The ideas of a Puritan theologian will be the subject of the next Drummond Lecture in Christ Chapel,“John Owen on the Genius of English Puritanism,” scheduled to be delivered by Rev. Lee Gatiss today. 

Gatiss arrived in Hillsdale from England yesterday, according to Associate Vice President for Curriculum David Whalen.

“He’s a very engaging speaker who seamlessly weaves together deep insight and trenchant humor,” Rev. Adam Rick, the Hillsdale College chaplain said. “Dr. Gatiss is very affable and approachable.” 

Gatiss lives in England and is an expert on English Puritanism. He is also an ordained minister with a doctoral degree, Whalen said. 

“He’ll be speaking on John Owen, a 17th-century English Puritan theologian and pastor,” Rick said. “Dr. Gatiss has recently completed a multi-volume modern edition of Owen’s works, so the 1600s divine is fresh on his mind.”

Rick said he proposed Gatiss be invited to deliver a Drummond Lecture after he heard him give a powerful sermon at a diocesan retreat. 

“As soon as I heard it, I thought it was highly relevant to the Drummond Lecture theme,” Rick said. “I immediately sent an email to Dr. Whalen with a link to Dr. Gatiss’ bio.” 

Rick said whenever he has heard Gatiss speak before, he had always been impressed by his learning, clarity, and wit. According to Rick, Gatiss is a devout believer, an accomplished theological historian, a fine preacher, and a courageous voice for orthodoxy in his home church.

“He recently stood up publicly against the Archbishop of Canterbury, which takes some guts,” Rick said. “He’s the kind of man taking the kind of public stands we value at Hillsdale College.”

Gatiss is also the lead editor of a set of books about the works of John Owen, a Puritan 17th-century British theologian — the chaplain for Oliver Cromwell, Whalen said. 

Rick said he came to know Gatiss originally because he is among the most prominent spokesmen for traditional orthodoxy within the Church of England. 

“As an Anglican, I find news about the mother church inherently fascinating,” Rick said. “I came to know him personally when he was a special guest of my bishop at a diocesan gathering, which he has since done twice. Dr. Gatiss is a good friend of my bishops, and he’s been a big supporter of our mission for orthodox Anglicanism in North America.”

Rick said he is thrilled that a seasoned pastor and theologian is gracing the pulpit in Christ Chapel. 

“Dr. Gatiss is a churchman and theologian of international renown — he’s well beloved by orthodox Anglicans throughout the global Anglican Communion,” Rick said. “He honors us and our chapel by his presence.”