Copan to Deliver Christian Worldview Lectures Jan. 10-11 on Bison Hill

January 7, 2022

Dr. Paul Copan, Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics at Palm Beach Atlantic University, will deliver five lectures on Bison Hill January 10-11 as part of the Christian worldview January Term (J-Term) course. The lectures are free and open to the public. All sessions will take place in Bailey Business Center's Tulsa Royalties Auditorium.

Copan earned a Bachelor of Arts in biblical studies from Columbia International University; a Master of Arts in philosophy of religion and a Master of Divinity, both from Trinity International University; and a Doctor of Philosophy in philosophy from Marquette University. In 2017, he was a visiting scholar at Oxford University. He previously served as president of the Evangelical Philosophical Society. He is author or editor of 40 books, including works such as “The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Religion,” “The Naturalness of Theistic Belief,” “Creation out of Nothing,” “Philosophy of Religion: Classic and Contemporary Issues,” “A Little Book for New Philosophers,” and more. He has also contributed essays to more than 50 books, both scholarly and popular, and has authored a number of articles in professional journals.

Dr. Tawa Anderson, associate professor of philosophy, organizes the Christian Worldview course lectures.

“Part of OBU's Mission is to ‘integrate the Christian faith with all areas of knowledge,’” Anderson said. “The freshman J-Term Christian Worldview experience is a keystone experience in that mission. Learning to think and speak in worldview terms opens up new vistas of self-understanding and comprehension of the world around us. In the course, students learn the nature of worldview, the impact that worldview has upon each of us, some basic tools for evaluating the truth value of worldviews, the contours of a Christian worldview and some of the most prevalent competing worldviews in contemporary society. Worldview is frequently cited as one of the most influential classes in students’ personal, academic and spiritual development.”

Monday, Jan. 10, Copan will deliver three public lectures, all taking place in Bailey Business Center's Tulsa Royalties Auditorium. His first lecture, “Comparing the Old Testament Vision to Ancient Near Eastern Cultures,” will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. His second lecture, running from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., will be titled “Does the Old Testament Condone Sexism and Patriarchy?” His final Monday lecture, “Does the Old Testament Endorse Slavery?” will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Tuesday Jan. 11, Copan will deliver two public lectures, also in Tulsa Royalties Auditorium. The first Tuesday lecture, “Does the Old Testament Promote Genocide?” will run from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. The second Tuesday lecture, titled, “The Biblical Worldview and Jesus-Shaped Cultures,” will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Anderson is excited to welcome Dr. Copan to campus for the Christian worldview course and his series of public lectures.

“Paul Copan, professor of philosophy at Palm Beach Atlantic University, is one of the leading Christian philosophers and apologists of our day,” Anderson said. “He has written broadly on questions, objections and doubts that Christians and non-Christians ask regarding the Christian worldview, such as, ‘Is there such a thing as truth? Is morality relative to the individual, or is there objective moral truth? Is there any good reason to believe that the Bible is a trustworthy reliable record? Can we reasonably think that Christianity is true?’ His books are written in clear and compelling fashion and engage the reader on intellectual and spiritual levels.

“Beyond his scholarly expertise, apologetic prowess and excellent writing, Dr. Copan is a tremendously witty speaker who will captivate and maintain your full attention. You will be encouraged, challenged and edified by his five Christian Worldview plenary lectures.”

Copan will return to campus later this spring as a guest speaker for the Generation Why youth apologetics conference March 5. He will teach a general session at that event titled, “Who Are You to Impose Your Values on Others? The Confusions and Contradictions of Moral Relativism.” He will also lead a breakout session titled, “Is Faith Believing ‘What You Know Ain’t So?’ The Reasonableness of the Christian Faith.”