Karen Swallow Prior: The Evangelical Imagination

“Whatever is true of the Christian faith is true for all times and all people, not just 21st century American evangelicals.” — Karen Swallow Prior

Author and scholar Karen Swallow Prior talks with us about the historical influences around evangelical culture and how they impact the expression of faith today.

What forces have shaped the evangelical culture and how can understanding them shape our future? Author and scholar Karen Swallow Prior joined us on the podcast to discuss her recent book, The Evangelical Imagination: How Stories, Images, and Metaphors Created a Culture in Crisis. Karen talks with us about the history of evangelicalism and the way Victorian influences impact its expression even today, helping us to consider what ideas are Christian and what are merely cultural. Karen also offers some sound advice for those who are beginning their academic careers, and if you listen to the very end of the podcast, you’ll hear an excerpt from our conversation in which Karen shares thoughts on responding to the pressures that come with life as a woman who hasn’t had children.

So jump right in! We're so glad you're here.

You can listen on iTunes or at The Women Scholars and Professionals Podcast. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did.

Further resources for this interview:

• The Evangelical Imagination: How Stories, Images, and Metaphors Created a Culture in Crisis by Karen Swallow Prior
• James K. A. Smith 
• Charles Taylor
• The Bebbington Quadrilateral
• The Priory — a newsletter by Karen Swallow Prior
• Karen's previous articles at The Well and an article in which she is featured as a subject
• A Christianity Today article Karen wrote in 2014 about living as a woman without children

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