EDUCATION
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Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA - 2013, Master of Arts in Philosophy
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University of South Africa, Pretoria, S.A. - 2008, Doctor of Theology in Systematic Theology. Thesis: “Dei Fide: A Relational Theology of the Faith of God”
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University of South Africa, Pretoria, S.A. - 2005, Master of Theology in Systematic Theology (with Honors). Dissertation of limited scope: “A Critical and Constructive Defence of the Salvific Optimism of Inclusivism”
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Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA - 1998, Master of Arts in Religion. Thesis: “Clark H. Pinnock: A Paradigm Shift in the Doctrine of God”
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Pacific Christian College, Fullerton, CA - 1989, Bachelor of Arts in Church Growth and Biblical Studies (double major)
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
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Hope International University, Fullerton, CA
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Professor of Philosophy and Theology - 1998 - Present
COURSES TAUGHT
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Biblical Theology
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Christian Worldview and Contemporary Living
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Critical Thinking and Argumentation
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Contemporary Theology
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Early Christian History & Literature
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Ethics & Contemporary Issues
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Film & the Human Condition
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Foundations for Ethics
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Introduction to Philosophy
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Postmodernism & the Cinema
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Theology of Religions
ACADEMIC INTERESTS
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Philosophy of Trust
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Philosophy of Religion
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Relationship between faith and science
PUBLICATIONS
Books
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The God Who Trusts: A Relational Theology of Divine Faith, Hope, and Love (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2019).
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Connecting Faith and Science: Philosophical and Theological Inquiries, editor (with Matthew Hill) (Claremont: Claremont School of Theology Press, 2017).
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In Spirit and in Truth: Philosophical Reflections on Liturgy and Worship, editor (with Matthew Hill) (Claremont: Claremont School of Theology Press, 2016).
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By Faith and Reason: The Essential Keith Ward, coeditor (with Roberto Sirvent) (London: Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd, 2012).
Chapters and Articles
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“‘So You're Calling God a Liar!’ An Unbiased Comparison of Science and Religion.” In The Simpsons' Beloved Springfield: Essays on the TV Series and Town That Are Part of Us All, eds. Karma Waltonen and Denise Du Vernay (Jefferson, NC: McFarland Publishers, 2019).
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“Is There Anything Natural about Methodological Naturalism?: An Assessment of Plantinga’s Critics.” In Connecting Faith and Science: Philosophical and Theological Inquiries, eds. Matthew Nelson Hill and Wm. Curtis Holtzen (Claremont, CA: Claremont School of Theology Press, 2017).
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“Philosophical Theology.” In Theologians and Philosophers Using Social Media: Advice, Tips, and Testimonies, ed. Thomas Jay Oord (San Diego: Sacra Sage Press, 2017).
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“Believe It or Not, God Has Faith in You.” In Uncontrolling Love: Essays Exploring the Love of God, eds. Chris Baker et al. (San Diego: Sacra Sage Press, 2017).
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“The Sincerity of St. Linus.” In Peanuts and Philosophy: You’re a Wise Man, Charlie Brown, eds. Richard Greene and Rachel Robison-Greene (Chicago: Open Court, 2016).
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“Gadamer’s Hermeneutic of Trust—Ontological and Reflective” (co-authored with Matthew Nelson Hill). In In Spirit and in Truth: Philosophical Reflections on Liturgy and Worship, eds. Wm. Curtis Holtzen and Matthew Nelson Hill (Claremont: Claremont School of Theology Press, 2016).
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“Faith in Relations.” In Relational Theology: A Contemporary Introduction, eds. Brint Montgomery, Thomas Jay Oord, & Karen Winslow. (San Diego: Point Loma Press/Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2012).
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“Bruce (not so) Almighty: Divine Limitation and Human Transformation.” In Essays of Hope, ed. Joseph Grana. (Fullerton: Hope International University Press, 2012).
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“God’s Restless Heart.” In Love Among Us, eds. Darrin L. Grinder and Thomas Jay Oord. (Denver: Outskirts Press, Inc., 2009).
Book Reviews
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“Review of The Philosophy of Trust,” eds. Paul Faulkner & Thomas Simpson. Philosophy in Review Vol. 39, No. 3 (2019): 127-28.
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“Review of Theology in the Flesh: How Embodiment and Culture Shape the Way We Think about Truth, Morality, and God,” by John Sanders. Philosophy in Review Vol. 37, No. 4 (2017): 163-165.
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“Review of Theology and the End of Doctrine,” by Christine Helmer. Stone-Campbell Journal Vol. 20, No. 1 (Spring 2017): 103-105.
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“Review of Uncontrolling Love of God,” by Thomas Jay Oord. Stone-Campbell Journal Vol. 19, No. 2 (Fall 2016): 258-59.
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“Review of Within the Love of God: Essays on the Doctrine of God in Honour of Paul S. Fiddes,” eds. Anthony Clarke and Andrew Moore. Philosophy in Review Vol. 36, No. 5 (2016): 189-192.
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“Review of Trust of People, Words, and God: A Route for Philosophy of Religion,” by Joseph J. Godfrey. Philosophy in Review Vol. 33, No. 4 (2013): 291-93.
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“Review of Divine Humanity: Kenosis and the Construction of a Christian Theology,” by David Brown. Stone-Campbell Journal Vol. 16, No. 1 (Spring 2013): 107-108.
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“Review of One God of All? Probing Pluralist Identities,” by Garth Hallett. Philosophy in Review Vol. 31, No. 6 (2011): 417-19.
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“Review of Creation Made Free: Open Theology Engaging Science,” ed. Thomas Oord. Stone-Campbell Journal Vol. 14, No. 1 (2011): 93-95.
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“Review of Religion and Science: An Introduction,” by Brendan Sweetman. Philosophy in Review Vol. 31, No. 2 (2011): 153-55.
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“Review of Perspective on the Doctrine of God: 4 Views,” by Bruce A. Ware, Paul Helm, Roger E. Olson, and John Sanders. Stone-Campbell Journal Vol. 13, No. 1 (2010): 105-108.
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“Review of Dietrich Bonhoeffer: An Introduction to His Thought,” by Sabine Dramm. Stone-Campbell Journal Vol. 12, No. 1 (2009): 87-89.
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“Review of C.S. Lewis and Human Suffering: Light among the Scholars,” by Marie A. Conn. Stone-Campbell Journal Vol. 11, No. 2 (2008): 263-64.
Professional Presentations
“In Persons We Trust: Why Only Persons Trust and are Trusted.” 2018
Lee University, Wesleyan Philosophical Society
“Faith, Hope, and Love: Human and Divine Virtues.” 2016
Heythrop College, London University, Staff Research Seminar
“’So You Are Calling God a Liar?’ An Unbiased Comparison of Springfield’s War over Science and Religion.”
Point Loma Nazarene University, Wesleyan Philosophical Society
“God Believes what God does not Know,” 2014
Dallas, The Randomness and Foreknowledge Conference
“Bruce (not so) Almighty: Divine Limitation and Human Transformation,”
Johnson Christian University, Stone Campbell Journal Meeting
“We Can’t Go On Together with Suspicious Minds: Gadamer and the Hermeneutics of Trust,” 2013
Arizona State University, American Academy of Religion Western Regional
“Losing Faith in Suspicion: Gadamer and the Hermeneutics of Trust,”
Seattle Pacific University, Wesleyan Philosophical Society
“‘Was it Good for You?’ Religious Experience and the Virtuosity Test,” 2012
Trevecca Nazarene University, Wesleyan Philosophical Society
“Universal Love - Particular Knowledge: In Search of an Open and Inclusive Theology,”
Trevecca Nazarene University, Wesleyan Theological Society
“Bruce (not so) Almighty: Divine Limitation and Human Transformation,” 2011
Southern Methodist University, Wesleyan Philosophical Society Meeting
“Bruce (not so) Almighty: Relational Theism Hits the Big Screen,”
Gonzaga and Whitworth Universities, Faith, Film and Philosophy 2009
“Genesis 1-3: A Narrative Interpretation,” CSU Fullerton, for the class Creation/Evolution
Lecture given every semester. 2000-2017
MEMBERSHIPS AND AWARDS
HIU Servant Leader of the Year 2015
Wesleyan Philosophical Society (President 2015-2016) 2010-present
Wesleyan Theological Society 2012-present
Open and Relational Theologies Steering Committee 2011-2018
American Academy of Religion (AAR) 2003-present
Society of Christian Philosophers 2015-present
