Called by a New Name: Naming, Power, and Possibility
At its best, naming uncovers truth and recognizes the uniqueness of creation. But what happens when sin distorts our perception—turning naming into a means of control?
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Dr. Justin Ariel Bailey serves as the Dean of Chapel at Dordt University, where he also is a professor of theology.
His work focuses on the intersection of Christian theology, culture, and ministry, exploring how culture shapes Christian faith and how Christian faith can shape and care for culture.
“I resonate deeply with Dordt’s task and calling to provide an academically rigorous and culturally engaged education, shaped deeply by the Reformed theological vision,” says Dr. Bailey.
Dr. Bailey also served as the host of the In All Things podcast and regularly contributes to the In All Things blog. His writing has appeared in prominent publications such as Christianity Today, The Banner, and the Reformed Journal, and he has written for academic journals like Christian Scholars Review and the International Journal of Public Theology. His scholarly work focuses on how theology influences our understanding of culture.
- "The Evangelical Bubble Needs a Doorway," Christianity Today. November 2, 2022.
- "Pagans, Puritans, and Putting Christ Back in Christmas," The Banner. December 2, 2019.
- “The Theodramatic Imagination.” International Journal of Public Theology: 12 (2018), 455–470.
- “The Body in Cyberspace: Lanier, Merleau-Ponty, and the Norms of Embodiment.” Christian Scholars Review 45, no. 3 (2016): 211-228.
- “In Search of Stronger Spells.” Inheritance Magazine, Volume 53, 2017.
He is also the author of several books and book chapters, including:
- Interpreting Your World: Five Lenses for Engaging Theology and Culture, Baker Academic, 2022
- Reimagining Apologetics: The Beauty of Faith in a Secular Age, IVP Academic, 2020
- "The Impact of Social Media" in Doing Justice: Diverse Responses to Divisive Issues, eds. Hak Joon Lee and Timothy A. Dearborn, IVP Academic, 2020
- "Welcome to the Blogosphere," in Everyday Theology, eds. Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Charles Anderson, and Michael Sleasman, Baker Academic, 2007
In addition to his academic work, Dr. Bailey serves as a board member for the Center for Public Justice and is an Ecclesial Fellow with the Center for Pastor Theologians. His pastoral background enriches his teaching, as he has served in diverse settings, including Filipino-American, Korean-American, and white-American congregations.
Education:
- Ph.D. in Theology, Fuller Seminary.
- Th.M. in Theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
- M.Div. in Divinity, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
- B.A. in Biblical Studies, Moody Bible Institute.
Articles by Justin Bailey
Looking for “Deep Rest”: Confronting the Idolatry of Personal Success
The restless pursuit of significance through work reveals a deeper spiritual hunger that no amount of success can satisfy. Only by grounding our lives in the grace of God can we learn to say, with peace and confidence, “Enough.”
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Shows that Shape Us: The Office
There is beauty in the unnoticed and meaning in the mundane, where the rhythm of daily life affirms our shared humanity.
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Shows that Shape Us: Asking the Right Questions
We are shaped by the stories we love, often more deeply than we realize. Engaging meaningfully with pop culture begins with asking how it speaks to our identities, our communities, and our search for meaning.
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