John Sanders
Encyclopedia
John E. Sanders is an American
Christian
theologian
. He currently serves as professor of religious studies at Hendrix College
. Sanders is best known for his promotion of open theism
but he has also written in defense of inclusivism
.
in 1996, a master of arts degree in theology from Wartburg Theological Seminary
in 1987, and a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Trinity College (Illinois) in 1979. He currently serves as professor of religious studies at Hendrix College
in Arkansas and previously taught at Huntington University
in Indiana and Oak Hills Christian College
in Minnesota. He was the Frederick J. Crosson Fellow at The Center for Philosophy of Religion (1997-1998) at the University of Notre Dame
. He and his wife have five children, two of whom are biological and three are adopted from India.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
theologian
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
. He currently serves as professor of religious studies at Hendrix College
Hendrix College
Hendrix College is a private liberal arts college located in Conway, Arkansas. The student body averages around 1,400 and currently represents forty-three states and fourteen foreign countries. In US News and World Report's America's Best Colleges, Hendrix is ranked annually in the top tier of...
. Sanders is best known for his promotion of open theism
Open theism
Open theism is a recent theological movement that has developed within evangelical and post-evangelical Protestant Christianity as a response to certain ideas that are related to the synthesis of Greek philosophy and Christian theology...
but he has also written in defense of inclusivism
Inclusivism
Inclusivism, one of several approaches to understanding the relationship between religions, asserts that while one set of beliefs is absolutely true, other sets of beliefs are at least partially true. It stands in contrast to exclusivism, which asserts that only one way is true and all others are...
.
Biography
Sanders was born to Methodist parents in Central Illinois in 1956. He earned a doctoral degree (Th.D.) at the University of South AfricaUniversity of South Africa
The University of South Africa is a distance education university, with headquarters in Pretoria, South Africa. With approximately 300 000 enrolled students, it qualifies as one of the world's mega universities.-History:...
in 1996, a master of arts degree in theology from Wartburg Theological Seminary
Wartburg Theological Seminary
Wartburg Theological Seminary is a Lutheran seminary located in Dubuque, Iowa. It offers three graduate-level degrees , a TEEM Certificate, and a Diploma in Anglican Studies, all of which are accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and the Higher Learning Commission of the...
in 1987, and a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Trinity College (Illinois) in 1979. He currently serves as professor of religious studies at Hendrix College
Hendrix College
Hendrix College is a private liberal arts college located in Conway, Arkansas. The student body averages around 1,400 and currently represents forty-three states and fourteen foreign countries. In US News and World Report's America's Best Colleges, Hendrix is ranked annually in the top tier of...
in Arkansas and previously taught at Huntington University
Huntington University (United States)
Huntington University is an institution of higher education in Huntington, Indiana, United States, that is affiliated with the Church of the United Brethren in Christ.- History :...
in Indiana and Oak Hills Christian College
Oak Hills Christian College
Oak Hills Christian College is a small, private, nondenominational Christian college located on the Upper and Lower Marquette Lakes a few miles south of Bemidji, Minnesota...
in Minnesota. He was the Frederick J. Crosson Fellow at The Center for Philosophy of Religion (1997-1998) at the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
. He and his wife have five children, two of whom are biological and three are adopted from India.