Writer and Teacher
Posts tagged Apologetics
The Gardners Accept Invitation to Serve in Jordan
Jun 28th
Barbara and I have accepted an invitation from the Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary (JETS) in Amman, Jordan, to teach for two weeks in August, 2010. I will teach a course entitled, “Worldviews,” which will focus on defending the Christian faith and worldview in response to other systems of thought. Barbara was asked to assist the seminary librarian.
Several years ago it was our goal for retirement to assist Bible colleges and seminaries in this way. But my pulmonary fibrosis and subsequent double lung transplant canceled those plans. I checked with my doctor at Barnes Hospital about this invitation. He asked, “Do you want to go?” I answered that I would like to. He said, “That’s why we do transplants.” They gave some safety tips for the plane trip, since I am immunosuppressed.
This evangelical seminary provides Bible-believing theological education for Arab Christians in the Middle East. I see this as an opportunity to give a strong background in apologetics to these students who will go back as leaders in their respective countries. Barbara will work with the librarian on principles of librarianship.
Jordan is a modern country, progressive in many ways and friendly with the United States. The country has freedom of religion with Christianity being a minority religion.
The seminary has weathered several financial crises but has been able to provide this valuable teaching program. They will take care of us after we get into the country, but we will need to pay for our plane tickets over and back. The Christian Church of Carl Junction has established a fund, Gardner Jordan Fund, for those who would like to make a tax-deductible gift to assist in the plane expense. Checks should be written out to Carl Junction Christian Church. The address is 103 Hodges St., Carl Junction, MO 64834.
Classics of the Christian Faith
Jun 11th
Five Classics
These five books are classics of Christian literature. They speak to the heart issues of Christianity in a forceful and dynamic way. They lead readers into a deeper understanding of the Christian faith. Here is food and guidance to help you grow in spiritual maturity and discipleship. Why not read several of these books as a project this summer? Why not fast from TV, videos, movies, the Internet and feed your soul?
Lewis, C. S. Mere Christianity. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 2001. Perhaps the most widely read apologetic for Christianity written in English in the twentieth century. Sold millions of copies. Logical reasoning in defense of the Christian faith by a former atheist.
Stott, John R. W. Basic Christianity, 50th anniversary edition. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2008.
Clear and easy-to-read introduction to the Christian faith. Over 2.5 million sold.
Packer, J. I. Knowing God, 20th anniversary edition. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Believing ignorance of God is the source of weakness in churches, Packer helps the reader gain a personal relationship with God through the knowledge of the living God from the Word of God.
Stott, John R. W. The Cross of Christ, 20th anniversary edition. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.
Powerful book stating the doctrinal meaning of the cross, answering misunderstandings, and making personal application of the cross to our lives. Many consider this the best book on the cross.
Foster, Richard J. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, 25th anniversary edition. New York: Harper and Collins, Publishers, 1998.
Practical guidance for one seeking a closer devotional walk with God and growth in spiritual maturity.
Three Potential Classics
Strobel, Lee. The Case for Christ: A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1998.
A relentless search for the evidence answering the question “Who is Jesus.” Worthy of serious attention from every believer and skeptic.
Keller, Timothy. The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. New York: Dutton, 2008.
A refreshing and intellectually stimulating case for the reality of God. Contemporary and relevant as the author draws illustrations from his encounters with skeptics and seekers in his New York ministry.
Willard, Dallas. Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ. Colorado Springs: Nav Press, 2002.
Challenging instruction for growing in our spiritual walk, shedding sinful habits, and progressively taking on the character of Christ. Practical guidance for being transformed in heart and life into Christlikeness.
Christianity Stands True Available in Spanish Edition
May 25th
Christianity Stands True: A Common Sense Look at the Evidence by Lynn Gardner is now available to Spanish speakers. In addition to English, it is available in Russian, Polish, Czech, and Korean editions and is being translated into Hindi.
Ralph Shead, who is in charge of Spanish projects with Literature and Teaching Ministries, Joplin, Missouri, tells why it is important to be available in Spanish.
Christianity Stands True by Lynn Gardner is a head-on approach to challenge people who do not follow Christ because they think Christianity is not true. Believing the Creator gave us brains so we would use them to think and reason, Brother Gardner shows what is reasonable and what is not. He answers the questions that a skeptic would have before becoming convinced that Jesus really is Lord and that all men are called to be His disciples.
So, why publish a Spanish version of this book? In Latin America (much as in the USA) people hold these beliefs:
- That science has wounded Christianity with a death blow.
- It is just a matter of time until all Christians will hide the fact they are believers, if they choose to still believe.
- Thinking people can’t believe the Bible.
- Hard questions about the Bible can’t be answered.
- You either “feel it in your heart” that the Bible is true or you don’t.
Frankly the “feel it in your heart” foundation for faith is one that does not stand against the storms of life. This book will convince an open-minded person who is willing to investigate the evidence that the Bible is a book from God and that Jesus truly is the Savior who died for our sins and gives us a firm foundation for life.
Literature and Teaching Ministries (LATM) is pleased to be a partner with Lynn Gardner and College Press in presenting this introduction to Christian apologetics to the Spanish speaking world. Target release date: July 15, 2010.
Ralph Shead, Spanish projects, LATM, May 2010.
Contact information for Spanish edition: www.latm.info 417-623-6280, ext. 159
Contact information for English edition: www.collegepress.com 800-289-3300
College Press Announces a Forthcoming Book
Apr 13th
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Commending and Defending Christian Faith: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics by H. Lynn Gardner Scheduled for publication this fall. |
Introduces the reader to basic terms, key thinkers, and fundamental apologetic issues. States the what, why, and how of apologetics preparing persons for further study of reasons for faith and answers to objections.
Provides the background for the study of Christian apologetics rather than presenting the actual case for Christianity. It is a “how to think about apologetics” book. |
H. Lynn Gardner, taught apologetics and New Testament for forty years in Bible colleges, serving eighteen years as academic dean. He holds degrees from Ozark Christian College, California State University, Wheaton College, and University of Arkansas. Included in his six books are Where Is God When We Suffer: What the Bible Says About Suffering and Christianity Stands True: A Common Sense Look at the Evidence.
Through this book you will:
- Become familiar with apologetics vocabulary, concepts, and key opponents and defenders of Christian faith.
- Understand the issues, questions, and challenges facing defenders of the faith.
- Distinguish between doubt and unbelief and understand the causes and consequences of unbelief.
- Be acquainted with the role of thinking, knowing, truth, and faith in apologetics.
- Learn why we should defend the faith.
- Be instructed and inspired by seeing examples of defending the faith in the New Testament and in church history.
- Be able to recognize and evaluate different apologetic methods or approaches.
- Be motivated to be defenders of Christian faith by learning about defending the faith from examples, practical uses and opportunities, and guidelines.
Responses to the New Atheism
Feb 15th
Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris have published best-selling books advocating atheism and attacking religion in general and Christianity in particular.
Evangelical scholars have responded to these atheistic critics. Even though at times these authors have more bombast than substance, Christians need to be aware of these enemies of the Christian faith and be prepared to give an answer to this “new atheism.”
Gary R. Habermas, “The Plight of the New Atheism: A Critique,” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 51 (December 2008), 813-827.
William Lane Craig and Chad Meister, eds., God Is Great, God Is Good: Why Believing in God Is Reasonable and Responsible (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2009).
Paul Copan and William Lane Craig, eds., Contending with Christianity’s Critics: Answering New Atheists & Other Objectors (Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2009)
Ravi Zacharias, The End of Reason: A Response to the New Atheists (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008)
R. Albert Mohler, Jr., Atheism Remix: A Christian Confronts the New Atheists (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2008)
David Marshall, The Truth Behind the New Atheism: Responding to the Emerging Challenges to God and Christianity (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2007)
Alister McGrath and Joanna Collicutt McGrath, The Dawkins Delusion? Atheist Fundamentalism and the Denial of the Divine (London: SPCK, 2007).
Terry Eagleton, Reason, Faith, and Revolution: Reflections on the God Debate (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2009).
Forthcoming;
Phillip E. Johnson and John Mark Reynolds, Against All Gods: What’s Right and Wrong About the New Atheism (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2010).
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