GVALS: Dr. Matthew S. Vos

Join us as Dr. Matthew S. Vos speaks from his 2022 book, “Strangers and Scapegoats.”

Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 7 p.m. in John White Chapel

 

Matthew Vos (PhD, University of Tennessee, Knoxville) is professor of sociology and chair of the department at Covenant College. He serves as vice president for the Christian Sociological Association and as an associate editor for the Journal of Sociology and Christianity.

In his latest book entitled, Strangers and Scapegoats, Dr. Vos describes an important issue in our world that is fragmented by oppositional relationships and increasing in-group/out-group divisions. Dr. Vos explains how the problem of the stranger lies at the root of many problems humanity faces, such as racism, sexism, and nationalism. He applies classic sociological theory on "the stranger" to matters of faith and social justice, showing that an identity in Christ frees us to love strangers as neighbors and friends. The book also includes two guest chapters, one on intersex persons and the church and one on stranger-making in the "correctional" system.

Vos lives with his family in North Georgia, and enjoys raising sheep and horses, and slalom waterskiing.