Thomas B. Warren

Thomas Bratton Warren (August 1, 1920 – August 8, 2000) was an American professor of philosophy of religion and apologetics at the Harding School of Theology in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. He was an important philosopher and theologian in the Churches of Christ during the latter half of the twentieth century. Warren was born in Carrizo Springs, Texas, and served in the United States Air Force as an aerial navigator in World War II. He received his education from Abilene Christian College, the University of Houston, and Vanderbilt University, where his dissertation focused on the problem of God and evil. Warren taught at various institutions, including Abilene Christian College, Fort Worth Christian College, and Freed-Hardeman College, before his tenure at Harding Graduate School of Religion. He was also a co-founder and Dean of the Graduate School at Tennessee Bible College and served as a minister for several Churches of Christ. Warren's philosophical research included work on theodicy and arguments for God's existence, notably his debates with Antony Flew and Wallace Matson. He was a strong evidentialist and utilized teleological arguments. In theological matters, Warren was a strict restorationist, emphasizing adherence to New Testament patterns and holding that only non-instrumental Churches of Christ were true Christians, which led to disagreements with more liberal leaders. He also held traditional views on divorce and remarriage. Warren is remembered as one of the first trained philosophers in churches of Christ colleges and his debates remain influential. A center for Christian apologetics, the Warren Apologetics Center, was established in his honor.