Richard Mouw

Richard Mouw

President, Fuller Theological Seminary

Richard J. Mouw has served as president of Fuller Theological Seminary since 1993, after four years as provost and senior vice president. A philosopher, scholar, and author, the “On Faith” panelist has been recognized as an important voice among reform-oriented evangelicals. Mouw, who earned a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Chicago, has a broad record of publication with 16 books, including Consulting the Faithful, and Calvinism in the Las Vegas Airport and his articles have appeared in more than 50 journals and magazines. Currently he serves on the editorial board of Books and Culture as is a regular columnist on “Beliefnet.” Mouw has served on many councils and boards, including the Commission on Accreditation for the Association of Theological Schools (as chair) and the Council on Civil Society. He currently serves on advisory boards for Religion and Ethics Newsweekly, the International Justice Mission, and the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy. Close.

Richard Mouw

President, Fuller Theological Seminary

Richard J. Mouw has served as president of Fuller Theological Seminary since 1993, after four years as provost and senior vice president. A philosopher, scholar, and author, the “On Faith” panelist has been recognized as an important voice among reform-oriented evangelicals. more »

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Humor a Gift from God

Having a rather perverse sense of humor myself, I struggle with this in very personal ways. Theologically, I am convinced that much of what is dismissed as disrespectful about religion is in fact a healthy critique of idolatrous conceptions of eternal things. We true-believer types need to lighten up a bit, and take religious humor as a gift that enables us to take a critical look at our own formulations. At the same time, there is such a thing as stuff that is simply bad taste, and yes, even sacrilege. If we want religious people to take a healthy look at themselves we should not shock them so much that they can’t get the point of a well-intended joke.

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