Douglas Groothuis Named Cornerstone Distinguished Research Professor
Today, Cornerstone University announced that Dr. Douglas Groothuis is joining the faculty as the university’s first distinguished university research professor of apologetics and Christian worldview effective August 16, 2024.
The rank of distinguished university research professor is Cornerstone University’s highest professional honor that recognizes extraordinary achievement in scholarship, teaching and service influence. Dr. Groothuis is the university’s first recipient of this designation.
“Dr. Groothuis’ academic scholarship, teaching and mentoring, publishing and service achievements in advancing apologetics and Christian worldview are extraordinary,” said Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño, president of Cornerstone University. “He is an exemplary Christian public intellectual and scholar. Cornerstone University welcomes our esteemed colleague who is a passionate follower and defender of Jesus Christ. Dr. Groothuis will help elevate a Biblical, orthodox, Christian worldview as essential to the pursuit of all knowledge, truth and human flourishing. This is the most essential distinctive of a Cornerstone University Christ-centered education.”
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.
“I am honored, encouraged, challenged and humbled by my appointment to serve at Cornerstone University under the leadership of President Moreno-Riaño,” said Dr. Groothuis. “Cornerstone University has a rich and long history of Christian faithfulness and is now poised to edify its students and influence the world for Jesus Christ even more in the days ahead. I am grateful to become part of this exciting and wide-ranging educational mission under the Lordship of Christ.”
Dr. Groothuis holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy (University of Oregon, 1993) and most recently served as professor of philosophy at Denver Seminary where he headed the Christian apologetics master’s degree program. He is the author of 19 books, beginning with the best-selling “Unmasking the New Age” (InterVarsity Press, 1986) and including the popular textbook, “Christian Apologetics,” 2nd ed. (IVP Academic, 2022), as well as a memoir, “Walking Through Twilight: A Wife’s Illness—a Philosopher’s Lament” (InterVarsity Press, 2017), an introduction to philosophy, “Philosophy in Seven Sentences” (InterVarsity, 2016), and a book assessing critical race theory, “Fire in the Streets” (Salem Books, 2022). He co-authored the introductory textbook on apologetics, “The Knowledge of God in the World and in the Word” (Zondervan Academic, 2022) with Andrew Shepardson.
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.
In August 2023, Dr. Groothuis was Cornerstone University’s distinguished guest speaker during the university’s faculty and staff retreat addressing the theme “The Role of the Christian University in Forming Disciples for Jesus Christ.” During this two-day retreat, he led Cornerstone’s faculty and staff in considering the vital role of Christian worldview integration in Christian higher education.
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.
Cornerstone University is an accredited Christian university with a passion for global influence through the transforming power of the gospel. As an interdenominational institution located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Cornerstone offers 75 plus undergraduate and graduate traditional and online degree programs offered on campus and online including Cornerstone Theological Seminary and Asia Biblical Theological Seminary.
