The American Academy of Religion (AAR) has recognized Dr. Randall Balmer, a Good Faith Media (GFM) Contributing Correspondent, as the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Martin E. Marty Award for the Public Understanding of Religion. 

According to their announcement: “The American Academy of Religion celebrates Professor Balmer’s long and distinguished record of scholarship on religion and politics, as well as his innovative work on documentaries with PBS, his service as an expert witness in several First Amendment cases, and frequent appearances on major national media outlets that deepen our understanding of current issues.”

Craig Nash, GFM’s senior editor, noted the influence Dr. Balmer’s long and prolific career has had on his understanding of the religious landscape in the United States. “When I was a young adult,” Nash said, “I stumbled upon Dr. Balmer’s ‘Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory: A Journey into the Evangelical Subculture in America’ in a library. I was enthralled and read the entire book in one sitting. The book was one of a small handful that made me want to be a writer.” 

Nash added, “Dr. Balmer has been answering the question ‘Who are these evangelicals?’ long before many in the broader culture thought to ask.” 

Mitch Randall, GFM’s CEO, congratulated Dr. Balmer and thanked him for his contributions to Good Faith Media. He said: “Dr. Randall Balmer’s keen analysis and logical conclusions about religion in the United States have shaped the minds of thousands of students and people over his career. His ability to break down complex concepts and define complicated relationships has helped people of faith understand the religious landscape in America much more clearly.”

Dr. Balmer holds the John Phillips Chair in Religion at Dartmouth University. In addition to being a GFM Contributing Correspondent, he has commented on religion for outlets such as NPR and CNN. He has also appeared on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and “The Colbert Report.” 

The Martin E. Marty Award was established in 1996 to recognize “individuals whose work has a relevance and eloquence that speaks, not just to scholars, but more broadly to the public as well.” It is awarded by AAR’s Committee on the Public Understanding of Religion. A sampling of past recipients includes notable figures like Wendell Berry, James Cone, Cornel West and another GFM Contributing Correspondent, Miguel A. De La Torre.