James Houston

Dr. James MacIntosh Houston finished his well-run race on earth on March 15, 2026. To learn more about his remarkable life and legacy, please see our post titled Remembering Jim Houston. We also invite you to download our tribute to Rita Houston, Jim's beloved wife and a founding mother of Regent College.

Jim Houston was the one of the “founding fathers” of Regent College. In 1966, as he served as a Lecturer at Oxford University (where he taught from 1947 to 1971, specializing in cultural and historical geography), he was invited by a committee of Granville Chapel to become the first Principal of Regent College. Regent received its charter in 1968, and Jim was appointed Principal in 1970. He also taught part-time at the University of British Columbia, and along with Vice-Principal W. J. Martin sought UBC affiliation for the College, which was granted in 1974.

Following his term as Principal (1970–1978), Jim was appointed Regent’s Chancellor (1978–1980). He also served as Professor of Spiritual Theology until his appointment was endowed as the Board of Governors' Professor of Spiritual Theology in 1991.

Jim co-founded the C.S. Lewis Institute in Washington, DC, where he served as a Senior Fellow for many years. A prolific author, editor, and scholar, he was respected worldwide as a leader in educating and equipping Christian laypeople. His major areas of interest included the Christian classics, historical theology, and the traditions of Christian spirituality.

Jim authored numerous books and articles covering a wide range of topics over the course of his life. These include The Mentored Life (NavPress, 2002), Joyful Exiles (IVP, 2006), and two volumes of Letters of Faith through the Seasons (David C. Cook, 2006, 2007). A number of his previous books have been re-published, including five volumes in the Soul’s Longing series: The Desire, The Fulfillment, The Prayer, The Creator, and The Disciple (David C. Cook, 2007). The Prayer was previously published as The Transforming Power of Prayer (NavPress, 1996) and The Transforming Friendship (Lion, 1989). More recently, he co-wrote three historical commentaries on the Psalms (The Psalms as Christian Worship, The Psalms as Christian Lament [with Bruce K. Waltke and Erica Moore; Eerdmans, 2010, 2014], and The Psalms as Christian Praise [with Bruce K. Waltke; Eerdmans, 2017]) and A Vision for the Aging Church: Renewing Ministry for and by Seniors (with Michael Parker; IVP, 2011). Jim continued writing and publishing into his last years of life. For more details on his history of publications, please see jimhouston.org.