared history. Aponte, De La Torre, and Floyd-Thomas were doctoral students together at Temple University where they were mentored by their professor and Christian ethicist, the late Katie Geneva Cannon, widely regarded as a founder of the Womanist movement.
The event also served as a prelude to an upcoming collaborative publication co-edited by Aponte and De La Torre, Latine Lived Religions and Religious Identities in the United States ¡Presente!, further extending their shared commitment to advancing critical scholarship in religion and society.
