teaching christian/creation apologetics overseas · teaching christian/creation apologetics...

@ Dr. Heinz Lycklama 1

Teaching Christian/Creation Apologetics Overseas

Dr. Heinz [email protected]

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mailto:[email protected]

http://www.osta.com/messages


Teaching OverseasThe Needs/Opportunities

Education on selective topicsShort term teaching assignments

The VenuesBible Colleges, Churches, Universities

The Subject MatterChristian ApologeticsCreation vs. EvolutionBiblical Worldview

The ExperienceSome Guidelines


The Needs/Opportunities

Underfunded Bible SchoolsShort supply of teachersCulture steeped in Evolution and AtheismLack of courses on specialized topicsMatching teachers with the needsIdeal for short term assignments


Bible Schools + SeminariesSchools founded by missionariesSchools founded by local ChristiansSchools founded by denominationsSchools founded by overseas ministriesThe Master’s Academy (TMA)Greater European Missions (GEM)ABWE-sponsored Bible Schools


The Master’s Academy (TMA) Training Centers

Albania - Southeastern Europe Theological Seminary Brazil - Instituto Ekklesia Croatia - Theological Biblical Academy (TBA)Germany - European Bible Training Centre Honduras - Ministerios Evangelicos de lasAmericasIndia - Pastoral Training InstituteItaly - Italian Theological Academy


More TMA Training CentersJapan - Hamadera Bible InstituteMexico - Word of Grace Biblical SeminaryNew Zealand - The Shepherd's Bible CollegePhilippines - TMAI – PhilippinesRussia - Word of Grace Bible InstituteRussia - Samara Preachers' Institute & Theological SeminarySouth Africa - Christ Baptist Church SeminaryUkraine - Irpin Biblical Seminary (Irpen)


TBA School in Krapina

Croatia – part of former Yugoslavia

Krapina – north ofZagreb, the capital


TBA in Krapina, CroatiaDr. Misko Horvatek,

Founder/President of TBA

• TBA founded in 1997• Training Croatian pastors

for the ministry• 3-year biblical program• 4-year theological program


Bible Schools Founded by GEM

Greek Bible Institute in PikermiOutside of Athens, Greece

Zaporozyhe Bible College & SeminaryZaporozhye, Ukraine

Tyndale Theological SeminaryOutside of Amsterdam, Netherlands

Others in Europe


Greek Bible College in Athens

Founded in 1973 by GEMPrograms offered

Four-year degreeOne-year Alpha program

40 to 50 studentsGreek and foreign teachers

http://www.alphaprogram.eu/

http://www.alphaprogram.eu/


Greek Bible CollegeThe Alpha Program

One-year course in BibleClassroom, seminars, research, outreach

Equip students for life and ministryDesigned for overseas students

Low costTransferable credits

Very intensive programAll teaching in EnglishGreek teachers + foreign teachers


Zaporozhye Bible College

Founded by GEM and the Baptist UnionBible College & SeminaryCourses designed for pastors, Christian education workers, worship leadersLargely staffed byoutside teachers


Teaching OpportunitiesTwo-Week Modular Teaching Opportunities For North American Pastors and TeachersThree & four year coursesA Ministry of Greater Europe Mission


Selected Subject MatterCourses developed based on

Perceived needsPersonal interests

Topics chosenCreation vs. EvolutionChristian ApologeticsBiblical Worldview

[These topics need to be taught in the US and Canada as well as overseas]


Stumbling Blocks in Coming to Faith in Christ

1. Lack of intellectual knowledge of God2. If God is all-loving and all-powerful, why is

there so much pain, suffering, and evil?3. Other Christians – their perceived hypocrisy4. Sin: accepting Christ would require turning

away from sin5. Perceived conflict between Science and the

Bible, e.g. Creation v. Evolution


The Reality!According to pollster George Barna:1. Only 9% of “born again” teenagers

believe that absolute truth even exists2. At least 60% of the children from

evangelical homes are estimated to leave the church once they leave home[largely because of indoctrinationby secular/evolutionary teaching]


More StatisticsAbout 40% of Christians renounce their faith before graduating from collegeChristians are thinking more and morelike humanistsAmong adults, 32% of those who claim to be “born again” believe in moral absolutes [compared to 15% of others]

Among teens, 9% and 4%


The Solution

Teach The Truth in the Bible

from the very first verse!

We Have A Missions Field Right Here


Courses DevelopedCreation vs. Evolution

Science – scientific method vs. originsAssumptions

Christian ApologeticsEvidence-based **PhilosophicalPresuppositional

Biblical Worldview [under development]What is it?Compared with other worldviews


Creation/Evolution –What is the Controversy and

Why Does It Matter?



http://www.osta.com/


OverviewCreation/Evolution Controversy

What, history, importanceBiblical Basis for Creation

Reliability, archaeology, special revelationEvidence for a Global FloodScientific Basis for CreationCompromising Theories of OriginsIntelligent Design MovementThe Impact of Evolution on SocietyHow Then Should We as Christians Respond?


Some Common MisconceptionsEvolution is ScienceSkeptics and unbelievers think:

“The Bible is an antiquated religious book, filled with scientific fallacies and mistakes reflecting the naïve cosmology of the primitive tribes of the Near East.”

Even some professing Christians think:“The Bible is a book of true religion dealing solely with spiritual subjects and that, where it seems to touch on matters of science and history, it must be interpreted spiritually or allegorically, rather than literally.

Creation is Religion


How Our Thought System Works

Assumptions (held by faith)

DATA

Conclusions

Logical thought is the means by which we draw conclusionsfrom the facts/data after starting with certain assumptions.


Creation/Evolution Controversy

Assumptions A Assumptions B

DATA

Conclusions A Conclusions B


Two Thought Systems

Creator ActedSupernatural originsDesignMiracleEventCreation

Creator Didn’t ActNaturalistic originsChanceProperties of matterNatural processEvolution


Abuses of Scientific TheoryDogmatism

Theory equated/confused with factExtrapolation

Theory extended to areas in which it is not known to apply

ExaggerationTheory accorded higher degree of verification

SubjectivismNew facts explained as “error of observation”

ExploitationTheory used to justify activity in other arenas


3rd World Country CulturesCommunist backgroundSecular educationTaught that evolution is a factReligious beliefs

AtheismPantheismReincarnationNew AgeNihilism, existentialism, animism, etc.


Does Your TruthMatch Reality?


www.osta.com/apologetics


http://www.osta.com/apologetics


OverviewWhat is the issue?Introduction to ApologeticsArguments for God’s existenceWhy Apologetics?What is truth?Contrasting views of truthHow do we know truth?How do we know the Bible is true?Does the Truth in the Bible match reality?What is the evidence for Truth in the Bible?


The Truth IssueYour “truth” is what you believe to be trueHow do you know it is true?

Based on presupposition?Verified by credible evidence?

Is the Christian Truth true?Looking at the evidenceDoes the evidence support Christian Truth?

What about Atheism? Evolution? Creation?What about Mormonism? Hinduism? Buddhism?


ApologeticsApologia (Greek) – speaking in defenseApologetics is a defense of beliefs by arguments, evidences, and reasons for why we believe what we believeWhy Apologetics?

Explain basic Christian beliefsDefend beliefs from those who attack themDefend beliefs from heretical beliefs


Topics/Questions CoveredJesus’ Credibility – Is He God?Prophecies Come True – Messianic + OthersChrist Rose From the Grave – What is the Evidence?Is the Bible God’s Word?Does Archaeology Verify the Bible?Creation ApologeticsIs the Bible Reliable Scientifically?If God is All-Loving and All-Knowing, Why Do We have Evil and Suffering?


The Thailand ExperienceChurch in Bangkok

SermonsSunday School

Weekend Church CampSelected Christian Apologetics topics

Remote village in northern ThailandKaren tribesSelected topics


Weekend Church Camp


Teaching at Church Camp


Quilts at Mountain Village


The Greek Experience

Greek Bible CollegeIn Pikermi, outside of AthensOne year Alpha ProgramTwo-week course on Christian Apologetics

Weekend talks on Creation vs. EvolutionThe Scientific Case Against EvolutionThe Scientific Case For CreationGod’s Incredible Creatures


Breakfast with Alpha Students


Testimony At Chapel Service


Gerda Teaching Quilting in Greece


Ministry at Brothels in Greece


Ruins of Ancient Corinth


The Croatian ExperienceTheological Biblical Academy

In Krapina, outside of ZagrebFour Year Bible Program for Christian WorkersTwo-week course on Christian Apologetics

Weekend Talks in Petrinja & KrapinaSermon on The Good SamaritanSermon on Celebration of the ReformationDoes Archaeology Verify the Bible?Why is There So Much Pain and Suffering?


Teaching in Krapina


Women’s Bible Studyand Craft Session


Worship Before Sermon – Petrinja


Preparing for Short Term Teaching

Be active in missionsBe active in SS teachingDetermine the needs in selected areasPrepare the materialTeach the material in SS classesDevelop the overseas connectionsExplore funding options


More InformationICR – Institute for Creation Research

www.icr.orgActs and Facts articles on Creation

Answers in Genesiswww.answersingenesis.orgBooks, seminars, articles on Creation

Creation Research Societywww.creationresearch.orgPublication of peer-reviewed creation articles

Dr. Heinz Lycklama’s Lectureswww.osta.com/creation & www.osta.com/apologetics

True Origin Archivewww.trueorigin.orgExposing the myth of evolution

http://www.icr.org/

http://www.answersingenesis.org/

http://www.creationresearch.org/

http://www.osta.com/creation


http://www.trueorigin.org/


Thank you for your

attention!


www.osta.com/creationwww.osta.com/apologetics


http://www.osta.com/creation


teaching christian/creation apologetics overseas · teaching christian/creation apologetics...

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