New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College announced the appointment of Tawa Anderson to the seminary faculty. Anderson will begin his new role in January 2023.
Anderson, associate professor of philosophy at Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU), will join the NOBTS faculty as associate professor of philosophy and apologetics.
“Tawa Anderson is an excellent addition to our faculty,” said Jamie Dew, president of NOBTS and Leavell College. “In his time at OBU, he had a proven record for teaching excellence, student mentorship, and growing programs in both philosophy and apologetics.”
Dew is especially excited about Anderson's work in apologetics and worldview studies. According to Dew, Anderson's knowledge and skillset will benefit all levels of study at the seminary -- undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs.
“He has become a widely respected name in Christian Apologetics and Worldview Studies, two highly important parts of our curriculum here at NOBTS and Leavell College,” Dew said. “With the addition of Anderson to our faculty, we will be well-positioned to offer M.A.s and Ph.D.s in Apologetics and Philosophy of Religion. We are thankful that God has given us the opportunity to bring Dr. Anderson and his family to our campus and join the work of training the next generation of God's servants."
A Canadian by birth, Anderson earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Alberta and a master of divinity at Edmonton Baptist Seminary (now known as Taylor Seminary) in Edmonton, Alberta. Anderson completed the doctor of philosophy degree at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, focusing on worldview and apologetics.
He joined the OBU faculty in 2011, shortly after completing his Ph.D. In addition to his teaching role at OBU, Anderson directed the school's honors program from 2014 until 2019 and served as the philosophy department chair since 2013.
Anderson is the author of Why Believe? Christian Apologetics for a Skeptical Age published in 2021 and co-author of An Introduction to Christian Worldview: Pursuing God’s Perspective in a Pluralistic World (with W. Michael Clark and David K. Naugle). An Introduction to Worldview was nominated for InterVarsity Press’s annual reader’s choice award in 2017.
He is a member of the Evangelical Philosophical Society, the Evangelical Theological Society, the Society of Christian Philosophers, the American Philosophical Society, and the American Academy of Religion.
“I have long admired the academic and administrative work of Dr. Dew, and consider it a privilege to come and serve under his visionary and prudent leadership,” Anderson said. “I am looking forward to the challenge and reward of teaching graduate and doctoral students, helping to train the next generation of pastors, missionaries, evangelists, apologists, and teachers that will go into all the world in service of the King of Kings.”
Anderson is no stranger to New Orleans. He has been a frequent speaker and breakout leader at NOBTS conferences and events. His family already has a love and appreciation of the campus and the city.
“I have had the privilege of being on campus at NOBTS for Greer-Heard Forums, Defend the Faith conferences, and regional Evangelical Philosophical Society meetings,” he said. “Over the past ten years, the NOBTS campus has begun to feel like a home away from home - a place that I felt welcomed, nurtured, and fed. We love the rich culture, diverse population, musical tradition, and exquisite food of New Orleans, and are eager to make the city home for the remainder of our professional academic lives.”
