WANDERING TOWARD GOD: FINDING FAITH AMID DOUBTS AND BIG QUESTIONS

Dr. Travis Dickinson

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Many Christians assume that doubt is faith's opposite and that wandering among the hard questions of faith will lead us further and further away from God. True believers, the assumption goes, never waver in their confidence in the fundamental truths of the Christian faith. However, in this talk, I suggest that asking the big questions of the faith and struggling through our doubts is an important part of Christian discipleship. Doubt is not the destination, but it can be an important step in the journey toward God. I teach how to lean into our doubts to pursue and love God with all of our minds.

About Dr. Travis Dickinson

Most importantly, Travis is the husband to Shari and father of Kaelia, Delaney, Emery and Kade. Less importantly, he is professor of philosophy at Dallas Baptist University and is the author of Everyday Apologetics, Logic and the Way of Jesus: Thinking Critically and Christianly and Wandering Toward God: Finding Faith amid Doubts and Big Questions, and is a coauthor of Stand Firm: Apologetics and the Brilliance of the Gospel. For more info see www.travisdickinson.com.

Quick answers to tough questions

Bryan Osborne

Room 350-56

God’s Word has been under siege for multiple generations. As a result, the Christian worldview has collapsed as many today have embraced secular views on everything from origins to morality. When our culture asks questions dealing with sexuality, racism, abortion etc., it must be remembered they’re not innocent, unintentional questions. They stem from a rejection of biblical authority. This session provides biblical answers for some of today’s toughest social issues including abortion, equality, racism, social justice, marriage, sexuality, the LGBTQ+ movement, and climate change.

About Bryan Osborne

Bryan Osborne graduated from Bryan College with a bachelor of arts in biblical studies and minors in Greek and Christian education. He earned his master’s degree in education from Lee University. For 13 years Bryan boldly taught Bible history in a public school system in Tennessee, and for 20 years he has helped youth and young adults in the local church to know and defend their faith. Bryan is now a speaker and author for Answers in Genesis and resides in Northern Kentucky.

Understanding Transgenderism

Amy Davison

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There is no bigger cultural battlefield than that of sex and gender. How Christians view the body isn’t just a matter of politics, it’s a direct expression of one’s entire worldview. We cannot, however, allow the ideology to mask the need for truth and grace when address those at the center of this debate. In this session attendees will understand God’s design for our bodies, the range of biblical man and womanhood, the false worldview claims of the transgender ideology, and how we don’t have to compromise truth to love like Christ.

About Amy Davison

Amy is a wife, boy mom, and an Air Force veteran turned apologist. She received her MA in Apologetics from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and now speaks and writes for Mama Bear Apologetics. She specializes in biblical sexuality and cultural challenges to the faith and has a passion for equipping Christians to stand firm against the cultural tide. 

The 4 Views - a Key to sharing christ with other faiths

James Walker

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It does not have to be hard to start spiritual conversations with people of other faiths and religions. Once you learn the "4 Views” you are ready to start. This message introduces the basic tenants of the four major worldviews (Monotheism, Atheism, Polytheism, and Pantheism) as the simple key to deciphering all American spirituality today. This "missing key" the critical first step for building an evangelistic relationship with those of other faiths. This message includes a broad survey of various religious alternatives in America today — from Islam’s brand of monotheism and the “New Atheism” to the Polytheism of Mormonism, and the Pantheism of New Age Spirituality and Wicca. 

About James Walker

James Walker, the president of Watchman Fellowship, is a former fourth generation Mormon with over twenty-five years of ministry experience in the field of Christian evangelism, apologetics, interfaith evangelism, and discernment. He has been interviewed as an expert on new religious movements and cults on a variety of network television programs including Nightline, ABC World News Tonight, and PBS NewsHour. He has spoken at hundreds of churches, colleges, universities, and seminaries throughout the United States and internationally.

The Historical case for the resurrection of jesus

Steve Lee

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This session explores the evidence for the core claim of Christianity - that Jesus rose from the dead. The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:17 that "if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless." What is the historical evidence pertaining to these claims? How do we know the tomb was found empty? How strong of a case can be made that Jesus of Nazareth really appeared to many after his very public crucifixion? And even if they thought he appeared to them, how can you evaluate the best explanation for that? Steve Lee, an author & teacher at the high school/college level, will present the evidence and make the case for the resurrection of Jesus.

About Steve Lee

Steve Lee has taught Apologetics for over two and a half decades at Prestonwood Christian Academy.  He also has taught World Religions and Philosophy at Mountain View College in Dallas and Collin College in Plano.  With a degree in history and education from the University of North Texas, Steve continued his formal studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a M.A. in philosophy of religion and has pursued doctoral studies at the University of Texas at Dallas and is finishing his dissertation at South African Theological Seminary.  He has published several articles for the Apologetics Study Bible for Students as well as articles and book reviews in various periodicals including Philosophia Christi, Hope’s Reason: A Journal of Apologetics, and the Areopagus Journal. He is married to his lovely wife, Angela, and has two grown boys, Ethan and Josh.

“WHATEVER!”

Bill Jack

For grades 7-12 only

“Whatever is the meaning of life?” “Whatever happens when one dies?” “Whatever is your highest value?” These are questions that demand more than a “Whatever!” answer.  The “Whatever!” answer of Secular thinking dampens and even squelches serious thought and attempts at engaged conversation in our culture. The “Whatever!” of Secularism even invades the church. Rather than be discouraged, take heart in God’s command in Deuteronomy 12:32.

Which bias is the best bias to be biased by?

Bill Jack

Come meet the most dangerous professor students will sit under in college. Everyone has a preference, a bias, when it comes to matters of style, cuisine, or automobiles. However, when it comes to the big issues of life, such as, “Where did life originate?” our mental leaning, our bias, is often shaped by the current cultural thinking or a favorite professor. You wouldn’t trust just anyone to recommend a stock, car, or even a pizza joint, so why accept the biased opinion of a teacher, politician, or self-proclaimed expert when it comes to the big questions? Come discover the bias that infects much of academia when it comes to the question of origins, and, most importantly, which bias is the best bias to be biased by?

About Bill Jack

Bill Jack has loved living in Castle Rock, Colorado, for nearly 25 years. He is an educator, biblical worldview trainer, dad, and grandfather. He has spent his life raising his family, defending the faith, and promoting a Christian worldview.

With 10 years of experience in public schools and 14 years with The Caleb Campaign, a biblically based youth ministry, Bill has a passion for training people in a biblical view of government, law, and liberty. Bill is a cofounder of Worldview Academy, a Christian leadership training program for students, and serves on the board of TeenPact, a biblical leadership training program in government and the political process for students.

the problem with evil

Ron Woodruff

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Why is the concept of having a good God allowing evil seem so challenging? What is "evil" and who determines the definition of evil?   How should we respond to scenarios that attempt to discount a God that allows evil? And if God is “good”, why is there evil?

About Ron Woodruff

Ron is currently the director of Reasonable Faith Collin County and director of the Stand To Reason "Outpost" at Cottonwood Creek Church in Allen, Texas.  Retired after a management career in the medical devise industry, he is a passionate advocate for 'street apologetics' - that is, the importance of having the knowledge, wisdom and character to be ambassadors for Christ.  This type of practical apologetics makes us more confident disciples because it helps us understand the forces driving today's 'post-Christian' culture and teaches us how to engage with others when our faith is questioned or challenged.  Ron and Diane live in McKinney, Texas.  They have two grown daughters and two teenage granddaughters.

Information “oceanload”

Matthew Tingblad

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We live in a world with an ocean of information. And although an ocean can be a marvelous thing to make use of, it appears that our generation is lost at sea. We don’t know how to navigate these waters. This is mentally exhausting and has corroded our trust Christianity and truth in general. After all, how can we believe anything when there is so much out there? This is the question that Matthew seeks to address by providing sensible methods for interpreting information and encouragement that God’s truth is able to lead us to shore.

About Matthew Tingblad

Matthew is a Christian writer and speaker with a passion for the church to be united, strengthened, and unleased to spread the good news of Jesus to every corner of the world. With a focus on apologetics and spiritual growth, Matthew offers a fresh voice to a world full of tough questions and deep needs. He has spoken numerous times around the U.S. on a variety of topics from the high-school to the young adult level. He also runs a YouTube channel discussing apologetic questions and is a regular contributor to the josh.org blog posts.