HomeMinistriesYoung AdultIssues in Focus
Issues in Focus Conference
May 4th, 2019

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 . . .
1 Peter 3:15-16

The Issues in Focus Conference a gathering designed specifically for young adults. All who attend will learn to think biblically about worldview issues that every Christian should be able to answer. The date for this year’s gather is Saturday, May 4th. The $10 registration fee includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and conference workbook.

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Audio

Sessions

The conference includes five sessions. The first session introduces Christian apologetics (defense of the faith). The next three sessions address common objections to Christianity. The day finishes with an opportunity for discussion.

1. Introduction: Everyone must defend a worldview

We begin by considering some of the theological foundations of the defense of the faith. The most fundamental is this: Christ’s claim of lordship is universal and absolute. Neutrality about his lordship, then, is a denial of his lordship. While we must defend Christianity, the unbeliever must also face his obligation to make sense of the worldview that he has chosen.

2. Objection One: Christians are judgmental

Most people assume that their religious or spiritual choices are matters of mere personal preference. To say otherwise is to invite the accusation of being judgmental. We will aim to expose the assumptions that make this accusation possible, and show that those assumptions are self-defeating.

3. Objection Two: The Bible is entirely unreliable

It is commonly assumed that the Bible is a chain of translation with so many links that the original meaning is certainly lost. What is the truth about the origins of the Bibles we hold today?

4. Objection Three: If God exists, he is a monster

God commands the Israelites to kill not only enemy solders, but women and children as well. The New Testament permits slaveholding. And our own experiences includes profound suffering. How is any of this possible if the God of the Bible exists?

5. Question and Answer Session

The final session of the day will provide opportunity for discussion of questions that might arise during the presentations.

Speaker

Our guest speaker is Michael Riley. He is the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church of Wakefield, Michigan. He holds degrees from Bob Jones University, Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary, and Westminster Theological Seminary. He and his wife Alicia have four children: Katharine (8), Kirke (6), Christopher (4), and Caroline (1).

 

 

Schedule

8:30–9:00      Check In and Continental Breakfast
9:00–9:50      Session One:
10:00–10:50  Session Two
11:00–12:00  Session Three
12:00–1:00     Lunch (Provided)
1:00–1:50       Session Four
2:00–3:00       Session Five

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