Grieve-Carlson pens book on theologian Kelpius

Dr. Timothy Grieve-Carlson, assistant professor of interfaith studies at Westminster College, has authored a new book, “American Aurora: Environment and Apocalypse in the Life of Johannes Kelpius.”

Released in May, Grieve-Carlson’s book explores the impact of climate change on early modern radical religious groups during the height of the Little Ice Age—a period of widespread cooling in the North Atlantic region—during the 17th century. Grieve-Carlson focuses on the life of Johannes Kelpius, a Pietist and theologian who settled in Philadelphia in 1694, and looks at the Hermetic and alchemical dimensions of Kelpius’ Christianity before turning to his legacy in American religion and literature.

“Kelpius was widely recognized as an important figure, but scholars seemed to know very little about him or exactly why he was influential. As I pursued topics for research, one of the things that kept bringing me back to Kelpius was his particular attention to themes of such contemporary relevance—environmental catastrophe, institutional decline and the looming sense that one is living through a transitional period in history,” Grieve-Carlson said.

As radical Protestants during Kelpius’ lifetime struggled to understand their changing climate and a seemingly eschatological cosmos, esoteric texts became crucial sources of meaning. Grieve-Carlson presents original translations of Kelpius’ university writings, which have never been published in English, along with analyses and translations of other important sources from the period in German and Latin.

While Grieve-Carlson began writing “American Aurora” in 2020, the book is a culmination of his doctoral work completed at Rice University, where he earned his Ph.D. in religious studies. He received his undergraduate degree from Drew University.

Grieve-Carlson joined the Westminster faculty in 2022.

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