James Houston

James Houston is the one of the “founding fathers” of Regent College. In 1966, while he was University Lecturer at Oxford (where he taught from 1947 to 1971, specializing in cultural and historical geography), Dr. Houston was invited by a committee of Granville Chapel to become the first Principal of Regent College. Regent received its charter in 1968, and Dr. Houston was appointed Principal in 1970, and he also taught part-time at the University of British Columbia. Along with Vice-Principal W.J. Martin, he sought affiliation for the College with the University of British Columbia, which was granted in 1974.

Following his term as Principal of the College from 1970 to 1978, Houston was appointed Chancellor (1978-1980) as well as Professor of Spiritual Theology, until his appointment was endowed in 1991 as the Board of Governors’ Professor of Spiritual Theology.

He is co-founder of the C.S. Lewis Institute in Washington, DC, and still serves and equips laypersons. His major areas of interest include the Christian classics, historical theology, and the traditions of Christian spirituality. Some of his most recent research is on the role of the penitential psalms in the history of the church.

James Houston has published numerous books and articles. His recent books include The Mentored Life (NavPress, 2002), Joyful Exiles (InterVarsity Press, 2006), and two volumes of Letters of Faith through the Seasons (David C. Cook, 2006, 2007). A number of his previous books have been re-published, including five volumes in the Soul’s Longing series: The Desire, The Fulfillment, The Prayer, The Creator, and The Disciple (David C. Cook, 2007). The Prayer was previously published as The Transforming Power of Prayer (NavPress, 1996) and as The Transforming Friendship (Lion, 1989). He has also recently published The Psalms as Christian Worship: A Historical Commentary (Eerdmans, 2010) with Dr. Bruce Waltke, as well as A Vision for the Aging Church: Renewing Ministry for and by Seniors (IVP, 2011) with Dr. Michael Parker.