New Creation Conversations Episode 026 - Dr. Richard Mouw on Modeling and Leading with Evangelical Civility

Welcome to episode twenty-six of New Creation Conversations. Today’s conversation is a very special one for me because I am joined by Dr. Richard Mouw. Rich served for 20 years as president of Fuller Theological Seminary (from 1993-2013). Prior to that he served as Provost and Professor of Christian Philosophy and Ethics at the seminary and prior to that spent thirteen years at Calvin College as Professor of Christian Philosophy. Just recently, Dr. Mouw has returned to Calvin College as a senior research fellow at the Henry Institute for the Study of Religion and Politics and he has a book coming out in the next year on faith and patriotism.

Rich is a well-known social philosopher and theological scholar. He has written more than 20 books, and perhaps best known for his writing on Christian civility and has courageously modeled in his own career and ministry the desire to cross significant cultural and religious boundaries to further conversation, connection, and understanding.

 The reason this conversation is so special for me is because of the significant role Dr. Mouw has played in my own development. It was Rich's teaching for me as a seminary student that lit a passion to explore academic theology and Christian philosophy. I had the privilege of serving as his research assistant for several years and having him as my PhD advisor. There has been no greater influence on my teaching and academic career that Dr. Mouw.

 We go into some challenging areas in this conversation. But what I think you will hear, if you are listening well, is a thoughtful and convicted follower of Jesus trying to identify with and have empathy for views that are very different from his own. What you will hear, in my opinion, is faith seeking understanding. I have deeply appreciated that quality in my friend and mentor and hope you will be blessed by it in this conversation as well. Here is my conversation with Dr. Richard Mouw.