Jana Riess
Encyclopedia
Jana Kathryn Riess is an American
writer and editor.
Reiss' writings have focused on American religions, usually on organized movements such as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and The Church of Christ, Scientist.
Riess has a Bachelor's degree
from Wellesley College. She received a Master's degree
in theology
from the Princeton Theological Seminary
and a Ph.D.
in American Religious studies
from Columbia University
. Riess is a Religion and American Studies professor at Miami University
in Oxford, Ohio. She and husband Phil Smith reside in Cincinnati.
with commentary. Riess is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having converted as an adult.Riess is an expert on religion in literature. In 2001 she moderated a debate over whether the Harry Potter
books were a tract for witchcraft. She has been the religion book editor for Publishers Weekly
.
the bible. Her "Twible" quest will conclude in January of 2013. Each tweet summarizes a chapter of the bible. Riess tweets the bible in order and plans to hit all 1,189 chapters in 140 characters.
Examples:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
writer and editor.
Reiss' writings have focused on American religions, usually on organized movements such as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and The Church of Christ, Scientist.
Background
Reiss was born in the US midwest, one of two children. Her father abandoned the family (mother Phyllis and Jana; by that time the brother was on his own) without warning in 1984.Riess has a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
from Wellesley College. She received a Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
from the Princeton Theological Seminary
Princeton Theological Seminary
Princeton Theological Seminary is a theological seminary of the Presbyterian Church located in the Borough of Princeton, New Jersey in the United States...
and a Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in American Religious studies
Religious studies
Religious studies is the academic field of multi-disciplinary, secular study of religious beliefs, behaviors, and institutions. It describes, compares, interprets, and explains religion, emphasizing systematic, historically based, and cross-cultural perspectives.While theology attempts to...
from Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
. Riess is a Religion and American Studies professor at Miami University
Miami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
in Oxford, Ohio. She and husband Phil Smith reside in Cincinnati.
Writings
Among the books by Riess are What Would Buffy Do? and an abridgment of the Book of MormonBook of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr...
with commentary. Riess is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having converted as an adult.Riess is an expert on religion in literature. In 2001 she moderated a debate over whether the Harry Potter
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...
books were a tract for witchcraft. She has been the religion book editor for Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...
.
Tweeting the Bible
On October 4, 2009, Riess began a project to tweetTwitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
the bible. Her "Twible" quest will conclude in January of 2013. Each tweet summarizes a chapter of the bible. Riess tweets the bible in order and plans to hit all 1,189 chapters in 140 characters.
Examples:
- @janariess #Twible Genesis 12: Hello, Abram. G promises land & descendants. Father Ab responds by lying to Pharaoh & pimping out wife Sarai.
- @janariess #Twible Genesis 20: Ab pulls the "she's my sister" thing again; successfully pimps out Sarah for more sheep, oxen & slaves. Yay Father Ab!
- @janariess #Twible Genesis 26: Like father, like son. Isaac mimics "she's my sister" trick to pimp out wife Reb. Again results in riches. We never learn.
External links
- "Flunking Sainthood" blog on BeliefnetBeliefnetBeliefnet is a large multi-faith e-community that aims to provide a free forum for religious information and inspiration, spiritual tools, and discussions and dialogue groups. Beliefnet provides information about various religious and spiritual beliefs, ranging from Christian denominations to...
- The Review Revolution: Improving Culture through Kvetching - Jana Riess' blog
- @janariess on Twitter
- FARMS Review on Riess' abridgment of the Book of Mormon