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Charles Bressler

“I want to be an encourager,” Charles Bressler says, “to look at people and see them with God’s eyes.”  Seamlessly blending his role as an encourager with his vocation as a renowned professor of English literature, Bressler appreciates the “unique laboratory” that literature provides for exploring issues of faith and life. He says that it freezes people, “in the process of making moral decisions about life, spirituality, [and] religious beliefs.” Guiding students through literary criticism, then, is far more than a mere academic exercise to Bressler.

When it comes to the academic exercise, though, Bressler can deliver. He wrote the book on literary criticism—literally. His text, Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Theory and Practice, now in its 3rd edition, is considered one of the best on the subject, and can be found in college classrooms across the country.  In addition, this Houghton professor is well-known for his expertise on the writings of the Oxford Christians (including J.R.R. Tolkein and C.S. Lewis) who, he remarks “used their literary gifts to put forth their Christian beliefs and thought processes.”

 “I love to teach my content area,” Bressler says, “but, what I cherish the most is talking with students one-on-one about their relationship with Christ.” This eternal perspective, combined with, an engaging and energetic classroom style has earned Bressler Houghton’s Excellence in Teaching Award, and the admiration of his students.

“I truly feel blessed having Dr. Bressler as a professor,” said one.

Dr. Bressler is in demand nationally as a conference speaker, but takes such recognition in stride. His favorite place to be is with his students, in or out of the classroom. “I’m not the minister of a church,” he says, “I’m a minister of the Gospel. The Lord keeps us here, training the leaders of tomorrow. I watch students go off and do miraculous things.”