This interview is part of our series of getting to know the speakers and musicians who will be at the Midwinter conference in January. We asked them some questions about our theme for the year, “Follow Me.”
John Dickson is the Jean Kvamme Distinguished Professor of Biblical Studies and Public Christianity at Wheaton College, where he teaches the history of Christianity.
Where do you currently live?
I live in Wheaton, Illinois. I moved to the US two years ago from Sydney, Australia. I am loving it.
Can you describe a pivotal moment when you responded to the call to follow Jesus?
I was raised in a typical Sydney household, which is to say that I had zero religion in my life. I had never been inside a church building before I was 16 years old. But I had a teacher at school who was smart, funny, and deeply Christian. Through her ability to answer my skeptical questions and her generosity toward me and my godless friends, she introduced me to Jesus “the friend of sinners”—and I was captivated.
How has your understanding of what it means to follow Jesus changed over time?
I can never forget the power of my teacher’s conviction and compassion. I have slowly learned that this is the key to the Christian life and to our mission to the world: we must not compromise our convictions—about theology or morality—but those convictions must always be held in a spirit of compassion toward those who profoundly disagree with us.
Who is the most interesting person you follow online (social media, blogs, podcasts, etc.), and why?
I listen to every episode of The Rest is History podcast, a brilliant British show about all things historical. But I must admit I have become a serious US politics junkie. I have struggled to find a balanced podcast, so I have taken to listening to both The Daily from the New York Times and the Ben Shapiro Show. That way I can hear the best arguments from contrary viewpoints and make up my own mind. Often, I can’t make up my mind!
Just for fun: What was your last Google search?
Ha! My last Google search was for some further information about the pre-Socratic philosopher Parmenides. He’s the guy who insisted everything is transitory, nothing is permanent: “You can’t step into the same river twice,” he said. I’m not sure he’s right, but he’s interesting.
