Edwin Gaustad

Edwin Scott Gaustad (November 14, 1923 – March 25, 2011) was a Professor of History at the University of California, Riverside.^[1] He achieved fame with his study of the genealogy of religion in the United States, Historical atlas of religion in America. The 1972 edition of this work has been used in secular histories of Mainline Protestantism and the Emergent church movement (denominationalism) for decades. A graduate of Baylor University and Brown University, Gaustad dedicated his career to sharing his expansive research on religious history. Gaustad was President of the American Society of Church History. Gaustad died March 25, 2011 in Santa Fe, New Mexico at the age of 87.^[2]

Beliefs

Gaustad was a prolific writer that believed in the separation of church, and state education. However, he still thought that both were important, even saying that the Great Awakening not only helped religion, but also helped the thought process in America. He is quoted to have said that "Religion involves both the heart and the mind. Education, likewise, involves both the heart and the mind." ^[3] He believed that education and religion were wonderful things—just not when one puts them together.

Baylor Influence

Gaustad held a lifelong love for Baylor University and often taught there as a visiting professor. He was a humble, unassuming man who quickly found a place in his peers and pupil's hearts. When he died he left a book collection to Baylor that now holds over 2,700 books. Most of the books pertain to church history and American history. The collection is housed in the Moody Garden level and is available by appointment only.

References