Dr. Rich Knopp

Curriculum Vitae

 CURRENT POSITION
  • Professor of Philosophy & Christian Apologetics, Lincoln Christian University (LCU).
  • Program Director of WorldViewEyes, a Lilly Endowment grant-funded program for youth and adults administered through Lincoln Christian University. 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; Worldview Studies; Philosophy of Science.
  • Undergraduate Courses: An Introduction to Worldviews (also available as a hybrid Internet class); Christianity and Science: Their Modern History and Relationship; Ethics; Philosophy of Religion (Apologetics); Logic; The Contemporary Pluralistic World (lecturer).
  • Graduate Courses: Approaches to Apologetics; Science and Theology: Problems, Perspectives, and Possibilities; Christian Truth in a Modern/Postmodern World; Ethics
PROFESSIONAL WORK HISTORY
  • LCU's Seminary
    • Professor of Philosophy & Christian Apologetics (1994-present)
    • Courses taught: Christian Truth in a Modern/Postmodern World; Approaches to Apologetics; Theology and Science; Ethics.
  • LCU's School of Undergraduate Studies
    • Professor of Philosophy and Christian Apologetics (1994-present)
    • 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, Christianity and Science.
  • 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 (1979-1981).
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & SERVICE
  • Evangelical Philosophical Society .
  • Founding Editorial Board Member for the Stone-Campbell Journal (1998-2002) .
GRANTS/AWARDS
  • Grant writer and Program Director for WorldViewEyes, a program funded by six grants totaling $1,027,530 from Lilly Endowment Inc. (2000-present) .
  • 2010 Distinguished Alumni Award at St. Louis Christian College.
  • $10,000 award winner from the Templeton Foundation for developing model courses in science and religion (1991). Course entitled “Science and Theology: Problems, Perspectives, and Possibilities.”
  • 2007 Wolford Award from St. Louis Christian College. Granted to former SLCC students "who exhibit Christian character and have made significant impact on SLCC athletics and in ministry."
PUBLICATIONS
  • Review of Loving Wisdom: Christian Philosophy of Religion by Paul Copan. St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press, 2007 in Encounter (forthcoming).
  • Co-editor with John Castelein , Taking Every Thought Captive: Essays in Honor of James D. Strauss. Joplin , MO: College Press, 1997.
  • “On the Value of the Philosophy of Science for Christian Faith and Ministry,” chap. in Taking Every Thought Captive: Essays in Honor of James D. Strauss. Joplin , MO : College Press, 1997.
  • Review of The Future of Atheism: Alister McGrath and Daniel Dennett in Dialogue edited by Robert Stewart. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2008. The Stone-Campbell Journal (Fall 2010).
  • "Apologetics in Our Modern Postmodern Age: Some Insights from the Philosophy of Science. The Journal of Campus Ministry 2 (1996): 1-4.
PRESENTATIONS:

Papers & Special Lectures

    • “Philosophy of Science and Christian Concerns: Reflections on a 20-Year-Old Dissertation” – Plenary presenter for the Midwest Evangelical Theological-Philosophical Society Meeting (March 2011).
    • K. T. Norris Lectures at Maritime Christian College, Prince Edward Island, Canada (January 2010).
      • "Digesting God's Call to a Christian Worldview"
      • "Discovering the Implications of a Christian Worldview"
      • "Detecting Clashing Worldviews in Our Culture"
      • "Developing a Christian Response to Competing Worldviews"
      • Sermons: "Living a Biblical Worldview: Monitoring Moses"; "Living a Biblical Worldview: Principles from Paul; "Detecting and Deciding on the Influences in Your Life" (youth).
    • “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 and WVE staff)

    • American Baptist Youth Conference (Pontiac, IL): Workshop on World Religions (2010).
    • Illinois Christian Teen Convention (2003): “Worldviews in the Bible and Your Culture”
    • Christ in Youth Summer Conferences (2004): “Through God’s Eyes"
    • Little Galilee Family Camp (2003): Presentations for youth & adults on worldviews
    • Christ in Youth Summer Conferences (2003): 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

    • “Learning to Love God with Your Worldview”: Northview Church, Carmel, IN (and West Lafayette campus by video). Six presentations (April-May, 2011).
    • “Singing in Our Celebration (Psalm 19): Chapel sermon for Lincoln Christian Seminary (Nov. 2010).
    • “Genesis, Science, and the Christian Worldview”: Mahomet (IL) Christian Church, scheduled for Oct. 15-16, 2010.
    • “The Story of One Universe (Genesis 1)”: Lincoln Christian University, Undergraduate Studies chapel (Sept. 2010).
    • K. T. Norris Lectureship at Maritime Christian College, Prince Edward Island, Canada (January 2010). Four lectures and two sermons on developing and applying a Christian worldview.
    • “Science, Genesis, and the Christian Worldview”: Madison Park Christian Church, Quincy, IL (2010).
    • "An Orientation to Worldviews and a Biblical Worldview": leadership training event for Lincoln (IL) Christian Church (2009).
    • "Being Truly Christian in a World with Clashing Worldviews": 3 sessions presented at Westbrook Christian Church in Bolingbrook, IL (2009).
    • "A Christian Perspective on Science and Evolution": Bible & Worldview Institute presentation at Morris (IL) Christian Church (2009).
    • "The Need for a Biblical Worldview in an Age of Options": Bible & Worldview Institute presentation at Morris (IL) Christian Church (2009).
    • "The Need for a Biblical Worldview in an Age of Options": Bible & Worldview Institute presentation at Lincoln (IL) Christian Church (2008).
    • "Developing and Living a Biblical Worldview in an Age of Options" (5 weeks): Lincoln Christian Church Crusaders' Sunday School (2007).
    • "Me, My World, and My Worldview" (3 weeks): Lincoln Christian Church Senior High Fusion (2007).
    • "Biblical Ethics and Absolutes": Madison Park Christian Church, Quincy, IL (2006).
    • "Starting to Think about BIGGER Things": Eastview Christian Church, Bloomington, IL (2006).
    • "Evolutionism, Creationism, and Intelligent Design": Southside Christian Church, Springfield, IL (2006).
    • "Learn 2 See: Understanding and Developing a Biblical Worldview" - Staff development workshop at Lincoln Christian College & Seminary, Lincoln, IL (2005).
    • 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 on "World Religions"

CURRENT RESEARCH & PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS

  • Writing a teacher resource text on worldviews along with an accompanying worldview curriculum that will have different tracks for high school youth, college/campus ministry, Sunday school, small groups, and family use.
  • Co-producer, rough cut video editor, and discussion guide author for "Reality Trip," a Christian reality show filmed by WorldViewEyes and currently in post-production .
  • Website designer and developer, www.worldvieweyes.org
  • Designing and developing multimedia presentations for the "Bible and Worldview Institute," an educational event for churches sponsored by Lincoln Christian University and WorldViewEyes.
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES FOR LINCOLN CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
  • Grant writer and program director WorldViewEyes funded by six grants from Lilly Endowment Inc. totaling $1,027,530 (2000-present).
  • Advisor for Youth Ministry majors (2005-present).
  • Advisor for masters' degree students in Christian Apologetics and Philosophy (2000-present).
  • Faculty/Staff Health Insurance task force member (2011)
  • Freshman College task force member (2009).
  • 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 at Urbana-Champaign (1992-present); Board chairman (2004-2009).
  • Periodic soloist for church choir, Lincoln Christian Church.
  • 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 38 years with 3 married children and 5 grandchildren.
  • Wife teaches psychology courses at Lincoln College, a private two-year college in Lincoln, IL.
  • Preacher's son. Lived in Kentucky, Iowa, Wyoming, Missouri, Illinois, and North Carolina.
  • Had 2 retina detachments in the left eye and several eye surgeries in 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 in basketball (22.7 pts/game) at St. Louis Christian College: record held for about 20 years (before the use of the 3-point line).
  • Played second base for a high school AAA State Champion baseball team (North Carolina).
  • High school all-state second baseman (North Carolina).
  • Played trumpet and was drum major in high school band.