Paul Copan
Encyclopedia
Paul Copan is a Ukrainian-American
Christian
theologian, analytic philosopher, apologist, and author. He is currently a professor at the Palm Beach Atlantic University
and holds the Pledger Family Endowed Chair of Philosophy and Ethics
. He has written primarily in the area of philosophy of religion
, authored seven books about religious relativism
and Science & religion, and edited eleven books in field of philosophy of religion and the historicity of Jesus Christ. He has contributed many articles in professional journals and books and is the president of the Evangelical Philosophical Society.
origin, and headed the Russian-Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Union, based in Ashford, CT.
Ukrainian-American
Ukrainian Americans are citizens and permanent residents of the United States who have recently emigrated to the United States and are of Ukrainian ancestry. According to U.S. census estimates, in 2006 there were 961,113 Americans of Ukrainian descent representing 0.33% of the American population...
Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
theologian, analytic philosopher, apologist, and author. He is currently a professor at the Palm Beach Atlantic University
Palm Beach Atlantic University
Palm Beach Atlantic University is a comprehensive nondenominational faith-based university with a core emphasis on character formation by integrating a Christian worldview with the liberal arts and selected professional studies...
and holds the Pledger Family Endowed Chair of Philosophy and Ethics
Ethics
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:...
. He has written primarily in the area of philosophy of religion
Philosophy of religion
Philosophy of religion is a branch of philosophy concerned with questions regarding religion, including the nature and existence of God, the examination of religious experience, analysis of religious language and texts, and the relationship of religion and science...
, authored seven books about religious relativism
Relativism
Relativism is the concept that points of view have no absolute truth or validity, having only relative, subjective value according to differences in perception and consideration....
and Science & religion, and edited eleven books in field of philosophy of religion and the historicity of Jesus Christ. He has contributed many articles in professional journals and books and is the president of the Evangelical Philosophical Society.
Early life
Paul Copan's father, Valery Copan, was of UkrainianUkraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
origin, and headed the Russian-Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Union, based in Ashford, CT.
Education
- Ph.D., Marquette UniversityMarquette UniversityMarquette University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1881, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...
(Philosophy) - M.Div., Trinity International University (Divinity)
- M.A., Trinity International University (Philosophy of Religion)
- B.A., Columbia International University (Biblical Studies)
Society memberships
- Society of Christian PhilosophersSociety of Christian PhilosophersThe Society of Christian Philosophers is a society associated with the American Philosophical Association. The society was founded in 1978. Past Presidents include William Alston, Robert Merrihew Adams, Alvin Plantinga, Marilyn McCord Adams, George I. Mavrodes, Nicholas Wolterstorff, Eleonore...
, 1986 - present. - Evangelical Theological SocietyEvangelical Theological SocietyThe Evangelical Theological Society is a professional society of Biblical scholars, educators, pastors, and students with the stated purpose of serving Jesus and his church by advancing evangelical scholarship. It was established in 1949 in Cincinnati. The number of members in 2005 was over 4,200...
, 1995 - present. - Evangelical Philosophical SocietyEvangelical Philosophical SocietyEvangelical Philosophical Society is an organization devoted to the study of ethics, theology, and religion from an evangelical perspective. The organization is open to professional scholars with associate membership available to laypersons and students...
, 1997 - present. - Society of Biblical Literature (and American Academy of Religion)Society of Biblical LiteratureThe Society of Biblical Literature, founded 1880, is a constituent society of the American Council of Learned Societies , with the stated mission to "Foster Biblical Scholarship"...
, 1999 - present. - American Catholic Philosophical AssociationAmerican Catholic Philosophical AssociationThe American Catholic Philosophical Association is an organization of Catholic philosophers established in 1926 to promote the advancement of philosophy as an intellectual discipline consonant with Catholic tradition...
, 1999 - present. - American Philosophical AssociationAmerican Philosophical SocietyThe American Philosophical Society, founded in 1743, and located in Philadelphia, Pa., is an eminent scholarly organization of international reputation, that promotes useful knowledge in the sciences and humanities through excellence in scholarly research, professional meetings, publications,...
, 2002 - present.
Publications
- Is God a Moral Monster?: Making Sense of the Old Testament God. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2011.)
- When God Goes to Starbucks: A Guide to Everyday Apologetics. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008.)
- Loving Wisdom: Christian Philosophy of Religion. (St. Louis: Chalice Press, 2007)
- What Is Truth? Series edited by Danielle DuRant. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2007.)
- "How do you know you're not wrong?": Responding to Objections that Leave Christians Speechless. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2005).
- (Co-authored with William Lane CraigWilliam Lane CraigWilliam Lane Craig is an American analytic philosopher, philosophical theologian, and Christian apologist. He is known for his work on the philosophy of time and the philosophy of religion, specifically the existence of God and the defense of Christian theism...
), Creation ex Nihilo: A Biblical, Philosophical, and Scientific Exploration (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 2004). - "That’s Just Your Interpretation": Responding to Skeptics Who Challenge Your Faith (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001)
- True for You, But Not for Me: Deflating the Slogans That Leave Christians Speechless (Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1998).
Other Involvements
- Board of Contributors, Christian Research Journal, 2006 - present.
- Staley Series Lecturer, 2001 - present.
- Salvo Magazine: Board of Editorial Advisors, 2000 - present.
- San Diego Christian Forum: Board of Advisors, 2000 - present.
- Editorial reviewer, Philosophia Christi.
- Board member of PEER Servants.
- International Institute for Christian Studies: Member, Board of Advisors.
External links
- PaulCopan.com, Paul Copans' homepage
- Paul Copan, links to articles
- Paul Copan, CV