Big Books & Bold Ideas with Kerri Miller

Women of Faith: Karen Swallow Prior on defying labels

Karen Swallow Prior is a professor of English at Liberty University.
Karen Swallow Prior is a professor of English at Liberty University. She writes frequently on literature, culture, ethics and ideas. Her latest book is “Cultural Engagement: A Crash Course in Contemporary Issues.”
Courtesy photo

Karen Swallow Prior defies labels. She teaches English at Liberty University, under the leadership of Jerry Falwell Jr., one of President Trump’s staunchest supporters. But Prior herself is an outspoken never-Trumper who often calls out the president’s positions on immigration, women and race. She is solidly anti-abortion – and pro women’s rights. She’s a member of a Baptist church – but she organized a #MeToo protest within the Southern Baptist Convention. She believes the Bible – but she also believes much of what conservative Christianity believes about the Bible is wrong.

Thursday, for the next conversation in our Women of Faith series, Kerri Miller spoke with Prior about how she fights against the cultural norms of her faith – without leaving it. Plus: Prior believes great literature has the power to reshape our minds, and by extension, our lives. You know she and Kerri talked about books.

Guest:

  • Karen Swallow Prior is a professor of English at Liberty University, where she has won multiple teaching awards. She writes frequently on literature, culture, ethics and ideas.

To listen to the full conversation you can use the audio player above.

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