First Things Launches New Newsletter on Protestantism, Featuring Insights from Church of God (Cleveland) Minister Dale M. Coulter

Dale M. Coulter, an ordained minister in the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee), has launched a new newsletter titled *The Protestant Mind*, which aims to explore the intellectual, historical, and spiritual forces shaping American Protestantism. Coulter, a professor of historical theology at Pentecostal Theological Seminary, brings a unique perspective to the project, having grown up in a Pentecostal tradition and later engaging with broader Protestant thought through academic study.

Coulter’s journey into Protestant theology began with reading influential thinkers such as Louis Berkhof, Karl Barth, and Reinhold Niebuhr during his college years. These works exposed him to neo-Calvinism, neo-orthodoxy, and Christian realism—movements that have significantly shaped Protestant thought in the United States and beyond. His seminary training deepened his engagement with neo-Calvinism, while his doctoral work expanded his understanding of Barthian theology in England and Europe.

As a scholar and practitioner, Coulter has contributed to ecumenical dialogue, including the 1994 initiative *Evangelicals and Catholics Together*. His academic background includes studies in medieval theology at Oxford University and the authorship of six books. The *Protestant Mind* newsletter seeks to capture the distinctive American character of Protestant thought, reflecting Coulter’s own journey from Pentecostal roots to a broader theological engagement.

The project is part of a series of newsletters launched by First Things, an ecumenical publication known for its interest in the wider Christian world. The *Protestant Mind* will be released twice a month and is available only through subscription. It is made possible by the support of the John Templeton Foundation, which funds initiatives that explore the topics most relevant to First Things’ readers.

Coulter’s work underscores the complexity and diversity of Protestant thought, highlighting how historical and intellectual currents continue to influence contemporary Christian life. His newsletter offers a platform for examining the enduring reformation of American Christianity, rooted in both tradition and ongoing transformation.

Source: Read the original report