Bruce Guenther, PhD

Associate Professor of Church History and Mennonite Studies

  • PhD (McGill University)
  • MCS (Regent College)
  • BA (Providence College)

Expertise

Evangelicalism and fundamentalism in North America, history of theological education in Canada, Mennonite studies in Canada.

Awards & Honors

Notable accomplishments and experiences

  • President, Canadian Society of Church History (2008)
  • Trinity Western University/Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Institutional Grant with Michael Wilkinson on behalf of Religion in Canada Institute (2007)
  • D.F. Plett Historical Research Foundation Inc. Research Grant (2005)
  • Trinity Western University/Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Institutional Grant (2005, 2001)

Recent Publications

  • “Reflections on Mennonite Brethren Evangelical Anabaptist Identity. ”In Renewing Identity and Mission: Mennonite Brethren Reflections After 150 Years, eds. Abe Dueck, Bruce L. Guenther, and Doug Heidebrecht, 47-82. Winnipeg: Kindred Productions, 2011.
  • “Life in a Muddy World: Historical and Theological Reflections on Denominationalism.” In New Perspectives in Believers Church Ecclesiology: Congregationalism, Denominationalism and the Body of Christ, eds. Abe Dueck, Helmut Harder and Karl Koop, 51-72. Winnipeg: CMU Press, 2010.
  • “Pentecostal Theological Education: A Case Study of Western Bible College (1925-1950).” In Canadian Pentecostalism: Transition and Transformation, ed. Michael Wilkinson, 99-122. Montreal: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2009.
  • “‘From the Edge of Oblivion’: Reflections on Evangelical Protestant Denominational Historiography in Canada.” Presidential Address. Historical Papers: Canadian Society of Church History (2008): 153-174.
  • “Ethnicity and Evangelical Protestants in Canada.” In Christianity and Ethnicity in Canada, eds. Paul Bramadat and David Seljak, 365-414. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2008.
  • “Evangelicalism within Mennonite Historiography: The Decline of Anabaptism or a Path Towards Dynamic Ecumenism?” Journal of Mennonite Studies 24 (2006): 35-53.
  • “Rediscovering the Value of History and Tradition.” In Out of the Strange Silence: The Challenge of Being Christian in the 21st Century, eds. Tim Geddert and Ray Bystrom. Winnipeg: Kindred Productions and Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary, 2005.
  • “‘I Want to Become a More Efficient Worker for the Lord': Mennonite Bible Schools in the Central Fraser Valley, 1930-1960.” In First Nations and First Settlers in the Central Fraser Valley: 1890-1960, eds. Harvey Neufeldt, Ruth Derksen Siemens and Robert Martens. Kitchener: Pandora Press, 2005.
  • “Slithering Down the Plank of Intellectualism? The Canadian Conference of Christian Educators and the Impulse Towards Accreditation Among Canadian Bible Schools During the 1960s.” Historical Studies in Education 16, No. 2 (2004): 197-228.
  • “The Road Less Traveled: The Evangelical Path of Kanadier Mennonites Who Returned to Canada.” Journal of Mennonite Studies 22 (2004): 145-166.
  • “‘Wrenching Our Youth Away from Frivolous Pursuits': Mennonite Brethren Involvement in Bible Schools in Western Canada, 1913-1960.” Crux 38, No. 4 (December 2002): 32-41.
  • “Living with the Virus: The Enigma of Evangelicalism among Mennonites in Canada.” In Aspects of the Canadian Evangelical Experience, ed. George Rawlyk. Montreal: McGill-Queens University Press, 1997.
  • “Convergence of Old Colony Mennonites, Evangelicalism and Contemporary Canadian Culture – A Case Study of Osler Mission Chapel (1974-1994).” Journal of Mennonite Studies 14 (1996): 96-123.