Theologian / Author / Professor
Western Theological Seminary
About
Kristen’s teaching and scholarship engage areas of theology, discipleship and formation, justice, culture, and political theory. In partnership with International Justice Mission, she and Bethany Hanke Hoang wrote the award-winning The Justice Calling: Where Passion Meets Perseverance (Brazos, 2016), which was chosen for Christianity Today’s 2017 Book Awards. She has also written Theology, Political Theory, and Pluralism: Beyond Tolerance and Difference (Cambridge University Press) and an array of articles and book chapters. In 2018, Kristen was named as one of 10 New or Lesser-Known Female Theologians Worth Knowing by Christianity Today.
Before joining the faculty of Western Theological Seminary, Kristen was the founding director of the Studies in Ministry Minor and the Center for Ministry Studies at Hope College, programs dedicated to upholding the significance of theological formation, spiritual growth, cultural engagement, and vocational discernment.
Kristen grew up outside of Washington, DC, with a few of her growing up years spent in Germany and England. She met her husband, Tryg, at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland while in graduate school. Together they have two young children, Trygve and Ella, and a dog named Ebey.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
St. Mary’s College, University of St. Andrews
St. Andrews, Scotland. 2000-2004.
Ph.D in Theology.
Awards and Fellowships
2002-2004
Doctoral Fellow, Center for Religion and Democracy, University of Virginia.
2001-2003
University Scholarship, University of St. Andrews.
2000-2001
Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar.
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia, USA. 1994-1998.
B.A. with High Distinction, Political and Social Thought.
Minor, Religious Studies.
Honors
Phi Beta Kappa
Echols Scholar
Employment
Professor of Theology and Christian Formation
Western Theological Seminary, July 2018-present
Associate Professor of Theology and Christian Formation
Western Theological Seminary, July 2013-June 2018
Director, Center for Ministry Studies and Assistant Professor of Ministry Studies
Hope College, July 2012-June 2013
Director, Studies in Ministry Minor, Associate Director, The CrossRoads Project, and Assistant
Professor of Political Science
Hope College, January 2005-June 2012
Recent Teaching
- “Practice of Discipleship”
- “Justice, Discipleship, and the Church”
- “Living the Christian Life According to Pop Christian Culture”
- “Foundations for Theology and Ministry”
- “Theology of Ministry I and II”
- “Introduction to Christian Theology and Spirituality”
- “Coolness: Consumerism, Culture, and Christianity”
Professional Societies and Academic Service
- American Academy of Religion
- Editorial advisory board, New Explorations in Theology Series, IVP Academic
- Steering Committee, Civitas Alumni Association
- Steering Committee, Hope Behind Bars
Church Service
- Women’s Bible Study Leader, Pillar Church, Fall 2013-present
- Worship Leader, Children and Worship, Pillar Church, Fall 2015-present
- Ordained Elder, Reformed Church in America
- Elected Member, Reformed Church in America Commission on Theology, July 2015-present
- Adult Sunday School at various churches