Today's interview is with Christian philosopher and apologist
John Mark Reynolds, incoming provost at
Houston Baptist University. He talks about his background and work, the biggest apologetic challenges today, cultural apologetics, the developing apologetics program and
philosophy programs at HBU, advice for future apologists, asking the right questions in conversation, do's and don'ts, tips for interacting with people online, advice for those wanting to read the great books, reading, movies and cultural awareness, and more.
Full
Interview MP3 Audio here (40 min)
Books by John Mark Reynolds include:
•
When Athens Met Jerusalem: An Introduction to Classical and Christian Thought
•
Against All Gods: What's Right and Wrong About the New Atheism
•
Great Books Reader, The: Excerpts and Essays on the Most Influential Books in Western Civilization
Enjoy.
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5 comments :
I am excited to hear about what is going on in Houston. I didn't hear JMR talk about distance learning opportunities at HBU. I was thrilled to hear his vision for a more cultural apologetic focus. I was also interested in his comments about how apologetics is interdisciplinary and its students get to learn from many disciplines.
I think the distance learning piece is very important for those unable to leave work and family for a good apologetic education as the need for apologetic training is increasing...
R/
WSC
William - We will have a distance learning program. We are currently laying the foundation for that degree program. If you'd like to keep up with our progress, I'd love to keep in touch with you. Do you have a Facebook account through which we could connect?
Thanks,
Mary Jo
Mary Jo,
I went to the MA in Christian Apologetics program at BIOLA. I absolutely loved it, but did want more cultural apologetics and more culture in my apologetics. Will there be a way to take these types of classes without signing up for the degree?
Gabriel
So many things from this interview and so many of the interviews at this site always hit the spot. Many thanks!
I want to comment on what Dr. Reynolds said about trolls. He talked about how so often they are just out to waste your time . . .
If any of you folks have experienced frustration in online conversations on account of trolls or just lack of serious discussions online, you may want to try something that I have in the last two weeks.
I get antsy praying on my knees, so I pray and walk (...not that I neglect the former, it is just that the latter comes much easier for me). Anyway to pray and walk has been my habit for many years.
In the last two weeks I did something that has been on my mind for quite some time but have routinely failed to do - I finally passed out tracts to a couple of people.
I would urge you all to try out the same. If you feel that your online discussions are going nowhere. If you wonder what to do with all that apologetical knowledge that you have amassed. If you want to learn how to deal with objections on not just a if P then Q level but on a very earthy level - then I would urge you to start prayer-walking and talking.
Give it a shot. You've got nothing to lose but your health to gain.
Another great interview Brian. I loved this one. It particularly hit a spot with me when you discussed apologetics in streams such as the arts etc. As a Christian who runs a fairly large photo group in South Australia one of the challenges we have (as 2/3s of our group are non-Christian) is being relevant but walking with the values of God. It seems to work pretty well, but it does raise some interesting questions for Christian photographers - would you photography a gay/lesbian wedding, a Muslim wedding etc...
keep up the amazing work.
Rob
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