James Estes is a medievalist interested in vernacular texts as they explore religious meaning-making at the intersection of theology, language, and culture. His broader theological interests include the study of the spiritual life and religious movements in Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages. He is a graduate of The Catholic University of America, where he studied spirituality, mysticism, and historical theology, with particular interest in medieval English vernacular literature. His dissertation (Wisdom's Missionary: Alfred the Great and the Pursuit of Wisdom in Anglo-Saxon Spirituality,2016) examines spirituality and theology in early medieval England.  As a theology librarian, he has additional interests in the book arts (the art and practice of book design and publishing) and in information literacy for theological study. He is a lifelong resident of the Washington, DC area, and ordained clergy in the United Church of Christ. A Wesley graduate (2006), James returned to the seminary as a librarian in 2009, and was appointed Library Director and joined the faculty in 2013.

Education

• The George Washington University,  BA; MAEd
• Wesley Theological Seminary, MTS
• The Catholic University of America, MSLS; Grad. Certificate; MPhil;PhD

Publications

Estes, James. Review of Using e-Books and e-Readers for Adult Learning: With a Focus on Adult Literacy, by Sandie Gay and Tina Richardson. Reflective Teaching [Teaching Theology and Religion Book Reviews Online] (February 2015). http://www.wabashcenter.wabash.edu/resources/article.aspx?id=29165

Estes, James. Review of Julian’s Gospel: Illuminating the Life and Revelations of Julian of Norwich, by Veronica Mary Rolf. Spiritus: A Journal of Christian Spirituality 15, no. 2 (Fall 2015): 260-262. DOI: 10.1353/scs.2015.0033

Estes, James. "The Merits and Mandate of Professional Development — or, What happens When a Theology Librarian Reads The Economist.” ATLA [American Theological Library Association] Newsletter (March 10, 2017).