Teaching Seminars
Defending & Confirming the Faith
"… you are all partners with me … in the defense and confirmation of the gospel" - Philippians 1.7
As they preached and then taught their converts to be faithful and influential in a culture which, like ours, was filled with many religions and philosophies, New Testament preachers emphasized the themes of defense and confirmation.
They engaged in apologia (a defense, reasoned statement, or argument) in their preaching to potential adherents and in instruction to believers to make a defense to anyone who asked about their hope (see Acts 22.3, 25; 25.8, 26; 26.1-2; 1 Pet 3.15). They also used the word bebaiōsis (to confirm, verify, prove to be true and certain) to underscore the reliability of the Christian message and the confidence the disciples could enjoy (Heb 2.2-3; 1 Cor 1.6; 2 Cor 1.21; Col 2.7). In his letter to the Philippians, Paul used both words, expressing his gratitude for a partnership with him in the gospel that included its “defense (apologia) and confirmation (bebaiōsis)” (Phil 1.7). Since being formally introduced to apologetics in an undergraduate course more than four decades ago, I have continued to study and present materials, in both academic and church settings, with the goal of helping believers be better prepared to be confident about and defend their faith. I have especially focused on the Bible's historical case for Jesus and response to questions prompted by the suffering and evil we experience. These popular-level seminars reflect my desire to continue fulfilling that aim. All can be adapted to local situations and schedules. For more information—or to inquire about scheduling—please contact me: [email protected] Click here for a downloadable version of this page's information. |
Preparing for Times of Trouble
We live in a world that in many ways leaves us ill-equipped to deal with trouble. In fact, we can be so busy enjoying life that we are surprised by difficult times. Consequently, we often neglect the thinking that is necessary to build the spiritual foundation and framework we need to face trouble realistically and with endurance. The good news is that the Scriptures reveal what we need in order to do that thinking—whether we do so before, during, or after a crisis occurs.
Selections from the following titles can be adapted and presented as either an extended seminar or a one-day special emphasis, depending on local needs. Email me for more information or to discuss scheduling.
Selections from the following titles can be adapted and presented as either an extended seminar or a one-day special emphasis, depending on local needs. Email me for more information or to discuss scheduling.
Core Lessons
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Lessons from Job
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Resurrection 101
Whether the resurrection occurred matters greatly. As Paul explained, if Christ was not raised, we are misrepresenting God, presenting an empty message to the world, do not have forgiveness, and are needlessly depriving ourselves of some of life’s pleasures (cf. 1 Cor 15.12-19, 32).
Paul's defense was necessary because from Christianity’s beginning, skeptics have sought to discredit the claim that Jesus was raised from the dead (cf. Matt 28.11-15; Acts 4.1-2; 17.32). Those challenges continue today. Their prevalence makes it more likely that all who follow Jesus will at some point encounter someone who contests these fundamental claims.
“Resurrection 101” is an introductory study of the evidence that supports belief in Jesus' resurrection.
The amount of information shared in this seminar is adaptable to local situations and needs. The course can be presented as a weekend seminar, retreat, Vacation Bible School or similar weeknight study series, or as a one-day overview of the case.
Paul's defense was necessary because from Christianity’s beginning, skeptics have sought to discredit the claim that Jesus was raised from the dead (cf. Matt 28.11-15; Acts 4.1-2; 17.32). Those challenges continue today. Their prevalence makes it more likely that all who follow Jesus will at some point encounter someone who contests these fundamental claims.
“Resurrection 101” is an introductory study of the evidence that supports belief in Jesus' resurrection.
The amount of information shared in this seminar is adaptable to local situations and needs. The course can be presented as a weekend seminar, retreat, Vacation Bible School or similar weeknight study series, or as a one-day overview of the case.
For a Weekend Seminar, Retreat, VBS, or Other Extended Series
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For a One-Day Emphasis
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Preparing to Make a Defense: An Introduction
This three-part series features overviews of the New Testament's emphasis on the apologetic task, the case for Christ, and the case for Jesus's resurrection.
- Preparing to Defend: Clarifying Premises – Part 1 sets forth some principles concerning the need to defend our faith, compares and contrasts challenges in the New Testament world with our own, and briefly introduces how the first believers approached their world.
- A Case for God: In Person, In History – Part 2 presents an overview of a case for Christ, focusing on the New Testament's presentation of Jesus' story as a matter of history and briefly outlining the components of the case: the credibility of the gospels, Jesus' claims, the demonstration of his divine character in his works, and his resurrection.
- “Unless You Believed in Vain”: A Short Case for Resurrection – Part 3 is an overview of the case for Jesus' resurrection, considering passages from Acts and 1 Corinthians 15; some of the current challenges and the nature of the case that must be made; historical data that must be explained; and the importance of the resurrection for the Christian's faith and life.
"Consider all the other things we can settle once we know that Jesus is
God and that his words are God’s words. We then have an authoritative
answer to all our most important questions: Is there a
personal God who loves us? What is our duty in life? How do we
become children of God? Why did Jesus die? Is there life after death?”
- Ronald Nash, Worldviews in Conflict:
Choosing Christianity in a World of Ideas, 154
In Development
(Contact Me If Interested)
- Can We Trust the Gospels? - Were the gospels written too long after Jesus lived to be accurate portrayals of his story? Does the fact that our earliest manuscript copies of the Gospels were not done until 200 to 300 years after the events mean that we cannot trust the accuracy of what we have received? Did the writers invent a different Jesus from the man of Nazareth who walked the roads of Galilee and Judea.