Courtesy of Whitworth University

A professor of theology and senior fellow at Whitworth University, Jerry Sittser specializes in the History of Christianity, Christian Spirituality, and Religion in American Public Life. His course, Monasticism: Old and New, meets over January Term in the wintry beauty of Tall Timber, a Christian camp located in a remote area of the Cascade mountain range. Students live together for three weeks, follow a modified Benedictine Rule, and explore various spiritual traditions that have emerged throughout the history of Christian monasticism.

He founded the Certification for Ministry program, the Masters of Arts in Theology program, and the Academy of Christian discipleship. Currently he is serving half-time as professor of theology and half-time as senior fellow and resident researcher in the Office of Church Engagement.  Students have voted him “Most Influential Professor” ten times.  He has written nine books, among them A Grace Disguised, The Will of God as a Way of Life, and Water from a Deep Well.  Brazos Press just published his latest book, Resilient Faith: How the Early Christian “Third Way” Changed the World, which explores how the early Christian movement developed such a clear and unique identity in the ancient world and, against all odds, grew into a formidable force long before Christianity became a legally recognized religion.  He enjoys music, literature, gardening, hiking, woodworking, and he attends the Oregon Shakespeare Festival every year. Married to Patricia since 2010, he has three married children, two married step-children, and eight grandchildren.