Dr. Andre E. Johnson (MDiv, ‘02) has been recognized as a Visiting Scholar at MTS. Dr. Johnson is a former faculty member of MTS and is currently on the faculty at the University of Memphis, where he is an Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Media Studies and the Scholar in Residence at the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change at the University of Memphis.
Visiting Scholars are individuals invited from private, public, and academic contexts whose life achievements and intellectual engagement with MTS will enhance and significantly impact the teaching and learning community. Visiting Scholars are expected to be deeply engaged in the life of the institution through teaching, research, and interactions with faculty and students.
Dr. Peter Gathje, VPAA/Dean, said, “Visiting Scholar status is given in recognition of Dr. Johnson’s distinguished teaching at MTS and his many other contributions to the life of the seminary, As a Visiting Scholar it is our hope that Dr. Johnson will continue to regularly teach at MTS as his schedule allows, and that he will participate in events of the seminary consistent with his scholarly interests.”
President Jody Hill said, “I am so pleased that Dr. Johnson has accepted our invitation to serve as a Visiting Scholar at MTS. His skill as a teacher and passion for helping people grow as faith leaders will be a great gift to our mission. I extend my hearty congratulations to Dr. Johnson and our entire seminary community.”
Dr. Andre E. Johnson is the Founding Pastor of Gifts of Life Ministries. He is married to Lisa Jones Johnson, owner of 4 Peaceful Resolutions, a conflict mediation company. Dr. Johnson is the author of The Forgotten Prophet: Bishop Henry McNeal Turner and the African American Prophetic Tradition (2012) and (with Amanda Nell Edgar) The Struggle Over Black Lives Matter and All Lives Matter (2018), both winning national book awards. His latest book, No Future in this Country: The Prophetic Pessimism of Bishop Henry McNeal Turner (2020), won both the Religious Communication Association and the African American Communication and Culture Division’s top book award in 2021. His forthcoming book, The Speeches of Bishop Henry McNeal Turner: The Press, The Platform and The Pulpit is scheduled for publication in 2022.
In his first official act as Visiting Professor, Dr. Johnson will teach the Rhetoric and Theology of James Cone class this summer. Dr. Johnson said, “I am truly grateful and honored to continue my work in the role of Visiting Scholar with Memphis Theological Seminary. MTS has been instrumental in my development as a preacher, pastor, professor, and person of faith. I look forward to working with the students, faculty, and staff in this new and exciting role at MTS.”