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The value of Christian apologetics may be seen in the “many convincing proofs” Jesus gave to his disciples over 40 days following his resurrection (Acts 1:3) or the instruction to “contend for the faith” in Jude, says Bruno Molina, language evangelism associate with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.
Molina said he first became convinced of the value of studying apologetics—the art of defending the faith—while developing a strategy to reach Muslims with the gospel several years ago. He went on to earn a certification in apologetics with the North American Mission Board through a program NAMB offered in conjunction with Biola University in La Mirada, Calif., one of the first institutions with a degree program in apologetics.
Molina said that because Jesus spent 40 days offering those “many convincing proofs” that he was the risen Christ, we must follow his example.
“What must be remembered is that some people have honest questions, they aren’t just suppressing the truth in unrighteousness” as the unbelievers described in Romans 1 were, Molina said. “We should respond by contending earnestly for the faith.”
To that end, the SBTC is offering the Confident Christianity Conference, Sept. 6-7 at Hillcrest Baptist in Cedar Hill.
This year’s theme is “Proclaiming the Certainty of Christ in an Age of Unbelief.”
“The overall concern we wanted to address this year is how we are to hold our biblical standard up in an environment in which our postmodern culture constantly assaults our foundational beliefs,” Molina said.
In addition to a lineup of breakout session speakers, keynote speakers include J.P. Moreland, distinguished professor of philosophy at Talbot School of Theology at Biola University and a leading apologist; Sean McDowell, a popular speaker and a Ph.D. student in apologetics and worldview studies at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Barry Creamer, vice president for academic affairs and professor of humanities at Criswell College in Dallas; and Mary Jo Sharp, an author and assistant professor of Christian apologetics at Houston Baptist University.
Conference sessions will deal with such topics as the trustworthiness of the Bible, same-sex marriage, relativism, the intellectual integrity of Christianity, discerning popular media messages, and the biblical woman in a media-driven world. Training on non-Christian religions is also included.
“For me, the study of apologetics has greatly strengthened my own faith in God and the reliability of his Word,” Molina said.
“We need to remember that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word, and apologetics is part of that,” he added.
Cost is $35 per person with a student price of $15. Registration is available online at sbtexas.com/ccc. A Spanish-language track with Pastor Edgardo Ferrer will also be available.
