Christian Scholar Named Cornerstone University First Distinguished Professor
“Through many years of apologetic endeavor, I have gladly explained and defended Jesus Christ as the only Savior and Lord (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5). — Douglas Groothuis, The Worldview Bulletin, 2024
These heartfelt words define the distinguished life and career of Dr. Douglas Groothuis, a respected American Christian apologist and advocate of the Christian worldview as essential for humans to flourish.
More than ever, college students are hungry for truth to anchor their lives, future, and reason for being. Christianity’s relevance and vital role in society can be proven and will be amplified by Dr. Groothuis in his new role at Cornerstone University.
As the university’s first distinguished university research professor of apologetics and Christian worldview, Dr. Groothuis will challenge students to know their purpose as God’s creation. He will guide them to explore how a life grounded in scripture as followers of Jesus Christ exceeds all other religions and philosophies that divide culture today.
Cornerstone is excited to welcome Dr. Groothuis and his wife to Grand Rapids, Michigan this fall. He enthusiastically expresses:
“My wife, Kathleen, and I are eager to join the Cornerstone community, given the wonderful opportunity I have to serve there as a Professor. I applaud Cornerstone’s emphasis on teaching every subject and every class from a Christian worldview and hope to encourage faculty, staff, and students to that end.”
Dr. Groothuis brings a wealth of experience as a scholar, teacher, mentor, author and renowned public intellectual. In addition to his work with undergraduate students, he will also prepare Cornerstone Theological Seminary ministry students in an orthodox Biblical worldview and inspire all students to know Jesus more deeply and exemplify His character spiritually and professionally.
His body of work and public speaking challenges the church, culture and students to examine scripture’s perspective and wisdom on today’s most debated issues in the context of their historical roots. His most influential books include “Christian Apologetics,” “Philosophy in Seven Sentences,” “Truth Decay,” “Fire in the Streets,” and “The Knowledge of God in the World and in the Word.”
Aligned with the university’s mission to educate globally influential followers of Jesus Christ, Dr. Groothuis will challenge every student to experience an authentic Christ-devoted life saying:
“Because of who Jesus Christ is as Savior and Lord and what he has done for us, it is our privilege and opportunity to love him with our heart, soul, strength, and mind in every aspect of life, including education and public witness and service. I hope to contribute to this holy cause through my teaching, mentoring, research and writing.”
Inspired by Francis Schaeffer’s book “The God Who Is There,” Groothuis has dedicated his academic career and life to making the case for Christianity and the significance of a Biblical, orthodox Christian worldview for all of life.
Dr. Groothuis holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy (University of Oregon, 1993) and most recently served at Denver Seminary where he headed the Christian apologetics master’s degree program.
He has also published over 30 academic articles in journals such as Academic Questions and Philosophia Christi as well as dozens of pieces in publications such as The Chronicle of Higher Education and The Christian Research Journal. His encouragement to pastors appears regularly at “The Focused Pastor” on the Focus on the Family online portal, and he writes about jazz at the All About Jazz website. Since 1983, he has been featured in a broad range of national publications, participated in numerous academic and church presentations and debates, and has appeared on hundreds of radio programs and podcasts.
Welcome to Cornerstone University and Cornerstone Theological Seminary, Dr. Groothuis!
Read his full bio and university announcement.
For more information regarding Cornerstone University’s accredited undergraduate, graduate and seminary degree programs, contact an enrollment advisor at 616.222.1426 or email at admissions@cornerstone.edu.
