EDUCATION

• Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA – 2013, Master of Arts in Philosophy
• 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”
• 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”
• Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA – 1998, Master of Arts in Religion. Thesis: “Clark H. Pinnock: A Paradigm Shift in the Doctrine of God”
• Pacific Christian College, Fullerton, CA – 1989, Bachelor of Arts in Church Growth and Biblical Studies (double major)

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

• Hope International University, Fullerton, CA
• Professor of Philosophy and Theology – 1998 – Present

COURSES TAUGHT

• Biblical Theology
• Christian Worldview and Contemporary Living
• Critical Thinking and Argumentation
• Contemporary Theology
• Early Christian History & Literature
• Ethics & Contemporary Issues
• Film & the Human Condition
• Foundations for Ethics
• Introduction to Philosophy
• Postmodernism & the Cinema
• Theology of Religions

ACADEMIC INTERESTS

• Philosophy of Trust
• Philosophy of Religion
• Relationship between faith and science

PUBLICATIONS

Books

• The God Who Trusts: A Relational Theology of Divine Faith, Hope, and Love (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2019).
• Connecting Faith and Science: Philosophical and Theological Inquiries, editor (with Matthew Hill) (Claremont: Claremont School of Theology Press, 2017).
• In Spirit and in Truth: Philosophical Reflections on Liturgy and Worship, editor (with Matthew Hill) (Claremont: Claremont School of Theology Press, 2016).
• By Faith and Reason: The Essential Keith Ward, coeditor (with Roberto Sirvent) (London: Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd, 2012).

Chapters and Articles

• “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).
• 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).
• Philosophical Theology. In Theologians and Philosophers Using Social Media: Advice, Tips, and Testimonies, ed. Thomas Jay Oord (San Diego: Sacra Sage Press, 2017).
• 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).
• 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).
• 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).
• 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).
• Bruce (not so) Almighty: Divine Limitation and Human Transformation. In Essays of Hope, ed. Joseph Grana. (Fullerton: Hope International University Press, 2012).
• God’s Restless Heart. In Love Among Us, eds. Darrin L. Grinder and Thomas Jay Oord. (Denver: Outskirts Press, Inc., 2009).

Book Reviews

• Review of The Philosophy of Trust, eds. Paul Faulkner & Thomas Simpson. Philosophy in Review Vol. 39, No. 3 (2019): 127-28.
• 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.
• Review of Theology and the End of Doctrine, by Christine Helmer. Stone-Campbell Journal Vol. 20, No. 1 (Spring 2017): 103-105.
• Review of Uncontrolling Love of God, by Thomas Jay Oord. Stone-Campbell Journal Vol. 19, No. 2 (Fall 2016): 258-59.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Review of One God of All? Probing Pluralist Identities, by Garth Hallett. Philosophy in Review Vol. 31, No. 6 (2011): 417-19.
• Review of Creation Made Free: Open Theology Engaging Science, ed. Thomas Oord. Stone-Campbell Journal Vol. 14, No. 1 (2011): 93-95.
• Review of Religion and Science: An Introduction, by Brendan Sweetman. Philosophy in Review Vol. 31, No. 2 (2011): 153-55.
• 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.
• Review of Dietrich Bonhoeffer: An Introduction to His Thought, by Sabine Dramm. Stone-Campbell Journal Vol. 12, No. 1 (2009): 87-89.
• 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