Introducing Dr K-J

A letter to the students at Taylor from Steve, who will become Nicholas' predecessor.

Introducing Dr. Nicholas Kerton-Johnson

Dr. Nicholas Kerton-Johnson comes to Taylor after two years as a lecturer in the Department of Politics of the University of Bristol, England. There he has taught courses in world politics, international relations theory, national security and religion in foreign affairs. He recently published an article in International Affairs, which is considered the premiere international studies journal in the UK. The subject of the article, entitled “Justifying the Use of Force in a Post-9/11 World,” is part of a larger study in the form of a book just published by Routledge: Justifying America’s Wars: The Conduct and Practice of U.S. Military Intervention since 1990. Dr. Kerton-Johnson’s masters degree is in War Studies from Kings College, London (where 2008 Taylor political science alumna Amy Watkins recently received her masters). A native of South Africa, Dr. Kerton-Johnson holds an undergraduate degree in history from the University of Cape Town.  




Dr. Kerton-Johnson’s church affiliation has been with the evangelical wing of the Church of England (in which his father is a priest). His understanding of how to relate faith and politics is evident in a personal statement, submitted as part application for the position at Taylor:

My faith and spiritual journey have involved a re-evaluation of the Lord’s requirements for justice, for compassion and for upholding His righteousness.  While this involves complicated theological and political ideas, it most importantly manifests in a willingness to be self-critical and engaging with establishment “truths” where these conflict with the Word.   

Dr. Kerton-Johnson is a clear and concise lecturer, but in the classroom he also frequently has students critically discuss writings that are likely to challenge familiar views. He has a strong interest in mentoring students intellectually as well as spiritually. One of the students who had lunch with Dr. Kerton-Johnson when he visited campus earlier this semester as a candidate had this to say:

He seems able to build rapport quickly with students, and emphasized his desire to have his classroom as a healthy place for discussion and debate - another aspect of education that would benefit Taylor students well. He seems to have a really good mix of being approachable, knowledgeable, and thoughtful about his Christian faith and academic expertise in politics.

Accompanying him to Taylor are his wife, Catherine, and their two young children, a son and a daughter. Dr. and Mrs. Kerton-Johnson are co-founders of the Ephesus Initiative, an NGO devoted to issues of religious freedom (http://www.theephesusinitiative.com/). For a wonderful example of how our incoming professor understands Christian engagement with the wider world, see his latest blog entry, “Shaving by I-Pod (http://www.ephesusinitiative.blogspot.com/).

Professor Loy (who will resume chairmanship of the Political Science Department after this semester) and I are very pleased that Dr. Kerton-Johnson is joining us. His fall semester Dr. Kerton-Johnson will teach World Politics, Comparative Politics and Global Governance. (I am currently listed as the instructor for these courses so that I can facilitate registration before I “hand off the baton” to my successor later in the summer.) With Dr. Kerton-Johnson on board, the Department of Political Science expects to develop new offerings in the area of international relations, including upper-level courses that will interest majors in Political Science as well as International Studies.

We hope you will share our eager anticipation as Dr. Kerton-Johnson transitions to Taylor University.

Steve Hoffmann

Department Chair