HCU Apologetics

2 moms with sharp minds explain why they completed the MA in Christian Apologetics at HCU. (They were some of my sharpest students and now do apologetics for ministry!)

The Power of Apologetics: Annie Crawford and Annie Nardone's Story Annie Crawford and Annie Nardone, graduates of the Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics program at Houston Christian University, embarked on an extraordin...

Grateful to Justin Brierley and Belle Tindall for having me on their podcast, 'Re-enchanting' recently. It was a wide-ranging hour-long discussion about C.S. Lewis that took place in the crypt of Lambeth Palace, the London home of the Archbishop of Canterbury. If you're interested, watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy50PU-ERFw

My new book is also written in a manner to be friendly for use by small groups and is especially useful when combined with the video series now available. Group members read a chapter prior to getting together. Then the group views the video for that week (20-45 minutes) then discusses the contents. Questions for Further Thought are provided at the end of each chapter. For information on the video series, see https://masterlectures.zondervanacademic.com/products/jesus-contradicted-michael-r-licona The first lecture is available for free viewing.

Jesus, Contradicted (Michael R. Licona) The differences and discrepancies in the Gospels constitute one of the foremost objections to their reliability and the credibility of their message. Some have tried to resolve Gospels contradictions with strained harmonization efforts. Others conclude that the Gospels are hopelessly contradictory a...

Introducing the Essentials Course! This new course, open to the public, is designed for busy people who want to go deeper in understanding the Bible and theology for the sake of ministry.
For more info or to sign up visit:
https://hc.edu/houston-theological-seminary/survey-courses/essentials-course/
Houston Christian University

My new book released today! Very excited about this one!

Congratulations to Molly Wood, winner of the 2024 C.S. Lewis Award for Excellence in Apologetic Writing!

Houston Christian University

Happy Mother's Day!

Instead of staying at Hilbert’s Hotel, why not try…

Delighted to have my essay "The Abolition of Mania" (about C.S. Lewis's 'The Abolition of Man') read aloud by the matchless voice of Ken Myers from 'Mars Hill Audio'. It's just over 15 minutes in length and is available free for a week here:

Home Our site’s home page features information about the latest Friday Feature, recent posts on Sound Thinking, and more.

Congratulations to the award winners from this school year’s Moral Apologetics writing contest here at Houston Christian University, sponsored by the Center for the Foundations of Ethics. The theme of this year’s contest was interdisciplinary insights into the foundations of ethics, and it corresponded with a nine-part faculty lecture series on the same theme.

The graduate student winner is Mark Wainwright, whose paper was entitled “Aesthetics and Ethics within Art.” The undergraduate winner is Timothy Smith, whose paper was called “Technological Ethics in a Galaxy Far, Far Away.” Congratulations to you both! Next year’s student writing contest will be based on the fall 2024 series of three faculty panel discussions on virtues in the public square. Be on the lookout!

Register today!

Interested in surveying a SCT course? All are welcome! Find more information at: https://hc.edu/houston-theological-seminary/survey-courses/


Houston Christian University

So very excited to see this! This is my first look at the new book. A lot of work went into this one! Zondervan has been fantastic to work with. Can't wait to get my copy! Now available for pre-order!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310159598

At the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, I read a paper titled "The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy Needs a Facelift." The paper was well-attended and was followed by a period of thoughtful Q&A. Because I have received many requests for my paper, I’m making it available to everyone interested. I expound on the inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture in far greater depth in my new book "Jesus, Contradicted" (Available May 28):

Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy Needs a Facelift - Risen Jesus, Inc. CSBI has been with us 45 years. It states, “We invite response to this statement from any who see reason to amend its affirmaions

Happening Sunday, RSVP now: https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1761/gid2/index.aspx?sid=1761&gid=2&pgid=2806&cid=5149

Delighted to be able to provide a couple of things for this Lewis Exhibition at Magdalen College, Oxford, running from now till September:

Endeavoring to avoid weariness and confusion in the minds of readers, consider this...

Q24. Whether, it being the case that the sun is out, one's guns ought also to be out?

Objection 1. It would seem that one's guns ought not to be out, because the semantic usage of 'guns' is intrinsically ordered toward violence, which is a sin against charity.
Objection 2. Further, the showing of swole arms invites the sins of envy or jealousy, and thus is deficient in love toward one's neighbor.
Objection 3. Further, the rays of the sun are damaging to the skin, and as the body is the temple of the Lord and an object of stewardship under God, one ought to do one's utmost to protect it, as doing honor and reverence unto its maker.

On the contrary, it is written, "Light is sweet, and it is pleasing for the eyes to see the sun," (Eccl. 11:7), and "The LORD has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God," (Isa.52:10).

I answer that, one can distinguish between a precept and a counsel of perfection. The command that one's guns ought to be out is not to be understood as a precept binding upon all, but a counsel of perfection capable of the free assent of the volitional faculty, and bringing supererogatory benefit upon the agent. And, whereas all evangelical counsels by their nature are to be performed over and above the divine precepts, by way of further increase in perfection, the supererogatory act can rightly be said to be urged of all men, as the greater is always to be preferred over the lesser. Nevertheless, refraining from such an act brings no condemnation.

Response to Objection 1. There is a distinction between signum and res, such that the signum of "guns" is not essentially predicated of a weapon of warfare. but can signify various things. Furthermore, the weapon in itself is not intrinsically disordered, but is rather determined as to justice by its telos. It is written, "From His mouth comes a sharp sword" (Rev 19:15).
Response to Objection 2. The sin of envy lies not in the percipient but in the perceiver. Limiting the provocation to sins of the heart cannot be demanded of our neighbor unreasonably, such that it disrupts a natural good.
Response to Objection 3. Abusus non tollit usum. While it is the case that the immoderate exposure to sunlight can damage the skin, there is nothing vicious in the moderate use of the same, such that one retains honor to the temple while also enjoying the fruition of the created order.

Stocks are limited; order today: https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1761/gid2/index.aspx?sid=1761&gid=2&pgid=2631&cid=4880

Free shirts for summer school students must be picked up in person from the SCT office in Atwood 1 and are only available while supplies last.

The School of Christian Thought invites HCU students and faculty, along with their friends & family, to the annual SCT Awards Celebration. On April 28, 2024 at 6:00PM we will gather in McNair Hall for an evening of fun and fellowship. An informal dinner will be provided. Additionally, we will recognize outstanding achievement through faculty and student awards, Theta Alpha Kappa honors society induction, and the SCT Alumni of the Year recognition.
RSVP now: https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1761/gid2/index.aspx?sid=1761&gid=2&pgid=2806&cid=5149

Pleased to see my forthcoming book (May 28) is #1 New Release in Christian Hermeneutics!

My new book "Jesus, Contradicted: Why the Gospels tell the same story differently" will also be available as a course study in video format (13 sessions). Zondervan has posted the first video for free viewing:

Jesus, Contradicted: Why the Gospels Tell the Same Story Differently --- Michael R. Licona Get the book: https://zondervanacademic.com/products/jesus-contradictedThe differences and discrepancies in the Gospels constitute the foremost objections to...

Tonight, from 8:30-9:30pm EDT I'll be giving a short lecture explaining why there are a number of differences in the Gospels. It's free and open to the public. But you must register:

Webinars - Ratio Christi Grow in your faith and understanding of the Christian worldview as you're taught by Ratio Christi staff and ministry partners.

Don't miss the series finale! Join the Center for the Foundations of Ethics on Thursday at 3pm in Dillon 1 for good fellowship, refreshment, and enlightening conversation.

Houston Christian University

Great offerings at HTS this summer! Students, register for classes today!
Houston Christian University

The School of Christian Thought invites HCU students and faculty, along with their friends & family, to the annual SCT Awards Celebration. On April 28, 2024 at 6:00PM we gather in McNair Hall for an evening of fun and fellowship. An informal dinner will be provided. Additionally, we will recognize outstanding achievement through faculty and student awards, Theta Alpha Kappa honors society induction, and the SCT Alumni of the Year recognition.
RSVP now: https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1761/gid2/index.aspx?sid=1761&gid=2&pgid=2806&cid=5149

Join Houston Christian University’s Center for the Foundations of Ethics for the next installment in the 2023-24 faculty lecture series. Dr. Gordon will share his lecture, "On Proper Function in Moral Psychology and the Prospects for Recovery of Moral Knowledge." Hope to see you Thursday afternoon, April 18, in Dillon 1, from 3:00 to 5PM for what is sure to be a great conversation.

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The annual HCU Theology Conference will be held on April 10-11, 2024. The focus of the conference will be on the interpretation of the Law as variously presented in the New Testament Gospels. Professor Yair Furstenberg (Hebrew University of Jerusalem) will offer the keynote lecture on “Jesus and the Law.” Thank you to Heights Church for their generous sponsorship. Register Today: https://hc.edu/school-of-christian-thought/events-in-the-college/hcu-theology-conference/

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