Kate Bowler (born 1980) is a Canadian historian, author, and professor of the History of Christianity at the University of Toronto. She is known for her scholarly work on the history of prosperity theology and for her memoir, Everything Happens for a Reason: A Memoir of Life, Death, and the Unexpected Turns That Come When You Least Expect Them, which recounts her experience of being diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer.
Early life and education
- Born in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
- Completed a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies at the University of Victoria.
- Earned a Master of Arts and a Ph.D. in the History of Christianity from the University of Toronto. Her doctoral dissertation examined the development of prosperity gospel movements in North America.
Academic career
- Joined the University of Toronto’s Department of History as an assistant professor in 2015; later promoted to associate professor.
- Specializes in the study of modern Christian movements, with a focus on the intersection of religion, economics, and culture.
- Has published numerous peer‑reviewed articles on prosperity theology, megachurches, and religious broadcasting.
Publications
- Holy Rollers: Evangelical Fandom in North America (2014) – a scholarly monograph analyzing fan cultures within evangelical Christianity.
- Everything Happens for a Reason (2018) – a memoir detailing her cancer diagnosis, treatment, and reflections on faith, which became a bestseller in Canada and the United States.
- Co‑edited volume The Oxford Handbook of Contemporary Theology (2020).
Awards and recognition
- Received the 2019 Governor General's Literary Award for Non‑Fiction for Everything Happens for a Reason.
- Named a 2021 Guggenheim Fellow in the field of Humanities for her research on American religious movements.
Personal life
- Diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer in 2015; she underwent surgery and chemotherapy.
- Lives in Toronto with her husband, Casey, and their two children.
Public engagement
- Regular contributor to CBC Radio, NPR, and various podcasts discussing religion, health, and public policy.
- Leads workshops and seminars on grief, resilience, and the role of spirituality in coping with serious illness.
Selected bibliography
- Bowler, Kate. Holy Rollers: Evangelical Fandom in North America. University of California Press, 2014.
- Bowler, Kate. Everything Happens for a Reason: A Memoir of Life, Death, and the Unexpected Turns That Come When You Least Expect Them. Scribner, 2018.
External links
- Faculty profile, Department of History, University of Toronto.
- Author website: [katebowler.com] (provides information on publications, speaking engagements, and blog posts).
