Apologetics and Worldview Seminar (2019)

June 27, 2019 at 2 p.m.

Sponsored jointly by the ELS Committee on Apologetics and the Bethany Lutheran College History Department.

Schedule

• 2:00–2:10 p.m. Welcome
• 2:10–3:10 p.m. “When Your Neighbor Doesn’t Believe in Truth—Combining Apologetics and Evangelism” (Pastor David Thompson)
• 3:25–4:25 p.m. “Is the Old Testament Reliable? The Evidence Within the Text” (Dr. Ryan MacPherson)
• 4:40–5:40 p.m. “Is the Old Testament Reliable? The Evidence Beyond Text” (Prof. Allen Quist)
• 5:45—6:45 p.m. Supper
• 7:00–8:10 p.m. Keynote: “How to Make the Case for the Truth of the New Testament” (Dr. Michael Berg)
• 8:15–9:00 p.m. Q and A: “How Can We Use Biblical Apologetics for Evangelism?”

Presentation Handouts

Download PDF of handouts

Video & Photos

Recordings and photos can be found below.

About the Speakers

Rev. David Thompson received his M. Div. from Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary, Minnesota. He has been pastor of several congregations of the ELS, Professor/Dean of Students at Bethany Lutheran College, Executive Director of EdWatch (researching worldviews in schools), Director of the Biblical Worldview Conferences, and Chaplain/ Director at Bethany’s Retreat and Conference Center. He is author of the book, What in the World Is Going On? Identifying Hollow and Deceptive Worldviews (NPH). Pastor Thompson currently serves Faith Lutheran Church in San Antonio, Texas. He and his wife, Jenna, have six children and eight 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 six homeschooled children in Mankato, Minnesota. He also serves as President of the Hausvater Project, which mentors Christian parents.

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.

Rev. Dr. Michael Berg is an assistant professor of theology at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, Wis. He is married to Amanda, a kindergarten teacher at St. Philip’s Lutheran School in Milwaukee. Together they have three daughters. Before moving to Milwaukee in 2017, the Bergs spent twelve years in Wood Lake, Minn., where Michael served as pastor or St. John’s Lutheran. Dr. Berg is a graduate of Martin Luther College and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. He is also a graduate and a fellow of the International Academy of Apologetics, Human Rights, and Evangelism in Strasbourg, France. In 2018 he earned a Doctor of Ministry from the Talbot School of Theology at Biola University completing a doctrinal project entitled “Masks of God: Vocation as the Proper Setting for Human Flourishing.”