Early HistoryThe Society for Philosophy of Religion was founded in 1938. Before 1944 the past of the Society is murky, especially because of the Second World War. During these times a small group of scholars meet at various places – usually one of the several houses of Bob Patterson, though there was at least one meeting on a cruise liner – to sip the finest of liquors and to smoke the best of Cuban cigars while talking about God, no-God, which God, and the like. From 1944 onward, the society was more formally organized with a president and officers. Recent HistoryThe Society now meets annually in a variety of American cities. It also sponsors the International Journal for Philosophy of Religion, which is published by Springer and overseen by a group of Society members. In Memorium
The Society is saddened to report the passing of two longstanding and beloved members of SPR, George Mavrodes and John Whittaker. Past President George Mavrodes passed away July 31, 2019. Mavrodes received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1961, where he taught from 1961 to 1995. Included in his hundreds of scholarly publications is the seminal Belief in God: A Study in the Epistemology of Religion (1970), a work that shaped many of our careers in the field. George was an eager interlocutor and lifelong friend to many in the Society, sparring regularly with Thomists, Wittgensteinians, and Process Theologians in sessions while maintaining good friendships with all outside the confines of the meeting room. His service to the Society continues through those members he introduced to it and the many relationships fostered through his work and participation. Past President John Whittaker passed away July 26, 2019. Whittaker received his Ph.D. from Yale University in 1974 in Philosophy of Religion and took an initial appointment to the University of Virginia. After moving to Louisiana State University, Whittaker served as chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies and directed the Religious Studies Program. All who knew John can acknowledge the truth of one colleague's claim that he was "more invested in what students had to say than in what he had to say to them." He was a gifted teacher and good friend to many in the Society, always eager to engage in conversations and never eager to impose ideology. His good company and keen intellect continue to shape the Society through the many he impacted in it. Past Presidents2019 David Holley 2018 Katherin Rogers 2017 Scott Davison 2016 Ingolf Dalferth 2015 Patrick Horn 2014 Bernie Cantens 2013 John Schellenberg 2012 Terrence Tilley 2011 John Whittaker 2010 Ron Hall 2009 Paul Draper 2008 Houston Craighead 2007 Jeff Jordan 2006 William Hasker 2005 William Wainwright 2004 Dewi Phillips 2003 James Harris 2002 William Alston 2001 William Rowe 2000 Patricia Johnson 1999 Frank Dilley 1998 James Keller 1997 Jane Mary Trau 1996 Louis Pojman 1995 Will Power 1994 David Schrader 1993 Lad Sessions 1992 Jackson Ice 1991 Billy Joe Lucas 1990 Jamie Ferreira 1989 Dallas High 1988 George Mavrodes 1987 John Elrod 1986 Frederick Ferre 1985 Frank Harrison 1984 Bob Perkins 1983 Charles Lewis 1982 Rem Edwards 1981 Gene Long 1980 Bill Cobb 1979 Jude Dougherty 1978 Forrest Wood 1977 Mary Rose 1976 Elliott McElroy 1975 Tom Hearn 1974 Bo Clarke 1973 Oswald Schrag 1972 Henry Sprinkle 1971 Allan Carlsson 1970 Bob Ayers 1969 Ethel Tiley 1968 Jim Rikard 1967 Maurice Allen 1966 Jose Franquiz 1965 Jackson Ice 1964 Nolan Jacobson 1963 Charles Hartshorne 1962 Wilford Cross 1961 Leroy Loemker 1960 Howard Parsons 1959 Bob Miller 1958 Henry Wieman 1957 Paul Vonk 1956 John Mourant 1955 Edgar Henderson 1954 Richard Hocking 1953 Albert Balz 1952 Godfrey Tietze 1951 J. R. Cresswell 1950 E. D. Myers 1949 John Marshall 1948 Anna Liddell 1947 Kenneth Foreman 1946 Bob Patterson 1945 Fritz Marti 1944 Edward Ramsdell |
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