Jennifer Powell McNutt

Jennifer Powell McNutt is the Franklin S. Dyrness Associate Professor in Biblical and Theological Studies at Wheaton College's Litfin Divinity School, a Fellow in the Royal Historical Society, and an ordained Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). She received her Ph.D. in History from the University of St. Andrews (2008), M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary (2003), and B.A. in Religious Studies from Westmont College (2000).

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in History, University of St. Andrews (2008)
• M.Div., Princeton Theological Seminary (2003)
• B.A. in Religious Studies, Westmont College (2000)

Dr. McNutt's research focuses on the history of Christianity from the Reformation through the Enlightenment, with particular expertise in John Calvin and his clerical legacy, the Reformed tradition, the relationship between Christianity and science, and the history of the Bible and its interpretation. She approaches these topics through rigorous historical methodology while maintaining a commitment to integrating faith and scholarship. Her work bridges academic theological discourse with practical ecclesiastical application, making significant contributions to both scholarly and church communities.

Her publications demonstrate a consistent pattern of scholarly excellence, with particular emphasis on Reformation and Enlightenment-era church history. She has published extensively on Calvin's legacy, the development of Reformed theology, and the intersection of religious thought with scientific advancement during the Enlightenment period. Her work often challenges simplistic narratives of secularization, highlighting the complex engagement between religious traditions and modern intellectual developments.

Her scholarly achievements include:

• Frank S. and Elizabeth D. Brewer Prize (2014)
• Sidney E. Mead Prize (2005)
• Leland Ryken Award for Teaching Excellence in the Humanities (2013)
• Westmont College 80th Anniversary Alumni Award (2017)
• Christianity Today's Science Writing Contest (2017)
• Regional Emmy Award for 'A Call to Freedom' documentary (2018)

Dr. McNutt has successfully secured prestigious research grants including the Andrew Mellon Research Fellowship at the Huntington Library and the Huntington Trinity Hall Exchange Fellowship at the University of Cambridge. She co-founded McNuttshell Ministries, Inc. with her husband to bridge the gap between academic scholarship and church practice. She is an active speaker at universities, seminaries, and churches across the country, demonstrating her commitment to making scholarly insights accessible to broader audiences.

Her current research projects include a social history of John Calvin's thought and a study of the French Bible from the early-modern period through the Enlightenment, continuing her exploration of the complex relationship between religious tradition and cultural transformation.