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 religion in professional sports released in October 2009.

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, 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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His numerous media appearances include “Fox & Friends,” Dan Merchant’s documentary “Lord Save Us From Your Followers,” ESPN’s “Outside the Lines,” the Michael Smerconish Show, the Michael Medved Show, the Christian Broadcasting Network, The Nation, Christianity Today, World magazine, and radio networks/stations including Fox, the Canadian Broadcasting System, and numerous regional and local outlets.

Krattenmaker gave the 2009 Mendenhall Lecture at DePauw University. In addition, he has spoken at campuses including Georgetown University, the University of Portland, Missouri State University, and Lewis & Clark, Springfield, Swarthmore, and Haverford Colleges.

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

4 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.