Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Undergraduate

Mission & Passion

My passion is to be able to say as did St. Paul, “I count all things but loss . . . that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings . . . I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:10, 14). My passion is to preach the gospel of Christ and to teach the Gospel of Christ to students training to be ministers of the Gospel of Christ; to do so with a heart aflame for the Christ with the life of the mind that that unites each to the glory of God.

Inspiring Verse / Quote

bq.“Educating the mind without education the heart is no education at all” Aristotle

bq.“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (I Corinthians 15:58).

bq.“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth: (II Timothy 2:15)

Publications/Publication Assistance

  • “Power, Passion, and Purpose” edited by Dr. Joseph Coleson, The Wesleyan Publishing House 2004.
  • Editorial Advisory Committee for the revised edition of Thomas Oden’s three volume systematic theology entitled, Classic Christianity, A Systematic Theology, HarperOne, 2009.
  • Editorial Advisory Committee for Dr. Thomas C. Oden’s The Theology of John Wesley, The Doctrinal Standards of the Wesleyan Tradition, The Living God, The Word of Life, and Life in the Spirit.
  • Articles written for “The Wesleyan Advocate” and “The Preachers Magazine.”
  • Curriculum developer and writer for The Wesleyan Church Department of Sunday Schools.

Presentations

  • American Academy of Religion, “The Development of Arminianism in the Church of England” 1995
  • American Academy of Religion, “Arminianism in the Theology of John Wesley” 1995
  • National Endowment for the Humanities, Ohio State University “Was John Milton an Arminian?” 1997
  • Wesleyan Theological Society, “Response to the Thesis Teaching the Eastern Orthodox Church” (2003)
  • Wesleyan Theological Society, “Response to Arminianism in the Theology of John Wesley” (2004)

Distinctives

  • Dean of The School of Religion and Philosophy, Oklahoma Wesleyan University
  • Division Chair of the Division of Religion and Philosophy at Owosso College
  • The Mayor’s Citation for Outstanding Community Contribution, Allentown Pennsylvania
  • Fastest growing Sunday School of all protestant churches in the State of Pennsylvania by the International Education Association by The Wesleyan Church.
  • Personal Achievement Award, Oklahoma Wesleyan University
  • Alumni Faculty Member of the Year, Oklahoma Wesleyan University
  • Selected for a summer of study by the National Endowment for the Humanities at Ohio State University on the topic of “The English Reformation; Literature, History and Art.”
  • Selected by the Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Oxford, England and Keble College, Oxford as Dean of the Student Seminar
  • Appointed by Dr. John Roach of Oxford University as a Fellow and Reader at Oxford’s famous Bodleian Library
  • Served on District Boards of Administration in three Districts of The Wesleyan Church
  • Severed on the District Board of Ministerial Development of the Tri-State District of The Wesleyan Church for over 20 years
  • Served as Senior (Lead) pastor in The Wesleyan Church for 20 years

University Courses Taught

* Literature of the Old Testament * Historical Books * Hebrew Poetic Wisdom Literature * Minor Prophets * Major Prophets * History of Christianity * Wesleyan History and Polity * Comparative Religions * General Ethics * Christian Ethics * Introduction to Philosophy * Philosophy of Christian Thought * Philosophy of Religion * Survey of Christian Education * Homiletics * Doctrine of Holiness * Systematic Theology * Christian Worship Arts * Evangelism * Introduction to Ministry * Ministerial Internship * Church Administration * Pastoral Care * General Epistles
David Eaton

Professor of Religion, Dean

School of Religion and Philosophy
918.335.6802
deaton@okwu.edu
A.B., Western Pilgrim College; B.A., Azusa Pacific University; M.A., Pasadena College; M. Phil., & Ph.D., Drew University