Well-published scholar Dr. Brandon Rickabaugh will join the Palm Beach Atlantic faculty in the fall to teach and write from the new philosophy of religion program within the School of Ministry.
Rickabaugh had turned down an opportunity to work at Oxford University for two years, when two months later “things fell into place” for him to come to PBA, he said. “I am so excited about what’s going on here with the new M.A. degree and couldn’t have dreamed for a better place.”
He will be assistant professor of philosophy and research scholar on public philosophy. A native of Newport Beach, California, he was most recently a research fellow at Baylor University, where he earned his Doctor of Philosophy, and where he was named among the “Top 40 Most Impactful Faculty.”
“Brandon is a person of exceptional philosophical skill and wisdom, and really follows in the way of Jesus,” said Dr. Paul Gould, director of the philosophy of religion program. “He’s heavily involved in the Evangelical Philosophical Society, and was mentored by J.P. Moreland and Dallas Willard. He’s a perfect fit for PBA, and will be a valuable philosopher and mentor for our new program.”
The late Dallas Willard was well known for his writings on Christian spiritual formation. Rickabaugh said much of his work will delve deeper into research projects developed by Willard. Moreland, professor of philosophy at Biola University, is co-author of one of three books Rickabaugh has in progress.
Palm Beach Atlantic received outside funding to support Rickabaugh’s research and writing, Gould said. “Brandon anchors our philosophy program. He’s a scholar’s scholar and he also cares deeply about speaking to the church and the culture in a language they can understand. So we’re just really excited to have him.”
Rickabaugh has taught courses at Baylor, Biola and Azusa Pacific University. He has published numerous book chapters and articles in peer-reviewed journals. His scholarly presentations include papers at Oxford and Durham University in the United Kingdom.
He and his wife, Laura, have three children. She has landed her dream job, Rickabaugh said, to teach fourth grade at Jupiter Christian School.
