GREENEVILLE – Two leaders in the branch of theology that defends the truthfulness of Christianity will share their insights during a daylong conference hosted by Tusculum University and co-sponsored with a national organization that specializes in this subject.
Dr. Chris Shumate
“Apologetics for the 21st century” will be held Saturday, Nov. 2, in Chalmers Conference Center, which is located in the Scott M. Niswonger Commons. Activities begin at 8 a.m., and speakers start presenting at 9 a.m. The event will feature Michael Sherrard and Dr. Tom Woodward, president and senior lecturer, respectively of Apologetics Inc. This Florida-based organization’s mission is to show why Christianity is true and satisfying and equip Christians to share this news with creativity and clarity.
Dr. Chris Shumate, assistant vice president of student affairs and campus minister at Tusculum, is overseeing the conference. An ordained minister, he has a strong personal and pastoral interest in apologetics and is certain attendees will benefit from attending this event.
“I’m excited for the attendees because I believe it will strengthen their faith and bolster their confidence in Christianity,” Dr. Shumate said. “I’m also happy for our community because we don’t typically hold events like this in our area. This conference will provide a great opportunity for people to learn from leading apologists and experience something inspiring in our community. The event will be a blessing for many of our local churches whose congregants will be interested in the topics our speakers will cover.”
During the conference, participants will hear several presentations from Sherrard and Dr. Woodward. Among the topics are “Creation’s Signature: Shocks from the World of Science,” “True for Me but Not for You: A False Gospel that Steals, Kills and Destroys” and “The Bible and History: How Well Do They Fit?”
There will also be a panel discussion, a presentation via the Zoom platform with a special guest. During breaks, people have an opportunity to discover more about Tusculum’s Office of Campus Ministries and learn more about a youth ministry Apologetics Inc. sponsors.
Dr. Tom Woodward
People can also purchase books written by Sherrard and Dr. Woodward. Dr. Woodward authored “Doubts about Darwin: A History of Intelligent Design” and “Darwin Strikes Back: Defending the Science of Intelligent Design.” Sherrard has written “Relational Apologetics: Defending the Christian Faith with Holiness, Respect and Truth” and “Why You Matter: How Your Quest for Meaning Is Meaningless without God.”
“We are living in a time marked by doubt, declining church attendance and the growth of the ‘nones’—young people who, when asked about their religious affiliation, choose ‘none of the above,’” Dr. Woodward said. “Making disciples has never been more challenging.
“Yet, there is great hope. We are witnessing a surge of compelling evidence for God through science and history, coupled with a rise in incredible digital tools to share the Gospel. A renewed passion for Christ is igniting among young people globally. Why? One key reason: they are encountering a stronger, more convincing case for the truth of Christianity than ever before.”
The English word “apologetics” comes from the Greek word “apologia,” which means “defense” or “answer.” The word has a biblical connection through 1 Peter 3:15: “But 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.”
Dr. Shumate said apologetics is applicable to a person’s daily life.
“For followers of Jesus, apologetics is not only an avenue for spiritual growth in which we develop in knowledge and confidence regarding our own beliefs it is also a great help in communicating the truths of Christianity to others,” he said. “As we examine the rational basis for Christianity and consider the historical and scientific evidences for our faith, our confidence is bolstered, and we are better equipped to enter into conversations with those who doubt, question or even oppose Christianity.”
Dr. Shumate said apologetics is helpful to anyone, regardless of a person’s church background or denominational affiliation. People who do not view themselves as Christians but want to learn more about the Bible and/or Christianity can benefit from studying apologetics, he said.
Michael Sherrard
Having obtained a master’s degree in apologetics, Dr. Shumate said he has wanted to host this type of conference since he arrived at Tusculum in 2022. He said the event came together after Richard Miller, associate vice president of institutional effectiveness and research at Tusculum, connected him with Dr. Woodward.
“I find the various issues in apologetics fascinating and meaningful for my own faith,” Dr. Shumate said. “From a ministry perspective, I have seen just how important and needed this sort of theological study is in the local church. I believe a conference like this can be incredibly helpful for ministry leaders, college students and anyone else interested in growing in their faith. I encourage the Tusculum family and the community to take advantage of this opportunity.”
The conference’s cost is $20 for community members and free for Tusculum faculty, staff and students. To learn more about the conference, review the schedule and register, please visit https://site.tusculum.edu/campus-ministries/apologetics-conference/.
Additional information about Tusculum’s campus ministries is available at https://site.tusculum.edu/campus-ministries/. More detail about the university can be accessed at www.tusculum.edu. People can discover more about Apologetics Inc. at https://apologetics.org/.