About Tom Krattenmaker

img089Tom Krattenmaker is a Portland-based writer specializing in religion in public life and author of “Onward Christian Athletes,” a book on Christianity in professional sports that was a winner in ForeWord Review’s 2009 book awards.

Krattenmaker writes regularly for USA Today’s “On Religion” commentary page as a member of the newspaper’s editorial Board of Contributors. The American Academy of Religion honored his article “The Evangelicals You Don’t Know” as one of the top three pieces of religion commentary in its 2009 Journalism Awards program, praising Krattenmaker’s work for challenging popular misconceptions about evangelicals “and showing that something new, something more complex and subtle is going on — a great goal for religion commentary.” His work has also appeared in recent years in Salon, the Los Angeles Times, the Oregonian, Beliefnet, the Huffington Post, and the Philadelphia Inquirer.

A onetime reporter for the Orange County Register and Associated Press, Krattenmaker has an undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota and a master of liberal arts degree in religion in public life from the University of Pennsylvania.

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Krattenmaker’s numerous media appearances include Fox & Friends, the documentary “Lord Save Us From Your Followers,” National Public Radio, the New York Times “Idea of the Day” website, ESPN’s “Outside the Lines,”  the Christian Broadcasting Network, The Nation, Christianity Today, Air America, the Michael Smerconish Show, the Michael Medved Show, Portland Monthly, and radio networks/stations including Fox, the Canadian Broadcasting Company, and numerous regional and local outlets.

Krattenmaker was a presenter at the 2010 “Q” gathering in Chicago and the 2010 conference of the American Humanist Association. Named the 2009 Mendenhall Lecturer at DePauw University, Krattenmaker has also spoken at college campuses including Georgetown, Lewis & Clark, Willamette University Law School, the University of Portland, Portland State University, Missouri State University, and Springfield, Swarthmore, and Haverford Colleges. He was a recipient of the 2009 “Friend of MET” award from the Portland-based Muslim Educational Trust.

Take a peek at the “Onward Christian Athletes” dust jacket.

5 Responses to “About Tom Krattenmaker”

  1. dr.klanderson  on March 12th, 2009

    The book looks really interesting. As you know I was a scholarship football player at Boise State University. I remember understanding that the prayer before the game was about asking God to allow us to play to the best of our ability. We also prayed for safety for both teams. That was the extent of Christianity over than the occasional visit from Athletes In Action and that was normally someplace off campus. Things have changed. I see guys from both teams getting together after the game and praying. I’m not sure how I feel about that.

    Also, one of my former team mates, David Hughes ended up as the starting fullback for the Seattle Seahawks. He’s now a preacher in the Seattle area. He and I did some prison ministry together years ago. Recently he lost a 21 year old daughter to a tragic car accident. He may be a good person to interview.

    Also, I have a ton of articles about sports and religion. Maybe after I finish my mystery novel you can give me some pointers on how to put them together. Did you play college sports or professional sports.

    Keith

  2. Anita  on March 12th, 2009

    Way to go, Tom!
    Hope the new book is a success.
    Anita

  3. Sherwood MacRae  on March 13th, 2009

    I tried to bring up that article from the Oregonian, but could not locate. I wanted to copy it so that I could forward it to all of the many writers who talk about the “attacks” on the church, but fail to recognize how the church is impacting the worlds in which they are located.

    Another wonderful testimony as to your “walk” and I appreciate each one.