Greetings Fellow Scholars;

I am entering my sixteenth year as a professor at SPC.  It continues to be an exciting adventure.  I retired in the summer of ‘07 after serving 35 years as a pastor in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church.  I served as a youth pastor and church janitor before going to seminary, and then as a pastor-in-charge of churches in Georgia, Punta Gorda, St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Coral Springs.  Prior to that, I worked as a manufacturer's representative for the Kimberly Clark Corporation and as a salesman for the Spradley, Riley, and Slaughter Food Brokers.  I have also worked as a clerk, cashier, and stock clerk for Publix Markets and Food Fair Stores.  Yes, I am still an ordained elder in good standing in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church.

I have enjoyed school as a student too - Broward County Schools, The Broward Community College, Florida Atlantic University BA’74, Emory University and Candler School of Theology M. Div ’77, the Atlanta Theological Association D. Min. (ABD), and the University of South Florida Ph.D. (ABD)  Yes, I am a dissertation short in two doctorates!

I have long been fascinated by the influence of the diverse cultures and philosophies in which religions develop.  Does culture shape religion or does religion shape culture?  Of particular interest is the difference between Greek Immortality and Israelite Resurrection as an explanation of the afterlife.  I am also an advocate for Free-Will Christianity so please strain that out as we discuss matters of human responsibility.  I think that human freedom is self-evident and that blaming evil on God is an unhelpful error.  Furthermore, is there such a thing as an Existentialist Christian?  Yes, this question shapes my focus in the areas I teach, Religion, Philosophy, and the Bible.  What are your questions?  Let's talk.  OK?

My Judy and I have been married for 59 years; we have two children and two grandsons.  Family life has been wonderful!  Judy did her RN studies here at SPC.  All four of our children have studied here.  We are an SPC family.  The school has been very good for all of us.

I like to read, write, teach, and travel.  I enjoy theater, boating, snorkeling, hiking, and traveling to any place new.  I especially enjoy other cultures and trying to understand how other people perceive the ultimate, mysterious, or holy.  I’d be glad to talk with you about that at any time.

What else would you like to know?  Ask until you are clear.  How can I help?

I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

Watts