John Finnis, Richard John Neuhaus,  FJB, and Jeffrey Stout, Princeton University (2003) after our  panel discussion


Curriculum Vitae

        Francis J. Beckwith


Education:

Fordham University (New York, NY)

1989     PhD in Philosophy

Dissertation: "David Hume's Argument Against Miracles: Contemporary Attempts to Rehabilitate It and a Response." Successfully defended November, 1988. 231 pp. Committee members: Robert J. Roth (chair), Brian Leftow, Vincent Cook, James Sadowsky, and John Conley. Comprehensive exams in (1) epistemology/metaphysics, (2) history of philosophy, (3) philosophy of science, and (4) philosophy of religion and ethics. All exams passed with distinction

1986   MA in Philosophy

Washington University School of Law (St. Louis, MO)

2001    MJS (Master of Juridical Studies)

Dissertation: "Rethinking Edwards v. Aguillard?: The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment and the Challenge of Intelligent Design." Advisor: Stanley F. Paulson.

Simon Greenleaf University (Anaheim, CA) (merged with Trinity International University of Deerfield, Illinois in 1997; now called Trinity Graduate School)

1984     MA in Apologetics (summa cum laude)

Thesis: "Baha'ism: A Presentation and Critique of Its Theological Tenets and Apologetic Use of the Christian Scriptures," Successfully defended April, 1984. 126 pp. Committee members: Charles Manske (chair), Joseph Gudel, and Michael Smythe.

University of Nevada (Las Vegas)

1983     BA in Philosophy (with criminal justice as a secondary concentration)


Additional Graduate Education:

The Heritage Foundation (Washington, DC)

June 11-20, 1995 Seminar on the Political Thought of the American Founding

Kennedy Institute for Ethics, Georgetown University (Washington, DC)

June 6-12, 1993 Intensive Bioethics Course XIX


Experience:

University of Notre Dame (South Bend, IN) (2008-09)

oMary Ann Remick Senior Visiting Fellow, Notre Dame Center for Ethics & Culture

Baylor University (Waco, TX) (2003-present)

oProfessor of Philosophy & Church-State Studies (Aug. 1, 2008-preseent), Department of Philosophy

oAssociate Professor of Philosophy & Church-State Studies (June 1, 2007–July 31, 2008), Department of Philosophy

oInterim Director of Undergraduate Studies (August 21, 2007-May 31, 2008), Department of Philosophy

oAssociate Professor of Church-State Studies (July 1, 2003–May 31, 2007) (tenure awarded Sept. 22, 2006), Department of Church-State Studies

oAssociate Director (July 1, 2003–January 7, 2007), J. M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies

Princeton University (Princeton, NJ) (2002-2003)

oVisiting Research Fellow, James Madison Program in American Ideals & Institutions, Department of Politics

Trinity International University (Deerfield, IL) (1997-2002)

oAssociate Professor of Philosophy, Culture, & Law (tenure awarded June 1999; sabbatical and leave of absence, 2000-01), Trinity Graduate School, California campus (Santa Ana, CA)

oAdjunct Professor of Philosophy, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Deerfield, IL)

oAdjunct Professor of Law, Trinity Law School (Santa Ana, CA)

Whittier College (Whittier, CA) (1996-97)

o Assistant Professor of Philosophy (tenure-track)

University of Nevada (Las Vegas, NV) (1987-96)

oLecturer in Philosophy and Ethics & Policy Studies (full-time, non-tenure track) (1995-96)

oLecturer in Philosophy (full-time, non-tenure-track) (1989-95)

oInstructor in Philosophy (part-time) (1987-88)

Community College of Southern Nevada (North Las Vegas, NV) (1987-88)

oInstructor in Philosophy (part-time)

Fordham University (Bronx, NY) (1985-87)

oTeaching Fellow in Philosophy (1986-87)

oTeaching Assistant in Philosophy (1985-86)

oGraduate Assistant in Philosophy (Spring 1985)


Other Academic Affiliations:

Baylor University (Waco, TX) (2004-present)

oFellow and Faculty Associate, Institute for the Studies of Religion (ISR)

Princeton University (Princeton, NJ) (2003-present)

oMember, James Madison Society, James Madison Program in American Ideals & Institutions, Department of Politics

Princeton Theological Seminary (Princeton, NJ) (2002-2003)

oVisiting Scholar


Areas of Specialization: Philosophy of Law (Jurisprudence), Constitutional Law (especially church/state issues), Ethics and Contemporary Moral Issues, Social and Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion, Bioethics, Reasoning and Critical Thinking, Alternative Religious Movements (especially Bahai’sm and Mormonism).


Areas of Competence: History of Philosophy (especially Modern Philosophy), Philosophy of Science.


Courses Taught (or will teach in the forthcoming year; Courses Taught at Baylor in Bold): Seminar in Ethics & Reasoning (UNLV-graduate college), Seminar in Applied and Professional Ethics (UNLV-graduate college), Contemporary Social Philosophy (Whittier), Contemporary Moral Issues (UNLV), Introduction to Ethics (UNLV), Social and Political Philosophy (UNLV), Philosophy of Religion (UNLV), Introduction to Religion (UNLV), Perspectives on the Western Experience (Honors Program, UNLV), Philosophy of Human Knowledge (Fordham), Introduction to General Logic (CCSN), Reasoning and Critical Thinking (UNLV), Introduction to Philosophy (UNLV, CCSN), Introduction to Formal Logic (UNLV), Symbolic Logic (Whittier), Theories of Human Nature (Whittier), Applied Ethics (Whittier), Freshman Writing Seminar: Why Be Moral? (Whittier), Advanced Christian Ethics (TIU, grad school and divinity school), Seminar in Bioethics: The Abortion Controversy 25 Years After Roe v. Wade (TIU, grad school and law school), Integrative Seminar on Natural Law Theory (TIU, grad school), Political Theologies (TIU, grad school), Bioethics and Public Policy (TIU, law school and grad school), Integrative Seminar on Political Liberalism, Religion, and Morality (TIU, grad school), Logic and Advocacy (TIU, law school), History of Modern Philosophy (TIU, divinity and grad school), Foundations in Christian Thought (TIU, grad school), Christianity and Contemporary Culture (TIU, grad school), Existence and Nature of God (TIU, grad school), Religion and the Law (TIU, grad school and law school), Law, Religion, and Science (TIU grad school and law school), Philosophy of Law (TIU, grad school and law school; Baylor), American Civil Religion (Baylor), Law and Religion in the United States (Baylor), Seminar on the History of Church-State in the West (Baylor), Religion and Society (Baylor), Politics and Religion (Baylor); Law, Science, and Society (Baylor), Critical Thinking: Logic and the Law (Baylor), Introducory Topis in Philosophy: Faith, Reason, and Christian Beliefs (Baylor), Philosophy and Constitutional Issues (Baylor)



Publications:

Books (authored and edited):

  1. 1.Politics for Christians: Statecraft As Soulcraft. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2010

  2. 2.Return to Rome: Reflections of an Evangelical Catholic. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2009

  3. 3.Defending Life: A Moral and Legal Case Against Abortion Choice. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2007.

  4. 4.(ed.) To Everyone An Answer: A Case for the Christian Worldview (w/ W. L. Craig, J. P. Moreland). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2004

  5. 5.Law, Darwinism, & Public Education: The Establishment Clause and the Challenge of Intelligent Design. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2003.

  6. 6.(ed.) Do the Right Thing: Readings in Applied Ethics and Social Philosophy. 2nd ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2002. A revised edition of Do the Right Thing: A Philosophical Dialogue on the Moral and Social Issues of Our Time. Belmont CA: Wadsworth, 1996. Formerly published by Jones & Bartlett.

  7. 7.(ed.) The New Mormon Challenge: Responding to the Latest Defenses of a Fast-Growing Movement. (w/ Carl Mosser and Paul Owen). Grand Rapids: Zondervan / New York: HarperCollins, 2002.

  8. 8.Abortion and the Sanctity of Human Life. Joplin, MO: College Press, 2000.

  9. 9.Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air (co-authored with Gregory Koukl). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1998.

  10. 10.(ed.)The Abortion Controversy 25 Years After Roe v. Wade: A Reader (w/ L.P. Pojman). Second edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 1998. Revised edition of The Abortion Controversy: A Reader. (w/ L.P. Pojman). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 1994. Formerly published by Jones & Bartlett.

  11. 11.(ed.) Affirmative Action: Social Justice or Reverse Discrimination? (w/ T.E. Jones). Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books, 1997.

  12. 12.See the Gods Fall: Four Rivals to Christianity (co-authored w/ S. E. Parrish). Joplin, MO: College Press, 1997.

  13. 13.Race-Based Affirmative Action and Social Justice: A Debate (co-authored with James Harris). Crossroads Monograph Series in Faith & Public Policy. Wynnewood, PA: Crossroads Foundation for Faith and Public Policy, 1997.

  14. 14.Politically Correct Death: Answering the Arguments for Abortion Rights. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1993

  15. 15.(ed.) Are You Politically Correct?: Debating America's Cultural Standards. (w/ Michael Bauman) Contemporary Issues Series. Buffalo, NY: Prometheus Books, 1993.

  16. 16.The Mormon Concept of God: A Philosophical Analysis (co-authored with S. E. Parrish). Studies in American Religion, volume 55. Lewiston, NY: Edwin Mellen Press, 1991.

  17. 17.David Hume's Argument Against Miracles: A Critical Analysis. Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1989.

  18. 18.Baha’i. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1985.


General Editor of Book Series:

Co-editor (with J. P. Moreland) of Christian Worldview Integration Series (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press). There are five books slated for the series, so far. Authors include Francis J. Beckwith (politics and Christianity), David Lyle Jeffrey (literature and Christianity), John Woodbridge (history and Christianity) and Garrett DeWeese (philosophy and Christianity)

Co-editor (with Dennis Hollinger) of Monograph Series in Bioethics (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing). There are four books slated for the series, so far. Authors include Edmund Pellagrino (Georgetown) Arthur Dyck (Harvard University), Scott B. Rae (Talbot School of Theology), James Peterson (Wingate University)


Policy Monographs:

1.Doctors as Accountants: The Ethics of Using HMO Referral for Cost-Containment. Reno, NV: Nevada Policy Research Institute.

2.Public Education, the First Amendment, and Alternative Religious Movements: A Policy Analysis. Reno, NV: Nevada Policy Research Institute, 1993.


Articles in Journals, Chapters in Books, and Entries in Reference Works (+ indicates peer-review)

2010 and beyon

  1. 1.  + ”Dignity Never Been Photographed: Scientific Materialism, Enlightenment Liberalism, and Steven Pinker,” Ethics & Medicine: An International Journal of Bioethics 26.2 (2010): forthcoming

  2. 2. “Mormonism, Natural Law, and Constitutional Democracy: Reflections on the Romney Candidacy,” Sowing the Fields of Peacemakers: Essays on Mormon Philosophy and Theology in Honor of David L. Paulsen. Edited by Jacob Baker (Kofford Books, 2010

  3. 3.  “How to Be An Anti-Intelligent Design Advocate.” University of St. Thomas Journal of Law and Public Policy 4.1 (2009-2010).

  4. 4.  “Abortion.” Religion: Past and Present. 4th edition. (English translation of Religion in Geschichte und Gegenwart). Edited by Hans Dieter Betz, Don Browning, Bernd Janowski, and Eberhard Jüngel. Leiden, Holland: Brill Academic Publishers.

  5. 5.  “Arguments from Bodily Rights: A Critical Analysis.” Contemporary Moral Issues: Readings in Ethical Issues. Edited by Lewis Vaughn. New York: Oxford University Press, 2010. Reprint of portions of chapter 7 of Politically Correct Death: Answering the Arguments for Abortion Rights (Baker, 1993)

  6. 6.  Encyclopedia of the Fourth Amendment. Edited by David L. Hudson and John R. Vile. Washington, DC.: Congressional Quarterly Press, 2011. Entries: (a) Bork, Robert; (b) Comstock Act; (c) Greenawalt, Ken; (d) Posner, Richard

  7. 7.  Baker’s Dictionary of Cults and New Religious Movements. Edited by H. Wayne House. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House. Entry: “God, Mormon Concept of.”


2009

  1. 8.  The Praeger Handbook of Religion and Education in the United States. Edited by James C. Carper and Tom Hunt Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers, 2008. Entries: (a) J. M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies, (b) Wallace v. Jaffree, (e) Alliance Defend Fund, (f) the Rutherford Institute.

  2. 9.“Must Theology Always Sit in the Back of the Secular Bus?: The Federal Courts' View of Religion and Its Status As Knowledge.” Journal of Law and Religion (2008-09): 547-568.

  3. 10.+”Evangelical and Catholic.” Josephinum Journal of Theology 16.1 (Summer/Fall 2009):125-138

  4. 11.  “Agnosticism.” (co-authored with  Maurice Redmond Holloway SJ). The New Catholic Encyclopedia Supplement 2009.  2 volumes. Robert L. Fastiggi, Editor in Chief. Detroit: Gale, 2009. volume 1, 5-10. (a update and revision of the original entry authored by M. R. Holloway, SJ)

  5. 12. +“Faith, Reason, and the Christian University: What John Paul II Can Teach Christian Academics.” Logos: A Journal of Catholic Thought 12.2(Summer 2009): 53-67

  6. 13.  “Who and What Are We? (What the Abortion Debate is Really About),” in  Writing That Makes Sense: Critical Thinking in College Composition, ed. David S. Hogsette (Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2009), 589-593.


2008

  1. 14.  “The Courts, Natural Rights, and Religious Claims as Knowledge.” Santa Clara Law Review 49.2 (2009): 429-458.

  2. 15.   Encyclopedia of the First Amendment. Edited by David L. Hudson, David A. Schultz, and John R. Vile Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly Press. Entries: (a) “Carey v. Population Services International (1977)”; (b) “Mount Healthy City School Dist. Bd. Of Educ. v. Doyle (1977)”; (c) “McGowan v. Maryland (1961)”; (d) “Meek v. Pittenger (1975)”

  3. 16.   Encyclopedia of American Civil Liberties. Edited by Paul Finkelman. New York: Routledge, 2007. Entries: (a) “Dawson, Joseph Martin”; (b) “Edwards v. Aguillard (1987)”; (c) “Epperson v. Arkansas (1968)”; and (d) “Planned Parenthood v. Casey, (1992)”

  4. 17.    Encyclopedia of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. Edited by Otis H. Stephens and John M. Scheb II. New York: Greenwood Press. Entry: “Creation/Evolution Debate.”


2007

  1. 13.    “Is Morality Relative?,” Passionate Conviction: Modern Discourses on Christian Apologetics. Edited by Paul Copan and William Lane Craig. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 2007.

  2. 13.     "Abortion." Church and State Issues in America Today. 3 volumes. Edited by Steven L. Jones and Ann W. Duncan. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers, 2007.

  3. 14.     “Intelligent Design, Religious Motives, and the First Amendment.” In Intelligent Design: William A. Dembski and Michael Ruse in Dialogue. Edited by Robert B. Stewart. Minneapolis: Fortress Books

  4. 15.     “Christians, Politics, and the Separation of Church and State.” In Reasons for Faith. Edited by C. Meister, and N. L. Geisler. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books. Revised version of article that appeared in Chapman Law Review 8.1 (2005): 109-127

  5. 16.     +“Bioethics, the Christian Citizen, and the Pluralist Game.” Christian Bioethics 13 (2007): 1-12. Invited

  6. 17.     “Doing What Comes Naturally and Not Knowing It: A Reflection on J. Budziszewski’s Work.” The Catholic Social Science Review 12 (2007): 33-40.


2006

  1. 18.     "The Supreme Court, Roe v. Wade, and Abortion Law." Liberty University Law Review 1.1 (2006): 37-72. Revised and updated version of the previously published article, "Roe v. Wade: Its Logic and Its Legacy." The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 7.2 (Summer 2003): 4-28.

  2. 19.    “The Court of Disbelief: The Constitution’s Article VI Religious Test Prohibition and the Judiciary’s Religious Motive Analysis.” Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly 33.2 (2006)

  3. 20.    +“Defending Abortion Philosophically: A Review-Essay of David Boonin’s A Defense of Abortion.” Journal of Medicine & Philosophy 31 (April 2006): 177-203

  4. 21.    “Taking Theology Seriously: The Status of the Religious Beliefs of Judicial Nominee for the Federal Bench.” Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics, & Public Policy20.1 (2006): 455-71

  5. 22.    “Busy Being Born Again: Bob Dylan’s Christian Philosophy.” In Bob Dylan & Philosophy. Edited by Peter Vernezze and Carl Porter. Chicago: Open Court, 2006. Pp. 145-55.

  6. 23.    “It’s the Epistemology, Stupid!: Science, Knowledge, and Public Education.” In Darwin’s Nemesis:: Essays in Honor of Phillip Johnson. Edited by William A. Dembski. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2006 Pp. 105-116.


2005

  1. 24.    +“Rawls’ Dangerous Idea: Political Liberalism, Naturalistic Evolution, and The Requirements of Legal Neutrality in Shaping Public School Curricula.” Journal of Law & Religion 20.2 (Fall 2005): 423-58.

  2. 25.    “Sects in the City: Mormonism and the Philosophical Perils of Being a Missionary Faith.” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 9.2 (Summer 2005): 14-30.

  3. 26.    “Gimme That Ol’ Time Separation: A Review Essay of Separation of Church and State by Philip Hamburger.” Chapman Law Review 8.1 (2005): 109-27.

  4. 27.    +“Marriage, Sex, and the Jurisprudence of Skepticism: A Response to Ronald E. Long,” Philosophia Christi 7.1 (2005): 41-44.

  5. 28.    +“Legal Neutrality and Same-Sex Marriage,” Philosophia Christi 7.1 (2005): 19-25.

  6. 29.    “Arguments from Bodily Rights: A Critical Analysis.” In What's Wrong? : Applied Ethicists and Their Critics. Edited by David Boonin and Graham Oddie. New York : Oxford University Press, 2005.

  7. 30.    "The Baha'i World Faith." Guide to New Religious Movements. 2nd edition. Edited by Ronald Enroth. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. 2005. Pp. 155-68, 207-11.

  8. 31.    + “Of Souls, Selves, and Cerebrums: A Reply to Himma.” Journal of Medical Ethics 31.1 (January 2005): 56-60.


2004

  1. 32.    + "Thomson's `Equal Reasonableness' Argument for Abortion Rights: A Critique.” American Journal of Jurisprudence 49 (2004): 118-34.

  2. 33.    “Design, Darwin, and the Public Schools.” In To Everyone An Answer: A Case for the Christian Worldview. Edited by Francis J. Beckwith, William Lane Craig, and J. P. Moreland. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2004. Pp. 266-86.

  3. 34.    “What’s Upstairs.” (a review essay of Nancy Pearcey’s Total Truth). First Things 147 (Nov. 2004): 51-52, 54-55.   

  4. 35.    “What Would Reagan Do?” Human Life Review 30.3 (Summer 2004): 74-77.

  5. 36.    + “The Explanatory Power of the Substance View of Persons.” Christian Bioethics 10.1 (April, 2004): 33-54.


2003

  1. 37.+ “When You Come to a Fork in the Road, Take It?: Abortion, Personhood, and the Jurisprudence of Neutrality." Journal of Church & State 44.3 (Summer 2003): 485-87

  2. 38.Roe v. Wade: Its Logic and Its Legacy.” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 7.2 (Summer 2003): 4-29. Invited

  3. 39.+ “Consent, Abortion, and the Pre-Natal Rapist: A Brief Critique of McDonagh’s Suggested Revision of Roe v. Wade.” (co-authored with Steven Thomas). Journal of Libertarian Studies 17.2 (Spring 2003): 1-16

  4. 40.“Science and Religion 20 Years After McLean v. Arkansas: Evolution, Public Education, and the Challenge of Intelligent Design.” Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy 26.2 (Spring 2003): 456-499.

  5. 41."Public Education, Religious Establishment, and the Challenge of Intelligent Design." Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics, and Public Policy17.2 (2003): 461-519

  6. 42."Theism, Miracles, and the Modern Mind." The Rationality of Theism. Edited by Paul Mosser and Paul Copan. New York: Routledge, 2003. Pp. 221-236.


2002

  1. 43.+ "The Metaphysics and Theology of Political and Legal Disagreement: A Review Essay of The Clash of Orthodoxies: Law, Politics, and the Crisis in Morality by Robert P. George." Philosophia Christi Series 2, 4.2 (2002): 477-92.

  2. 44.“A Liberty Not Fully Evolved?: The Case of Rodney LeVake and the Right of Public School Teachers to Criticize Darwinism.” San Diego Law Review 39.4 (Nov./Dec. 2002): 1111-1126.

  3. 45."Cloning and Reproductive Liberty." Nevada Law Journal 3.1 (Fall 2002): 61-87.

  4. 46.Dictionary of Contemporary Religion in the Western World. Edited by Christopher Partridge, et. al. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002. Entry: "The Baha’I Faith.” (168-171)

  5. 47."Moral Law, the Mormon Universe, and the Nature of the Right We Choose." In The New Mormon Challenge: Responding to the Latest Defenses of a Fast-Growing Movement. Edited by F. J. Beckwith, C. Mosser, and P. Owen. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan/New York: HarperCollins, 2002.


2001

  1. 48.+ "Mormon Theism, the Traditional Christian Concept of God, and Greek Philosophy: A Critical Analysis." Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 44.4 (December 2001): 671-695.

  2. 49.+ "Taking Abortion Seriously: A Philosophical Analysis of the New Prolife Rhetorical Shift." Ethics & Medicine 17:3 (Fall 2001): 155-166.

  3. 50.+ "History and Miracles: A Reply to Fales." Philosophia Christi Series 2, 3.1 (2001): 42-45.

  4. 51."Why I Am Not a Relativist." In Why I am a Christian: Leading Thinkers Explain Why They Believe. Edited by N. L. Geisler and P. Hoffman. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2001. Pp. 15-29. Revised released in 2006.

  5. 52.+ "Law, Religion, and the Metaphysics of Abortion: A Reply to Simmons." Journal of Church and State 43.1 (Winter 2001): 19-33.


2000

  1. 53.+ "Physician-Value Neutrality: A Critique" (w/ John Peppin). Journal of Law, Medicine, and Ethics 28.1 (Spring 2000): 67-77.

  2. 54."Abortion, Bioethics, and Personhood: A Philosophical Reflection." The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 6 (Spring 2000): 14-28. Invited.

  3. 55.+ "Is Statecraft Soulcraft?: Faith, Politics, and Legal Neutrality." In Bioengagement. Edited by Nigel Cameron, Scott Daniels, and Barbara White. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2000. Pp. 113-31.


1999

  1. 56."Disagreement Without Debate: The Republican Party Platform and the Human Life Amendment Plank.” Nexus: A Journal of Opinion (Chapman University School of Law) 4 (Spring 1999): 113-33. A slightly revised version published in Politics and Public Policy: A Christian Response, ed. Timothy Demy and Gary Stewart. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publishing, 2000. Pp. 233-55.

  2. 57.+ "The `Nobody Deserves His or Her Talents Argument for Affirmative Action’: A Critical Analysis.” Social Theory and Practice vol. 25, no. 1 (Spring 1999)

  3. 58.“Relativism, State Neutrality and the Law.” Trinity Law Review 9.1 (Fall 1998): 57-65

  4. 59.“Abortion and Birth Control.” (with H. Wayne House). Encyclopedia of Religion in American Politics. Edited by Jeffrey D. Schultz, John G. West, Jr., and Iain Maclean. Rockyriver, OH: Oryx Press, 1999.


1998

  1. 60."Medical Futility, Patient Autonomy, and Personhood.” Scientific Evidence Review, Monograph No. 3. Edited by Cynthia H. Cwik and John L. North (American Bar Association Section on Science and Technology, 1998)

  2. 61.“Absolute Autonomy and Physician-Assisted Suicide: Putting a Bad Idea Out of Its Misery,” in Suicide and the Christian, ed. Timothy Demy and Gary Stewart. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publishing, 1998.


1997

  1. 62."History and Miracles," in In Defense of Miracles: A Comprehensive Case for God’s Action in History, edited by R. Douglas Geivett and Gary R. Habermas. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997. Pp. 86-98.


1996

  1. 63.“Philosophical Commitments, Family Law, and Public Policy,” Focus on Law Studies (American Bar Association Division for Public Education) 12.1 (Fall 1996): 3,13. Invited

  2. 64.+ "The Ethics of Referral Kickbacks and Self-Referral and the HMO Physician as Gatekeeper: An Ethical Analysis." Journal of Social Philosophy 28.3 (Winter 1996): 41-48.

  3. 65."Ignorance of Fetal Status as a Justification of Abortion: A Critical Analysis." In The Silent Subject: Reflections on the Unborn in American Culture, edited by Brad Stetson with a forward by Richard John Neuhaus. Westport, CT: Praeger Books, 1996. Pp. 33-42.

  4. 66."A Critique of Political Correctness." In Philosophy: The Quest for Truth, 3rd ed., ed. Louis P. Pojman. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 1996. Pp. 582-589.


1995

  1. 67."From Personhood to Autonomy: The Shifting Legal Focus in the Abortion Debate," in Bioethics and the Future of Medicine, edited by Nigel Cameron, David Schiedermayer, and John Kilner. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans/Cumbria, UK: The Paternoster Press, 1995. Pp. 187-198.

  2. 68."Pluralism, Tolerance, and Abortion Rights." In Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Political Issues, 9th edition, eds. George McKenna and Stanley Feingold. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1995. Pp. 272-277.


1994

  1. 69."Separation of Guru and State?: The Influence of New Age Thinking on Public Education," in God and Caesar, eds. Michael Bauman and David W. Hall. Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications, 1994. Pp. 285-317. A revised and abridged version was published as “Separation of Guru and State?: The New Age Movement and Public Education,” Deolog: Forum for Beliefs 3 (May 1996): 12-13,19-21.

  2. 70.+ "The Epistemology of Political Correctness." Public Affairs Quarterly vol. 8, no. 4 (October 1994): 331-340.


1993

  1. 71.+ "Mormon Theism and the Argument from Design" (co-authored with Stephen E. Parrish). Criswell Theological Review 6 (Spring 1993): 269-280.

  2. 72.+ "Limited Omniscience and the Test for a Prophet: A Brief Philosophical Analysis." Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 36/3 (September 1993): 357-362.


1992

  1. 73.+ "A Reply to Keenan: Thomson's Argument and Academic Feminism." International Philosophical Quarterly 32 (September 1992): 369-376.

  2. 74.+ "Personal Bodily Rights, Abortion, and Unplugging the Violinist: A Critical Analysis." International Philosophical Quarterly 32 (March 1992): 105-118. A Hungarian translation was published as "A Testunkhoz Fuzodo Szemelyes Jogaink, az Abortusz es a Hegedumuvesz ,,Kikapcsolasa''." Merleg 28.EVF (1992-93): 253-271.

  3. 75. Encyclopedia of Biblical and Christian Ethics, edited by R.K. Harrison. Revised edition. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1992. Entries: (a) “Abortion” (3-4); (b) “Civil Rights” (73-75); (c) Euthanasia (138-39)


1991

  1. 76.+ "Hume's Evidential/Testimonial Epistemology, Probability, and Miracles." Logos 12 (1991): 87-104. A revised version appears as "Hume's Evidential/Testimonial Epistemology, Probability, and Miracles." In Faith in Theory and Practice: Essays on the Justification of Religious Belief, edited by Elizabeth Radcliffe and Carol White. La Salle, IL: Open Court Publishing, 1993. Pp. 117-140.

  2. 77.+ "The Mormon God, Omniscience, and Eternal Progression" (co-authored with Stephen E. Parrish). Trinity Journal 12NS (Fall 1991): 127-138.

  3. 78."The Misuse of Maternal Mortality Statistics in the Abortion Debate," Ethics & Medicine 7 (Summer 1991): 18-19.

  4. 79.+ "A Critical Appraisal of the Theological Arguments for Abortion Rights." Bibliotheca Sacra 148 (July-September 1991): 337-355. A revised version appears as "A Critical Appraisal of Theological Arguments for Abortion Rights." In Vital Contemporary Issues: Examining Current Questions and Controversies, edited by Roy Zuck. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1994. Pp. 46-64.

  5. 80."Philosophy and Belief in God: The Resurgence of Theism in Philosophical Circles." The Master's Seminary Journal 2 (Spring 1991): 61-78.


1990

  1. 81.“Identity and Resurrection: A Review Article.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 33.3 (Sept. 1990): 369-73. Invited.

  2. 82.“Rights, Filial Obligations, and Medical Risks." APA Newsletter on Philosophy and Medicine 89:2 (Winter, 1990): 80-82.


1989

  1. 83."Abortion and Public Policy: A Response to Some Arguments," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 32 (December 1989): 503-518. A revised and expanded version of "Abortion and Argument: A Response to Mollenkott." Journal of Biblical Ethics in Medicine 3 (Summer 1989): 48-56.

  2. 84."Utilitarian Arguments, Abortion Rights, and Justice Blackmun's Dissent in Webster: Some Philosophical Observations." Simon Greenleaf Review of Law and Religion: A Scholarly Forum Interrelating Law, Theology and Human Rights 8 (1988-89): 5-24.


1986

  1. 85."Of Logic and Lordship: The Validity of a Categorical Syllogism Supporting Christ's Deity." Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 29 (December,1986): 429-430.


Reprint Libraries:

"Pluralism, Tolerance, and Abortion Rights." In E.L.I.T.E.: The Extended Library Individualized to Education. Guilford, CT: Dushkin Publishing Group, 1995-present. E.L.I.T.E. is a growing menu of cases, documents, speeches, and articles taken from national academic journals and periodicals. Professors are encouraged to choose selections best suited for their courses and those selections are then printed and bound into single volumes specifically for those courses.


Articles In Popular Periodicals

Since 1987, I have contributed many articles and opinion pieces, of a variety of lengths, to a number of periodicals including magazines and newspapers. Among the periodicals in which this work has appeared are Touchstone Magazine, Focus on the Family Magazine, Citizen Magazine, Lay Witness Magazine, Christian Research Journal, Teachers in Focus, Waco Tribune-Herald, Washington Times, Moody Magazine, Christian Research Newsletter, Contra Mundum, Los Angeles Times, Orange County Register, Las Vegas Sun, Las Vegas Review-Journal, and Chronicles.


Miscellaneous Publications:

One of seven contributors to “Leading New Books: 7 Scholars Recommend New and Recent Books on Law, Religion, and Morality.” Focus on Law Studies (American Bar Association Division for Public Education) 15.1 (Fall 1999).

“Forward” to the book Unitarianism/Universalism by Alan Gomes. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1998.

Contributor to discussion published in Caesar’s Coin Revisited: Christians and the Limits of Government. Edited by Michael Cromartie. Washington DC: Ethics & Public Policy Center / Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1996.


Book Reviews (including both academic and popular periodicals):

1.Justice by Nicholas Wolterstorff. Christianity Today (forthcoming).

2.Recovering Self-Evident Truths: Catholic Perspectives on American Law. Edited by Michael A. Scaperlanda and Teresa Collett. Journal of Church & State 50.1 (Winter 2008): 164-166.

3.The Creationists (Rev. ed) by Ronald H. Numbers. Journal of Law & Religion 23.2 (2007-08). Invited.

4.Human Values: New Essays on Ethics and Natural Law. Edited by David S. Oderberg and Timothy Chappell. Philosophia Christi 9.1 (2007): 240-242.

5.“Natural Law Without a Lawgiver.” Darwinian Conservatism by Larry Arnhart. The Review of Politics 68.4 (Fall 2006): 680-82.

6.The Cube and the Cathedral: Europe, America, and Politics Without God by George Weigel. Journal of Church & State 48.1 (Winter 2006): 218-220.

7.Religion in the Liberal Polity. Edited by Terence Cuneo. Journal of Church & State 47.4 (Autumn 2005): 866-869.

8.Genetics, Theology, and Ethics: An Interdisciplinary Conversation. Edited by Lisa Sowle Cahill. Theology Today 62.3 (October 2005): 450-51.

9.Encyclopedia of Religious Freedom, edited by Catharine Cookson. Journal of Church and State 47.3 (Summer 2005): 651-52.

10.The Supreme Court and Religion in American Life, Volume I: Odyssey of the Religion Clauses by James Hitchcock, and The Supreme Court and Religion in American Life, Volume II From “Higher Law” to “Sectarian Scruples” by James Hitchcock. Journal of Church & State 47. 1 (Winter 2005): 182-85.

11. “Mere Materialism: Chronicles of Nonsense.” Review of C. S. Lewis’s Dangerous Idea: In Defense of the Argument from Reason by Victor Reppert. Christian Research Journal 27.3 (2004): 46-47.

12.Three Approaches to Abortion by Peter Kreeft. Journal of Church and State 45.4 (Autumn 2003): 835-36.

13.Philosophy of Law and Legal Theory, edited by Dennis Patterson. Philosophia Christi, 5.1 2nd series (2003): 350-52.

14.“Reassessing Pro-Life Strategy.” Review of Back to the Drawing Board: The Future of the Prolife Movement, edited by Teresa R. Wagner. The American Conservative (May 5, 2003): 22-23.

15.“Pulling the Plug on Bioethics.” Review of Life, Liberty, and the Defense of Dignity by Leon Kass. The American Conservative (Feb. 10, 2003): 28-29.

16.Nature, Design, and Science: The Status of Design in Natural Science by Del Ratzsch. Philosophia Christi, 2nd series, 4.1 (2002): 95-97

17.Religious Commitment and Secular Reason by Robert Audi. Faith and Philosophy 19.1 (January 2002): 106-112.

18.Darwin's Black Box by Michael Behe, and The Design Inference: Eliminating Chance Through Small Probabilities by William A. Dembski. Journal of Law & Religion 16.2 (2001): 921-929. Invited contribution to a special issue (funded by the Lily Foundation) dedicated to reviews of the most important books in religion and the law in the 1990s.

19.Beyond All Reason: The Radical Assault on Truth in American Law by Daniel A. Farber and Suzanna Sherry. Philosophia Christi 2nd series vol. 3.2 (2001): 593-95.

20.After Progress: Finding the Old Way Forward by Anthony O’Hear. Philosophia Christi 2nd series vol. 2.2 (2000): 328-30.

21."God Knows?" review of God of the Possible by Gregory Boyd. Christian Research Journal 22.4 (Fall 2000): 54-56

22."Clarence Thomas and the `N' Word (a.k.a. `National Law')." review of First Principles: The Jurisprudence of Clarence Thomas by Scott Douglas Gerber. Trinity Law Review 10.1 (2000): 223-31.

23.Final Wishes: A Cautionary Tale on Death, Dignity & Physician-Assisted Suicide by Paul Chamberlain. Moody Magazine (Sept/'Oct 2000): 63-64.

24.The Return of George Sutherland: Restoring a Jurisprudence of Natural Rights by Hadley Arkes. Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies XII (2000): 179-80.

25.Homosexuality and American Public Life edited by Christopher Wolfe. Philosophia Christi 2nd series vol. 1 no. 2 (1999): 146-48.

26.Babies and Beasts: The Argument from Marginal Cases by Daniel A. Dombrowski. Ethics & Medicine 15.1 (1999): 30.

27.Religion and Morality, edited by D.Z. Phillips. Faith and Philosophy 15.3 (July 1998): 375-79.

28.Knowledge and the Body-Mind Problem by Karl R. Popper. Ethics & Medicine 14.2 (1998): 59-60.

29.The Good Book by Peter Gomes. Christian Research Journal 20.3 (Jan.-Mar. 1998): 46-48.

30.Recovering from Churches that Abuse by Ronald Enroth. The Princeton Theological Review 4.2 (May 1997): 21-24. A briefer version of this review was published in Christian Research Journal 18 (Summer 1995): 48,40.

31.Reason in the Balance: The Case Against Naturalism in Science, Law, and Education by Phillip E. Johnson. Themelios 22.1 (October 1996): 68-69.

32.Blessed are the Barren: The Social Policy of Planned Parenthood by Robert Marshall and Charles Donovan. Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 39.3 (September 1996): 512-515.

33.Conflicting Agendas: Personal Morality in Institutional Settings by D. Don Welch. Journal of Church and State 38 no. 2 (Spring 1996): 428-429.

34.“A Kinder, Gentler, Prolife Movement.” review of Real Choices by Frederica Matthews-Green. Prism 2 (September/October 1995): 32-33.

35.The Politics and Philosophy of Political Correctness by Jung Min Choi and John W. Murphy. Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 38 (March 1995): 139-142.

36.What is Truth? by James Emery White. Journal of Psychology and Christianity 14 (Spring 1995): 87.

37.Psychobabble by Richard Granz. Journal of Psychology and Christianity 14 (Spring 1995): 84-85.

38."What Does Jerusalem Have to Do with South Bend?" review of Hermes and Athena: Biblical Exegesis and Philosophical Theology, edited by Eleonore Stump and Thomas P. Flint. Contra Mundum: A Reformed Cultural Review, No. 13 (Fall 1994): 56-57, 73.

39.A Matter of Principles?: Ferment in U.S. Bioethics, edited by Edwin R. Dubose, Ron Hamel, and Laurence J. O'Connell. Ethics & Medicine 10.3 (Autumn 1994): 71-72.

40.Liberation Theology: An Introductory Guide by Robert McAfee Brown. Journal of Psychology and Christianity 13 (Fall 1994): 186-287.

41.The Ethical Dimensions of the Biological Sciences edited by Ruth Ellen Bulger, Elizabeth Heitman, and Stanley Joel Reiser. Canadian Philosophical Review 14.4 (August 1994): 242-243.

42.No Easy Answers by William Lane Craig. Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 36 (June 1993): 269-270.

43.Rationalism, Empiricism, and Idealism: British Academy Lectures on the History of Philosophy, selected and introduced by Anthony Kenny. Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 36 (March 1993): 79.

44.The Right Thing to Do: Basic Readings in Moral Philosophy by James Rachels. APA Newsletter on Teaching Philosophy 91:1 (Spring 1992): 176-178.

45.Ethical Theory and Social Issues by David Theo Goldberg, and Ethics: Classical and Contemporary Writings, 6th ed., by Oliver A. Johnson. APA Newsletter on Teaching Philosophy 89:2 (Winter 1990): 30-31.

46.Miracles by Richard Swinburne. Teaching Philosophy 12:3 (December 1989): 335-337.

47.Ultimate Questions by Clyde Crews. Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society30 (September, 1987): 375-376.

48."Atheism For the Tough-Minded." review of In Defense of Secular Humanism by Paul Kurtz. Simon Greenleaf Law Review: A Scholarly Forum Interrelating Law, Theology and Human Rights 5 (1985-86): 200-203.


Papers Presented at Professional Conferences and/or Academic Meetings:

  1. 1.““True for Us, But Not True for You: The Dictatorship of Relativism and the President’s Honorary Doctorate.” 10th Annual Fall Conference: “The Summons of Freedom: Virtue, Sacrifice, and the Common Good.” Notre Dame Center for Ethics & Culture. University of Notre Dame. 12-14 November 2009.

  2. 2.“Philosophers, Fetuses, and the Family: Autonomous Appetites Bound By Choice.” 9th Annual Fall Conference, “The Family: Searching for Fairest Love.” Notre Dame Center for Ethics & Culture. University of Notre Dame. 6-8 November 2008. Invited.

  3. 3.“Must Theology Always Sit in the Back of the Secular Bus?: The Federal Courts’ View of Religion and its Status as Knowledge.” Law and Religion Symposium and Award Luncheon: Journal of Law and Religion 25th Anniversary Conference.  Hamline University School of Law. St. Paul, Minnesota. 23-25 October 2008. Invited.

  4. 4."Politics, Evangelicals, and the Unavoidability of Metaphysics.” Section on Christians in Political Science. Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association. Boston, Massachusetts. 28-31 August 2008

  5. 5.“Confessions of a Vain Philosopher: Reflections on My Return to the Catholic Church.” Conference: “Dialogue of Cultures.” Notre Dame Center for Ethics & Culture. University of Notre Dame. South Bend, Indiana. 29 November-1 December 2007. Also delivered under the same title at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion. San Diego, California. 17-20 November 2007.

  6. 6.“Mormonism, Natural Law, and Constitutional Democracy: Responding to the Critics of the Romney Candidacy.”  Conference: “Mormonism and American Politics.” Co-Sponsored by Princeton's Center for the Study of Religion, the James Madison Program, the Center for Human Values, and the Woodrow Wilson School, and BYU's The Charles Redd Center for Western Studies. Princeton University. Princeton, New Jersey. 9-10 November 2007. Invited

  7. 7.“Bioethics, the Christian Citizen, and the Pluralist Game.” 17th annual conference of the University Faculty for Life. Villanova University. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 1-3 June 2007.

  8. 8.“Faith, Reason, and the Christian University: What John Paul II Can Teach Evangelicals.” Conference: “Modernity: Yearning for the Infinite.” Notre Dame Center for Ethics & Culture. University of Notre Dame. South Bend, Indiana. 30 November-2 December 2006. Also delivered at the 58th Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society. Washington, D.C. 15-17 November 2006.

  9. 9.“Doing What Comes Naturally and Not Knowing It: A Reflection on the Work of J. Budziszewski.” Invited respondent with Kevin Lee (Ave Marie School of Law) to a paper by J. Budziszewski (University of Texas, Austin). 12th Annual Meeting of the Society of Catholic Social Scientists. University of Dallas. Dallas, Texas. 27-28 October 2006.

  10. 10.“David Boonin’s A Defense of Abortion: A Philosophical Analysis.” Plenary Address. 16th annual conference of the University Faculty for Life. Villanova University. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 2-4 June 2006

  11. 11.“What Evangelicals Can Learn from John Paul II’s Philosophical Insights on Life, Liberty and Truth.” Conference: “Truth, Life and Solidarity: Philosophical Perspectives on the Thought of John Paul II,.” Boston College. Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. 24-25 February. Invited plenary speaker. Stipend awarded and all expenses covered.

  12. 12."Why J. J. Thomson's Violinist Argument Does Not Work in the Case of Rape." Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Philosophical Society. Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. 16-18 November 2005.

  13. 13.“Gospel Plow: Bob Dylan’s Christian Philosophy.” 57th Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society. Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. 16-18 November 2005.

  14. 14.“The Court of Disbelief: The Constitution’s Article VI Religious Test Prohibition and the Judiciary’s Religious Motive Analysis.” Section on Constitutional Law and Jurisprudence. Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association. Washington, D.C. 1-5 September 2005. Also delivered at The National Faculty Leadership Conference (Theme: “The Two Tasks – Redeeming the Soul, Redeeming the Mind”). Political Science and Law Section. Hilton Mark Center Hotel. Alexandria, Virginia. 22-25 June 2006\

  15. 15."Needy Beings and Being Needy: A Response to David Boonin's Distinction Between Responsibility for Existence and Responsibility for Neediness.” Annual Meeting of the Pacific Division of the American Philosophical Association. San Francisco, California. 23-27 March 2005.

  16. 16.“It’s the Epistemology Stupid!: Science, Public Schools, and What Counts as Knowledge.” Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society. San Antonio, Texas. 17-19 November 2004

  17. 17.“The Explanatory Power of the Substance View of Persons, With Responses to Boonin, Stretton, and Thomson.” Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Philosophical Society. San Antonio, Texas. 17-19 November 2004.

  18. 18."Thomson's `Equal Reasonableness' Argument for Abortion Rights: A Critique." Poster Session. 100th Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association. Chicago Illinios. 31 Aug – Sept. 3 2004. Also delivered at the Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Philosophical Society. Atlanta, Georgia. 19-21 November 2003.

  19. 19."When You Come to a Fork in the Road, Take It?: Abortion, Personhood, and the Jurisprudence of Neutrality." 55th annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society. Atlanta, Georgia. 19-21 November 2003

  20. 20.“Political Liberalism, Religion, and the Challenge of Intelligent Design: A Reply to Pennock.” Annual meeting of the Evangelical Philosophical Society. Toronto, ON (Canada). 20-22 November 2002

  21. 21."Intelligent Design and First Amendment Jurisprudence: A Critical Analysis." Annual meeting of the American Political Science Association. Boston, MA. 30 August-1 September 2002. Two earlier versions of this paper were presented at the Far West meeting of the Society of Christian Philosophers (under the title "Law, Philosophy, and Intelligent Design: A Critical Analysis"), Gonzaga University and Whitworth College (Spokane, WA), 4-6 April 2002, and the 53rd annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society (under the title "Intelligent Design and First Amendment Jurisprudence: A Critical Analysis"), Colorado Springs, CO, 14-16 November 2001.

  22. 22."Cloning, Personhood, and the Constitution." 12th annual Life and Learning Conference. Ave Maria School of Law. Ann Arbor, Michigan. 31 May - 2 June 2002.

  23. 23."Taking Abortion Seriously: A Philosophical Analysis of the New Prolife Rhetoric." 51st meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society. Danvers, MA. 17-19 November 1999. A slightly revised version was delivered at the 10th annual Life and Learing Conference. Georgetown University. Washington, DC. 3-5 June 2000.

  24. 24."Disagreement Without Debate: The Republican Party Platform and the Human Life Amendment Plank.” 9th annual Life and Learning Conference. Trinity International University. Deerfield, Illinois. 4-5 June 1999.

  25. 25."Political Liberalism, Religion, and the Law.” Annual Western Division meeting of the Conference on Faith and History. The Master’s College. Santa Clarita, California. 26 March 1999. A revised version of the paper presented at the annual Midwest meeting of the Society of Christian Philosophers. University of Nebraska, Lincoln. 16-18 April 1998. Another version of this paper was presented under the title, “The Unexamined Ballot is Not Worth Casting: Law, Political Activism and the Metaphysics of Public Policy” in the Judicial Politics section of the annual meeting of the Southwestern Political Science Association. Corpus Christi, TX. 18-22 March 1998. "Liberal Political Theory, Relativism, and General Revelation.” 49th annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society. Santa Clara, CA. 20-22 November 1997.

  26. 26."The Ethics of Referral Kickbacks and Self-Referral and the HMO Physician as Gatekeeper: An Ethical Analysis.” Paper delivered at the conference, The Changing Face of Health Care. Sponsored by The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity, Christian Medical & Dental Society, Christian Legal Society, Nurses Christian Fellowship, and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Trinity International University. Deerfield IL. 17-19 July 1997.

  27. 27."Absolute Autonomy and Physician-Assisted Suicide: Putting a Bad Idea Out of Its Misery.” 7th annual Life and Learning Conference, University Faculty for Life. Loyola College in Maryland. Baltimore, MD. 30 May-June 1, 1997.

  28. 28."The No One Deserves His or Her Talent Argument for Strong Affirmative Action: A Critical Analysis.” “Political Theory” section of the annual meeting of the Southwestern Political Science Association. New Orleans LA. 26-29 March 1997.

  29. 29.“The Moral Question of Affirmative Action: A Philosophical Analysis.” Annual meeting of the Evangelical Philosophical Society. Jackson MS. 21-23 November 1996.

  30. 30."Ignorance of Fetal Status as Justification of Abortion Rights.” “Judicial Politics” section of the annual meeting of the Southwestern Political Science Association. Houston, Texas. 26-30 March 1996. An earlier version was presented at 4th annual Life and Learning Conference, University Faculty for Life. Fordham University, Lincoln Center. New York, New York. 3-5 June 1994.

  31. 31."Recovering from Bad Epistemology: A Critical Review of Recovering from Churches that Abuse by Ronald Enroth." 47th Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society. Philadelphia, PA. 16-18 November 1995.

  32. 32."Medical Futility, Personhood, and Patient Autonomy." Invited paper followed by a panel discussion, "Medicine, Ethics, and the Law in Post-Modern America." "Law, Science, and Society." 11th Annual Higher Education Conference sponsored by American Bar Association Commission on College and University Legal Studies. The Athenaeum Suite Hotel. Detroit, MI. 28-30 April 1995. All expenses paid by ABA.

  33. 33."From Personhood to Autonomy: The Shifting Philosophical and Legal Focus in the Abortion Debate." Invited paper delivered at the conference, The Christian Stake in Bioethics. Co-sponsored by Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and the Christian Medical & Dental Society. Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Deerfield, Illinois. 19-21 May 1994. Received stipend as well as all expenses paid.

  34. 34."The Epistemology of Political Correctness." Paper delivered at the Multicultural Student Affairs Lecture Series (1993-94), University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada. 24 February 1994. Revised version of the Presidential Address at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Philosophical Society. Washington, D.C. 18-20 November 1993.

  35. 35."Separation of Guru and State?: The Influence of New Age Thinking on Public Education." 45th annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society. Washington, D.C. 18-20 November 1993.

  36. 36."Pluralism, Tolerance, and Abortion Rights." 3rd Annual Life and Learning Conference. Yale University. New Haven, Connecticut. 4-6 June 1993.

  37. 37."Hume's Evidential/Testimonial Epistemology, Probability, and Miracles." Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Philosophical Society. Kansas City, Missouri. 21-23 November 1991.

  38. 38."Pulling the Plug on the Violinist: A Critique of Thomson's Argument for Abortion Rights." Annual Pacific Division meeting of the American Philosophical Association San Francisco, California. 27-30 March 1991.

  39. 39."Abortion Rights and Utilitarian Arguments: A Philosophical Analysis." Loras College's Sesquicentennial Symposium on Health Care Ethics. Dubuque, Iowa. 6 April 1990.

  40. 40."Abortion, Public Policy, and Religious Conviction: A Reply to Mollenkott." Annual Far West Region Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society. The Master's College. Sun Valley, CA. 7 April 1989.

  41. 41."Two Philosophical Problems with the Mormon Concept of God." 40th annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society. Wheaton College. Wheaton, IL. 19 November 1988.

  42. 42."Antony Flew on Miracles: A Critique." Philosophy Graduate Student Lectures. Fordham University. New York, NY. 7 November 1986.

  43. 43."Religious Belief and the Status of Religious Truth: A Classic Non-Sequitur." New York Graduate Students' Philosophy Conference. City University of New York. 27 April 1985.



Paper or Book Commentator or Discussant:

1"Defending Life: A Moral and Legal Case Against Abortion Choice by Francis J. Beckwith: A Discussion." Invited respondent to panel discussion on Cambridge University Press monograph. Panel members: Mark W. Foreman (Liberty University), Scott B. Rae (Biola University), Sarah Sumner (Azusa Pacific University), and Kevin J. Corcoran (Calvin College). 59th Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society. San Diego, California. 14-16 November 2007.

2Invited Commentator on a paper by Janet Smith. 50th annual Wheaton Philosophy Conference. Theme: Bioethics & Christian Philosophy. Wheaton College. Wheaton, Illinois. 30 October - 1 November 2003. All expenses paid.

3Invited Commentator on a paper by John Finnis. Faith and Secularism Conference. Princeton University. 10-11 October 2003.

4Commentator for seminar presentation by Dennis Patterson (Rutgers University School of Law), “Fashionable Nonsense.” James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions, Department of Politics, Princeton University. 7 October 2002.

5Invited Commentator on the book Desire of the Nations: Rediscovery the Roots of Political Theory by Oliver O’Donovan. Panel includes Van Campbell (University of Pittsburgh) and Keith Pavlischek (Civitas Program, Center for Public Justice). Section on Religion and Culture. 50th annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society. Orlando, Florida. 19-21 November 1998.

6Invited Commentator on the Paper, “Why Evangelical Scholars Need to Take the New Mormon Scholarship Seriously” by Carl Mosser. Panel Includes Craig Hazen (Biola University), Paul Owen (University of Edinburgh), and Robert Bowman (Luther Rice Seminary). Society for the Study of Alternative Religious Movements. 50th annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society. Orlando, Florida. 19-21 November 1998.

7Invited Paper Commentator. Paper commented on: “Is the Person Affecting Intuition Inconsistent?” by Melinda Roberts. American Philosophical Association, Pacific Division. Berkeley CA. 26-29 March 1997.

8Invited Paper Discussant. Papers commented on: “Reflections on Capital Punishment in Evangelium Vitae” by Luis E. Lugo, and “Economic Justice and Karol Wojtyla” by W. King Mott, Jr. “Catholic Social Thought” session in the “Political Theory” section of the annual meeting of the Southwestern Political Science Association. Adam’s Mark Hotel. Houston, Texas. 26-30 March 1996.

9Invited Paper Commentator. Paper commented on: "What Can Christians Contribute to the Political Commons?" by James Skillen. The Third Annual Crossroads Conference on Faith and Public Policy. Eastern College. St. Davids, Pennsylvania. 27-30 July 1995. All expenses paid for as well as receiving a stipend.

10Invited Paper Commentator. Paper commented on: "Morality and Art: An Examination of Kant's Critique of Judgment" by Dennis Sansom. The Fifth Biennial Meeting of the Baptist Association of Philosophy Teachers. University of Nevada, Las Vegas. 12-14 November 1993.


Debate, Public Forum Participant, or Panel Member:

  1. 1.  “Exploring Christian Identity: Can You Be Catholic and Evangelical?” Penner Foundation Endowed Debate Series. Public dialogue with Timothy George (Beeson Divinity School, Samford University). Sponsored by the Center for Applied Christian Ethics. Wheaton College. Wheaton, Illinois. 3 September 2009.

2.“Moral Conflict and the Free Society.” Invited panel member with Christopher Tollefsen (University of South Carolina) and Anne Hendershott (University of San Dieog). Co-sponsored by the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions (Princeton University) and the Association for the Study of Free Institutions. Princeton University. Princeton, New Jersey. 13-14 May 2008

3.“In the Bible Belt: A Christian University?” Invited panel member with Larry Lyon (Vice President and Dean of Graduate School, Baylor University) and Carey Newman (Director, Baylor University Press). Conference: "Hannah Arendt in the 21st Century: A Global Discourse" Sponsored by the Center for Jewish Studies (Baylor University) and The Hannah Arendt Institute for Research on Totalitarianism (Dresden, Germany). Great Hall, George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University. Waco, Texas. 10 November 2006

4.“Federal Funding of Embryonic Stem-Cell Research?” Invited debate participant with Russell Korobkin (UCLA Law School). Sponsored by the American Constitution Society and the Federalist Society of Law and Public Policy Studies. UCLA Law School. 20 September 2006

5.“Intelligent Design, the Constitution, and Public Schools.” Invited discussion participant with Stephen Schifrin (Cornell Law School). Sponsored by the American Constitution Society and the Federalist Society of Law and Public Policy Studies. Cornell Law School. 13 April 2006

6.“Kitzmiller v. Dover (2005): A Discussion.” Invited participant in the Richmond Journal of Law & the Public Interest Symposium. University of Richmond Law Academic Festival. T. C. Williams School of Law, University of Richmond. Richmond, Virginia. 31 March 2006.

7.“The Religious Commitments of Judicial Nominees: Appropriate Questioning and Acceptable Answers.” Invited symposium participant with Judge D’Army Bailey (Tennessee Circuit Court), Matthew Franck (Radford University), and Gerard Bradley (Notre Dame). Notre Dame Law School. South Bend, Indiana. 9 November 2005.

8.“Is it Constitutionally Permissible to Teach Intelligent Design in Public Schools?” Invited debate participant with Jay Wexler (Boston University School of Law). Sponsored by the Federalist Society of Law and Public Policy Studies. Harvard Law School. 15 April 2005.

9.“Same-Sex Marriage: Should the Traditional Understanding of Marriage as a One-Flesh Communion Be Abandoned?” Invited debate participant with Marvin Ellison (Banger Theological Seminary), J. Budziszewski (University of Texas, Austin), and Ronald E. Long (Hunter College). Annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion. San Antonio, Texas. 20 November 2004.

10."Roe v. Wade: 30 Years Later." Invited debate participant with Denise Lieberman (Legal Director, ACLU of Eastern Missouri), moderated by Theodore Ruger (Washington University School of Law, St. Louis). Sponsored by the ACLU student group and the Law Students for Life. Washington University School of Law, St. Louis. 9 April 2003.

11.Invited Panel Participant. God, Humanity, and Creation in Christianity and Mormonism: A Discussion of the New Mormon Challenge. Panelists include Richard Mouw (Fuller Seminary), Paul Copan (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School), William Lane Craig (Biola University), Carl Mosser (University of St. Andrews), Paul Owen (Montreat College), Hollis R. Johnson (Indiana), Blake Ostler, David L. Paulsen (BYU), Daniel C. Peterson (BYU). 2001 Annual Meetings of the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Biblical Literature. Denver, Colorado. 17-20 November 2001.

12.Invited Panel Participant. ”The Sanctity of Life.” Life After Materialism Conference. Panel includes Frederica Matthewes-Green (National Public Radio and Christianity Today) and Terry Schlossberg (Presbyterians for Life). Biola University. La Mirada, California. 2-5 December 1999.

13.Invited Panel Chair. “Religion and Culture: Challenges and Prospects in the Next Twenty Years.” Panel includes Van Campbell (University of Pittsburgh) and Keith Pavlischek (Civitas Program, Center for Public Justice). Section on Religion and Culture. 50th annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society. Orlando, Florida. 19-21 November 1998.

14."Bioethics, Public Policy, and Political Liberalism.” Invited panel discussion participant with Professors H. Tristam Englehardt (Rice University) and David Solomon (University of Notre Dame). University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences, Section of Medical Ethics and Humanities. Des Moines, Iowa. 29 May 1998. All expenses paid for as well as receiving a stipend.

15."The California Civil Rights Initiative: An Educational Debate.” Invited debate participant with Professor Rudy Acuna (Cal State, Northridge). California State University, Los Angeles. 22 October 1996. All expenses paid for as well as receiving a stipend.

16."Affirmative Action.” Invited debate participant with Professor James Harris (Virginia Union Seminary). The Fourth Annual Crossroads Conference on Faith and Public Policy. Eastern College. St. Davids, Pennsylvania. 25-28 July 1996. All expenses paid for as well as receiving a stipend.

17."Christians in Academia." Invited symposium participant with David Hoekema, Jerry Herbert, Margaret Koch, and Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen. The Third Annual Crossroads Conference on Faith and Public Policy. Eastern College. St. Davids, Pennsylvania. 27-30 July 1995. All expenses paid for as well as receiving a stipend.

18."Moral Relativism and Moral Reasoning." Invited Forum Participant with Professors David Gordon (Von Mises Institute) and Hans-Herrman Hoppe (University of Nevada, Las Vegas). Sponsored by the Political Economy Club of UNLV. Moyer Student Union Building (Room 201), University of Nevada, Las Vegas. 4 May 1995.

19."The Openness of God." Invited Panel Member with David Clark, Richard Rice, John Sanders, William Hasker, Clark Pinnock, and David Basinger. 46th annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society. Chicago, IL. 17-19 Nov. 1994.

20."Mind-Control: Real or Imagined?" Invited Panel Member with Gretchen Passantino, Jon Trott, Craig Branch, Cynthia Kisser, and Paul Martin. The Philadelphia Conference on the Cults, Occult, and the Word-Faith Movement. Calvary Chapel of Philadelphia. Feasterville, Pennsylvania. 22-24 September 1994. Received stipend as well as all expenses paid.

21."Political Correctness and Individual Rights." Invited Forum Participant with Professors David Gordon (Von Mises Institute) and Hans-Herrman Hoppe (University of Nevada, Las Vegas). Sponsored by the Political Economy Club of UNLV. Moyer Student Union Building (Room 201), University of Nevada, Las Vegas. 22 April 1994.

22."Is Belief in God Rational?" Debate w/ Mel Lipman. Unitarian/Universalist Church of Las Vegas. 14 Nov. 1993.

23."The Moral Permissibility of Abortion." Invited Debate Participant with Professor Louis Pojman (University of Mississippi). Taylor University. Upland, Indiana. 1 May 1993.

24."Moral Decision Making." Invited Forum Participant with Professor Louis Pojman (University of Mississippi). Taylor University. Upland, Indiana. 30 April 1993.

25."An Economic Agenda for Nevada." Invited Panel Member. Sponsored by the Political Economy Club of UNLV. Moyer Student Union Building (Room 201), University of Nevada, Las Vegas. 18 February 1993.

26."Townhall Meeting: Sex, Laws & Videotape: Morality in the Media and Courtroom." Invited forum participant. Sponsored by the Clark County Bar Association and UNLV's Division of Continuing Education. John Wright Hall (Room 211). University of Nevada, Las Vegas. 22 October 1992

27."Abortion and the Right to Life." Invited forum participant. Sponsored by the Black Student Association of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Hendrix Auditorium, UNLV. 4 December, 1989.

28."Should Roe v. Wade be Overturned?" Invited panel member. Civil Liberties Forum. Sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union. Clark County Community College. North Las Vegas, Nevada. 17 February 1988.


Session Chair, Invited Conference Participant, etc.:

1.Session Chair for the Section “Contemporary Pro-Life Legal Issues.” 17th annual conference of the University Faculty for Life. Villanova University. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 1-3 June 2007.

2.Session Chair for the Section “Justice, Natural Law, and the Common Good.” Conference: “The World and Christian Imagination.” Lilly Fellows Program National Research Conference. Sponsored by the Baylor Institute for Faith & Learning. McLean Foyer of Meditation, Armstrong Browning Library, Baylor University. Waco, Texas. 11 November 2006.

3.Presider for Banquet Address by Patrick Lee, “What is the Embryo?” “Baylor University Medical Ethics Conference.” Baylor University. Waco, Texas. 13-15 October 2005.

4.Facilitator for Breakout Session. “Baylor University Medical Ethics Conference.” Baylor University. Waco, Texas. 13-15 October 2005.

5.Session Chair for the Section “Christianity and the History and Philosophy of Science.” “Christianity and the Soul of the University” Conference. Baylor University. Waco, Texas. 25-27 March , 2004

6.Session Chair. Section on Constitutional Law and Jurisprudence. 99th Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association. Philadelphia, PA. 29 Aug-1 Sept, 2003

7.Invited Session Chair. Politics and Religion Section. 95th annual meeting of the American Political Science Association. Atlanta, Georgia. 2-5 September 1999.

8.Invited Session Leader. Making a Difference, Intensive Bioethics Course, and Advanced Bioethics Course. Co-sponsored by The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity, Nurses Christian Fellowship, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Trinity Graduate School, Christian Legal Society and the Christian Medical & Dental Society. Trinity International University. Deerfield, Illinois. 15-17 July 1999. All expenses paid for.

9.Invited Conference Participant. Religion, Morality, and the Law. 15th annual conference of the American Bar Association Commission on College and University Legal Studies. San Antonio, Texas. 13-15 May 1999. Al expenses, except airfare, paid for.

10.Invited Session Leader. The Reproductive Revolution Conference, Intensive Bioethics Course, and Advanced Bioethics Course. Co-sponsored by The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity, Nurses Christian Fellowship, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Trinity Graduate School, Christian Legal Society and the Christian Medical & Dental Society. Trinity International University. Deerfield, Illinois. 16-18 July 1998. All expenses paid for.

11.Invited Session Chair. “Judicial Politics” section of the annual meeting of the Southwestern Political Science Association. Corpus Christi, TX. 18-22 March 1998.

12.Invited Session Chair. "Theoretical Issues Regarding Affirmative Action: Inequality, Difference, and Justice” session in the “Political Theory” section of the annual meeting of the Southwestern Political Science Association. New Orleans LA. 26-29 March 1997.

13.Invited Conference Participant. “Families and Law: Changing Values, Rights, and Obligations.” 12th annual conference of the American Bar Association Commission on College and University Legal Studies. (co-sponsored by the Colorado Supreme Court Committee on Public Education and the ABA section on Family Law). Hyatt Regency Denver. Denver, Colorado. 19-21 April 1996. Al expenses, except airfare, paid for.

14.Invited Session Leader. The Christian Stake in Death and Dying Conference and Intensive Bioethics Course. Co-sponsored by The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity, Nurses Christian Fellowship, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and the Christian Medical & Dental Society. Trinity International University. Deerfield, Illinois. 13-15 July 1995. All expenses, except airfare, paid for.

15."Render Unto Caesar: Christian Perspectives on the State." Invited colloquium participant. Sponsored by the Ethics and Public Policy Center of Washington, D.C. The Canterbury Hotel. Washington, D.C. 11-12 May 1995. All expenses paid.

16.Invited Conference Participant. "Law, Science, and Society." 11th Annual Higer Education Conference sponsored by American Bar Association Commission on College and University Legal Studies. The Athenaeum Suite Hotel. Detroit, MI. 28-30 April 1995. All expenses paid.

17.Session Chair. Inaugural Intermountain Meeting of the Society of Christian Philosophers. Brigham Young University. Provo, Utah. 12-14 March 1992.


Public Lectures on Scholarly Work and Interests:

1.“What the Abortion Debate is Really About.” Convocation Address. Ave Maria University. Naples, Florida. 16 January 2009. Stipend received.

2.The 2008 John Woolman Lectures. (An outstanding scholar is invited by Malone University to deliver a series of public lectures on a topic concerning faith, politics, and the public square). Malone University. Akron, Ohio. 25-26 February 2008. Stipend received

3.“Disenfranchising Believers: How the Federal Courts’ Religious Motive Test Violates Religious Liberty.” Third Annual Faith and Law Lecture. Sponsored by the MacLaurin Institute. University of Minnesota School of Law. Room 25. Minneapolis, Minnesota. 1 March 2007. Stipen received.

4.“Intelligent Design, Public Education, and the First Amendment” (followed by Q & A with Michael Ruse and William A. Dembski) Greer-Heard Point-Counterpoint Forum (of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary). Johnson Ferry Baptist Church – Marietta, Georgia 4 February 2006. (Held in Atlanta because the school is undergoing rebuilding as a result of damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005)

5.“The Court of Disbelief.” Invited Lecture. American Enterprise Institute. Washington, D.C. 1 September 2005. Stipend received.

6.The Staley Lectures. (An outstanding scholar is invited by Cedarville University to deliver a series of public lectures on a topic concerning faith and culture). Cedarville University. Cedarville, OH. February 2005. All expenses paid as well as receiving a stipend.

7.“Roe v. Wade: Its Logic and Its Legacy.” Lecture Series participant. Center for Economic & Policy Education, St. Vincent College. Stipend awarded as well as all expenses paid. 26 January 2005.

8.James D. Strauss Lectures in Worldview Studies. Invited public lectures at Lincoln Christian College and Seminary. An outstanding scholar is invited by the institution to deliver a series of lectures on a topic concerning Christian philosophy. 5-6 October 2004. Stipend awarded as well as all expenses paid.

9.Address at the 6th annual Science & Religion In Health Conference: “What drives health care decisions in the 21st century: money, morals, or scientific advance?” Followed by one hour panel discussion. Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine. Richmond, Virginia. 5 Nov. 2003. Stipend, expenses covered.

10.Research Fellow Seminar. “Law, Darwinism, and Public Education: The Establishment Clause and the Challenge of Intelligent Design.” James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions. Department of Politics. Princeton University. 18 February 2003.

11.The Staley Lectures. (An outstanding scholar is invited by Bryan College to deliver a series of public lectures on a topic concerning faith and culture). Bryan College. Dayton, Tennessee. 29-30 October 2001. All expenses paid as well as receiving a stipend.

12.Annual Theology Lecture Series. (An outstanding scholar is invited by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary to deliver a series of lectures in the area of Christian theology). New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. New Orleans, Louisiana. 2-4 October 2001. All expenses paid as well as receiving a stipend

13.The Church/State Lecture. (An outstanding scholar is invited by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary to deliver a lecture on a topic concerning church and state). New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. New Orleans, Louisiana. 3 October 2001. All expenses paid as well as receiving a stipend

14."Is Statecraft Soulcraft?: Can the State Be Neutral on Moral Issues?" Keynote address. National Lawyers Association, annual meeting. Newport Beach, California. 19 February 2000. Stipend awarded.

15.The Founders Lectures. (An outstanding scholar is invited by Trinity Evangelical Divinity School to deliver lectures on a topic concerning religion and contemporary culture). Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Deerfield, Illinois. 13-14 October 1999. Stipend awarded as well as all expenses paid.

16."Is Statecraft Soulcraft?" Invited Banquet Speaker. Life and Learning Conference IX. Trinity International University. Deerfield, Illinois. 4 June 1999.

17."Religion, Politics, and State Neutrality." Invited to address the faculty. Pepperdine University. Malibu, California. 5 November 1998. All expenses paid for as well as receiving a stipend.

18.“Understanding the Debate Over Same Sex Marriage.” Invited address as part of the Moral Compass Lecture Series. Pepperdine University. Malibu, California. 5 November 1998. All expenses paid for as well as receiving a stipend.

19.“Are HMO’s Unethical?” University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences, Section of Medical Ethics and Humanities. Des Moines, Iowa. 29 May 1998. All expenses paid for as well as receiving a stipend.

20.“The Philosophical Basis for Bioethics.” Invited keynote speaker at the Biology Conference on Bioethical Issues. Sponsored by Mount Vernon Nazarene College and Cedarville College. Mt. Vernon OH. 31 October 1997. Stipend awarded as well as all expenses paid.

21.Commencement Address. Michigan Theological Seminary. Ann Arbor, MI. 11 October 1997.

22.The Alfred Erdersheim Lectures. (An outstanding scholar in philosophy, religion, and/or theology is invited by Michigan Theological Seminary to deliver a series of lectures on a topic concerning theology and culture). Michigan Theological Seminary. Ann Arbor, MI. 10 October 1997. Stipend awarded as well as all expenses paid.

23.“The Unexamined Ballot is Not Worth Casting: Religious Political Activism and the Metaphysics of Public Policy.” Whittier College Colloquium Series. Whittier College. Whittier CA. 1 May 1997.

24.“Patient Autonomy: Putting a Bad Idea Out of Its Misery!” Medical Ethics Lecture Series. University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences, Section of Medical Ethics and Humanities. Des Moines, Iowa. 24 April 1997. Stipend awarded as well as all expenses paid.

25.“Are HMO’s Unethical?” Ethical Issues in Medicine: Critical Perspectives. (Continuing Medical Education for Physicians). Mercy Education Center, Mercy Hospital Medical Center. Des Moines, Iowa. 23 April 1997. Stipend awarded as well as all expenses paid.

26.“The California Civil Rights Initiative and the Case for Affirmative Action.” University Forum Lecture Series. University of Nevada, Las Vegas. 30 October 1996. Stipend awarded as well as all expenses paid.

27.“The Case for Affirmative Action: A Philosophical Analysis.” Philosophy Colloquium Lecture Series. Utah State University. Logan UT. 11 October 1996. Stipend awarded as well as all expenses paid.

28."Shifting the Focus in the Abortion Debate." Invited Banquet Speaker. 5th annual Life and Learning Conference, University Faculty for Life. Marquette University. Milwaukee, WI. 2-4 June 1995. Received stipend as well as all expenses paid.

29."Philosophy, Critical Thinking, and Alternative Religious Movements," "Mormon Theism and the Argument from Design," and "Philosophical Problems with Mormon Theism." The Tanner Lectures (An outstanding scholar in philosophy and/or religion is invited by Denver Theological Seminary to deliver a series of lectures on a topic concerning alternative religious movements in America). Denver Theological Seminary. Denver, Colorado. 9 May 1995. Stipend is awarded as well as all expenses paid.

30."Ignorance of Fetal Status as a Justification of Abortion: A Critical Analysis." Philosophy Department Colloquium Series. Beam Hall (Room 106). University of Nevada, Las Vegas. 6 October 1994.

31."Unplugging the Violinist: Abortion and Bodily Rights." Philosophy and Ethics Colloquium. Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. La Mirada, California. 15 February 1994. Received stipend as well as all expenses paid.

32."Separation of Guru and State?: The Influence of New Age Thinking on Public Education" (University Forum Lecture Series, John Wright Hall [Room 103] University of Nevada, Las Vegas [1 December 1992]); (Collegiate Honor Society of the UNLV, University of Nevada, Las Vegas [6 April 1992]); (Center for Humanities and Medicine, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas campus [24 February 1992]).

33."God and Philosophy: The Resurgence of Theism in Philosophical Circles." Center for Humanities and Medicine. University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas campus. 13 January 1992.

34."Sound Bites and Unsound Reasoning: Popular Moral Rhetoric and Critical Thinking." University Forum Lecture Series. Beam Hall, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. 30 October, 1989.

35."Philosophy and Belief in God." University Forum Lecture Series. Hendrix Auditorium, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. 22 November, 1988.

36."Philosophy and Belief in God." Center for Humanities and Medicine. Invited Paper. University of Nevada School of Medicine. University Medical Center. Las Vegas, NV. 14 September 1988.


Thesis, Dissertation or Monograph Supervision and Committee Work:

(2006-2008) J. M. Dawson Institute for Church-State Studies. Baylor University. Director for Ph.D. dissertation. “Moral and Civic Education and the Public Value of Religious Schools” by Craig Englehardt.

(2006-2008) J. M. Dawson Institute for Church-State Studies. Baylor University. Director for Ph.D. dissertation. “Is `social justice’ justice? : A Thomistic argument for “social persons” as the proper subjects of the virtue of social justice” by John Lee.

(2005-2008) Department of Philosophy. Baylor University. Reader for Ph.D. dissertation. “Teleological Moral Realism : An Explication and Defense” by David Alexander

(2005-2008) Department of Philosophy. Baylor University. Reader for Ph. D. dissertation. “Divine Choice and Natural Law : The Eudokian Ethics of Francis Turretin” by Jay Bruce.

(2007-2008). Honors College. Baylor University. Director for Undergraduate Thesis. “Abortion in Contemporary Society” by Paul Godfrey.

(2003-2007) J. M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies, Baylor University. Reader for Ph.D. dissertation, “`Bombast and Blasphemy’: The Apocalyptic Realism of William Stringfellow and a Critique of American Exceptionalism” by M. Johnston.

(2003-2007) J. M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies, Baylor University. Reader for Ph.D. dissertation. “Christianity, secularism, and America: an exploration and critique of the historical, legal, social, and philosophical implications of secularism from an American perspective” by T. Hunter Baker.

(2006-2007). Department of Communications Studies, Baylor University. Reader for M.A. thesis. “The 1995 Congressional Debate Over Partial Birth Abortion” by Corrina Gura.

(2003-2006) J. M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies, Baylor University. Director for Ph.D. dissertation, “Nicholas Wolterstorff’s Constructive Account of Reformed Epistemology & Political Theory” by Douglas Coyle

(2005-2006) J. M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies, Baylor University. Reader for M.A. Thesis, “Religious Liberty Through the Lens of Textualism and a Living Constitution: The First Amendment Establishment Clause Interpretations of Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. and Justice Antonin Scalia” by Greg Nies.

(2004-05) Honors College, Baylor University. Director of Undergraduate Thesis, “Hobbesian Rights and the Abortion Controversy” by Thomas Warmuth.

(2004-05) Honors College, Baylor University. Director of Undergraduate Thesis, “A Critical Analysis of Goodridge et al v. Department of Public Health” by Natalie Butler.

(2004-05) J. M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies. Reader for M. A. Thesis, “The Sustainable Utopia and the Ethics of Inclusion” by Michele Lee Bennett.

(2003-04) J. M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies, Baylor University. Reader for M.A. thesis, “A Comparison Rawlsian Liberalism and the New Natural Law” by Michael Sullivan.

(2002-03) Department of Politics. Princeton University. Second reader for undergraduate thesis, “The Creation/Evolution Debate in the Courts” by Catherine O. Prentke.

(2002-03) Department of Politics. Princeton University. Second reader for undergraduate thesis, “The Possibilities of Nonviolent Resistance” by Shane Stevenson.

(2002-03) Department of Politics. Princeton University. Advisor for undergraduate thesis, “The Establishment Clause and the School Vouchers Debate” by Jonathan Miller.

(1995-98) Institute for Ethics and Policy Studies. University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Committee member for the M.A. Thesis, “The Ethics of Immigration Policy” by Timothy Drumheller.

(1995-96) Institute for Ethics and Policy Studies. University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Committee member for the M.A. Thesis, "An Augustinian Approach to Nuclear Proliferation" by Jon White.

(1995) Institute for Ethics and Policy Studies. University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Committee member for the M.A. Thesis, "A Synthesis of Faith and Reason" by Bill Thomas.

(1994-95) The Crossroads Program. Committee member for the monograph, "Multiculturalism in Public Universities" by Nicholas K. Meriwether, Ph.D. candidate Purdue University.

(1992-93) Honors Program. University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Committee chairperson for the Undergraduate Thesis, "God, Rationality, and the Argument from Design" by Alan Rhoda.


Professional Consultations:

Fieldstead Institute. Invited to advise on the merits of funding a bioethics think-tank and its future conferences. 30 March 2000.

Center for Cultural Engagement, the Bannockburn Institute. Trinity International University, Deerfield, Illinois. 19-21 February 1997. One of eight scholars selected to consult the center on its future direction. All expenses paid.

Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity, the Bannockburn Institute. Trinity International University, Deerfield, Illinois. 28-30 June 1993. One of twelve scholars selected to consult the center on its future direction. Stipend awarded as well as all expenses paid.


Awards and Achievements (including teaching commendations and recognition)

(2008-2009) Recipient, Mary Ann Remick Senior Visiting Fellowship, Center for Ethics & Culture, University of Notre Dame.

(2008-2009) Awarded one-year $7500 research grant by the Institute for the Studies of Religion, Baylor University.

(2008-2009) Awarded one-year research leave, Baylor University

(23-25 February 2008) The 2008 John Woolman Endowed Lectureship. An outstanding scholar is invited by Malone University to deliver a series of public lectures on a topic concerning faith, politics, and the public square. Stipend awarded and all expenses paid.

(January 2008) Named #1 Person of 2007 by Inside the Vatican Magazine.

(22 September 2006) Tenure Awarded by the Provost and President of Baylor University.

(25 April 2006) Awarded certificate by the Honors College (Baylor University) for outstanding work in advancing undergraduate scholarship.

(22-24 February 2005) The Thomas F. Staley Endowed Lectureship. Invited to deliver public lectures at Cedarville University in Ohio. An outstanding scholar is invited by Cedarville University to deliver a series of lectures on a topic concerning faith and culture. Stipend awarded as well as all expenses paid.

(November, 2004) Outstanding Professor Award from Mortar Board, Baylor University

(5-6 October 2004) The James D. Strauss Endowed Lectureship in Worldview Studies. Invited public lectures at Lincoln Christian College and Seminary. An outstanding scholar is invited by the institution to deliver a series of lectures on a topic concerning Christian philosophy. Stipend awarded as well as all expenses paid.

(Fall 2003) Named as a Member of the James Madison Society on Moral and Political Thought, Department of Politics, Princeton University.

(Spring 2003) Finalist for the 2003 Gold Medallion Award in theology and doctrine for the book The New Mormon Challenge: Responding to Challenges of a Growing Movement.

(2002-2003) Recipient, Visiting Research Fellow, James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions, Department of Politics, Princeton University.

(29-30 October 2001) The Thomas F. Staley Endowed Lectureship Invited to deliver public lectures at Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee. An outstanding scholar is invited by Bryan College to deliver a series of lectures on a topic concerning faith and culture. Stipend awarded as well as all expenses paid.

(2-4 October 2001) Annual Theology Series Endowed Lectureship. Invited to deliver public lectures at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. An outstanding scholar is invited by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary to deliver a series of lectures in the area of Christian theology. All expenses paid as well as stipend awarded

(3 October 2001) The Church/State Endowed Lectureship. Invited to deliver a public lecture at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. An outstanding scholar is invited by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary to deliver a lecture on a topic concerning church and state. All expenses paid as well as stipend awarded.

(August 2001). CALI Award for earning the highest grade in the course, "Reproductive Control Seminar" (Fall 2000), Washington University School of Law (St. Louis)

(2000-01) Sabbatical. Awarded by the Board of Regents of Trinity International University in order to pursue post-doctoral work in law at the Washington University School of Law (St. Louis, Missouri)

(Spring 2001). Awarded $9000 Fellowship for M.J.S. research project at the Washington University School of Law (St. Louis). Fellowship provided by the Center for Renewal of Science and Culture, the Discovery Institute (Seattle)

(13-14 October 1999) The Founders Endowed Lectureship. Invited to deliver public lectures at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL. An outstanding scholar is invited by TEDS to deliver lectures on a topic concerning religion and contemporary culture. Stipend awarded as well as all expenses paid.

(Fall 1999) Tenure. Awarded by the Board of Regents of Trinity International University.

(Spring 1998) Professor of the Year. Trinity Graduate School, California campus.

(10-12 October 1997) The Alfred Erdersheim Endowed Lectureship. Invited to deliver lectures at Michigan Theological Seminary in Ann Arbor, Michigan. An outstanding scholar in philosophy, religion, and/or theology is invited by Michigan Theological Seminary to deliver a series of lectures on a topic concerning theology and culture) Stipend awarded as well as all expenses paid.

(11 October 1996) O.C. Tanner Endowed Lecturership Invited lecture delivered as part of a colloquium sponsored by the Department of Languages and Philosophy at Utah State University (Logan, UT) and assistance from the O.C. Tanner Memorial Fund.

(Spring 1996) Nominated by the majors in the philosophy department (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) for the Rita Deanin Abbey Teacher of the Year Award, given annually to the most outstanding teacher in the humanities.

(Fall 1995) Awarded $1500 stipend by the Crossroads Program, from an endowment by the Henry Luce Foundation, to co-author a 70-page monograph on affirmative action in which each author takes an opposing viewpoint.

(Summer 1995) Cornerstone Magazine's Best Ethics Book of 1994 Award for the monograph, Politically Correct Death: Answering the Arguments for Abortion Rights (Baker Book House).

(Summer 1995) Salvatori Fellowship. Heritage Foundation. Washington, D.C.

(9 May 1995) The Tanner Endowed Lectureship. Invited to deliver annual lectures at Denver Theological Seminary, Denver, Colorado. An outstanding scholar in philosophy and/or religion is invited by Denver Seminary to deliver a series of lectures on a topic concerning alternative religious movements in America. Stipend is awarded as well as all expenses paid.

(Spring 1994) Merit Award given by the Multicultural Student Affairs Office of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for a lecture delivered as part of its Spring 1994 Lecture Series.

(Spring 1993) Recognized by the College of Liberal Arts for being selected by the 1992 graduating class (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) as one of the eighteen faculty members who were most frequently identified as being an outstanding teacher.

(Spring 1992) Honored as a Professor of Recognition at the UNLV Alumni Association's Annual Luncheon (April 1992).

(Spring 1992) Recognized by the College of Liberal Arts for being selected by the 1991 graduating class (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) as among the top fifteen percent of those faculty frequently identified as being an outstanding teacher.

(Spring 1991) Recognized by the College of Liberal Arts for being selected by the 1990 graduating class (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) as among the top fifteen percent of those faculty frequently identified as being an outstanding teacher.

(Spring 1991) Nominated by the majors in the philosophy department (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) for the Rita Deanin Abbey Teacher of the Year Award, given annually to the most outstanding teacher in the humanities.

(Spring 1991) Nominated unanimously by the faculty of the UNLV philosophy department for the 1991 William Morris Award for Excellence in Teaching. University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

(Fall 1989) Awarded Barrick Faculty Development Grant by University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

(1986-87) Awarded Teaching Fellowship by the Fordham University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

(1985-86) Awarded Teaching Assistantship by the Fordham University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

(Spring 1985) Awarded Graduate Assistantship by the Fordham University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.


Scholarly Refereeing and Reviewing:

(December 2009) Refereed book proposal on natural law for Oxford University Press

(December 2009) Refereed manuscript for Rhetoric & Public Affairs

(November 2009) Refereed book proposal on philosophy of religion for Oxford University Press

(November 2009) Refereed manuscript for Rhetoric & Public Affairs

(September 2009). Refereed manuscript for Rhetoric & Public Affairs

(July 2009) Refereed manuscript for Rhetoric & Public Affairs

(May 2009) Refereed manuscript for Philosophia Christi.

(April 2009) Refereed manuscript for Journal of Church and State

  1.     (February 2009) Refereed manuscript for Journal of Medicine and Philosophy

  2.     (December 2008) Refereed manuscript for Rhetoric & Public Affairs

(September 2008) Refereed manuscript for Rhetoric & Public Affairs

(July 2008) Refereed manuscript for Oxford University Press.

(July 2008) Refereed manuscript for Rhetoric & Public Affairs.

(May 2008) Refereed manuscript for Rhetoric & Public Affairs.

(April 2008) Refereed manuscript for Rhetoric & Public Affairs.

(April 2008) Refereed manuscript for University of Notre Dame Press.

(February 2008) Refereed manuscript for InterVarsity Press

(October 2007) Refereed submission to Philosophia Christi

(October 2007) Refereed submission to Rhetoric & Public Affairs.

(September 2007) Refereed submission to Rhetoric & Public Affairs

(June 2007) Refereed submission to Perspectives on Politics

(March 2007) Refereed submission to Rhetoric & Public Affairs

(November 2006) Refereed submission to Rhetoric & Public Affairs

(July-October 2006) Philosophy and Medicine Book Series, Springer Publishing. Refereed book submission on Catholic bioethics and end of life issues.

(August 2006) Refereed submission to Rhetoric & Public Affairs

(July 2006). Refereed submission to Rhetoric & Public Affairs

(February 2006). Refereed submission to Rhetoric & Public Affairs

(January 2006). The Earhardt Foundation. Refereed proposal for funding of scholarly research.

(December 2005 – April 2006) Michigan State University Press. Refereed book submission on the Bush v. Gore U. S. Supreme Court case.

(October 2005) Refereed submission to American Political Science Quarterly.

(August 2005) Refereed submission to Rhetoric & Public Affairs.

(May 2005) Refereed submission to Polity.

(March 2005) Refereed submission to Philosophia Christi.

(October 2004) Refereed submission to Philosophia Christi.

(May 2004) Refereed submission to Ethics & Medicine: An International Journal of Bioethics

(April 2004) Refereed submission to Christian Scholars Review

(March 2004) Refereed submission to Journal of Libertarian Studies

(July 2002) Refereed submission to Philosophia Christi.

(October 2001) Refereed submission to Philosophia Christi

(September 2001) Refereed submission to Philosophia Christi

(March 2000) Refereed submission to Philosophia Christi

(February 2000) Refereed submission to Philosophia Christi.

(January 2000) Refereed submission to Social Theory and Practice

(January 1999) InterVarsity Press. Manuscript of Body and Soul: Human Nature and the Crisis In Ethics by J.P. Moreland and Scott B. Rae.

(October 1998) Baker Book House. Manuscript of Hypocrisy and Moral Weakness by James Spiegel.

(May 1998) Wadsworth Publishers. Table of Contents and Preface to Thinking Critically About Philosophical Problems.

(January 1998) Annenberg/CPB Project. Interactive text on medical ethics written by Donal O’Mathuna

(December 1997) Wadsworth Publishers. Manuscript of critical thinking textbook by Gary Jason.

(February 1997) Wadsworth Publishers. Manuscript of Learning to Philosophize.

(November-December 1996) Society of Christian Philosophers annual Pacific Division meeting. Invited to referee three papers for the March 7-8, 1997 meeting to be held at Whittier College in Whittier, California.

(June 1996) Jones & Bartlett. Manuscript of Reading and Writing Arguments: Advice for Beginning Students of Philosophy by John F. Petrik.

(February 1996) Jones & Bartlett. Prospectus, outline, and experts from chapters of critical thinking textbook by Richard C. Pirozzi.

(November 1995) Jones & Bartlett. Prospectus, outline, and introductory chapter of Ethics, Marriage, and the Family: Readings in Moral Problems of Family Life, edited by Laurence D. Houlgate

(October 1994) Simon & Schuster Publishers. Prospectus and outline of Being Rational: Readings for an Introduction to Philosophy by Professor Lessen.

(September 1994) Refereed article submitted to International Philosophical Quarterly.

(August 1994) Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Moral Theory: A Contemporary Overview by Joseph DeMarco.

(October 1993) Baker Book House. Monograph on reproductive technologies by Scott B. Rae.

(July 1993) Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Sex and gender anthology edited by Philip E. Devine and Celia Wolf-Devine.

(June 1993) Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Plain Speaking and Clear Understanding: A Text for Critical Thinking by Gary Jason.

(August 1992) Congressional Quarterly. Invited referee of CQ's new publication, American Caucus. Referees participated in a discussion group with CQ staff at the Sheraton Hotel at the Republican National Convention (Houston, Texas). 17 August 1992.

(September 1991) Simon & Schuster Publishers. Prospectus, Table of Contents, and two chapters of the manuscript of Thinking by Gary Kirby and Jeff Goodpaster.

(September 1990) Wadsworth Publishers. Second edition of Philosophy: The Quest for Truth, edited by Louis Pojman.


Journal Editorial Affiliation:

(2005-present) Rhetoric and Public Affairs. Editorial board.

(2003-present) Journal of Church & State. Associate editor.

(1999-present) Philosophia Christi. Editorial board. 

(1993-present) Ethics & Medicine. North American editorial board.


College, School, or Department Committee or Academic Unit Work:

  1.     (2009-2010) Baylor University Press Committee. Baylor University

(2009-2010) Honorary Doctorate Committee. Baylor University

(2009-2010) Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, Department of Philosophy, Baylor University

  1.     (2007-2008) Religious Affairs Committee. Baylor University.

(2007-2008) Interim Undergraduate Advisor. Department of Philosophy. Baylor University.

(2004-05) Member, Steering Committee, Medical Ethics Conference (October 13-15, 2005). Institute for Faith & Learning, Baylor University.

(2003-2007) Director, Undergraduate Religion & Politics Minor. J. M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies, College of Arts & Sciences, Baylor University

(1998-2000) Member (California campus representative), Faculty Senate, Trinity Graduate School, Trinity International University.

(1998-2000) Member (Joint degree program representative), Faculty Senate, Trinity Law School, Trinity International University.

(Spring 1998) Member, Committee on Rewriting Catalog Mission Statement. Trinity Graduate School, Trinity International University.

(1996-97) Co-chair, Selection Committee. The Elie Wiesel Award for Best Undergraduate Essay in Ethics.

(1996-97) Educational Policies Committee. Whittier College

(1993-96) Colloquium Committee. Department of Philosophy. University of Nevada, Las Vegas


Scholarly Organization Membership: American Philosophical Association, Society of Christian Philosophers, American Political Science Association, Federalist Society for Law and Policy Studies, American Academy of Religion, American Catholic Philosophical Association, Evangelical Philosophical Society, University Faculty for Life, National Association of Scholars


Leadership in Scholarly Organizations:

(2008-2010). Program Chair for annual meetings in 2008-2010. University Faculty for Life.

(Fall 2006) Member, Subcommittee for the Berger Prize for the Most Outstanding Paper in Philosophy and Law, 2004-2005. Committee on Philosophy and Law, American Philosophical Association.

(November 2006-May 2007) President, Evangelical Theological Society

(November 2005-November 2006). President-Elect, and Program Chair for the 2006 annual meeting, Evangelical Theological Society.

(July 1, 2005-June 30, 2008) Member, American Philosophical Association Committee on Philosophy and Law

(November 2004-November 2005) Vice-President, Evangelical Theological Society

(November 2004-May 2007 Member, Executive Committee, Evangelical Theological Society

(November 1999-November 2002) Member, Executive Committee, Society of Christian Philosophers.

(November 1998-November 2001) Member, Executive Committee, Evangelical Philosophical Society

(June 1999-present) National Board, University Faculty for Life

(1992-1993) President, Evangelical Philosophical Society


References: Available upon request





Disclaimer: This website is not affiliated with any of the organizations or institutions at which Dr. Beckwith is employed and/or with which he is affiliated.  Links to any sites are not endorsements of the contents of those sites.


Copyright © Francis J. Beckwith