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Justin Ariel Bailey

Professor / Writer / Pastor

Associate Professor of Theology
Dordt University

Justin Ariel Bailey works at the intersection of Christian theology, culture, and ministry. Having served as a pastor in a number of diverse settings, his work as a professor explores the ways that culture shapes the practice of Christian faith, as well as the ways that that Christian faith enables culture care. He holds a PhD in Theology and his research seeks to bridge gaps between church and academy, and the formational spaces where they overlap. He is the host of the In All Things podcast, and writes regularly for their online journal.

His written work has appeared in Christianity Today, The Banner, Fare Forward, and the Reformed Journal, as well as academic publications such as Christian Scholars Review and the International Journal of Public Theology. He is the author of the book Reimagining Apologetics (IVP Academic, 2020) and Interpreting Your World (Baker Academic, 2022).

Justin hosts the In All Things Podcast, sponsored by the Andreas Center at Dordt University. The podcast consists of conversations about living creatively in God’s created world. In pursuit of this end, we will engage in conversation with diverse voices across a wide range of traditions, vocations, and interests.  You can listen through Apple, Spotify, Pandora, or Google Podcasts.

Interpreting Your World:

Five Lenses for Engaging Theology & Culture

This short, accessible introduction to the conversation between theology and culture offers a patient, thoughtful, and theologically attuned approach to cultural discernment.

The book explores 5 dimensions of culture – meaning, power, morality, religion, and aesthetics – and shows how each needs the others and all need theology. Each chapter includes distinctive practices for spiritual formation and practical application.

Reimagining Apologetics:

The Beauty of Faith in a Secular Age

For many Christians, the traditional approach of apologetics has grown stale. In light of the current secular climate, rhetorical strategies that previously served the church and apologists well are no longer effective.

This book seeks to address this dilemma by infusing apologetics with an appeal to the imagination, the aesthetic, and the affective.

Demonstrating that this is possible, it engages with two examples of those who have done apologetics through the imagination: George MacDonald and Marilynne Robinson.

Confessional

Twenty Twenty Three: Year-end review & reflections

And just like that we come to the end of another calendar year. Here are some snapshots, highlights, and reflections from the year of teaching, podcasting, speaking, writing, and general life. Teaching I taught three different courses this year (multiple sections): Aesthetics, Biblical Foundations, and…
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December 22, 2023