About Dr. Jacobs
NATHAN A. JACOBS, Ph.D. is a scholar of philosophy and religion, holding advanced degrees in Philosophy, Art, Church History, Systematic Theology, and Historical Theology. His publications cover areas of Modern philosophy, with emphasis on Leibniz and Kant, Eastern patristic thought, and both medieval and post-Reformation scholasticism. His past academic appointments include Scholar in Residence at Vanderbilt Divinity School, Visiting Scholar and Lecturer of Philosophy at University of Kentucky, and professorship appointments at Calvin University, Trinity College, and Trinity Graduate School.
Jacobs has four books and over thirty refereed articles to his credit. His most recent book is Leibniz, Classical Theism, and the Problem of Evil (Routledge). His previous books include two co-edited volumes, Kant and the Question of Theology (Cambridge University Press) and The Persistence of the Sacred in Modern Thought (University of Notre Dame Press), which received the Choice Gold Seal for Outstanding Academic Title. His first book, In Defense of Kant’s “Religion” (Indiana University Press), which he co-authored with Chris Firestone, was nominated for the American Philosophical Association’s Book of the Year and the American Academy of Religion’s Textual Analysis Prize.
Jacobs is host of The Nathan Jacobs Podcast, which explores matters of philosophy, theology, and contemporary culture -- available on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can read Jacobs’ replies to philosophy and theological questions here at Theological Letters.
In 2020, Jacobs migrated from teaching to work in film and television. While working as a professor, Jacobs wrote and directed his first feature film, the college comedy Killing Poe (2016), which showed at numerous film festivals and received a number of awards and nominations, such as Best Feature Film, Best Independent Film, Best Screenplay, and Audience Choice Award. This initial success opened the door to a second feature, the experimental documentary Becoming Truly Human (2017), which looks at the rise of the religiously unaffiliated, or “Nones,” and the beliefs of this growing demographic. The film received a limited theatrical release through Aspiration Studios and digital distribution through Freestyle Digital Media. As Jacobs began development on his third feature, his work caught the attention of studios and industry insiders, which led to a first look deal with The Wonder Project, a new streaming platform initiated by Lionsgate Studios, Starz, and Kingdom Story Company, which has since entered a partnership with Amazon. Jacobs has since worked as a Co-Executive Producer and Writer on House of David, the flagship show for The Wonder Project produced in collaboration with Amazon Studios. He is currently in development several followup projects.
About “Theological Letters”
Over the years, a great many folks have reached out to Jacobs with questions about philosophy and religion — and occasionally art and pop culture. Jacobs often takes the time to write lengthy “letters” (emails) in reply. “Theological Letters” offers a means of sharing those letters, as well as the occasional thought on pop culture or a glimpse into a current project.
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Theological Letters is a reader supported publication. All subscribers receive notifications of Jacobs’ latest postings and access to free content. Paid subscribers gain full access to materials not available to the general public and are able to comment on posts — comments with which Jacobs often engages. Please consider subscribing and supporting Jacobs’ work.
