معرفی
David R. Swartz serves as Professor of History at Asbury University, where he has taught since 2010 after completing his graduate training at the University of Notre Dame. His academic home is within the History Department, where he contributes to both the undergraduate history curriculum and broader liberal arts education at the institution.
Dr. Swartz's scholarly focus spans multiple dimensions of American religious history, with particular expertise in the complex landscape of evangelicalism. His research examines how religious movements intersect with political, social, and cultural currents in American history, especially regarding issues of war and peace, civil rights, and transnational religious connections. His work challenges conventional narratives about the relationship between religion and politics in modern America.
His publication record features two significant monographs that have shaped scholarly conversations. Moral Minority (2014) pioneered the comprehensive historical study of progressive evangelicalism, while Facing West (2020) reframed understandings of global religious influence by demonstrating how missionaries and global evangelicals have shaped Americans from abroad. These works reflect his consistent interest in tracing unexpected connections and challenging conventional wisdom about American religious history.
His scholarly contributions have earned recognition in major publications including:
- New York Times
- Journal of American History
- Christian Century
- Huffington Post
- Books & Culture
Beyond his formal publications, Swartz maintains an active scholarly presence through the Anxious Bench blog at Patheos, his personal website (davidrswartz.com), and the Rebel on Main podcast. His current research agenda includes a history of the evangelical antitrafficking movement in Southeast Asia and a local history of Civil War memory in Jessamine County, Kentucky, demonstrating his continued scholarly productivity and diverse research interests.
Dr. Swartz teaches a comprehensive range of history courses including American history surveys, specialized courses on religious history, the 1960s, Civil War memory, and historical methodology, contributing significantly to undergraduate education at Asbury University.
