In a new post for his blog at the Washington Post On Faith, our CEO Dr. Robert P. Jones explores the challenges that Rick Perry may bump up against if he continues in the vein of his recent speech at Liberty University:

To outside observers, Perry’s course may seem strange for someone who is making the case that he should be the next president of the most influential nation in the world, not only in military might but in technological and scientific innovation. Perry has repeatedly expressed doubts about both evolution (calling it “just a theory”) and climate change. And during a speech at the Jerry Falwell founded Liberty University last week, he spoke little about politics, focusing instead on a personal testimony of his own religious journey and, perhaps surprisingly, his lackluster college grades.

But there may be a method to his touting of these misgivings and mediocrity. By simultaneously confessing that his youthful dream of becoming a veterinarian was dashed by failing grades in organic chemistry, testifying to his doubts about modern science, and witnessing about his personal faith journey, Perry wedded himself to a tried and true archetype in evangelical circles: a man who is fired more by faith and reliance on God than by academic credentials or science.

The full article is available at “Figuring Faith” – check it out!