Talk Probes Limits of Educated Evangelicalism

Alister Chapman, assistant professor of history at Westmont, discusses “Two Cheers for Populism? John Stott and the Limits of Educated Evangelicalism in England” in a Phi Kappa Phi lecture Monday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m. in Hieronymus Lounge. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Chapman explores issues of faith and education while researching the career of English evangelical leader John Stott.

“Evangelicalism has always tended to be a populist religion that does better with the masses than the masters, intellectual or otherwise,” Chapman says. “Indeed, at times evangelicals have been decidedly anti-intellectual, with their deep attachment to the Bible engendering suspicion of learning derived from other sources.”

Chapman says the talk should generate discussion about what it means to be an evangelical college, where professors seek to make faith and education walk hand in hand.

Chapman, who earned his doctorate from the University of Cambridge, received the Bruce and Adaline Bare Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award at Commencement in May.

Chandra Mallampalli, associate professor of history, and Helen Rhee, assistant professor of religious studies, will also be taking part in the discussion by responding to Chapman’s comments.