- What is truth?
- Can we know it?
- Does God exist?
- What is the historical evidence for Christianity?
- How should we interpret the Bible?
- What does the Bible teach?
My studies (in white) and recommended links (in yellow) can be accessed by scrolling down the home page or selecting the desired page from the menu
Knowledge from General Revelation (Nature)
Understand the evidence for truth, knowledge, God, Jesus, and the Scriptures
Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview
My class handouts and presentation from my 2023 Apologetics series at First Redeemer Church (with emphasis on the philosophical foundations for Theism)
Complete Apologetics 2022 Class Downloads
My class notes from my Christian Apologetics series at First Redeemer Church
If I could recommend only one resource written at the popular level to help Christians defend knowledge, objective truth, God, the possibility of miracles, the New Testament documents, Jesus, and the Bible, it would be Geisler and Turek's book I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist, along with Geisler and Jimenez' official study guide.
A 15-step outline for defending Biblical Christianity from the ground up, which can also serve as an apologetics course outline
My Evidence for Faith class color slides on apologetics and bibliology. Many slides are from the I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist Power Point Package.
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Evidence for Faith (EFF) class at North Lanier Church in 2017
MP3 podcasts and handouts from a nine-session bootcamp I taught on Apologetics and Bibliology. Note: This class was taught to a Christian audience. I would not use so many Bible references in the early segments if it was aimed at a nonChristian audience.
To download mp3 files, after you click link below, right click on the sound bar and click "save audio as" to save file to your device.
EFF 3. Arguments for God's Existence
Mp3 audio recording not available at this time. See handouts of EFF 3 class below
EFF 5. Miracles and the Authenticity of the New Testament Documents
Mp3 audio recording (class notes in section below)
EFF 6. The Truthfulness of the New Testament Documents
Mp3 audio recording (class notes in section below)
EFF 7. Jesus of Nazareth and His View of Scripture
Mp3 audio recording (class notes in section below)
Class notes below (many slides are from the I Don't Have Enough Faith Power Point package)
EFF 3. Arguments for God's Existence
EFF 5. The Authenticity of the New Testament Documents
EFF 6. The Truthfulness of the New Testament Documents
EFF 7. Jesus of Nazareth (and His View of Scripture)
EFF 8. The Bible as the Word of God
EFF 9. How to Interpret the Bible
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In reverse order, defending Biblical Christianity from the top down by asking "why" until the epistemological bedrock foundation is reached.
A concise six-step argument defending Biblical Christianity from the ground up
Today, Christians are often viewed as having only preferences and opinions. But Christianity is about truth and the knowledge of God
A graph of how Christians can have a philosophically, theologically, and spiritually robust body of knowledge
A short explanation of philosophical arguments (the means of rational persuasion) and an exercise with answer code
Six Arguments for God's Existence
A one-page summary of six arguments for the existence of a transcendent God (God made all) which refutes atheism (No God at all) and pantheism (God is all)
The Teleological Argument for God's Existence
The intricate fine-tuning of physics for life is best explained by design, versus chance or necessity
Can Darwinism Explain New Life Forms?
Short edited excerpt from Dr. Stephen Meyer's book, Darwin's Doubt. Charles Darwin had concerns about his own theory being capable of explaining new life forms. The latest scientific discoveries have justified his concerns.
Answering Objections to the Moral Argument for God's Existence
Objective moral values and duties exist and demand a moral Law-giver. All objections to this truth fail.
Divine foreknowledge and human libertarian freedom are logically compatible. The fallacy of conflating certainty with necessity leads to open theism or theological fatalism/determinism.
Philosophical Considerations on Origins
Some basic guidleines regarding the intersection of Biblical and scientific interpretations
I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist
In this book, Norman Geisler and Frank Turek give a step by step argument for Christianity. You also can order a workbook and curriculum. A must-read for Christians living in an anti-Christian world
Answering the Tough Questions about Life and God
This thoughtful audio (mp3) series by Ken Boa is presented in 19 lectures on various "tough questions" about life and God
In this book, Jonathan Morrow, director of Impact 360 Institute, writes what Dr. J.P. Moreland says is "The single best volume I have ever read for preparing students to follow Jesus and flourish as His disciples in college."
The website of William Lane Craig who politely demolishes the atheist's best arguments with logical precision and thoroughness
Quick credible answers to tough questions, answered by today's best defenders of the faith
Frank Turek, lecturer at college campuses and churches, is always informative and entertaining
Greg Koukl's clear thinking and conversational tactics are a powerful combination for helping people overcome objections to Christianity
Ex-atheist and homicide detective J. Warner Wallace uses the principles of cold-case investigations to show the evidential credibility of the Christian faith
Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture advances the understanding that human beings and nature are the result of intelligent design rather than a blind and undirected process
Virtual Office of Richard G. Howe
Richard G. Howe is Professor Emeritus of philosophy and apologetics at Southern Evangelical Seminary. He is a popular speaker and author who lives in Cumming, GA
Pluralism, Relativism, and Tolerance
Dick Keys' great article on L'Abri Fellowship website. An audio of this message can be found on bethinking.org
The Absolute Truth About Relativism
In this book, Dr. Jefrey Breshears calls postmodern relativism the fundamental heresy of our time and then proceeds to logically dismantle it
Dr. Stephen Meyer, author of Signature in the Cell and Darwin's Doubt, rebuts Darwinism with recent scientific evidence
A video about biology and information sciences that powerfully demonstrates the inadequacy of Neo-Darwinism as a plausible explanation for life
A Christian Study Center led by historian Dr. Jefrey Breshears who holds classes in the North Metro-Atlanta area
Dr. Jefrey Breshears critiques the worst books written in modern history. This series helps to explain why we find ourselves in post-Christian America. Be sure to click older entries to get all the mp3 podcasts.
Introduction to Philosophy: A Christian Perspective
Book by Norman Geisler and Paul Feinberg. What is knowledge? What is reality? What is the ultimate? What is good or right?
Also, see favorite links under my email address (or menu item The Case for Aplologetics)
Knowledge from Special Revelation (Scripture)
Know what God has revealed about Himself and mankind through Jesus and His Word
The Three Pillars of Correct Bible Interpretation
A graph of how a Christian can objectively interpret the Bible by seeking the willed meaning of the authors from the text
Why Christians Disagree on Spiritual Matters
While there is great agreement among evangelical Christians on the essentials, apart from a lack of training in Biblical hermeneutics and exegesis, other factors can be at work to cause disagreements
The study of salvation with an emphasis on God's equity and impartiality in judgment
A two-page study summarizing the miraculous bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ
A detailed study on how God saves sinners from His just condemnation. It addresses salvation with respect to God, Christ, the sinner, election, grace, works, free will, faith, repentance, regeneration, baptism, and the essential content of the gospel.
A detailed comparison of a Calvinstic cause-effect model and an Arminian influence-response model, with more categories than the typical TULIP
Harmonizing God's Sovereignty and Man's Free Will
A presentation of proper methodology and a survey of six models.
Two Extreme Views of Salvation: Lordship versus Free Grace
A short comparison of Lordship versus Free Grace salvation with a middle position that avoids these two extreme views.
A detailed study of faith's relationship to election, God's gifting, grace, evidence, reason, choice, belief, trust, sight, regeneration, confession and baptism.
A detailed study of Holy Spirit baptism as occurring simultaneous to faith in Jesus Christ for all believers in this age and as distinct from water baptism
The Righteousness of the Believer
A one-page study of the righteousness of the Christian as described in Scripture
Three judgments of the Christian (keeping the table columns straight is vital)
A positive case for the logical order of salvation with scriptural implications for the meaning of "dead in sins". Also a critique of Wayne Grudem's article on regeneration and a Facebook debate with Calvinists.
A detailed study of baptism, including a critique of infant baptism and "occasion of salvation" water baptism
A graphic comparison of Presbyterian paedobaptism with Baptist credobaptism
A presentation on some of the key issues surrounding the preservation of scripture
A short paper on some of the key issues surrounding the preservation of scripture
Four Views on the Preservation of Scripture
Have the scriptures been preserved over the generations? If so, how? Four views are compared.
A detailed look at a sample of Bible differences with an overview of their underlying textual and translation theories
The Continuation and End of the Mosaic Law
My attempt to apply a consistent hermeneutical approach to harmonize the verses regarding how the Mosaic Law applies to New Covenant believers
Justification by Works--Thoughts on James 2:14-26
A presentation on James' justification with works, harmonized with Paul's justification without works
Three Basic Views on the Millenium
A graphic illustration of the three basic views on the thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ (Rev 20)
The Christian Eschatology Landscape
Some guidelines, definitions, and interpretational differences that have shaped Christian eschatology (study of last things)
A short critique of Preterism (Christ's coming is past) in comparison with progressive fulfillment
Two Major Views of Eschatological Fulfillment
A comparison of Dispensational Premillenialism with Covenant Amillennialism with an emphasis on the hermeneutical differences
This book by Ex-Calvinist Ronnie Rogers exposes the errors of Calvinism with sound reason and scriptural exegesis. The Calvinist concept of God is shown to be radically different from the concept of God presented in scripture.
The Order of Faith
and Election in John’s Gospel:
You Do Not Believe Because You Are Not My Sheep
This article by Robert Hamilton offers an historically-grounded contextual exegesis of the election passages in John with greater explanatory power than the ideologically-driven Augustinian/Calvinist interpretation.
Six Bad Habits of New Testament Scholars
YouTube video of Dr. Lydia McGrew explaining the fallacious thinking of many contemporary New Testament scholars who prioritize genre over harmonization--even some "conservative scholars" wrongly contending that fictionalization and fabrication are consistent with historical reliability and/or inerrancy
Big Book of Bible Difficulties
Drs Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe explain supposed Bible contradictions
Introduction to Biblical Interpretation
Book by William Klein, Craig Blomberg, and Robert Hubbard
Knowledge Practically Applied in Daily Living
Apply the truth we know in practical ways to honor God, help others, and be blessed
Life & Ministry of Jesus 2023 Class at FRC
Class presentations from a nine-week study on Jesus' strategy for making disciples.
Being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ is about the formation of character qualities referred to as the fruit of the Spirit
Christian Relationship Checklist
Life is about relationships. God gives us instructions about how to flourish in our many relationships
Are Christians Commanded to Tithe?
No. There is not one verse in the Bible where Christians are commanded to tithe (i.e. give 10%). All proof texts to prove otherwise are misinterpreted.
A two-page study on spiritual gifts. Every Christian has the capacity to glorify God and edify the church. What does the Bible say about these spiritual gifts?
A graph illustrating the scriptural process for the discipline and restoration of a sinning, unrepentant believer
Verses showing God's disapproval of sex outside of His institution of marriage (which is a male-female covenant)
Verses showing God's disapproval of unfaithfulness in association with His institution of marriage
Electronics manufacturers purposely stress their products to identify and correct faults to improve the product. Similarly, the demands of marriage will identify character faults. Correcting these faults is the key to an ever-improving marriage.
My Commitment to Marital Faithfulness
A call to marital faithfulness with a sober assessment of the destructive consequences of adultery
Conflicts in relationships will arise. God's way of resolving conflicts and making peace is always right.
A graph depicting a way to understand God's forgiveness of sinners and our forgiveness of one another
Is it a sin to drink alcohol? watch morally questionable movies? eat pork in front of my Jewish brother who thinks it is wrong? Ad infinitum. It depends.
Daily devotional and other helpful resources
Phil Fernandes sermons and lectures
Dr. Phil Fernandes is a Pastor, Author, and Apologist with hundreds of hours of lectures and sermons available to the public
Tactics for Discussing Christianity
by Greg Koukl, who based on his extensive experience defending Christianity, shows how to initate conversations and clearly, cleverly, and persuasively present the truth
by Norman and David Geisler. The world has changed. A new approach is needed to help people be more willing to hear the gospel.
Article and mp3 on the intersection of Biblical evangelism and Biblical apologetics, and its applicability to all Christians
A series of interviews with gifted and passionate communicators of the gospel. Download the interviews
Pascal's Method for Presenting Christianity
"Men despise religion. They hate it and are afraid it may be true. The cure for this is first to show that religion is not contrary to reason, but worthy of reverence and respect. Next make it attractive, make good men wish it were true, and then show that it is."
Agape Leadership: Lessons in Spiritual Leadership from the Life of RC Chapman
by Robert L. Peterson and Alexander Strauch
Correct, Not Politically Correct; How Same-Sex Marriage Hurts Everyone
video and book by Frank Turek
Making Gay Okay: How Rationalizing Homosexual Behavior Is Changing Everything
book by Robert R. Reilly
Travis Echols' Studies and Recommended Resources
All my studies are works in progress and I welcome your comments.
Evidence for Faith
Sunday Morning Class
The Faith & Reason Forum
2nd Thursday of each month in Cumming , GA
Below are some of my favorite links defending traditional apologetics
In this video, JP Moreland explains the history of Christian anti-intellectualism and the need for Christian apologetics
I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist
In this book, Norman Geisler and Frank Turek give a step by step argument for Christianity. You also can order a workbook and curriculum.
Norman Geisler shows why every Christian needs to be able to defend the Christian faith, not the least of which is because God commanded it in Scripture
Why Young Adults Are Really Leaving the Church
Klinton Silvey, founder of Life-in-Progress Ministries, hits the nail on the head and exposes a serious blind-spot in many churches and Christian schools
The Problem of Christian Anti- Intellectualism
In this book, Dr. Jefrey Breshears shows the disastrous effects of Christian anti-Intellectualism, which is a departure from historic Christianity
This article highlights the self-refuting and unscriptural nature of fedeism (the idea that faith is a blind leap into the irrational realm--that faith and reason cannot work together)
Some Brief Critical Thoughts on Presuppositionalism
In this paper, Dr. Richard Howe critiques Presuppositionalism, showing how their arguments against Classical Apologetics fail
Gordon Clark Presuppositionalism
Dr. Phil Fernandes critiques Gordon Clark's Presuppositionalism
Cornelius Van Til Presuppositionalism
Dr. Phil Fernandes critiques Cornelius Van Til's Presuppositionalism
“Christians need to see beyond their immediate evangelistic contact to grasp a wider picture of Western thought and culture....A person raised in a cultural mileau in which Christianity is still seen as an intellectually viable option will display an openness to the gospel which a person who is secularized will not. For the secular person you may as well tell him to believe in fairies or leprechauns as in Jesus Christ!" William Lane Craig
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