Robert M. Frazier


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Professor of Philosophy

Office Phone: 724-847-6702
rmfrazie@geneva.edu

Disciplines/Field of Instruction

  • Philosophy
  • Biblical Studies

Degrees Received

  • Ph.D. in Philosophy, 1993, State University of New York at Buffalo, Dissertation: Holding and Modifying Beliefs: Critical Thinking and the Problem of Minimal Rationality.
  • M.A. in Theological Studies in Old Testament Literature, 1981, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
  • B.A. in Biblical Studies, 1978, Gordon College.

Courses Taught

  • Aristotle
  • Plato
  • Cicero
  • Augustine
  • Kierkegaard
  • Early Modern Philosohpy
  • Kant
  • C.S. Lewis
  • Pragmatism
  • Logic
  • Ethical Theories
  • Epistemology
  • Introduction to Philosophy
  • The Art of Inquiry
  • Polotoical Philosophy
  • Democratic Political Thought
  • Christian Understanding of Life
  • Contemporary Religious Thought
  • Nietzsche
  • History of the Reformation
  • Business Ethics
  • Humanities
  • Aquinas and Medieval Philosophy
  • Austin and Wittgenstein
  • Introducation to the Old Testament

Presentations/Publications

  • "Responsible Belief: Limitations, Liabilities, and Melioration." published in 2015 by Pickwick Books.

  • "Pro Christo et Patria." published in the spring, 2016 in the Genevan.

  • "Augustine on Authority." Evangelical theological Society, fall, 2016.

  • "Philo on Beauty." conference at Franciscan University, fall 2014.

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  • "Kierkegaard on Ressentiment." published in the Midwestern Journal of Theology.

  • “Pittsburgh Baseball: The Stuff of Heroes.” Geneva Review (September,2005).

  •  “Augustine′s Public Philosophy.” Evangelical Theological Society, 2006.

  • “Foreword” in Rev. Joseph Hill, John Calvin on Suffering: Understanding the Love of God. (Webster, NY: The Evangelical Press, 2005).

  • “Gnothi Seauton and the Limiting Effects of Noetic Sin: An Augustinian View.” Evangelical Theological Society, November, 2005.

  • “Prophetic Consciousness in an Age of Affluence.” The Walter Vail Watson Lectures on Reformed Theology, Lancaster, NY, October, 2005.

  • “Inhabiting the Void: Smith′s Assessment of Radical Orthodoxy,” Geneva College colloquium on James Smith′s Introducing Radical Orthodoxy, March, 2006. 

  • “Considering the Tie that Binds: The Scottish Presbyterian and Neocalvinism Divide.” Paper prepared for the Trustees of Geneva College, April, 2006.

  • “The State of Just War Theory.” Beverly Heights Presbyterian Church, May, 2005.

  • “Are We Intellectually Obligated to Believe Morally.”  Faculty paper given at Geneva College, January 1997.

  • “Wisdom Revisited.” Paper given at the Breakfast Seminar for Theological Reflection, Canisius College, Buffalo, Spring, 1995.

  • “ The Limitations of Belief Formation.”  Philosophy Colloquium, Canisius College, Buffalo, NY, fall, 1993.

  • “Traditions of Memory.” Commencement address, Consortium of the Niagara Frontier, Fall, 1989.

  • “Intellectual Passion: The Focus of the Educated Person.” Commencement address, Consortium of the Niagara Frontier, Wyoming Correctional Facility, Spring, 1989.

Current Projects

  • I am engaged in two writing projects. The first concerns Augustine′s political philosophy and the second is a look at the notion of the noetic effects of sin. It is my hope that both of these will become book length manuscripts.

Affiliations, e.g., membership in professional organizations, etc.

  • American Philosophical Association

  • Evangelical Theological Society

  • Evangelical Philosophical Society

  • Society of Christian Philosophy

Miscellaneous, e.g., hobbies, sports, personal info, etc.

  • I continue to have the opportunity to preach several Sundays each month. I served in a variety of pastoral positions from 1980-2004 and still find preaching as a great love. I returned to my home town of Beaver Falls in 1995 to pastor and long to see her renewed: spiritually, economically and socially. I believe Geneva, and those associated with it, have a significant role to play in the revitalization of the local community and Western PA.

  • I enjoy spending as much time as possible with my five grandchildren, Chase, Cadence, Emma, Sophia, and Hannah. I have been blessed with a wonderful wife (Marina), four amazing children (Megan, Abby, Tim and Daniel) and son-in law Brent. I love musicals, jazz and big band music. I am awed at the beautiful, wonder-filled at the good and true, and delighted by the excellence of my colleagues.