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Aug 16Aug 19 -
CUC Campus
Have you faced challenges to your faith, and you didn’t have good answers to share? Have you had questions about your faith that made you uncomfortable? Do you wonder if there are good answers out there? Come to CUC’s Apologetics Boot Camp and find faithful answers to your questions!
APOLOGETICS DEFINED
It is an in-depth exploration of various means of defense of the Christian truth against the many and various challenges posed to the Christian faith in recent years. Find strength and confidence as you learn to defend your faith, fortify yourself against personal doubt and respond to objections to Christianity.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT APOLOGETICS?
“In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” —1 Peter 3:15-16 (English Standard Version)
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION:
WHO: Apologetics Boot Camp is for all those who have faced questions—or have their own questions—about their faith, about the reliability of the Bible, about the truth of Jesus’ resurrection, and about interplay among faith, society and science. Returning and Incoming CUC students are encouraged to attend, and adult lay members of congregations are also welcome!
WHAT: A four-day Apologetics Boot Camp, listening to world-class speakers, asking great questions and getting expert answers in panel discussions, and having time to talk, listen, learn and explore faith with old and new friends.
WHERE: On the campus of Concordia University Chicago! Unfortunately, due to students moving into their dorms for the school year, we are not able to offer on-campus housing for non-CUC students. (CUC Residential students will be able to move directly into their dorms a few days in advance—students will coordinate this with Residence Life.)
WHY: Challenges to the Christian faith are increasing. Christians are mocked as being out of touch, out of step and out of style with our current culture. Many Christians leave the faith because they don’t think there are answers to these questions and challenges. You may have faced these challenges. You may have questions. Come explore the answers!
WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 16 through Wednesday, Aug. 19. (For CUC students this is just after Spiritual Life Leadership Training and just before Welcome Week.)
COST FOR CURRENT AND INCOMING CUC STUDENTS: Registration is FREE for the first 50 CUC students to register. (The registration fee will be $50 after the first 50 CUC students sign up.) Registration includes all speaker sessions, panel discussions, activities and camp programs. This also covers all meals, a camp T-shirt and other camp materials.
COST FOR NON-CUC STUDENTS: Lay members have the option to register for the whole event, or for one day, or for a single presentation.
Full Registration: $75, which includes all sessions and meals, but does not include lodging or a T-shirt
One Day Registration: $50, which includes all session and meals for one day, but does not include lodging or a T-shirt
Single Session Registration: $25, which includes only one session, does not include meals, lodging, or a T-shirt
TOPICS AND SPEAKERS:
- Varieties and Uses of Apologetics—Dr. Nathan Greeley
- The Roles of Women in the Church—Deac. Frances Szeto
- The Goodness of the Church in Society—Dr. Rachel Ferguson
- The Family, Society, and a Shining Future—Dr. Allan Carlson
- Arguments for the Existence of God—Prof. Andrew Ashenden
- Reliability of Scripture—Rev. Dr. Kirk Clayton
- Creation and Evolution—Dr. Aaron Viets
- The Relationship between the Church and Politics—Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz
- An Apologetic Comparison between Christianity and Islam—Dr. Adam Francisco
Aplogetics Boot Camp Agenda/Schedule
Sunday, August 16
Varieties and Uses of Apologetics—Dr. Nathan Greeley
Panel Discussion: President Russell Dawn, Dr. Nathan Greeley, Professor Andrew Ashenden
Monday, August 17
The Roles of Women in the Church—Deac. Frances Szeto
The Goodness of the Church in Society—Dr. Rachel Ferguson
The Family, Society, and a Shining Future—Dr. Allan Carlson
Panel Discussion: Deac. Frances Szeto, Dr. Rachel Ferguson, Dr. Allan Carlson
Tuesday, August 18
Arguments for the Existence of God—Prof. Andrew Ashenden
Reliability of Scripture—Rev. Dr. Kirk Clayton
Creation and Evolution—Dr. Aaron Viets
Panel Discussion: Prof. Andrew Ashenden, Rev. Dr. Kirk Clayton, Dr. Aaron Viets
Wednesday, August 19
The Relationship between the Church and Politics—Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz
An Apologetic Comparison between Christianity and Islam—Dr. Adam Francisco
Panel Discussion: Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz, Dr. Adam Francisco, and Rev. Dr. Kirk Clayton
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES:
Andy Ashenden
Andy Ashenden teaches Philosophy at Concordia University Chicago. His areas of specialization include ancient and medieval philosophy, metaphysics, free will, and Christian apologetics. He holds an M.A. in Christian Apologetics and is completing a Ph.D. in Philosophy. His research focuses on the metaphysical and moral psychology of liberum arbitrium (free will) in the Reformation, with special attention to the philosophical and theological foundations of Martin Luther’s thought. As a confessional Lutheran, Andy aims to show the unique contributions Lutheran theology can make to philosophy and apologetics.
Dr. Allan C. Carlson
Born 1949 in Des Moines, Iowa, Allan C. Carlson holds his B.A. degree from Augustana College (Illinois) and his Ph.D. in Modern European History from Ohio University. He has taught at Gettysburg College, the Catholic University of America, and Hillsdale College. He is the author of seventeen books, including The ‘American Way’: Family and Community in the Shaping of the American Identity. For over two decades, he also served as Special Editor of Marriage and Family Studies for Transaction Publishers. His essays have appeared in the “Outlook” section of The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Modern Age, The Journal of Social Issues, The Chesterton Review, The San Diego Law Review, The Los Angeles Times, The Social Justice Review, and sixty anthologies. Carlson has lectured at universities and academic centers in twenty countries and has been a media guest on CNN, PBS, ABC, CBS, MSNBC, BBC, CBC, and many others. Via appointment by President Ronald Reagan, he served on the National Commission on Children from 1988 to 1993. He resides on a farm in northern Illinois.
Rev. Dr. Kirk Clayton
The Rev. Dr. Kirk Clayton, Assistant Professor of Theology at Concordia University Chicago, specializes in the art of Christian Apologetics, defending the Christian faith from challenges and giving answers to questions posed to the faith. He has studied the thought of the "New Atheists" such as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, and thought through ways to respond and defend the faith in light of these attacks. He is also a passionate defender of the truth of Scripture and the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Prior to serving at Concordia University Chicago, Dr. Clayton served for 24 years as a pastor at two congregations in Illinois. Dr. Clayton and his wife. Lori, have been married for 30 years and have been blessed with six children, ranging in age from 24 to 11. His greatest joy is spending time with them as often as possible.
Dr. Russell Dawn
Dr. Russell P. Dawn is the 12th president of Concordia University Chicago. He holds three degrees from the University of Oxford, including a doctorate in historical theology. He also holds a law degree and an MBA from the University of Colorado and a bachelor’s in finance from Arizona State University. An award-winning historian of Lutheran higher education, he has taught in history, political thought, theology, and religious studies. Prior to his academic career, he practiced corporate law in Denver, Colorado. He is devoted to his wife and two daughters, dotes on his two dogs, and delights in swimming and traveling.
Dr. Rachel Ferguson
Rachel Ferguson is the Director of the Free Enterprise Center at Concordia University Chicago, Assistant Dean of the College of Business, and Professor of Business Ethics. She is an affiliate scholar of the Acton Institute and co-author of Black Liberation Through the Marketplace: Hope, Heartbreak, and the Promise of America. Her commentary has been featured at National Review, The Dispatch, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Religion & Liberty, Discourse Magazine, Law and Liberty, Profectus, The Truth Podcast with Vivek Ramaswamy, and elsewhere. She serves on the executive board of LOVETheLOU, a neighborhood stabilization ministry in North St. Louis, as well as for the Freedom Center of Missouri, which provides pro bono legal services related to individual economic freedom and government transparency. She serves on the advisory board for ReThink315, an apologetics ministry that helps to prepare students for college. She is a founder and board member for Gateway2Flourishing, a group of Christian business-people who funnel charitable efforts toward support for business in destabilized communities. Ferguson received her PhD in Philosophy from Saint Louis University in 2009. She is the mother of two fantastic young men, Asher and Solomon Douchant, and the wife of St. Louis radio morning news talk show host, Mike Ferguson.
Dr. Adam Francisco
Adam is Director of Academics and Scholar in Residence at 1517. He earned his DPhil from the University of Oxford in 2006 and served as Professor of History, Dean, and Assistant Provost in the Concordia University System for nearly two decades.
Dr. Nathan Greeley
Nathan Greeley earned a BA in history from Worcester State University before completing MA and PhD degrees in philosophy of religion and theology at Claremont Graduate University. Greeley is a teacher at Acacia Academy, a classical Christian school in Kokomo, Indiana. He also teaches for American Lutheran Theological Seminary (AALC) and Indiana Wesleyan University and serves as the Fellow of Apologetics and Philosophical Theology at the Weidner Institute. Greeley’s academic interests include apologetics, philosophy of religion, historical theology, and the relationship of philosophy and theology. He is the author of two books: Christian Apologetics: A Lutheran Introduction and Philosophy and Theology: A Lutheran Perspective. His family lives in Marion, Indiana, where he is an elder at St. James Lutheran Church (LCMS).
Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz
The Rev. Dr. Greg Seltz currently serves as the Director of the Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty in Washington, D.C., with a goal of shaping a uniquely Lutheran response to increasing intrusions, limitations and challenges by the government in the life of the church, while educating, encouraging and equipping LCMS members and organizations to take informed action in support of marriage, life and religious freedom. In addition to his service at the Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty, Seltz also is the host of a radio program called “The Drive Home” heard in the Washington D.C. market every weekday afternoon from 4-6 P.M. Eastern time. Previously, Seltz served as Speaker of The Lutheran Hour® radio program, Professor of Theology and Director of the Cross-Cultural Ministry Center at Concordia University Irvine, and Executive Director of Life’s Journey Ministries. Seltz holds a B.A. in New Testament–Biblical Languages from Concordia University Ann Arbor, an M.Div, an STM, and a Ph.D. in Theology and Culture from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Seltz is a sought-after speaker on topics such as “Church and State,” “The Public Practice of Believers as Faithful Citizens,” and “Two-Kingdoms – One Mission.” He and his wife, Marie Yvette, have one daughter, Devin.
Jeremy Smith
Jeremy Smith is the Founder and Executive Director of ReThink315, an apologetics ministry based in Saint Louis, MO, focused on helping teens and young adults explore, affirm, and communicate the Christian faith. After his own life-changing experience with Jesus at 17, Jeremy has been committed to encouraging both Christians and non-Christians to thoughtfully explore what they believe, why they believe it, and why it matters. In addition to leading ReThink315, Jeremy speaks regularly at churches, schools, and conferences and hosts A Word Back, a podcast exploring faith and culture with expert guests. Jeremy studied at Biola University in La Mirada, CA, and Covenant Theological Seminary in Saint Louis, MO. With over 25 years of experience in sales, consulting, and ministry, Jeremy brings a well-rounded perspective to his leadership role, speaking engagements, and consulting practice.
Deaconess Frances Szeto
Deaconess Frances Szeto serves as Deaconess Instructor, Program Leader, and University Deaconess at Concordia University Chicago. She brings to this position nearly two decades of experience in theological education, congregational ministry, and spiritual care, alongside a lifelong immersion in the life of the Church. Deac. Szeto is a graduate of Concordia University Chicago, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theology with a minor in Psychology, also completing her deaconess certification. Her theological formation includes graduate-level coursework at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis; three units of Clinical Pastoral Education; and an M.A. in Theology from Concordia University Irvine. Her training has consistently paired rigorous theological study with direct engagement in ministry contexts. Since receiving her call as a deaconess in 2017, Deac. Szeto has served in Wisconsin, where her work has included teaching religion in a K-8 school, first-year confirmation, leading women's Bible studies and youth ministry, and providing spiritual care for the homebound, hospitalized, and those in crisis. She has also served as a deaconess chaplain in a retirement community and as a high school religion teacher.
Dr. Aaron Viets
Aaron Viets is an Associate Professor of Physics at Concordia University Wisconsin. In addition to teaching the physics courses at CUW, Aaron maintains and develops data calibration methods for the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO). His work is essential to LIGO's Nobel-Prize winning detections of gravitational waves emitted by the mergers of black holes and neutron stars. He is a coauthor of numerous publications about calibration methods and detector modeling. He lives in Fredonia, WI, with his wife and two children.
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