An Apologetics and Worldview Seminar (2018)

A Reliable and Defensible Christianity for Today’s World: Equipping Christians to Defend and Share the Gospel

June 21, 2018 at 11 a.m. in Trinity Chapel.

Pre-Conference Session (Meyer Hall 101)
- 11 a.m.–Noon: “The Development of Ancient Writing Systems and the Biblical Text”
  (Pastor Joseph Abrahamson)
Main Sessions (Trinity Chapel)
- 2:00–2:10 p.m. Welcome (Pastor David Thompson)
- 2:10–2:55 p.m. “Issues of Chronology in the Early Old Testament” (Pastor Steven Sparley)
- 3:10–4:10 p.m. “What’s Worldview Got to Do with Everything?” (Dr. Ryan MacPherson)
- 4:25–5:25 p.m. “Why Is Apologetics Lutheran?” (Prof. Allen Quist)
- 5:30 p.m. Supper (Cafeteria, Old Main; see “Registration” section below, for more information)
- 7:00 p.m. Keynote: “How a False Worldview Has Eroded Biblical Inerrancy within Churches” (John Eidsmoe)
  Darwinian evolution is not just a theory of origins; it is a comprehensive worldview that influences our views of history, anthropology, psychology, economics, sociology, and even our view of the Bible. We need to know why some believe that the first five books of the Bible were not written by Moses but by four later writers—and why they are wrong.
- 8:00–9:00 p.m. Q and A with Presenters (moderated by Pastor David Thompson)

Recordings are at the bottom of this page and on the Bethany YouTube channel.

Pastor Joseph Abrahamson currently serves Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Clara City, Minnesota. He and his wife, Mary, have 10 children. Pastor Abrahamson is a graduate of Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary and of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Department of Hebrew and Semitic Studies. He has served on the Faculty at Bethany Lutheran College teaching Religion, Linguistics, Archaeology, and Self-Defense.

Prof. Allen Quist was professor of religion, philosophy, psychology, and political science at Bethany. He served as a Minnesota State Representative for three terms and was the Republican-endorsed candidate for Governor in 1994. He has also been a life-long farmer. He is a frequent speaker and author of numerous articles and books, including The Reason I Believe: The Basics of Christian Apologetics. He and his wife, Julie, have 10 children and 47 grandchildren.

Dr. Ryan C. MacPherson is the chair of the History Department at Bethany Lutheran College and the author of several books, including Rediscovering the American Republic (2 vols.), The Culture of Life, and Debating Evolution before Darwinism. He lives with his wife Marie and their 6 homeschooled children in Mankato, Minnesota. He also serves as President of the Hausvater Project, which mentors Christian parents.

Pastor Steven Sparley is the Academic Dean and Assistant Pastor at Parkland Lutheran Church and School in Tacoma, Washington. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.A. in Classical Greek and went on to Graduate School in the interdisciplinary Department of Ancient Studies, where he was also an instructor of Sumerian language. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Bethany Lutheran Seminary in 1984. He has served as a parish pastor in Minnesota and Oregon, home missionary in Colorado, a foreign missionary in the Czech Republic, and as a visiting seminary professor in Ukraine and India. He and his wife
are blessed with 5 children.

Prof. John Eidsmoe, a retired Air Force Lt. Colonel, is Professor of Law at the Oak Brook College of Law and Government Policy. He is also an Adjunct Professor for the Handong International Law School and the Institute of Lutheran Theology. He has served as Senior Staff Attorney at the Alabama Supreme Court and is currently Legal Counsel for the Foundation for Moral Law. He is an ordained pastor with the AFLC and serves on the Board of Lutherans for Life. As a constitutional attorney he has defended home schools, Christian schools, and the rights of Christian students and public officials. He has authored 14 books and produced numerous video lecture series. He holds seven academic degrees in law, theology, history, and political science, as well as graduating from the Air Command & Staff College and the Air War College. He and his wife Marlene have 3 children and live in rural Alabama.