FALL 2022 31 DBU’S PHILOSOPHY, POLITICS, ECONOMICS PROGRAM WELCOMES DR. R. KEITH LOFTIN AS DIRECTOR AND PROFESSOR OF PHILOSOPHY “Our program prepares students to be intellectually versatile, using their training in philosophy, politics, and economics to anticipate, analyze, and answer today’s complex global problems.” The Lord intricately creates us, giving us unique passions for the purpose of making Him known. Dr. Keith Loftin faithfully combines his love for learning and teaching on campus each day and is excited to share his expertise with the Patriot Family as DBU’s new Director of the Philosophy, Politics, Economics (PPE) program. Dr. Loftin graduated from Southeastern Bible College with his bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies. Dr. Loftin then earned a Master of Arts in Humanities from the University of Dallas, a Master of Arts in Philosophy from Louisiana State University, and later a Master of Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Loftin also studied at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, where he earned his Ph.D. in Theology. He and his wife, Julie, have a six-year-old son named Ian. “I can honestly say that I have a love for academic ministry,” shares Dr. Loftin. “Mentors helped me see that such a love, combined with a knack for explaining things, suggested that teaching may be my calling. I knew that I wanted to teach, and I’ve found happiness in doing so.” Prior to beginning his formal teaching career, Dr. Loftin taught his first college class right here on DBU’s campus when the late Dr. David Naugle invited Dr. Loftin to instruct his ethics class for two weeks while he was out of town. “Of course, back then, I had no idea I would wind up back here as a full-time faculty member.” Before coming to DBU, Dr. Loftin also served on faculty at Southwestern Baptist Seminary as Associate Professor and an Associate Dean. Dr. Loftin is passionate about the vision for Dallas Baptist University’s PPE program. “The grounding of the program finds its meaningfulness in Christ,” explains Dr. Loftin. “In Him are all the treasures of knowledge and wisdom to be found (Colossians 2:3). There is benefit, then, in thinking Christianly about the polis, about the socio-political challenges of our day, about the economic complexities and challenges of our world. And it seems to me worthwhile to think of these in connection with the purpose for which we exist.” In the classroom, Dr. Loftin encourages his students to see their careers in a different light. “I try to remind students that they must think in terms of purpose, not just immediate purpose, but their ultimate purpose, grounded in the richness of Christ,” he says. Scan to learn more about DBU’s PPE major
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