Cornerstone Theological Seminary Launches Christian Apologetics Conference
Can Christianity withstand intellectual scrutiny? Has science made God unnecessary? What does it mean to be human?
Cornerstone Theological Seminary invites students and the West Michigan community to its inaugural Christian Apologetics Conference, Deconstructing Doubt: Faith and Truth in Today’s World, November 13-14, at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids.
Featuring nationally recognized Cornerstone scholars and Christian apologists Dr. Douglas Groothuis and Dr. John G. West, the two-day conference will equip attendees with compelling arguments for Christianity and practical knowledge to respond to challenges to their faith.
“At Cornerstone, Jesus Christ and His Gospel are preeminent,” said Dr. Kevin Hall, vice president for academics and spiritual formation. “Our scholars are leading national voices challenging the false claims that Christianity cannot withstand scrutiny and science has made God irrelevant. Through this conference, West Michigan and our students will learn how to defend Biblical truth and proclaim the beauty of the Gospel to a world in desperate need.”
Defending Christianity in a Culture of Doubt
Dr. Groothuis, distinguished university research professor of apologetics and Christian worldview and a President’s Fellow, emphasizes that defending Christianity is not only the responsibility of pastors and theologians. Every Christian must be prepared to answer questions about their faith.
“When churches compromise the authority of Scripture and the Gospel becomes just another version of truth, we lose the foundation of Christianity,” he said. “We will examine the evidence for God’s existence, the claims of Jesus Christ and why His resurrection gives us reason for hope.”
Dr. West, distinguished scholar of American government and Christian civic engagement and a Cornerstone University President’s Fellow, points to the consequences of rejecting Biblical truth for society’s understanding of human dignity.
“Ideas about human origins have consequences far beyond science,” he said. “When we reject a Creator, we undermine the foundation for human equality, moral truth and the dignity of every person.”
Conference Schedule | November 13-14
All presentations will take place at Cornerstone Theological Seminary.
Friday, November 13 | 7 p.m.
- Deconstructing Doubt: How to Defend What You Believe — Dr. Douglas Groothuis
- Science vs. God? The Story You’ve Been Told Is Wrong — Dr. John G. West
Saturday, November 14 | 9 a.m.
- God Exists and Jesus Is Lord: A Reason for Our Hope — Dr. Douglas Groothuis
- Darwin’s Corrosive Idea: The Cultural Consequences of Rejecting Intelligent Design — Dr. John G. West
Students, pastors, educators or those seeking answers to difficult questions about Christianity are welcome. No theological background is required.
Registration is $15 per person and includes all four presentations, Friday’s Q&A and dessert reception, Saturday refreshments and a conference guide with lecture notes.
Meet Our Speakers
Dr. Douglas Groothuis, distinguished university research professor of apologetics and Christian worldview and President’s Fellow, has spent nearly 50 years defending Christianity. Author of more than 20 books, including “Christian Apologetics” and “Truth Decay,” he teaches and mentors students through The Cornerstone Core™, Honors Program and Cornerstone Theological Seminary.
Dr. John G. West, Cornerstone’s distinguished scholar of American government and Christian civic engagement, is vice president of the Discovery Institute and managing director of its Center for Science and Culture, which he co-founded in 1996. His research examines the influence of scientism on public policy and culture and the relationship between Christianity and America’s founding principles.
