About the Authors
Jeremy E. Scarbrough holds a PhD in music (emphasis in philosophy, namely concerning the intersection of aesthetics, ethics, and education) from the University of Mississippi, an MA in Christian Apologetics, an MA in Theological Studies, an MME in Music Education, and a BA in Music (Vocal Performance). He has taught music and philosophy at the high school and undergraduate levels. He also founded the Ole Miss chapter of Ratio Christi, where he taught Christian apologetics. Dr. Scarbrough currently resides in Ocala, FL, with his wife, children, and Golden Doodle. He serves as Associate Professor of philosophy, specializing in moral philosophy, for Pasco-Hernando State College, just north of Tampa, FL. In his free time, he enjoys performing a variety of musical styles—from alt-rock and metal to vocal jazz and musical theatre. His research emphasizes interdisciplinary connections between philosophy, theology, music education, pop-culture, and the arts. He has contributed a chapter on heavy metal in Music, Theology, and Justice (Lexington Books, 2017) and a chapter on Marvel Comics’ Venom in Theology and the Marvel Universe (Lexington Books, 2019). His teleological philosophy of music (and its connection to our deep-seated convictions of justice) has been published (2022) in the Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, an international journal of interdisciplinary and interfaith dialogue.
Pat Sawyer has an M.A. in communication studies and a Ph.D. in educational studies and cultural studies. He is a faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and is a member of Heterodox Academy. Pat is on the editorial board of the peer-reviewed education journal, Philosophy, Theory, and Foundations in Education. His research interests are along three lines: cultural studies, media studies, and higher education. Pat is an active speaker in the academy and has presented his scholarship at a number of conferences and universities in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. His work is published in academic journals and edited academic books as well as popular magazines and outlets including The American Conservative, The Gospel Coalition, and The Federalist, among others. He is co-author of the upcoming book, Critical Dilemma: The Rise of Critical Theories and Social Justice Ideology—Implications for the Church and Society. Pat is married with three children and a long-time member of the Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.
About the Contributors
(in Alphabetical Order)
Timothy E. G. Bartel holds a PhD in Theology, Imagination, and the Arts (University of St Andrews) and an MFA in Poetry (Seattle Pacific). His scholarship focuses on the influence of Early Christian Theology on American literature and culture. He has published essays on literary figures, like Dante and Longfellow, as well as popular artists, like Rowling, Malick, and Whedon. Dr. Bartel is author of several books of criticism and poetry, including, most recently, The Heroines of Henry Longfellow: Domestic, Defiant, Divine. His poems and essays have appeared widely in periodicals including Christianity and Literature, First Things, Notes and Queries, and Saint Katherine Review. He currently lives with his family in Houston, TX, where he serves as Provost and Professor of Great Texts and Writing at Saint Constantine College.
Miguel Benitez Jr. is an Assistant Professor of Humanities at the State College of Florida. He holds a PhD in humanities at Faulkner University. His academic interests include the philosophy of art and beauty and the works of G.K. Chesterton. His wife Daniela, son Alexander, and daughter Gabi consider themselves a Disney family as they all love visiting the Disney parks and watching Disney movies on a regular basis.
Russell Clayton is an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida, teaching MBA courses on managerial communication. His research has been published in the Harvard Business Review and has he been mentioned in and/or written for such popular press outlets as Psychology Today, NBC News, Fox News, Inc. and Fast Company. In addition, his research has appeared in several peer-reviewed academic journals such as Human Resource Management and he serves on the editorial board of Management Teaching Review. He was awarded the 2020 Mid-Career Distinguished Educator Award by the Management & Organizational Behavior Teaching Society and was voted 2021-2022 “Professor of the Year” by the Executive MBA students in the Muma College of Business. Clayton earned a PhD in business administration from the University of Mississippi, a master's degree in higher education administration from Middle Tennessee State University and a bachelor's degree in business administration from Auburn University.
D.J. Culp, Jr. holds a PhD in Music from the University of Mississippi. He currently serves as Associate Professor of Music of Instrumental Music Education at Union University in Jackson, TN. He conducts the symphonic band and percussion ensembles, teaches percussion studio lessons, conducting, music theory, courses in music education, and observes student teacher interns. He has presented music research across Southern and Midwestern regions of the US. Dr. Culp also maintains an active performance agenda as a jazz and rock drummer and performs as a percussionist with the Jackson Symphony.
Neal Foster holds an MDiv in missiology and a BS in science education. Hailing from Oklahoma, he previously served as missionary in Africa, and currently serves as staff member for Peace Catalyst International. He facilitates and supports Christians and Muslims in dialogue and community building, through practical application of Jesus’s teachings. He enjoys exploring existential crisis and meaning through Kierkegaard, Camus, and heavy metal guitar solos.
Sean C. Hadley is a husband, father, lecturer, and author. He holds a PhD in Humanities from Faulkner University. His essays and book reviews have been published by a variety of outlets, including Touchstone Magazine, An Unexpected Journal, The Imaginative Conservative, and The Hemingway Review. Entering the classroom in 2009, Sean’s teaching includes instruction in humane letters and service as Thesis Director at two different classical Christian schools. Sean has presented at conferences for the Association of Classical Christian Schools, the American Literature Association, and Faulkner University’s Institute of Faith and the Academy. Since 2014, Sean has taught at Trinitas Christian School located in Pensacola, Florida.
Josh Herring holds a PhD in Humanities from Faulkner University. He currently serves as Professor of Classical Education at Thales College for Thales Academy. He works with teachers to deliver a classical education to the highest possible degree of excellence. He hosts The Optimistic Curmudgeon podcast, and writes frequently for the Acton Institute, Law and Liberty, Public Discourse, and a variety of other outlets. Josh and his wife Jennifer live in North Carolina with their four cats, many trees, and infinite bookshelves.
Mark D. Linville holds a PhD in philosophy from University of Wisconsin-Madison. He serves as Senior Research Fellow in Faulkner University's PhD program in the humanities. He is co-editor (with David Werther) of Philosophy and the Christian Worldview (Bloomsbury) and has written numerous articles on moral philosophy and philosophy of religion, including "The Moral Argument" in the Blackwell Companion to Natural Theology.
Paul Miles holds a DMin in Bible and Theology from Tyndale Theological Seminary, an MA in Theological Studies, and a BA in Russian. He is the executive director of Grace Abroad Ministries, a ministry he began with his wife, Lena, in 2016 in order to serve the Church through translation, teaching, and outreach. The Miles family lives in Kyiv, Ukraine, and you can read their blog at www.TheMileses.com.
Holly Ordway is the Cardinal Francis George Professor of Faith and Culture at the Word on Fire Institute, and Visiting Professor of Apologetics at Houston Christian University. She holds a PhD in English from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and is the author of Tolkien’s Faith: A Spiritual Biography and the award-winning Tolkien’s Modern Reading: Middle-earth Beyond the Middle Ages. Her other books include Tales of Faith: A Guide to Sharing the Gospel through Literature and Apologetics and the Christian Imagination: An Integrated Approach to Defending the Faith. She is also a Subject Editor for the Journal of Inklings Studies.
Joel Paulus holds a PhD in Theology/Philosophy of Religion from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also holds an MA in Christian Apologetics and a BFA in Musical Theater. He has spoken on issues of worldview and religion both nationally and internationally. He has served in ministry roles, performed with regional dance companies and theater productions, and worked with the Metropolitan Opera. He has taught ballet classes in the greater Houston, Charlotte, and New York City areas. Currently, Dr. Paulus serves as Director of Library and Research Services for the Jamison Library at Southern Evangelical Seminary where he is an adjunct faculty member.
Lori Peters is a doctoral candidate at Liberty University, completing a PhD in Theology and Apologetics. She serves as Director of Worldview Immersion at Concord Christian Academy in Concord, NH, where she teaches biblical studies, worldview studies, and bioethics. Lori formerly served with Ratio Christi as Regional Director for New England. Her research interests emphasize the problem of evil, bioethics, and exploring new ways to answer curious questions about Jesus. Lori resides in New Hampshire with her husband and college sweetheart, Kevin. They have nine children, including in-laws, and four grandchildren.
Joel Paulus holds a PhD in Theology/Philosophy of Religion from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also holds an MA in Christian Apologetics and a BFA in Musical Theater. He has spoken on issues of worldview and religion both nationally and internationally. He has served in ministry roles, performed with regional dance companies and theater productions, and worked with the Metropolitan Opera. He has taught ballet classes in the greater Houston, Charlotte, and New York City areas. Currently, Dr. Paulus serves as Director of Library and Research Services for the Jamison Library at Southern Evangelical Seminary where he is an adjunct faculty member.
Doug Powell holds an MA in Christian Apologetics from Biola University. He is the author of more than a dozen books on apologetics, including the bestselling Holman QuickSource Guide to Christian Apologetics, and is a contributor to the Apologetics Study Bible, the Apologetics Study Bible for Students, and the Worldview Study Bible. He is also the author, designer, and developer of the iWitness family of apps. As a recording artist, Powell has released nine albums, and he has contributed, as songwriter and musician, to the Alan Parsons albums The Secret and From the New World. He has appeared on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, CNN, Cross Examined, and Stand to Reason. Most recently, he authored the Graham Eliot series of biblical archaeological thrillers, including, The Well of the Soul, Among the Ashes, and The Place of Descent.
Zachary Schmoll holds a PhD in Humanities from Faulkner University and an MA in Apologetics from Houston Christian University. He currently serves as an adjunct faculty member at Houston Christian University and Southeastern University. He is the author of Disability and the Problem of Evil (Public Philosophy Press, 2020) and was the Founding Editor of An Unexpected Journal.
John L. Weitzel is currently completing a PhD in Humanities (ABD) from Faulkner University. Additionally, he holds an MA in Theology, an MS in Counseling, and a BA in Psychology. He has taught at Marymount California University, Cypress College, and El Camino College. His research interests include pre-modern philosophy (especially Augustine) and philosophy/psychology of personhood. He resides in Harbor City, CA, with his wife and three sons.
Shawn White holds an MA in Christian Apologetics from Biola University and is currently completing a PhD in Humanities (ABD) at Faulkner University. His academic interests include G.K. Chesterton’s life and writings on gratitude, wonder, and humility. His non-academic interests include his wife, their dog, playing all manner of board games, and playing music.
Eric Williamson is Instructor of Religion and Philosophy at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock, NC. He holds a PhD in Philosophy and Ethics from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. His research interests are in virtue epistemology, aesthetics, philosophy of expertise, and philosophy of history. He has written on architecture and culture, pedagogical approaches in general education, and the epistemology of disagreement in religious diversity.