Dr. E. Calvin Beisner

Prominent evangelical scholar, author, and founder and president of the Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation, Dr. E. Calvin Beisner combines ethics with economics, history, and environmental science to educate the public and policymakers about Biblical earth stewardship, economic development for the poor, and the proclamation and defense of the gospel of Jesus Christ—all tied together. He promotes the view that human-induced climate change is not a catastrophic crisis and argues that promoting economic development through fossil fuels is crucial for lifting the poor out of poverty.  

Dr. Beisner earned his B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies in Religion and Philosophy with double minors in Classical Languages and Classical History from the University of Southern California; his M.A. in Economic Ethics from International College; and his Ph.D. in History (dissertation on the political theology of the 17th-century Scottish Covenanters, which helped shape the political thought of America’s founding fathers) from the University of St. Andrews, in Scotland.

A former newspaper reporter, editor, and publisher, Dr. Beisner was associate professor of interdisciplinary studies at Covenant College (1992–2000), and of historical theology and social ethics at Knox Theological Seminary (2000–2008). He is the author of over a dozen books including “Prosperity and Poverty: The Compassionate Use of Resources in a World of Scarcity,” “Where Garden Meets Wilderness: Evangelical Entry into the Environmental Debate,” “and “Social Justice vs. Biblical Justice.” His prolific pen has written thousands of articles, and he has spoken for universities, colleges, churches, schools, and conferences in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. For over 25 years, his scientific studies including climate change and the economic aspects of climate and energy policy have afforded him the opportunity to testify as an expert witness on the subject to U.S. Senate and House of Representatives committees, and to lecture for the Pontifical Institute Justice and Peace at the Vatican. 

These many accomplishments led to the Heritage Foundation honoring Dr. Beisner with the “Outstanding Spokesperson for Faith, Science, and Stewardship Award.” He and his wife Deborah, a portrait painter, live near Memphis, Tennessee, and they have seven children and nine grandchildren.