Sarah Ruble

One day in college, a professor pulled me aside and asked if I intended to go to graduate school. I said I wanted to but wasn't certain whether I wanted to study history or theology. "Have you ever considered church history?" he asked. Although I wasn't certain what it entailed, I was immediately fascinated. The fascination has not died. Today I study and teach American religious history and remain intrigued by the way religion and society influence each other and by the myriad ways people combine their many commitments, beliefs and practices. My major areas of interest are evangelical Protestantism, the history of missions, and race and Christianity.

I enjoy both my scholarship and my teaching. My most recent project, a YouTube-based adult Sunday School curriculum on the history of race and Christianity in the United States combines both. The curriculum is available for free at sarahruble.com. I have also published a book, The Gospel of Freedom and Power: Protestant Missionaries in American Culture Since 1945 and several articles. At Gustavus, I currently teach Religion in America, Christian Theologies, Evil, Sin, and Suffering, and Losing My Religion (a First Term Seminar course). I am also the current faculty director of assessment.

I am available to speak to congregations and lifelong learning groups. I have a number of presentations I can tailor to the needs and interests of your group (please see the list below). I am also happy to speak to groups using my Race and Christianity curriculum.

Courses Taught