Keith Bates

A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Keith Bates earned his B.A. from Union University (1996) and his M.A. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1999). After completing his dissertation (“Moving Fundamentalism Toward the Mainstream: John R. Rice and the Reengagement of America’s Religious and Political Cultures”) under the direction of Professor Robert D. Linder, Bates received his Ph.D. in American history from Kansas State University in 2006.

Dr. Bates teaches several courses at Union, including History of Christianity, American Christianity and Popular Culture, History Senior Seminar, History and Historians, and World Civilization I & 2. While he was a graduate student, Dr. Bates received The Presidential Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and the Sageser Memorial Graduate Teaching Award. He has received similar acclamation from student organizations at Union University for his work in the classroom.

Dr. Bates’s research interests include American Protestant fundamentalism, religion and politics in the United States, and the use of Christian imagery in American popular culture. He has presented numerous conference papers and guest lectures on these and other related topics. In addition, he is an active member of a number of professional organizations, including the Conference on Faith and History and the Baptist History and Heritage Society, that advance the study of religion and culture.

Dr. Bates is married to his high school sweetheart, Lisa. They have a daughter named Rachel.  Feel free to ask Dr. Bates about his family. He is always glad to have the opportunity to brag about Lisa and Rachel.

Office Telephone Number: (731) 661-5593
Fax Number: (731) 661-5175
E-Mail Address: dkbates@uu.edu