James W. Skillen is a Christian political philosopher and author. He was the executive director and then president of the Center for Public Justice (a Christian policy thinktank) from 1981 to 2009, when he retired from the organization. He helped found the organization in 1977. From 1973 to 1982 he taught political theory and international relations at three Christian colleges. Today, Skillen speaks regularly both domestically and internationally and writes primarily in areas of biblical studies and political philosophy and practice. He also mentors a number of advanced students.