At Bushnell University, history is more than dates and timelines — it is an invitation to explore identity, faith, and truth. Professor Stephen Andes, D.Phil., a history professor in Bushnell’s School of Arts and Sciences, believes deeply in helping students develop a “holy curiosity” that extends far beyond the classroom.
Dr. Andes earned his Doctor of Philosophy (D.Phil.) in history from the University of Oxford, with a focus on international studies, culture, Latin America, and global studies. He earned his M.A. in History from Portland State University. Before joining Bushnell University in 2023, he spent more than a decade teaching at Louisiana State University, where he served as an associate professor of Latin American history and Director of Graduate Studies for the Department of History. Earlier in his career, Dr. Andes taught at University of Texas Permian Basin, focusing on teaching, research, advising, and curriculum development.
His academic journey — across large public universities and now Christian higher education — reflects a commitment to combining thoughtful research, real-world understanding, and a faith-driven approach to learning. Beyond the classroom, Dr. Andes actively participates in Bushnell’s Becoming Beloved Community initiative, an ongoing series exploring racial reconciliation from a biblical perspective. He has served both as a moderator and as a panelist for several key sessions, including the Spring 2025 symposium’s Excavating Culture lunch panels — Tuesday session (March 18, 2025) and Thursday session (March 20, 2025). Through these conversations, he helps foster dialogue, bridge-building, and a deeper understanding of cultural dynamics on campus and beyond.
Dr. Andes also contributes to Bushnell’s broader exploration of faith and education through his writings, including articles such as “Busting Three Myths of a Christian Liberal Arts Education” and “Celebrating Our Founders,” which highlight the importance of the liberal arts and Bushnell’s historical legacy. His recent academic presentations, such as his contribution to Oxford University’s Catholicism and Latin America’s Cold War conference, where he examined the influence of film on theological narratives during the Cold War, continue to enrich his teaching. In courses like History of Christianity and Faith and Politics, students benefit from his broad scholarship and commitment to exploring the dynamic intersections of faith, politics, and culture.
We sat down with Dr. Andes to learn more about his journey, his teaching philosophy, and how he integrates faith into the study of history at Bushnell. You can watch the full interview on Bushnell’s YouTube channel or via the embedded video below. In the interview, he shares his insights on the importance of historical thinking and the connection between faith and inquiry and offers valuable advice to students for making the most of their time at Bushnell.
A Commitment to Faith and Learning
“For me, teaching at Bushnell isn’t just about sharing knowledge — it’s about creating a space where students don’t have to leave either their faith or their brains at the door,” Dr. Andes shared. “We are flesh and bone, but we’re also something more. Bushnell is a place that welcomes that exploration.”
Drawing inspiration from Christian philosopher Francis Schaeffer, Dr. Andes emphasizes that both rational thought and spiritual truth are essential in understanding the human experience. In his classes, students engage with difficult questions, examining how God’s world — the natural world around us — and God’s Word — the Scriptures — are intertwined.
“All truth is God’s truth,” Andes said. “There can be tension between what we learn from the world and what we learn from Scripture, but working through that tension is where real growth happens.”
Teaching History through a Christian Lens
As the author of several books — including Zorro’s Shadow: How a Mexican Legend Became America’s First Superhero and The Mysterious Sofia: One Woman’s Mission to Save Catholicism in Twentieth-Century Mexico — Andes draws from a wide range of historical narratives to show students how history remains deeply relevant today.
“History equips students to recognize the stories that shape their lives,” Dr. Andes explained. “Every day, we are surrounded by messages about who we are — from advertising slogans to cultural narratives. Studying history gives students the tools to discern which stories are true and to root their identity in something much deeper.”
His teaching philosophy centers on exposing students to a wide range of ideas and encouraging them to ask meaningful questions about how faith relates to the world they encounter daily. Whether reading historical texts, discussing big ideas, or analyzing contemporary culture, students are challenged to think critically and with purpose.
Encouraging Critical Thinking and Holy Curiosity
Dr. Andes integrates service into his work by modeling curiosity and humility. He encourages students to approach their studies, careers, and relationships with a willingness to learn from others and from God’s ongoing work in the world. “God is working out this kingdom vision in our world, and we have the opportunity to participate in that,” he says. “What I love about teaching here is I get to talk about that with students and help them imagine how they could be part of that.”
This commitment to supporting others’ learning and growth extends into his personal life. When he isn’t teaching, you can find him chasing his three kids around a soccer field or battling it out in family games of Super Mario Party — though, as he jokes, he usually finishes in last place.
When asked for his biggest piece of advice to Bushnell students, Dr. Andes kept it simple: “Read a book. Find something that stretches your thinking, written by someone different from you, and let it shape your understanding of the world.”
In an era where students often wonder about the practicality of studying the humanities, Dr. Andes offers a compelling vision: history is not just about preparing for a career, it’s about preparing for a thoughtful, faithful life.