Karen R. Keen is a writer, scholar, and spiritual director, a unique blend of vocations combining her love of scholarship with practical life application. Her interests include ethics, hermeneutics, the origins and interpretation of Scripture, American evangelicalism, and spiritual formation. She is the author The Word of a Humble God: The Origins, Inspiration, and Interpretation of Scripture (2022), The Jesus Way: Practicing the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (2020), and Scripture, Ethics, and the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships (2018). She is also co-editor of the anthology Christlike Acceptance Across Deep Difference (2025).
Karen earned her Th.M. in biblical studies from Duke Divinity School, M.A. in exegetical theology from Western Seminary, and M.S. in education (counseling) from Western Oregon University. She completed several years of PhD work, achieving ABD, before voluntarily leaving doctoral work to respond to a ministry call. Additionally, Karen holds certificates in Spiritual Direction, Epic 30 Online Teaching, Preparing Future Faculty, and Contemplative Pedagogies.
Karen has taught in a wide range of academic and church settings from undergraduate courses at Marquette University and Wake Technical Community College to guest lecturing at Western Seminary, Wheaton College, University of Indianapolis, University of California (Santa Cruz), and Duke Divinity School. She has presented at various conferences, including American Academy of Religion, CenterPeace, The Reformation Project, and The Marquette Scripture Project.
For nine years (2016-2025), Karen managed The Redwood Center for Spiritual Care and Education, a ministry she founded to provide individual and group spiritual direction and educational opportunities. Trained as a spiritual director in the Ignatian tradition, Karen has led small groups through the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises and specializes in practices of discernment. She facilitated spiritual formation groups at Duke Divinity School for several years, including “Navigating Conflict as a Spiritual Practice,” which reflects her passion for dialogue work. Prior to that, she facilitated groups with the Zeidler Center for Public Discussion using the Public Conversations Project dialogue method. She has also received training in Peacemaking Circles from Kay Pranis and frequently uses circles in group sessions.
These days, Karen spends most of her time researching, writing, and offering educational consulation on pressing issues at the intersection of Scripture, faith, and culture. She also mentors young adults through the Bakos Project.
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