Dr. Rich Knopp

Curriculum Vitae

CURRENT POSITION

  • Professor of Philosophy & Christian Apologetics, Lincoln Christian College & Seminary
  • Program Director of WorldViewEyes, a Lilly Endowment grant-funded program (over $973,000) for youth and adults administered through Lincoln Christian College & Seminary. The program is designed to help Christian youth and adults EXPAND their minds, ENGAGE their culture, EVALUATE non-Christian beliefs; and EMBRACE a consistently-lived Christian worldview.

EDUCATIONAL HISTORY

  • Ph.D. in Philosophy, University of Illinois, 1991
    Dissertation: “Religious Belief and the Problems of Cognitivity and Commitment: A Reappraisal Based on Contemporary Philosophy of Science”
  • M.A. in Philosophy, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, 1983
    Thesis: “Karl Popper’s Concept of Rationality in Science”
  • M.Div. in Philosophy and Theology, Lincoln Christian Seminary, 1979
  • B.A. in Christian Ministries, St. Louis Christian College, 1973
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
  • Philosophy of Religion; Apologetics; Philosophy of Science
  • Current Undergraduate Courses: "An Introduction to Worldviews"; "Christianity and Science: Their Modern History and Relationship"; "Biblical & Philosophical Ethics"; "Philosophy of Religion: Apologetics"; "The Contemporary Pluralistic World" (lecturer).
  • Current Graduate Courses: "Approaches to Apologetics"; "Science and Theology: Problems, Perspectives, and Possibilities"; "Defending Christian Faith."
PROFESSIONAL WORK HISTORY
  • Lincoln Christian College & Seminary
    • Professor of Philosophy & Christian Apologetics (1994-present)
    • Courses taught for Seminary: Defending Christian Faith, Approaches to Apologetics, Theology and Science
  • Lincoln Christian College
    • Professor of Philosophy & Interdisciplinary Studies (1992-1994)
    • Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies (1989-1992)
    • Assistant Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies (1982-1989)
    • Courses taught: Interdisciplinary Studies (six courses), Pauline Theology, Biblical & Theological Ethics, Philosophy of Religion, Theological Foundations for Apologetics
  • Heartland Community College
    • Adjunct Professor of Philosophy (1991-1992)
    • Courses taught: Introduction to Philosophy, World Religions, Ethics
  • Lincoln College
    • Instructor in Philosophy (summer 1991)
    • Courses taught: Introduction to Philosophy
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    • Graduate Instructor in Philosophy (1981-1983)
    • Courses taught: Philosophy of Religion, Introduction to Philosophy, World Religions
  • Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
    • Graduate Teaching Assistant for Ethics, Aesthetics, and Logic

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & SERVICE

  • Evangelical Philosophical Society (current)
  • Book review "Area Referree" in philosophy of science for Philosophia Christi (current).
  • Founding Editorial Board Member for the Stone-Campbell Journal (1998-2002)
GRANTS/AWARDS
  • Grant writer (and Program Director) for WorldViewEyes, a program funded by five grants totaling over $973,000 from Lilly Endowment Inc. (2000-present)
  • $10,000 award winner from the Templeton Foundation for developing model courses in science and religion. Course entitled “Science and Theology: Problems, Perspectives, and Possibilities”
PUBLICATIONS PRESENTATIONS:

Papers

    • “Apologetic Cartography in a Postmodern World: Does Anyone Have a Compass?” - The Theological Forum, North American Christian Convention (2004) [text of paper in htm format or pdf format]
    • “The Compatibility of Faith and Science” - Faith, Science, and Medicine Seminar, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Medicine and the Christian Medical and Dental Society Continuing Education Seminar, Peoria, Illinois (2000) [available on videotape]
    • “The Nature of Science and Christian Commitment” - University of Illinois Christian Faculty Colloquium (2000)
    • Lectureship on "Science and Christian Faith" - Manhattan Christian College and Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas (1998)
    • “On the Value of the Philosophy of Science: Some Implications for Theology and Apologetics” - Wheaton Theology Conference, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois (1993)
    • “Contemporary Philosophy of Science and Its Implications for Theology” - Fellowship of Christian Professors’ Meeting, St. Louis (1992)
    • “Christianity and Science” - Lecture at Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois (1990)

Convention Workshop Presentations (almost all of these are multimedia in nature)

    • Eastern Christian Convention, Hershey, Pennsylvania (2004): “The Church’s Need for Worldview Inoculation”
    • North American Christian Convention Teen Convention, Phoenix, Arizona (2004): “Worldview Inoculation: Get a Christian Shot Where It Counts!”
    • Midwest Region Evangelical Theological Society, Lincoln, Illinois (2004): “Worldviews for Christian Teens”
    • Lilly Endowment Forum, Indianapolis, Indiana (2003): “The Call to Pastoral Leadership”
    • National Missionary Convention, Tulsa, Oklahoma (2001): “The Worldviews of My Neighbors”
    • National Missionary Convention, Tulsa, Oklahoma (2001): “A Birdseye View of World Religions”
    • National Youth Leaders’ Convention, Joplin, Missouri (2000): “Destined to Encounter Competing Worldviews” and “Destined to Interact with Science”
    • National Missionary Convention, Knoxville, Tennessee (2000): “Defending Christian Faith Against Competing Worldviews” and “Encountering Competing Worldviews”
    • North American Christian Convention, St. Louis, Missouri (1998): “Science and Christian Apologetics”
    • Southern Illinois Christian Convention, Mt. Vernon, Illinois (1992): “A New Testament Model for Developing Moral Values in an Amoral World”

Youth & Youth Leader Conferences (all presentations are multimedia in nature and were written and produced by Rich Knopp)

    • Christ in Youth Summer Conferences (2004): “Through God’s Eyes”
    • Illinois Christian Teen Convention (2003): “Worldviews in the Bible and Your Culture”
    • Little Galilee Family Camp (2003): Presentations for youth & adults on worldviews
    • Christ in Youth Summer Conferences (2003): (Wrote and produced three multimedia presentations)
    • Christ in Youth Discipleship Retreats (2002): “A Christian Response to Muslim Terrorism and 9-11”
    • Christ in Youth Summer Conferences (2002): “A Christian Response to Islam and Muslim Terrorism” and “The God of Hollywood vs. The God of the Holy Book”
    • Indiana Christian Youth Convention (2002): “Developing Worldview Eyes by Cultivating a Christian Mind”
    • Indiana Christian Youth Convention (2002): “Developing Worldview Eyes by Comprehending Competing Worldviews in Contemporary Culture”
    • Christ in Youth Discipleship Retreats (2001): “The Spiritual Disciplines in Today’s World”
    • Christ in Youth Summer Conferences (2001): “Right or Wrong: Tough Ethical Issues for Teenagers”
    • Tennessee Christian Teen Convention, Knoxville, Tennessee (2000): “In a World of Worldviews and Not of It: Worldviews and Your Christian Mission”
    • Christ in Youth Discipleship Retreats (2000): “A Christian Response to a Culture of Confusion and Competing Worldviews”
    • Christ in Youth Summer Conferences (2000): “Ancient Questions—Competing Answers”

Special Presentations for Retreats, Churches, or Christian School Presentations
    • Lincoln Christian Church Crusaders' Sunday School (2007): "Developing and Living a Biblical Worldview in an Age of Options" (5 weeks)
    • Lincoln Christian Church Senior High Fusion (2007): "My, My World, and My Worldview" (3 weeks)
    • Madison Park Christian Church, Quincy, IL (2006): "Biblical Ethics and Absolutes"
    • Eastview Christian Church, Bloomington, IL (2006): "Starting to Think about BIGGER Things"
    • Southside Christian Church, Springfield, IL (2006): "Evolutionism, Creationism, and Intelligent Design"
    • Lincoln Christian College & Seminary, Lincoln, IL (2005): Staff Development Workshop
      • "Learn 2 See: Understanding and Developing a Biblical Worldview"
    • College Park Christian Church, Normal, IL (2005):
      • "A Christian Orientation to Competing Worldviews"
      • "Evolutionism and Creationism"
      • "Intelligent Design: Is It an Intelligent Movement?"
    • Lincoln Christian College & Seminary Staff Retreat (2005)
    • Western Illinois University Campus Ministry Retreat (2005)
    • LeRoy Christian Church, LeRoy, Illinois (2004): “Worldview Vaccination”
    • Cornerstone Christian Academy, Bloomington, Illinois (2004): “Learning to Do and Teach ‘Worldview Thinking’”
    • First Christian Church of Champaign (2001): Apologetic Series
    • First Christian Church of Mattoon, Illinois (2001): Christianity & Science Series
    • Eastview Christian Church, Bloomington, Illinois (1993): Seminar leader on "World Religions"

CURRENT RESEARCH & PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS

  • Co-producer, rough cut video editor, and discussion guide author for "Reality Trip," a Christian reality show currently in post-production
  • Editing and writing lessons for a “worldview” curriculum
  • Website designer and developer, www.worldvieweyes.org
  • Designing and developing multimedia presentations for the "Bible and Worldview Institute," an educational event for churches that will be launched in early 2008.
  • Writing a text on Christian apologetics.
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES FOR LINCOLN CHRISTIAN COLLEGE & SEMINARY
  • Grant writer and program director WorldViewEyes funded by four grants from the Lilly Endowment totaling over $920,000
    General Education Field Chair, Lincoln Christian College (1986-1992)
    Director of Academic Assessment, Lincoln Christian College (1990-1992)
  • Faculty Handbook Committee Chair (1993-1996?)
    General Education Field Chair, Lincoln Christian College (1985-1991)
  • Faculty Salary Committee Chair, Lincoln Christian College (1983-1987)  

CHURCH & PARACHURCH MINISTRY EXPERIENCE

  • Board member, Christian Campus Foundation Campus Ministry, University of Illinois (1992-present); Board president (2004-present)
    Interim Preaching Minister, Bethel Church, Farmer City, Illinois (1999)
    Deacon, First Christian Church, Champaign, Illinois (1982-1983)
    Interim Preaching Minister, First Christian Church, West Frankfort, Illinois (1980-1981)
    Preaching Minister, McLean Christian Church, McLean, Illinois (1974-1979)
    Youth & Bus Minister, First Christian Church, Florissant, Missouri (1972-1974)
  • Youth Minister, First Church of Christ, Wood River, Illinois (1970-1971)

PERSONAL TIDBITS

  • Married for 36 years; now with 3 married children and 5 grandchildren.
  • Wife teaches at Lincoln College (primarily psychology).
  • Preacher's son who lived in Kentucky, Iowa, Wyoming, Missouri, Illinois, and North Carolina growing up.
  • Had 2 retina detachments in the left eye and several major eye surgeries during 2005-2006.
  • Enjoy golf, pingpong, and pool (though I could do those things better when I could see with two eyes).
  • Former all-time scoring leader (22.7 pts/game) at St. Louis Christian College: record held for about 20 years.
  • Played on a high school state championship baseball team (North Carolina).
  • High school all-state second baseman (North Carolina).