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Jerry Root, Ph.D.

Professor of Evangelism Emeritus

On Faculty since 1996
630.752.5912



Curriculum Vitae: Jerry Root

Jerry Root is a graduate of Whittier College and Talbot Graduate School of Theology at Biola University, both located in Southern California. He received his Ph.D. from the Open University through the Oxford Centre for Missions Studies. He has written C. S. Lewis and a Problem of Evil: An Investigation of a Pervasive Theme, and is the co-editor, with Wayne Martindale, of the bestselling, and award winning, The Quotable C. S. Lewis. He wrote, with Stan Guthrie, The Sacrament of Evangelism and published The Surprising Imagination of C. S. Lewis and The Neglected C. S. Lewis with Mark Neal. His most recent book is Dymer: A Splendour in the Dark. Jerry has contributed articles to many edited works about C. S. Lewis and has published numerous articles about Lewis, Apologetics, Evangelism, Discipleship, and Spiritual Formation.

Jerry has lectured on C. S. Lewis at 78 Universities in 18 different countries. He is a popular speaker at C. S. Lewis conferences around the world. He is currently serving as the Director of the Institute for Strategic Evangelism at the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center, where he also teaches in the Christian Formation and Ministry Department and in the Evangelism and Leadership MA program. Jerry is also a visiting professor at Talbot Graduate School of Theology and Biola University. Jerry is passionate about faith-integrated liberal arts. This grows out of his interest in Lewis, it has also informed his work in evangelism, and spiritual formation, which he believes, is the superlative outcome of a faith-integrated education. He and his wife, Claudia, have four grown children, all of whom are married, and fifteen grandchildren.

Ph.D (2004) from the Open University (Oxford Centre for Mission Studies). Supervisors: Professor Basil Mitchell of Oxford University; Professor Lyle Dorsett of Beeson Divinity School, Samford University; Professor Jeffry Davis of Wheaton College; and Professor Steven Beebe of Texas State University.

M.Div. (1978) from Talbot Graduate School of Theology at Biola University.

B.A. (1973) from Whittier College

  • Evangelism
  • C.S. Lewis
  • Apologetics
  • Spiritual Formation
  • Leadership Development
  • Theology
  • The Christopher W. Mitchell Senior Fellow for C.S. Lewis Studies of the C. S. Lewis Institute, Washington D. C.
  • ETS (Evangelical Theological Society)
  • SPCE-NAPCE (Society of Professors of Christian Education-North American Professors of Christian Education)
  • Advisory Board for the Marion Wade Center, Wheaton College (1986-Present)
  • Fellow of the Hill Country Institute for Contemporary Christianity: Austin, Texas. (2006-Present)
  • Faith Advisory Council for the Human Society United States (HSUS). (2010-Present)

 

A Broken, Dying World: Why Spiritual Hunger Is Real and How We Can Begin to Meet People Where They Are
Christianity Today

Saint Augustine’s often quoted statement from his Confessions—“Thou hast made us for Thyself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee”—assumes much about what it is to be human. Let me share four thoughts.

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At Wheaton College

  • CORE 101 Freshman Experience
  • CE 111 Foundations of Ministry
  • CE 121 Introduction to Christianity
  • CE 211 Biblical Foundations
  • CE 231 Evangelism
  • CE 233 Discipleship
  • CE 434 Evangelism and Renewal
  • CE 457 Christian Proclamation
  • CE 459 Advanced Study: C. S. Lewis and Christianity
  • CE 459 Advanced Study: Pastoral Ministry
  • CE 459 Advanced Study: World Views
  • CE 459 Advanced Study: Frederick Buechner: The Apologetic of Story
  • CE 459 Advanced Study: Perennial Issues in Ministry
  • EVAN 516 Spiritual Formation and Witness [cross-listed as INTR 514]
  • EVAN 523 History and Theology of Revival
  • EVAN 531 Theology of Evangelism
  • EVAN 532 Apologetics
  • EVAN 542 Strategies for Contemporary Evangelism
  • EVAN 545 Evangelism in Contemporary Culture [Missions and Evangelism]
  • EVAN 546 Discipleship and Small Groups
  • EVAN 552 Sport Ministry
  • EVAN 694 C. S. Lewis: Apologist to the Head and the Heart
  • EVAN 695 Independent Study
  • EVAN 698 Thesis (Supervisor and Second Reader)

 

Courses Taught at Biola University and Talbot Graduate School of Theology, California

  • The Theology of C. S. Lewis [1990 to Present]

Courses Taught at College of DuPage, Illinois [1980 to 1990]

  • Philosophy: Introduction to Philosophy
  • Philosophy: Introduction to Ethics
  • Religious Studies: C.S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien

Courses Taught at Nashota House, Episcopal Seminary, Wisconsin

  • C. S. Lewis and Spiritual Formation

Courses Taught at Phoenix Seminary, Arizona

  •  C. S. Lewis: Apologist of the Head and Heart

Courses Taught at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

  • Foundations of Cultural Engagement

C. S. Lewis, Scripture and Spiritual Formation Christian Education Journal. Jerry Root. 2012 view more

Marvelous Crystals, Perilous Mirrors: Le Roman De La Rose and the Discontinuity of the Romance Subject Romanic Review. Jerry Root. 2011 view more

Mustrer and the Poetics of Marie de France Modern Philology. Jerry Root. 2010 view more

 

 

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