What to Do with a PhD?

I’ve already written on a defense of the PhD in general before. This time, I’d rather write about why I am doing a PhD. That is, I will write about what I expect or what I’d like to do with such a degree, Lord willing.

In one of the points of that article, I said I would want to use my PhD in service of the church. I’ve come to realize how serious that is, and I want to think though, almost in a stream-of-consciousness post, how I might go about doing that.

My PhD would be in either philosophy or theology. So how might that help? Well, given my biblical studies and church ministries backgrounds, I would hope that rigorous philosophical thinking would contribute in some way. First, I could help teach believers how to think theologically, viewing the Bible as a whole. Second, I could help believers in the area of biblical interpretation. This second point is perhaps the biggest contribution I could make in the faith of the layman (depending on the person, of course). This is because believers can be taught basic doctrines, and even the basic reasoning behind these doctrines. This is surely important. However, in order to help them to take better steps in using the Scriptures themselves, they need to be able to understand how to interpret what they see before them. If there is one widespread error in the church today, it’s a failure to interpret properly.

Next, I can also assist in Christian apologetics and Christian philosophy. These two areas focus on every part of the Christian life. As the world around us turns more and more against the Christian faith, both in intellectual and cultural ways, Christians are going to want to know how their faith works in the world—or if it even does at all. A PhD in philosophy and theology is better equipped, on average, than laymen to help address these issues (please note this is stream-of-consciousness and not meant to impart an idea of superiority, any more than saying a pastor is better equipped to counsel implies pastoral superiority). It is perhaps the case that young people will not feel compelled to choose between what everything in the intellectual world is telling them and their Christian faith. As it turns out, they don’t have to!

All of this considered, I could do this as a Sunday school teacher, small group leader, conference speaker, and assistant pastor. Perhaps I will see all of these roles over the course of my ministry. I want to equip believers, and although a PhD is not necessary for any of these things, it will be a help for them.

Thoughts on 2014 New England Apologetics Conference

Last weekend, Jodi and I went to the 2014 New England Apologetics Conference, hosted by Ratio Christi and Victory Christian Church in Connecticut. I was there as part of the group of plenary speakers that included Michael Licona, Alex McFarland, and John DePoe. We had a wonderful time of fellowship and learning throughout the conference.

There were nearly 300 in attendance, which is not only good for the New England area, but also good considering it was the very first conference hosted by the church. The church leadership was warm, hospitable, and really took care of us while we were there. We really appreciated everything they did for us!

The conference, as a whole, I think was a success. The main aim of the conference was to educate and equip believers and to challenge unbelievers, seekers, and skeptics. The believers were to be roused from their intellectual slumber by being motivated to take part in apologetics. The unbelievers were to be challenged by the fact that it is indeed rational to believe in God and to be a Christian.

Mike Licona spoke about Jesus being the only way to Heaven (touching upon issues like inclusivism/exclusivism, those who have never heard, etc.). Alex McFarland covered issues such as absolute truth and the value of reason. His talks were the closest to sermons, having several stories illustrating the practical value of apologetics. Licona also spoke about the Resurrection, given that he is one of the world’s leading experts on the Resurrection. John DePoe covered arguments for God, including the argument from reason. I thought that was the most interesting, as he presented it about as simply and completely as one could do in the context of a lay audience. They were all very impressive!

I don’t remember precisely when this was done, but Jodi leaned over to me at one point and said something like, “We’re out of our league here!” I laughed, but I had been trying to tell her that since before we came! When it was time for my talk, I was definitely excited. I spoke about the need for philosophy within the contexts of theology and apologetics. After my talk and during a break, a man came up to me and we discussed whether or not Christ could have sinned. He told me that he’d never thought about that issue before; I was so excited to have been a part of stimulating his thinking on such theological and philosophical topics! I also loved meeting everyone! Overall, this conference was definitely a success, and I hope they put it on next year.

On a slightly related note, I would love to speak at any conferences or in the context of any churches that would want to have me with respect to apologetics. I have spoken on biblical, theological, and philosophical topics, and enjoy interacting with believers on these issues in a polite manner. Contact me if interested!

Apologetics Conference

Tomorrow, my wife Jodi and I will be celebrating our fifth anniversary! But on that day we will also be doing something else: boarding a plane to travel to Connecticut for an apologetics conference. The good people at Victory Christian Church are hosting an apologetics conference, partnering with Ratio Christi to put it on June 6-7, this Friday and Saturday. This is a very exciting opportunity for me to engage with believers and unbelievers alike. I will be speaking on the topic, "Why Philosophy?" and also participate in a Q & A panel. For those who are not able to travel to CT, it will be live-streamed (follow the VCC link, as they live-stream their services from their website). Other (more notable!) speakers include: Mike Licona (world-renowned expert on the Resurrection), Alex McFarland, and John DePoe. Jodi and I would appreciate any prayers for traveling safety and that the conference would go well. Specifically, that believers would be challenged to love God with all their being, which includes their minds, and that unbelievers would be challenged to accept the Gospel. The Gospel is rational to accept!