Natalie Griffioen to teach philosophy at Dordt

Natalie Griffioen has accepted a position as Instructor of Philosophy at Dordt University.

Griffioen is completing her Ph.D. in philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh. She received her undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis. Prior to graduate school, Griffioen worked in human resources at the American Enterprise Institute, a public policy think tank in Washington, D.C. She and her husband, Paul, have relocated to Sioux Center from Berkeley, California.

Her research interests center around approaching philosophical topics like metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. She is specifically interested in the philosophical work of Origen of Alexandria on the metaphysics of the eschaton and bodily resurrection.

Dr. Abby Foreman, dean for the social sciences, is excited to welcome Griffioen to the Philosophy Department at Dordt.

“Natalie’s area of scholarship involves an exploration of early Christian philosophy and the doctrine of bodily resurrection,” explains Foreman. “She is excited to guide students to explore how, as she says, ‘philosophy, properly construed, is the love of true wisdom, wisdom that begins with “the fear of the Lord” (Psalm 111:10). We are excited for the opportunity for Natalie to teach students to understand central questions about what it means to be human.”

Griffioen is looking forward to being able to teach philosophy at Dordt. “I believe it is impossible for a Christian philosopher to really do philosophy unless she does so Christianly,” says Griffioen. “Dordt University not only accepts that philosophy can be done Christianly; it shares my conviction that philosophy done rightly is philosophy done in accordance with fear and love of the Lord.”

Although Griffioen grew up in the church, she says that her experience with Reformed University Fellowship while in college brought her faith to life.

“For the first time in my life, Scripture began to make sense to me as a unified whole: a story full of tragedy and ultimate hope that told me who I was, who God is, and how He relates to His people,” Griffioen says.

Since then, Griffioen has been dedicated to serving the church. Over the years, she has coordinated church retreats, led community groups, been involved in children’s ministry, and more.

“I have learned to see my philosophical work as importantly about God and His world,” says Griffioen. “I have come to understand philosophy, the love of wisdom, as an exercise in loving God Himself.”

About Dordt University

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.