HELPING THE THINKER BELIEVE MAGAZINE AND THE BELIEVER THINK 2018
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WHAT HOPE AND CAN WE IS THE EQUIPPING YOU FOR IS HELP FOR BELIEVE IN BIBLE THE WORKPLACE APOLOGETICS? TRANSGENDERISM NOAH’S ARK? RACIST? PAGES 36-41 PAGE 4 PAGE 8 PAGE 10 PAGE 14 Welcome to the Zacharias Trust magazine
Zacharias Trust events. back cover Th e Zacharias Trust is part of a global organisation (RZIM) that seeks to reach those who have objections about the Christian faith. Our vision involves a fi ve-fold thrust of evangelism, apologetics, spiritual disciplines, training and humanitarian support. Th is magazine showcases the work of RZIM in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
EDITOR Simon Wenham Research Coordinator EDITORIAL STAFF Nancy Giff ord Global Media Director David Lloyd Director of Communications and Development Youth apologetics in Scotland. p34 What is apologetics? p4 Emily Oakley Executive Assistant to the EMEA Director
EMEA SPEAKING TEAM* Gerson Mercadal (Spain) (UK-based unless stated) Alanzo Paul Sam Allberry Mari Ovsepyan Max Baker-Hytch Kyung Min (Ray) Ro Luna (Wei) Wang In this issue: Lara Buchanan
Vlad Criznic (Romania) * The Middle East team is not Sharon Dirckx mentioned for security reasons Simon Edwards OCCA ADJUNCTS WHO WE ARE ENGAGING CULTURE: HELPING Julia Garschagen Ibrahim Baidoo (Ghana) (Austria, Germany and Switzerland) AND WHAT WE DO THOSE WITH OBJECTIONS (Uganda) Os Guinness (UK and USA) Raymond Bukenya Christian Hofreiter David Fraser (South Africa) (Austria, Germany and Switzerland) Hassan John (Nigeria) 2 Impacting a hostile and broken world 8 Hope and help for transgenderism John Lennox Racheal Mutesi (Uganda) The opportunities and challenges facing the Understanding and responding to questions Gideon Odoma (Nigeria) Mahlatse Mashua Zacharias Trust of identity (South Africa) Justice Okoronkwo (Nigeria) Kosta Milkov (Macedonia) Paulson Tumutegyereize Michael Ramsden Sam Allberry Andy Moore (Uganda) Amy Orr-Ewing 4 What is apologetics? 10 Noah’s ark: can we really believe it? OCCA ASSOCIATES Frog Orr-Ewing Is it a credible form of evangelism or a Did a global fl ood really happen in biblical Callom Harkrader Tom Price Will Tant fl awed exercise? times? Michael Ramsden Ben Thomas Simon Wenham Jo and Vince Vitale Keith Small Andrew Turnbull Tanya Walker Andy Wickham (Spain) 6 Journeying with us 14 Is the Bible racist? COVER PHOTO Ravi Zacharias (USA) Get more involved with apologetics Does scripture support discrimination along Amy Orr-Ewing©John Cairns PHOTOGRAPHERS David Lloyd ethnic lines? OCCA FELLOWS* johncairns.co.uk (UK-based unless stated) Lara Buchanan alexbakerphotography.com David Bennett hazelthompson.com 18 Is religion dangerous? Gareth Black ciaramenzies.com Mike Day (South Africa) DESIGNER karensawrey.com Is Christianity a force for good or evil in Madeline Jackson PRINTER veritecm.com the world? Simon Edwards
22 Debating atheists RZIM Zacharias Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in Is it eff ective evangelism or simply partisan England and Wales. Company No. 3449676. Charity No. 1067314. Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) was founded by Ravi Zacharias in 1984 posturing? and now comprises a global team of itinerant speakers with offi ces around the world. Simon Wenham “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you for the reason for the hope that you have…” Journeying with us. p6 (1 PETER 3:15)
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Interview with Julia Garschagen. p32 Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. p28 Is religion dangerous? p18
No one has an entirely straightforward relationship
EQUIPPING YOU with their own body… And REACHING OUT FOR THE WORKPLACE while it’s true that anyone can see this problem, Christians 24 Global gospel 36 Evangelism in the workplace Worldwide reports from around the region Five biblical principles for reaching can uniquely account for it. colleagues Sam Allberry p8 28 Oxford Centre for Max Jeganathan Christian Apologetics Training for evangelism 38 Festival of Th ought Hear about RZIM’s initiative to reach those in 29 Wellspring International the business world As a faithful narrative of Learn about the humanitarian work of RZIM 40 A transformational time at OCCA human history, the Bible 30 Meet our new team members A student’s perspective of the OCCA records all manner of human Find out about the latest additions to the Business Programme speaking team Jeff Johnson evils, including racism. 32 Correspondence from Cologne But just because something An interview with Julia Garschagen about evangelism in Germany is described in the Bible does
34 Youth apologetics in Scotland not mean that it is prescribed. A report on Edinburgh’s fi rst REBOOT youth Lara Buchanan p14 apologetics event
ZACHARIAS TRUST MAGAZINE 2018 1 WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO
Impacting a hostile and broken world
It was Woody Allen who asked, ‘How do you expect me to believe in God when, only last week, I got my tongue caught in the rollers of my electric typewriter?’
Left: Michael Ramsden
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ome questions, when asked, have the eff ect of unexpected ways. When I was with Ravi Zacharias in “What Shighlighting the absurdity of a situation and Dunedin, New Zealand, some of the event organisers’ continues so lead us to question something else at a much children gave their lives to Christ in the meetings that deeper level. And the questions which fi ll our lives at they themselves had set up. Th e joy as we gathered to drive present are deep, desperate, and at times seemingly together in prayer at the end of the visit was wonderful. the demand absurd. Perhaps it is no surprise therefore that a poem As I write this report, I am preparing for a repeat fi rst penned by Yeats one hundred years ago has been visit to Asia to meet with political and business leaders. for training quoted more often by thinkers and writers than any We are seeing openness in these arenas that a few years is the other in the last thirty: ago seemed scarcely credible. How long these doors will remain open we cannot tell. impact Turning and turning in the widening gyre Th e opportunities come at a cost, and not primarily we are Th e falcon cannot hear the falconer; in fi nancial terms. In some parts of the world in which Th ings fall apart; the centre cannot hold; we speak publicly about Christ, our lives are on the line. seeing in Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, Will you pray with us as we seek to minister in some of our primary Th e blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere the most challenging spiritual and physical conditions Th e ceremony of innocence is drowned; imaginable? It is humbling to be part of a team that is activity” Th e best lack all conviction, while the worst not only eager to travel to places many would fear to Are full of passionate intensity. go, but also delights in working with those who have chosen to live amidst a bloodstained chaos, in order to Th e observations that innocence is drowned, the be the hands and body of Christ to their neighbours. falcon no longer hears its master’s voice, the best lack Th is year, we are once again looking at some steep conviction, and the worst are simply full of passion, increases in our global budget. One factor driving these results in a type of anarchy in which things fall apart changes is our need to strengthen the administrative and the centre cannot hold. Every nation, corporation, and executive leadership of RZIM. Our speakers serve and family needs a core that holds things together and, so ably because they are supported faithfully by men in its absence, there is no fulcrum of value or substance and women making things happen behind the scenes. for the rest of life to revolve around. Th e speaking team has grown at an extraordinarily fast Perhaps this reason, more than any other, helps pace and now we must strengthen Image:the administrative Mahlatse Mashua explain the explosive opportunity our team have base that supports them. Your prayers and your experienced around the globe. Th e very next line of fi nancial support help us do all we have been called to Yeats’ poem, so often ignored by secular commentators, and we are deeply grateful for your faithfulness to the is both a statement and a question: ‘Surely some Lord’s call on your life to stand with us. revelation is at hand.’ We are looking for some Lastly, we also have a unique opportunity to expand revelation to make sense of what we see, and some the work of the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics hope for whatever future we anticipate. Yeats’ poem this year. Th is is something the Board believes is a is famously ambiguous on this point: is the Second priority, as the world needs a new generation of leaders Coming he foresaw like the fi rst one, or merely the equipped to make the risen Christ known. spirit of man inserting itself in a godlike fashion? We hope you are strengthened and encouraged as you Th e need to bring light when all seems dark is a read this magazine. pressing one. We rejoice therefore that the Zacharias Institute is up and running in Atlanta. Th is highly networked space allows us not only to train and meet Michael Ramsden with hundreds at a time, but address a far larger global INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR audience simultaneously. Quite literally, millions will be blessed by its work. What continues to drive the demand for training is the impact we are seeing in our primary activity: JOURNEYING WITH US proclaiming the hope of the gospel in a hostile and broken world. In every continent, we are at times On page 7, you can read more about how you can get involved overwhelmed with joy at seeing people come to know with the Zacharias Trust and be part of the journey. Christ for the fi rst time. Sometimes the organisers of the events at which we speak are also blessed in
ZACHARIAS TRUST MAGAZINE 2018 3 WHO WE ARE ANDND WHAT WE DDO
What is
Image: John Lennox at the ‘Why? apologetics? Series’ in London. Watch online at www.zachariastrust.org/training-day
Th ere is a great deal of confusion about what apologetics is. In this article, Simon Wenham addresses a number of the misconceptions and explains why it can be an important part of evangelism.
. K. Chesterton argued that you would come to In other words, it is essentially a sub-division of “...all believers Ga very confusing picture of what Christianity is, philosophy and is therefore only for those who have do apologetics if you based your opinions on the confl icting claims received enough education to be able to articulate that people make about it.1 Th e same could be said of clever arguments for Christianity.3 when they apologetics, as there is a whole range of ideas about Such a notion is unsurprising, because not only does talk about both what it is and whether or not it is useful for the word sound quite technical, but there are some anything. Some Christians see it as an integral part of people who do refer to it in that way. Whilst there is why they evangelism that helps clear away people’s obstacles to no denying that, in some circumstances, its use in believe, faith, whilst others see it as an ultimately futile exercise conversation can pique someone’s interest and lead to a of trying to ‘argue people into the kingdom’. Th is article fruitful discussion, it is also undoubtedly the case that, irrespective seeks to dispel some of the popular misconceptions in others, it can be a good way of ending any chances of whether about apologetics and to explain why there is a place for of meaningful dialogue. Nevertheless, although it is it in today’s church.2 important to acknowledge the vital role that academic they are any arguments have played in the defence of Christianity, good at it ‘It’s too apologetic’ it is very unfortunate if people assume that that is all Th e fi rst obvious point to make is that the word is that apologetics is. Indeed, if it is simply a discipline or not” not commonly used and therefore, unsurprisingly, for intellectuals, then most people might as well forget some people assume that it has something to do about it. Yet in 1 Peter 3:15-16, it says, ‘Always be with apologising. Such a connotation is unfortunate, prepared to give an answer [apologia] to everyone who because even though some people may be quite fond asks you for the hope that you have’. In other words, of apologising, it is generally seen as what you do in as C. S. Lewis pointed out, all believers do apologetics response to something that is wrong. By contrast, when they talk about why they believe, irrespective of most people are naturally positive – not to mention whether they are any good at it or not.4 Whilst there is evangelistic – about things they particularly like or defi nitely a place for academic engagement, most people strongly believe in. Indeed, you could have a much are not won over by particularly clever or technical wider discussion about whether or not believers should arguments for Christianity anyway. be using any language (‘Christianese’ or otherwise) that can easily be misunderstood, especially if it has ‘It’s closed-minded’ negative connotations but, at this point, the important Despite the lofty notion that many people have of thing to realise is that the word is not associated with apologetics, some academics have the exact opposite contrition. On the contrary, it comes from apologia, impression of it, because they associate it with a Greek term, meaning to give a ‘reasoned defence’ unthinking fundamentalism.5 In other words, it for something. produces a false air of intellectual respectability, when in reality its proponents are relatively unconcerned by ‘It’s too academic’ the evidence or counter-arguments, because they have Another perception of apologetics is that it is an already come to their conclusions. Indeed, if someone academic discipline that requires extensive training. is described as an ‘apologist for’ something, it usually
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means they are someone who defends the unreasonable people to believe on the basis of the historical evidence or controversial. they had compiled (Luke 1:1-4). Whilst it is true that there is a great deal of overly simplistic and unhelpful apologetics material out there, Relational apologetics that does not mean that it is all like that. Th ere are lots Ravi Zacharias sums it up well when he points out of intellectually robust arguments used at the highest that apologetics tends to defend itself, as those who level of academia that have been communicated in a oppose it often unwittingly affi rm it by using ‘argument much more accessible way. Moreover, if Christians are to denounce argument’. Th at is one of the reasons interested in the truth, then they should be not only why he affi rms that it is for everyone.8 It may not be an open-minded, but very concerned about evidence. absolute necessity for conversion, as many respond to Indeed, the best evangelists tend to be those who are the gospel without ever hearing apologetic arguments, focused on listening to and honestly engaging with but it can clearly be very important in many contexts, the questions and objections that people have about especially in cultures that have little knowledge of Christianity. Christianity. Th ere is of course no ‘secret formula’ that works for ‘It’s not biblical’ everyone, because people all have diff erent reasons for Some believers would argue that it is pretty irrelevant not believing and everyone goes through stages of life how apologetics is done, because it is not preaching the when they become more open or closed to thinking gospel from the Bible and is therefore not a legitimate about the big questions of life. Th at is why the most form of evangelism. Similarly, others are wary of it, eff ective witness is usually done through relationships. because Christians are meant to be led by the Spirit, As Zacharias points out, ‘love is the most powerful rather than relying on their own formulaic arguments apologetic’,9 as evangelism is not just about what based on the shifting sands of secular philosophy.6 someone says. Christians must come alongside others Once again, these kinds of objections highlight and live out their faith in a way that demonstrates the fact that there are diff erent views about what God’s love for all. Th at is why spiritual disciplines are so apologetics is. Andrew Fellows off ers a defi nition of important, as the best evangelists tend to be those who what he calls the ‘apologetics spectrum’, which involves have a strong sense of what Jesus has done for them, three types of activity:7 as well as sharing his heart for the lost. Furthermore, those who are visibly transformed by Christ are • Subversion: Raising cultural questions that open themselves a powerful witness, because people can doors, e.g. discussing themes around morality, see a diff erence in them, which can often provoke truth or suff ering. questions. • Persuasion: Giving and sharing reasons for Lastly, it is very important to remember that believing, e.g. looking at evidence and using although it is clearly a good idea to practice logical arguments. communicating about Christianity in a winsome way • Proclamation: Unpacking the Bible, e.g. that bears in mind people’s heartfelt objections, God’s preaching the message of the cross. role in all of this should not be forgotten. As the human heart is naturally hostile to the gospel and the mind Although others might categorise the fi rst two steps “...love is naturally blinded (Romans 1), those sharing the good as ‘pre-evangelism’, that doesn’t detract from the fact the most news should always pray for both divine insight and that all three often play a part in people coming to assistance. Indeed, it is encouraging to remember that faith. Moreover, as the steps make clear, it is not a case powerful God has the power to break through any barriers to of having to choose between the Bible and the Holy apologetic” belief, even in the most unlikely of situations. Th at is Spirit, on the one hand, and reason and apologetics, why it is so important to realise that he can achieve a on the other. Discussions about God can be Bible- great deal through those who are willing to step out based and spirit-led without having to overtly refer in faith. With that in mind, it is perhaps fi tting to to passages of scripture, just as much as preaching end with the encouragement that Zacharias gives to can involve reasoning with people and using cultural Above from top to bottom: all believers: ‘Do not underestimate the role you may references, as Paul himself did when addressing the Ravi Zacharias, play in clearing the obstacles in someone’s spiritual Amy Orr-Ewing, 10 Areopagus (Acts 17:22-31). Indeed, the Bible not only Tom Price, journey’. encourages the use of the mind (Mark 12:30-31), but Sharon Dirckx, the gospel writers were themselves trying to persuade John Lennox. Simon Wenham RESEARCH COORDINATOR
1 G. K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy (London, 1909), p. 158. 2 Many other authors have written good articles on apologetics, including Alister McGrath (www.rzim.org/just-thinking/the-heart- of-apologetics/) and Greg Pritchard (www.bethinking.org/apologetics/what-is-apologetics-and-why-is-it-important). 3 John Lennox is someone who prefers not to use the term, as it reinforces the notion that it is a sub-division of philosophy. 4 See R. Zacharias ‘An Apologetic for Apologetics’, in R. Zacharias, Beyond Opinion (Nashville, 2007), p. xii. 5 For this attitude see M. Casey, Jesus: Evidence and Argument or Mythicist Myths (London, 2014), p. 3. He is equally scathing about atheists who deny the existence of Jesus. 6 Karl Barth was someone who rejected any notion of trying to fi nd rational justifi cation for God (see his Church Dogmatics). 7 See T. Price, ‘Evangelism and Apologetics Confusion: How the Apologetics Spectrum Can Help’, Lausanne Global Analysis, volume 5, issue 5 (September, 2016). 8 Zacharias, Beyond Opinion, pp. xvii-xix. 9 See page 29 of this magazine for more about some of the outworking of this statement (the work of Wellspring International). 10 Zacharias, Beyond Opinion, p. xvii. ZACHARIAS TRUST MAGAZINE 2018 5 WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO
Image: David Bennett Journeying with us
Every Christian is on a journey – seeking to know God and to make Him known. We very much want to be part of your journey, as we focus on the part of the Great Commission that we believe God has called us to: to make disciples of every nation, by ‘helping the thinker believe and the believer think’.
How people can get more involved with us is a question I am often to give you all of them, that email was the inspiration for this asked. In fact, one couple did so and then proceeded to list twenty- article. Th ere are many ways to enjoy the journey with us, eight opportunities that they felt existed. Although I am not going and here are some of them.
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1 Be equipped • Th ese resources will, of course, also help arenas, including government, media • Firstly, we believe that what we do is equip you in sharing your faith. and business settings, universities and essential for every Christian, because we schools. You can fi nd out about some of • We would love your feedback on how want to help you grasp the depth, beauty our speaking engagements here: we have helped you on your journey at and credibility of the gospel and, as a www.zachariastrust.org/events. any time. Feel free to contact us for any result, enable you to grow in confi dence reason. You can use the email form here: • Please partner with us fi nancially. We are in sharing and defending your faith. www.zachariastrust.org/contact-us. a UK registered charity, so you can give Th ere really are credible answers to the tax effi ciently. Th ere are several ways you intellectual objections and heartfelt 3 Be active for us in your church can do this: concerns that people – work colleagues, and beyond family, friends and others – have about • Please help promote our events, > by donating online via our website the gospel. particularly our REBOOT youth www.zachariastrust.org/donate. Th ere are ways we can equip you – from apologetics days for 12-18 year-olds > by mailing a cheque made payable to the comfort of your own home or (in London, Edinburgh and Belfast in RZIM Zacharias Trust, to our address, through our training around the UK. 2018). It’s critical we properly equip 76 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 6JT. Here are some of the options: our youth to defend their faith in the classroom and on the playground. Please > by calling our team on reception to • Short courses: UK training days, tell your church leaders, youth workers make a credit card donation training weekends and the week- and teens to make the most of these (direct tel: 01865 302900). long Oxford Summer School. events. Encourage them to register or > by setting up regular giving. Th ere’s a For further details, take a look at tune in as a group for the livestreaming. Standing Order form on the donate page www.zachariastrust.org/events. Full details, previous REBOOT talks of our website that you can print off and and additional resources are available at • Th rough our Oxford Centre for return to us. Of course, if you prefer, www.rebootglobal.org. You can also Christian Apologetics: a four-week you can set up your monthly giving read more about the event in Scotland programme for senior professionals online directly with your bank, but on page 34. (those working in business, government, please let us know. Email us at media and the arts), and a one-year and • Consider starting apologetics outreach offi [email protected]. two-year programme for those who sense events in your community (such as a • We rely 100% on donations to carry out a calling to be part of an evangelistic book club, a café Q&A time, or breakfast our work so, put simply, we cannot do ministry. See events) and also introduce apologetics what we do without your support. Feel www.theocca.org/training-overview. into your church to help other Christians free to be creative: as well as giving your be better able to share and defend their • If you prefer to study online, own support, do consider sponsored faith. We are always happy to advise you please look at our RZIM Academy: events or other ways to raise further on resources, and our books are available www.rzimacademy.org. More than support for us. to browse and buy at www.10ofthose. 4,500 Christians from 99 diff erent com/partners/rzim. • Th ere are many core projects that you countries have already studied and can support as well as our general fund, completed the introductory course (26 • Do also please tell others about our such as helping the Oxford Centre for lectures over 12 weeks). Enjoy being part work. Th e link www.zachariastrust. Christian Apologetics by providing of an online community with guidance org/connect gives Christians a good scholarships for the training of young from one of our moderators, too. Th e overview of ways to get more involved evangelist-apologists, and helping to introductory module is also available in with us. For seekers wanting to assess underwrite REBOOT to reach and equip French and Spanish, and there are now the credibility of the gospel, we have the next generation. several advanced electives, if you want to some videos and talks specifi cally to help go deeper. – see www.zachariastrust.org/explore. Conclusion Th e scale of the challenge facing the 2 Be informed and be in touch • Is there a strategic event you are church today to properly communicate the • If you haven’t already done so, sign up planning that our speakers might be able beauty and credibility of the gospel has (free) for our monthly e-newsletter at to help with? Perhaps an open forum arguably never been greater. Our team of www.zachariastrust.org/connect to enable seekers and sceptics to hear speakers around the globe has grown in the to enjoy links to our apologists’ talks a talk and ask their tough questions, last ten years from around ten to eighty, and articles, information on our speaking complemented by a training opportunity but we need your involvement more than engagements, key events, and details on to equip Christians in your community. ever – to be part of the mission to reach new books and resources from our team. You can request a speaker here: www. and equip, and to champion our cause and zachariastrust.org/request-speaker. • If you have received this annual support us in every way you can, as we magazine through an event rather than 4 Be a partner with us continue to ‘help the thinker believe and it being mailed to your home, do sign up • Please pray regularly for our team, the believer think’. for future issues on the same link as the particularly our speakers, as they e-newsletter. travel into a variety of countries and David Lloyd DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT
ZACHARIAS TRUST MAGAZINE 2018 7 ENGAGING CULTURE: HELPING THOSE WITH OBJECTIONS Hope and help for transgenderism
Many Christians do not know how to respond to the challenge posed by transgenderism. In this article, Sam Allberry explores the question of identity and shows why Christianity off ers something that is truly unique.
arely a day passes without transgender issues For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but “Bodily B hitting the news. It might be a human interest because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation brokenness feature about someone transitioning from one sex to itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and another, and how they’ve been received (or not) by their obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. of any kind, communities. It might concern the politics of rights for (Romans 8:20–21) if we have transgender men and women, and which toilets should be available to them. It might have to do with complex Creation isn’t right. Th e physical world has been eyes to see, discussions about the causes of and treatments ‘subjected to futility’ and to frustration. It doesn’t work can point available for transgenderism. But one thing’s for sure: properly. It’s out of joint. It has been subjected to this this issue isn’t going away anytime soon, and we frustration by God. Th e Bible’s wider narrative explains us to the Christians can’t aff ord to avoid it. this. God cursed the ground as a judgment on human broken body Yet many of us want to. We know we’re treading on sin (Genesis 3:17). In other words, the world isn’t right hugely sensitive ground. We know we’re dealing with as both a consequence and a demonstration of the fact of Christ” areas of deep personal pain for many men and women, that we’re not right. and we will be wary of saying things that might add to What’s true of creation in general is true of our that pain. bodies, too. Th ey’re part of the physical order that’s We might not know what we think about some of been subjected to this frustration. We see this the political debates raging all around us. We might frustration in a variety of ways. Some face unremitting feel as though we simply don’t know enough about health issues; others contend with a whole range of transgenderism to say anything with confi dence. body image struggles; still more experience body Try looking up ‘transgender’ in a Bible concordance; dysphoria – feeling as though they’re trapped in the you’re not likely to get far. wrong kind of body. Th e fact is, virtually no one has an But the gospel is always good news – for everyone. entirely straightforward relationship with their own It strikes me that there are two particular insights the body. It’s the way of life in this world. And while it’s gospel can off er that might form the starting point of true that anyone can see this problem, Christians can our response. uniquely account for it. Th e Bible shows us that sin causes profound 1. Unique Understanding alienation – fi rst and foremost from God, with other Gender dysphoria, the feeling of profound alienations ensuing. We’re alienated from one another. discomfort with the sex of one’s own body, is often And we’re alienated from ourselves. What was meant hugely painful. For some it’s chronic, going back even to be whole and integrated – our mind, body, and to early childhood. For many the emotional toll can feel spirit – is now deeply fractured. We don’t feel aligned in unbearable. No one can deny this pain. And Christians ourselves. can perhaps uniquely account for it. Knowing these things should make us compassionate. Paul gives us a key insight into the world in which While much of the thinking around transgender issues we live: today is fl awed, the pain experienced by those with gender dysphoria is all too real. We of all people should
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Image: LeslieLauren@iStock
appreciate why, for we of all people understand the true Bodily brokenness of any kind, if we have eyes to depth of what’s wrong with this world. Our churches see, can point us to the broken body of Christ – and should be the places people feel most safe trying to through that brokenness, to the eventual restoration articulate their own sense of not being right. and healing that comes through him. Embracing Christ doesn’t guarantee resolution in this life to the bodily 2. Unique Hope brokenness we experience, but it does give us a sure and But the Bible never ends with diagnosis. As well as confi dent hope that we will have a perfect relationship off ering a uniquely deep understanding, we can point with our body in the world to come. Above: Sam Allberry people to a uniquely solid hope. We all experience the curse of the fall in bodily ways. But the answer Sam Allberry to the problems in our body – along with the answer ZACHARIAS TRUST SPEAKER to any of our problems – is never going to be found in ourselves. Whatever we might do to our bodies to Sam Allberry is also a founding editor of Living Out, a Christian overcome perceived problems, we’ll never be able to fi x ministry that focuses on same-sex attraction (www.livingout.org). what truly lies beneath our self-alienation. We can alter He is the author of a number of books (see below), including Is God our appearance; we can correct much of what we think Anti-Gay?, Connected, James for You and Why Bother with Church? to be wrong. But we will never fi nd the real freedom we so deeply crave. Nothing we can do to our bodies will Transgender: further reading help us to feel that we’re our true selves – at least not in For more information on this topic, see the Christian a lasting way. Medical Fellowship’s article on gender dysphoria No, the only answer to our experience of brokenness (available from www.cmf.org.uk). in our bodies is found in the ultimate brokenness of Christ’s body. He experienced the ultimate affl iction. His was the body most reviled by others. And the 90 Days in John 14- ultimate dysphoria ever experienced was when he 17, Romans, James by Tim Keller and ‘who had no sin’ was ‘made sin for us’ (2 Corinthians Sam Allberry 5:21). Talk about being in the wrong fl esh. Yet he went through all of that for us. He experienced ultimate Sam Allberry’s latest book brokenness, so that we would never have to. (co-written with Tim Th e issue with our bodies turns out to be the issue Keller), 90 Days in John 14- 17, Romans, James, opens with every part of us. Th ey manifest brokenness in a up the treasures of three way that points to the brokenness within every single enriching parts of God’s one of us. We’ve turned from God, so nothing is as it Word. It contains ninety devotionals from John 14- should be. Th e starting place for the Christian faith is 17, Romans and James, and is designed to help readers go recognising this. ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit,’ Jesus deeper into the riches of Scripture, in order to draw closer told us (Matthew 5:3), not ‘Blessed are those who think to the Lord and gain a fresh appreciation for His love. they’ve got everything pretty much together.’
ZACHARIAS TRUST MAGAZINE 2018 9 ENGAGING CULTURE: HELPING THOSE WITH OBJECTIONS
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A fl ood of biblical proportions: can we really believe in Noah’s ark?
Th e story of Noah’s ark may be a child’s favourite, but can an adult really take it seriously? In this article, Jo and Vince Vitale take a look at how Christians have understood the account and what attitude they should have towards those who hold diff erent perspectives.
mongst the many objections brought against the biblical A account of the genesis of our world, there are three questions in particular that audiences like to ask time and again: ‘Did Adam and Eve exist?’, ‘What about the dinosaurs?!’ and, perhaps most frequently of all, ‘Are we really supposed to believe in Noah’s fl ood?’ Concerning this third question, part of the diffi culty we face today is discerning exactly what it is that we are being asked to believe. For although the majority of Christians throughout history have accepted that the fl ood narrative of Genesis (chapters six to eight) recounts an historical event, there are some today who argue that this story ought to be read as mythology or metaphor. Th ose who take the latter view often draw attention to the close parallels between Genesis 6-8 and the fl ood narratives found in other ancient Near Eastern texts, such as the Akkadian Atrahasis epic or the Babylonian creation story Enuma Elish. Placing these ancient fl ood stories side-by-side, scholars often argue that Genesis 6-8 is simply a retelling of a popular myth of the ancient world. However, although certain literary parallels exist between these ancient fl ood stories, their diff erences are far greater than their similarities. In particular, the way in which the book of Genesis presents the nature, the character, and the motivation of God is utterly distinctive. It is also problematic to assume, as some scholars do, that the biblical account is contingent upon other Image: OurPersonalPhotographer@iStock ancient Near Eastern myths, rather than vice versa. In fact, instead>
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of disproving an historic fl ood, the prominence of these “Christians eretz referred to the fl ooding of ‘all the land’, ancient fl ood narratives in this region of the world might disagree rather than ‘all the world’. Th ose holding this could be taken as evidence in support of the occurrence position also argue that if the intention had been of a fl ood of great enough magnitude that it left a over this to refer to a global fl ood, then there is another lasting impression in the memory of these ancient topic, but we Hebrew word that could have been used which writers. would have unambiguously stated that this was Reading the narrative historically not only makes can still be indeed a fl ooding of the entire planet. sense of the genealogical material – which presents united in our 2. Another linguistic debate occurs over whether the Noah and his family as real fi gures in the lineage of fl ood covered ‘the mountains’ or ‘the hills’, both of Israel – but it also aligns with the New Testament reverence for which are referred to by the same word in Hebrew. references to ‘the days of Noah’ as an actual, rather God’s Word, Th ose taking a global perspective argue that the than mythological, era (Luke 17:26-28; Hebrews right reading of Genesis 7:20 is that the water was 11:7; 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:5). Consequently, instead our love 15 cubits (7 metres) higher than the mountains. of presuming that literary parallels point towards a for Christ, Th ose who understand this to be a localised metaphorical interpretation, we believe that the format fl ood argue that the word translated as ‘higher’ and the positioning of the account, coupled with its and our actually just means ‘upward’ in Hebrew, implying historical and theological implications, point towards commitment that the water was 15 cubits high in general, an actual fl ood event. thereby covering small hills rather than towering However, even amongst those who take this to sharing mountains. narrative ‘literally’ a question remains as to the scale the gospel” of the judgment, and whether it was a local event or a 3. One crucial question raised by those who argue fl ood of global proportions. On the one side, you can for a global fl ood is this: if these events were only fi nd a very thorough and thoughtful case made by regional, why would God bother commanding Christian theologians and scientists who are convinced Noah to build a giant boat? To do so seems like a that the fl ood was global in scope. On the other side, pointless and time-consuming task, considering you may encounter Christian scholars who are equally that it would have been far easier for his family committed to the fl ood being a localised event. Here is a to simply depart from the region! Th e counter- brief overview of the key points of contention: perspective, however, is that God frequently asks His Old Testament prophets to perform 1. ‘Whole earth’ or ‘whole land’? Th ose who support public, symbolic acts as a warning to the people a global fl ood argue that throughout Genesis of impending judgment. Th erefore, those who see 6-8 the repeated Hebrew expression kol eretz this as a local fl ood class the building of the ark is rightly translated in our English Bibles to as one of these prophetic sign-acts, by means of read that the fl ood covered the ‘whole earth’, which Noah is ultimately vindicated in the sight or ‘all the world’. Th ose who take the counter- of the people who mocked him when the judgment perspective, however, argue that the expression of God is brought against them. conveys a range of meanings throughout the Old Testament. Sometimes it means the ‘whole world’, 4. If the fl ood was indeed just a local event, then but it can also mean ‘all the people’, signifying critics of this view question why such a strong the population, and most frequently of all, it is emphasis is placed on God’s promise at the end used to refer to ‘all the land’, specifying a local of the narrative (along with the accompanying geographical region. Consequently, some argue rainbow in the sky as a sign): ‘I establish my that in the context of the localised events of Above left: Olga_Anourina@ covenant with you, that never again shall all fl esh Genesis 2-11, the early Jewish community would iStock be cut off by the waters of the fl ood, and never have intuitively understood that in this case kol Above right: Jaap2@iStock again shall there be a fl ood to destroy the earth
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[or land]’ (Genesis 9:11). Th ey also point out that What is notable about both these two well-defended if this passage simply refers to a local fl ood, then positions, however, is that each side is off ering a robust it would make a liar out of God, as there have biblical and scientifi c account as evidence for their been countless regional fl oods since! In response position. In neither case do the proponents of these to this critique, however, others argue that the two positions consider themselves to be setting science intent behind God’s promise is not that there will over Scripture, or intentionally forsaking scientifi c never again be regional fl oods, but rather that evidence for the sake of Scripture. Rather, each side never again will He bring about the universal is saying that you can take God’s Word seriously, judgment of all the people via means of a fl ood. receiving it as the ultimate and inspired source of all Notably, many of those who argue against a global truth, and yet still come out with a view that is not fl ood are not denying the scope of the fl ood when only consistent with, but that makes the most sense of it comes to judgment. Rather, they would claim the scientifi c records. that, in ‘the days of Noah’, all the people were still All this to say, while it remains an important topic living in a specifi c region, and therefore a regional for us to grapple with, we shouldn’t allow the debates fl ood is all that is needed to judge them. From surrounding Genesis 6-8 to become a stumbling-block Above: Vince Vitale this perspective, it is the scale of the geographical either to our own faith, or to the faith of another. and Jo Vitale events that they challenge, not the scale of the Faithful, Bible-believing Christians might disagree over judgment against humanity. this topic, but we can still be united in our reverence for God’s Word, our love for Christ, and our commitment Th ere is much more that could be off ered in support to sharing the gospel. of either side (e.g. arguments concerning the size and Nor is this a topic that need undermine our the construction of the ark, the gathering and the evangelistic eff orts, if it happens to come up in a caretaking of the animals, the length of the fl ood conversation with sceptics. For whatever an individual and the receding of the waters, etc.), but enough has comes to think about Genesis 6-8, nobody’s salvation been outlined to give you the gist of the debate. Given will be determined by their specifi c beliefs concerning that thoughtful arguments have been made on both the fl ood narrative, but only by whether they have sides, you may be wondering why Christians dispute put their faith in Jesus Christ. In the words of Billy this issue so hotly. Th e reason for this is because Graham, it is Jesus who is our ‘Ark of Safety...Th e storm whether the fl ood was local or global in scale actually of judgment can break; but it will never touch you, has implications for a much larger debate within because you are in Christ Jesus.’ Christianity than just the correct interpretation of Genesis 6-8. Jo and Vince Vitale For those who believe in a ‘young-earth’ creation, for VINCE AND JO WORK AT THE ZACHARIAS INSTITUTE IN ATLANTA example, it is the worldwide fl ood that anchors their AS DIRECTOR AND DEAN OF STUDIES RESPECTIVELY. THEY ARE ALSO understanding of the earth’s scientifi c history, as they ITINERANT SPEAKERS FOR RZIM. believe that such a cataclysmic event best accounts for the geological and fossil records that we have today. Th e Flood: further reading For ‘old-earth’ creationists or theistic-evolutionists, If you are interested in reading more about Christian on the other hand, our geological records not only views on the fl ood, including perspectives from non- point towards a far more ancient age of the earth, but evangelicals, see Davis Young’s Th e Biblical Flood: A Case they are seen as contradicting evidence used in support Study of the Church’s Response to Extrabiblical Evidence of a global fl ood. Although we’ve summarised both positions, what we haven’t done is argue for the truth or faithfulness of one reading above the other. To do so would require IS GOD IN CONTROL? a much more thorough review of the biblical text and the interpretative arguments than we have space for The biblical fl ood raises wider questions here! What we hope to have done, however, is to show about God’s involvement on earth and that reasonable people who revere the Word of God and how people are saved. Christians all who desire to interpret it faithfully can still come to know that salvation comes from Jesus’ death on the cross, but what role, if any, diff erent conclusions about Genesis 6-8. do humans play in the process? Often as Christians, we can be incredibly wary of those within the family of God who think diff erently As John Lennox points out, how from us. So, for example, those who believe in a global you answer that question has huge fl ood have sometimes accused those who disagree ramifi cations for how you view the character of God. In his latest book, with them of subverting the original meaning of the Determined to Believe, he takes a text in order to ‘exalt science over Scripture’, while fresh look at the theological debate the other side will counter that their ‘opponents’ have surrounding the sovereignty of God, misrepresented science to conform to a misinformed freedom, faith and human responsibility. reading of Scripture.
1 Christ, Th e Ark of Safety: A Message by Billy Graham. ZACHARIAS TRUST MAGAZINE 2018 13 ENGAGING CULTURE: HELPING THOSE WITH OBJECTIONS
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Is the Bible racist?
Scripture has been used to justify all kinds of human behaviour, including racial oppression. In this article, Lara Buchanan looks at what the Bible says about race and how it provides the foundation for ethnic equality.
“...the Bible he question of racial equality and prejudice has records Tincreasingly taken a central place in the public square. Th ankfully, many Christians are recognising all manner that this conversation is long overdue, as it is no secret of human that the Bible has been used to justify systems of racial oppression. While today many Christians claim evils, to oppose racism, there is a need to truly own the including devastating eff ects it has had in the past and further grapple with its continued presence today in society racism” and in the church. Th ere are a number of important questions which the church urgently needs to consider. One such question concerns the biblical text itself. Given that many racially-motivated movements appealed to the words of the Bible to gain credibility and support, one naturally asks: ‘Does the Bible support racist prejudices? Is the Bible racist?’ Along with centuries of other Christians, I believe the Bible is clear: God is unequivocally and vehemently opposed to racism – he ‘upholds the cause of the oppressed.’1 If the question was, ‘Does the Bible contain racism?’ the answer would be a resounding ‘yes!’. As a faithful narrative of human history the Bible records all manner of human evils, including racism. But just because something is described in the Bible does not mean that Left: Lara Buchanan it is prescribed. In order to see the Bible’s overarching answers the question message on this issue, we are going to do a lightning ‘Is the Bible sexist and racist?’ at the ‘Why? Series’ tour of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, looking in London. Watch online: both at the positive case for racial equality, and the > www.zachariastrust.org/ training-day 1 Psalm 146:7.
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parts which have been used to deny it. In the book of Genesis, we are given a picture of God’s original design before sin enters the world. It is a beautiful world of goodness and relational harmony devoid of any sexism, racism, hatred or murder. While all creation is celebrated as ‘good’, we are told that Adam and Eve are distinct as they uniquely bear God’s image.2 Th e reason this is important is that, throughout the Bible, Adam and Eve are referred to as representatives of the whole human race (eg Acts 17:26). Th eir unique status as ‘image bearers’ is conferred on all people everywhere. In Christian theology, this is seen as laying the foundation for social, ethnic and gender equality. It is interesting to compare the biblical text with other ancient creation accounts. In Egyptian mythology, for example, Egyptians alone are depicted as being created fully ‘human’ while all other people groups are portrayed as having descended from the enemies of God.3 Conversely, the Bible clearly confers inherent worth on all humanity, because they all bear God’s image. Despite this clear affi rmation of racial equality there are four sections in the Old Testament which, over the centuries, have been used to try and make the case for for the prohibition: it is about marrying outside of “In the book racial inequality: Israel as God’s ‘chosen’ race, God’s the faith. By contrast, leaders like Joseph and Moses of Genesis, judgment of the people of Canaan, God’s laws against marry non-Semitic, African women. Joseph marries inter-marriage, and the (supposed) ‘Curse of Ham’. Asenath, daughter of an African Egyptian priest,5 and we are given In Genesis 12, we are told that Abraham was ‘chosen’ out of their union come Ephraim and Manasseh, two a picture and that God was going to make him into a great of the twelve tribes of Israel.6 Not only are such unions nation. Some have wondered whether this shows racial blessed by God, but we see him actively opposing those of God’s 7 prejudice or divine favouritism. However, it simply (like Aaron and Miriam) who stood against them. Th e original cannot be read that way. We are told explicitly that marriage prohibition is about spiritual compatibility, Abraham was not chosen because he was more valuable it is not a question of ethnicity at all.8 Th e New design before or loved, but because God had a purpose for him. Th is Testament teaching on marriage reiterates this. Th ere sin enters purpose was to be a blessing to ‘all the families of the is no mention of race or ethnicity whatsoever, rather it earth…’4 God wanted all the peoples of the earth to teaches that it is prudent for those who follow Christ to the world. 9 know Him. He wanted Israel to be His messengers. marry within the faith. It is a Th e whole plot of the story is based on God’s love for Lastly, what about the supposed ‘Curse of Ham’? In all the peoples of the earth. We see that this love for all the sixteenth century, a theory that linked the ‘Hamite’ beautiful people is absolutely central to the message of the Bible. to dark-skinned African people began to gain currency world of To twist this is to twist the core point! as a rationale for slavery.10 It claimed that the scripture But someone might ask, if God loved all people in Genesis 9:25 describes dark-skinned people as goodness and groups equally then why did he send Israel to conquer natural-born slaves or savages. Th eologian Daniel Hays relational the people of Canaan? Does that point to racial has argued that this is the most grossly misinterpreted prejudice, even ethnic cleansing? Whatever we make of text in the whole Bible.11 Certainly, the consequences of harmony God’s use of one nation to bring judgment on another, the abuse of that text echo through history. So what is devoid of the reason for this judgment is clear: moral failure, not actually happening in this scripture? Well, Noah’s son ethnic identity! Th is is no genocide or ethnic cleansing. Ham wrongs his father, and Noah responds, ‘Cursed any sexism, We are told this explicitly in the scripture, but we can be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be to his racism, also see this because twice God uses other nations to brothers.’ However, the curse is uttered not to Ham, bring a similar judgment on the Israelites for their but to his son, Canaan. In Genesis 10:15-19, we are told hatred spiritual and moral failure. Finally, when it comes to that the descendants of Canaan moved to the region of or murder” the Canaanites in particular, of all the surrounding modern Palestine. Th eologians understand the curse to nations they would have been the most ethnically be a natural consequence of Ham’s sin on his progeny, similar to the Israelites. Whatever other questions but the Bible makes no link whatsoever between are raised by this text, racism has to be ruled out as Canaan and dark-skinned people. Th e claim that in this an issue. text God irrevocably curses an entire ethnic group is an So what about the prohibition of inter-racial unfounded piece of conjecture – it simply isn’t there in marriage recorded in Deuteronomy 7:3 and Ezra 10:11? the text. While the question of the Bible and slavery is Even a cursory glance at the text shows the reason another whole topic, outside the scope of this article,
2 Genesis 1:27. 5 Genesis 41:50. 3 A. Ehrman, Life in Ancient Egypt 6 Genesis 41:51-52. 16 WWW.ZACHARIASTRUST.ORG (London, 1894), p. 32. 7 Numbers 12:1-9. 4 Genesis 12:3. 8 Deuteronomy 7:1-2; Ezra 9:1-2, 11, 14. ENGAGING CULTURE: HELPING THOSE WITH OBJECTIONS
Above: The African team at Makerere University, the top ranking university in Uganda
Far left: peeterv@iStock Left: Lara Buchanan
for our purposes it is imperative to note that when the “...the true practice of ancient slavery is mentioned in the Bible, it expression And after this I looked up and behold, a great multitude that has nothing to do with racial discrimination. In fact, no one could number from every nation, from all tribes and biblically-motived Christians played a critical role in of church peoples and languages standing before the throne and crying 17 the abolition movements in both the United States and is unity with a loud voice ‘Salvation belongs to our God’. the United Kingdom. In the New Testament, the theme of racial equality is in diversity” Celebrating diversity and being united in our central. In a context where racial tensions were running diversity is not a peripheral theme of the Bible. It is at high, Jesus shocked his contemporaries by challenging the very heart of who God is. Within his own being their prejudices, both through his teaching and actions. God is three-in-one – unique and distinct beings utterly His teaching about the Good Samaritan, arguably his unifi ed. It is in knowing this mystery in our own lives most famous parable,12 cuts right to the heart of this that we enter into God’s life and understand the depths issue, as it was intended, at least in part, to reveal the and majesty of truly loving another. ethnic prejudice of his own people towards another. In this short article, I have presented the reasons A major theme of the New Testament writings is the why I have become convinced that the message of the outworking of Jesus’ fi nal words and commission to Bible is not only fundamentally opposed to racism of all his disciples, ‘Go and make disciples of all nations’.13 kinds, but provides a fi rm ethical foundation for racial Th e disciples begin to realise what has always been and ethnic equality. God’s purposes from the beginning: that all the people of the earth would be blessed! In Galatians, Paul urges Lara Buchanan the early church towards total unity, arguing ‘there is ZACHARIAS TRUST SPEAKER no longer Jew nor Greek…for you are all one in Christ Jesus’.14 In his letter to the Ephesians, he takes this further. Picking up the picture of ‘celebrated diversity’ GENOCIDE in Genesis’ creation account, Paul describes how Jesus broke down dividing walls of hostility between IN THE OLD diff erent people groups.15 He goes on to say that the TESTAMENT? true expression of church is unity in diversity! In If you want to read this way, we refl ect the manifold (polipoikilos: diverse, more on this topic, multifaceted) wisdom of God.16 do look out for a new In the last pages of the Bible, as the writer of Revelation looks forward to a time when once again academic book by the world will know the freedom of God’s perfect and Christian Hofreiter, loving rule, we are given a beautiful picture of diversity: Director of RZIM Germany, Austria and Switzerland, entitled Making Sense of Old Testament Genocide. 9 1 Corinthians 7:39; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. 12 Luke 10:25-27. 10 L. M. Alexander and W. C. Rucker (eds), 13 Matthew 28:19, cf Acts 1:8. Encyclopedia of African American History 14 Galatians 3:28. (Santa Barbara, 2010), p. 86. 11 J. D. Hays, From Every People and Nation: 15 Ephesians 2:14. A Biblical Th eology of Race 16 Ephesians 3:10. ZACHARIAS TRUST MAGAZINE 2018 17 (Downers Grove, 2002), p. 55. 17 Revelation 4:1. ENGAGING CULTURE: HELPING THOSE WITH OBJECTIONS
Is religion dangerous?
Many people would agree with the suggestion that religion causes a lot of problems in the world today. In this article, Simon Edwards examines the legacy of Christianity and shows why Jesus is not the source of the troubles we see around us, but is the answer to them.
ave you ever been to a dinner party with people you don’t a dinner party like that, do you keep your head down and hope that Hknow when the topic of religion has come up in conversation? no one asks you about it? Or maybe, deep down, you feel confl icted, If you have, you will probably have come across the argument because you think that they might have a point. Perhaps the world that it is the main cause of confl ict in the world today. Christopher would be a safer place without religion. Hitchens argued that ‘religion poisons everything’, whilst Richard But are they right? Th is is one of the most signifi cant questions Dawkins suggests that faith is ‘one of the world’s great evils, of our time. In order to address this topic, it is important to ask two comparable to the smallpox virus, but harder to eradicate’. Isn’t it clarifying questions: is religion really the cause of confl ict in the obvious, as John Lennon expressed in his song ‘Imagine’, that the world, and, when violence is committed in the name of religion, is it world would be a much better place without religion? No terrorist really the main cause or are other factors at play? attacks, no confl icts in the Middle East, no troubles in Northern Ireland and no violent disputes over what is written in ancient holy Causes of violence in the world books. It is no wonder that a recent survey showed that more than Just over a decade ago, Charles Phillips and Alan Axelrod half of Britons believe that religion does more harm than good. produced a three-volume Encyclopaedia of Wars in which they argued If you are a Christian, how does this make you feel? If you are at that only 123 of the 1,763 (7%) wars they identifi ed had a religious
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Image: A woman walks near a house in the city of Homs destroyed in the fi ghting between the rebels of the Syrian National Army. ©bwb-studio@iStock
cause. In terms of casualties, they accounted for less than 2% of where religion is a factor, its infl uence is often overstated. It is a bit those killed in warfare. By contrast, history is clear that irreligion like the joke about the American tourist who walks into a bar in has caused hundreds of millions more deaths than religion. Sixty Belfast only to be confronted by a group of burly men demanding million people were killed in China alone under Mao Zedong’s to know whether he is a Protestant or a Catholic. Th e confused Marxism, fi fteen million in Russia under Stalinist communism, tourist exclaims that he is actually an atheist, at which point the and perhaps over two million under Pol Pot. In each of these cases, leader of the group looks him in the eye and says, ‘Yes, but are you the offi cial government policy was to try to wipe out religion. a Protestant atheist or a Catholic atheist?’ Underlying the humour Whilst those killed by atheistic regimes are often underestimated, is an important point: that often religion is just the veneer, as the numbers of those killed for religious reasons are often vastly there are other factors going on beneath the surface. With the so- overestimated in public consciousness. Th e infamous Spanish called ‘religious wars’ of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, Inquisition, for example, killed an estimated 5,000 people over for example, other factors, such as dynastic infl uence, power, the course of three and a half centuries. Th at is fewer than Stalin’s nationalism and economics were at play. regime claimed per week. In short, history shows us that only a tiny fraction of human Moreover, as historian John Wolff e points out, in situations confl icts were caused by religion and, even when religion is a cause,>
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many other factors were often involved. Th erefore, “Th e opium but he showed outrageous love by healing the ear of the historical data simply does not support the new of modernity one of those who had come to hurt him. His example atheist’s claim that religion is the primary cause of has inspired millions of Christians throughout history human confl ict, nor does it support their claim that is the belief to love their neighbours and even their enemies, getting rid of religion would bring about peace. that there sometimes in the most trying of circumstances. It is not clear how you would get rid of it anyway, A reality check is clearly in order because, as history given that cognitive scientists tell us that we are is no God, demonstrates, those motivated by Christ have made naturally hardwired to be religious. You could outlaw so that a vast global contribution to champion reconciliation, it, but governments that have attempted to do so have combat slavery, injustice, genocide and infanticide, always been oppressive ones. humans are promote access to education, science, the arts, political free to do freedom and social justice, and pioneer hospitals, Violence in the name of religion orphanages, charitable societies, and law reform. And If you read new atheist literature, you would be precisely as yet the new atheists can scarcely bring themselves to forgiven for concluding that all religious beliefs must they please.” concede that a single human benefi t has fl owed from be the same. Very little eff ort is made to make any type the Christian faith and that, instead, religion is, as Sam of rational or moral distinction between one type of Harris suggested, the world’s greatest evil. (CZESLAW MILOSZ) religious belief and another. Yet, I don’t know many thoughtful people who would say that Osama Bin Where does evil fi t in? Laden and Mother Th eresa belong in the same moral But you see there’s an uncomfortable tension here category, simply because they were both religious. One for the atheist, because the term ‘evil’ loses any real was dedicated to violence and terrorism and the other meaning if God is removed from the picture. As to a life of self-sacrifi cial love. Richard Dawkins famously put it, ‘If there is no God, Why do the new atheists appear unable to then the universe in which we live, has at bottom, no distinguish between diff erent religions, when they design, no purpose, no evil and no good, nothing but expect people to do so for atheists? Whenever one blind, pitiless indiff erence’ [emphasis added]. As the speaks of the evils committed under the irreligious atheist philosopher Nietzsche pointed out long ago, if regimes of Stalin or Mao or Pol Pot, atheists are quick we remove God from the picture there is no longer any to make the point that not all atheists are like that. objective moral reference point for deciding what is All atheists are not the same and neither are all right and wrong. Without the transcendent, we are left religions. Th e better question, therefore, is not ‘is with moral relativism, but that goes completely against religion dangerous?’ but ‘is this particular religion in its the grain of every human instinct, because it means current form dangerous?’ Each religion has to answer that horrendous things like racism, sexism, rape or that question for itself. genocide are not objectively wrong. I can only speak for Christianity and, unfortunately, One cannot visit the former concentration camp of our record is not without blemish. We should be Auschwitz without being deeply aff ected by the sense the fi rst to put up our hands and say the church has that what happened there was not only objectively not always done a great job of representing Christ, wrong, it was evil. Th ough few people today are particularly whenever it has sought to impose belief or aware of it, Nietzsche’s atheistic philosophy had a doctrine by threat or violence. Even today, some of the profound infl uence upon Hitler, providing him with vitriol you read online from people who call themselves the conceptual framework for his systematic regime of believers aimed at those who disagree with them can obliterating those he considered weak and inferior. be pretty awful. It can be petty, tribal, unloving and Keith Ward points out that it is when people feel un-Christlike. that life is pointless or that existence is some kind of And that’s the point. It’s un-Christlike. It’s unlike cruel joke or accident, that they can often surrender Christ. Whenever such things have been done in the to sadistic and destructive impulses. In other words, it name of Christianity, they have been done in violation is not faith, but lack of faith, in the value of existence of the teachings of Jesus himself. We must be careful and in the possibility of goodness, that is likely to not to judge any worldview by its abuse. In order lead to pure evil. Th e Nobel Prize-winning poet to determine, in any given scenario, whether the Czeslaw Milosz, who experienced both Nazi and Soviet particular religion itself really is the chief cause of the oppression, argued that it was not religion, but the violence we need to ask – is the person or people who denial of accountability in the sight of God that lay at are causing the violence acting in keeping with their the root of the century’s most oppressive violence and worldview or in violation of their worldview? cruelty. He wrote: In Christ’s very fi rst sermon, he declared that the poor in spirit, the meek, the persecuted and the A true opium of the people is a belief in nothingness after peacemakers are blessed. Moreover, he not only taught death, the huge solace of thinking that for all our betrayals, his disciples not to repay violence with violence, but greed, cowardice, murders we are not going to be judged. he exhorted them to love their enemies. Jesus never Th e opium of modernity is the belief that there is no God, used political or military power to enforce his views so that humans are free to do precisely as they please. and, when he was arrested, he not only went willingly
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Above left: Maher Samuel What hope is there for humanity? speaks at ‘One Thing’ 2017 in him to become known as ‘the most dangerous man in Getting rid of God is not the answer to getting rid of the Middle East Mississippi’. Yet after being imprisoned, he read the evil. To paraphrase the great thinker GK Chesterton, if Above right: stevenallan@ Bible and this led to an encounter that changed his life. there is one thing that is morally certain, it is that the iStock He recalled that, ‘Th e light came on…I found myself world would be much more violent without belief in knowing I needed the grace of God and the forgiveness God, than it ever was with belief in God. of my sins. For the fi rst time, what Jesus did on the Is religion a problem? Well, sometimes it is, but it cross became really precious and personally important is not the root of the problem. We could argue that to me.’ His conversion was so dramatic the FBI agent money is dangerous and poisons everything, because who had arrested him also became a Christian, as it causes crime, so we should get rid of money, or Tom’s life was undeniable evidence that born-again politics is dangerous, because it causes division, or experiences could happen. Today, he is the gentlest, science is dangerous because it causes weapons. most caring person in the world and it is incredible Clearly, the answer is not to do away with money or to think that a few decades ago he was a hate-fi lled politics or science or religion, even though people can terrorist. and have used these things to cause damage. Our biggest problem lies much deeper. What is it? “...the heart Conclusion It’s us. We are the common factor in every problem. of the Is all religion dangerous? No, not all religion is Th e poison is actually within. As Aleksandr dangerous. But just about any ideology, including Solzhenitsyn wrote: human atheism, has the potential to be dangerous, because problem is every single human heart has the potential to be If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously bigoted, to be arrogant, to be superior, to be violent committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to the problem and to be obsessed with power. separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the of the But what Tom’s story so clearly demonstrates is that line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every God is in the business of transforming human hearts. human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his human It is his love and forgiveness off ered to us through the own heart? heart” cross, through Jesus Christ, that has the power to radically transform even the most hate-fi lled hearts In other words, ‘the heart of the human problem is into hearts of compassion, forgiveness and love. the problem of the human heart’. Jesus is not the cause of the world’s problems, he is Evil is very real and Christianity takes it seriously. the answer to them. Th at’s why at the centre of Christianity there is a cross. Jesus experienced the reality of human evil on the cross and he defeated it. He did this, not by returning Simon Edwards evil with evil, but by laying down his life on that cross, UK TEAM LEADER for you and for me. My friend and mentor, Tom Tarrants, was once a Ku Klux Klan terrorist whose bombing campaign helped Above: Simon Edwards
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Image: John Lennox and Richard Dawkins in 2008. Courtesy of Fixed Point Foundation©Matthew Morgan Debating atheists: partisan posturing or eff ective evangelism?
Public debates can be feisty aff airs, which is one of the reasons why they are so popular. In this article, Simon Wenham reports on two recent exchanges and explains why this type of engagement can be an eff ective form of evangelism.
wo of our speaking team recently went ‘toe-to-toe’ some of the best-known Christian speakers don’t take “...it is vital Tin public debates with a couple of the country’s most part in them. It is not hard to see why, as they can that debates prominent atheists. Max Jeganathan debated Andrew not only be overly adversarial, but they can also play Copson, President of the British Humanist Association, into the hands of those who do them more frequently. like this occur, at Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School on the proposition Unfortunately, they can also be: because the that ‘Th e future of Britain belongs to humanism’, whilst • 1. Non-debates: As both sides don’t always listen Max Baker-Hytch debated fellow philosopher, Stephen stakes for to each other and they can resort to cheap ‘point Law, at Durham University on the question of ‘Does God scoring’. humanity exist?’ Th is article looks at some of the arguments that • 2. ‘Style over substance’: As the best orator they used, as well as the wider question of whether it is could hardly often ‘wins’, irrespective of how good their worthwhile for Christians to get involved in this kind of arguments are. be higher” engagement. • 3. One-sided: As a debater’s academic background What’s the point? or the wording of the motion can give a Public debates are clearly not for everyone, as even participant an advantage.
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• 4. Publicity for opponents: As they give of an intelligent creator. Furthermore, he added that recognition and a voice to an adversary. the ability of human beings to investigate matters that • 5. Time-consuming: As participants must are far removed from mundane survival needs is also prepare their own work, as well as anticipating better explained by theism than atheism. what their opponent might say. • 6. Unproductive: As a speaker can say much more Does the future of Britain belong to humanism? on their own without a challenger. When discussing the country’s future, Andrew Copson’s main approach was to refer to demographic Above: Max Baker-Hytch Yet despite the potential pitfalls, there are various data showing the decline of the Church of England, reasons why they can be a useful form of engagement. whilst also pointing to the atrocities carried out by As Jeganathan points out, if you are concerned about religious believers historically (e.g. ISIS, the Crusades, the truth, then you can signifi cantly benefi t from a etc). Whilst some of the statistics speak for themselves, ‘fruitful combat of opposing ideas’, as that is the way in he did not, however, include any of those showing which our legal and political institutions were formed. growth among non-Anglican churches, nor was there Nevertheless, you have to avoid arguing for argument’s any nuance shown in relation to non-theists, many of sake and, instead, remember that a believer’s objective whom are agnostic, rather than defi ning themselves as is to win people to Christ. It is not, therefore, a question atheists. Furthermore, whilst demographic trends may of choosing between graciousness and love, on the one Above: Max Jeganathan provide an indication of people’s beliefs, they don’t help hand, and strategy and assertiveness, on the other, you decide the bigger and more pertinent question of because all are needed for eff ective Christian witness whether humanism should own the future. in this setting. Indeed, when debates are done in the To answer that, you have to look at what is true, as correct spirit, they can be a good way to: if you are commending any worldview you have to be able to justify it. Indeed, Jeganathan stressed that • 1. Reach new audiences: As they ensure partisan you can’t have objective notions of good and evil at supporters hear diff erent perspectives. all, for example, without an objective reference point • 2. Engage people: As they are hugely popular (i.e. God). By contrast, Copson did not accept his and many people watch them. opponent’s suggestion that secular humanist values • 3. Refi ne ideas: As they can help to illuminate were necessarily subjective, utilitarian and relativistic. the strengths and weaknesses of truth claims. Jeganathan ended the debate by encouraging the • 4. Foster mutual understanding: As they audience to actively explore the truth claims of (usually) force participants to interact fairly Christianity, as they should do with any worldview. with their opponents. • 5. Establish the credibility of an argument: Conclusion As they can show what ideas are intellectually Public debates may not be for everyone, but if done robust. in the right spirit, there is certainly value to them, as there remains a real interest in how opposing Does God exist? viewpoints interact with each other in the global To tackle the question of whether God exists, marketplace of ideas. Furthermore, there are many Stephen Law deployed what he has called the ‘evil god examples of people becoming believers partly as a result challenge’. Th is involves using the arguments theists of hearing a well-reasoned case for Christianity in such give to justify why a good God might allow evil to occur a setting. In a world where there is so much polarisation and then inverting them, so they become justifi cations and intolerance, it is clearly healthy for a society if for why an evil god might allow goodness in the world. those from divergent perspectives can come together An evil god might allow free will, for example, because to engage in civil public discussion. Indeed, when it would be good (from an evil god’s perspective) to have “Public assessing ideas, it is also important to see what attitude creatures freely choosing evil, even if the price was that proponents of a worldview have towards those who they might sometimes choose to do good. Th e thought debates may disagree with them. Moreover, you could argue that it is experiment is supposed to demonstrate that you would not be for vital that debates like this occur, because the stakes for not accept the arguments when applied to an evil god, humanity could hardly be higher. and therefore you should not accept them for a good everyone, Ultimately, the outcome of discussions like this will God either. but if not only infl uence how individuals view themselves, Baker-Hytch’s response was to show that, despite but will be absolutely critical in shaping what our world appearances, the two hypotheses are not on par with done in the will look like in the future – whether that be for better each other, because the very notion of an evil god is right spirit, or for worse. logically incoherent and there is no parallel incoherence with the notion of an all-good God. As a positive case there is Simon Wenham for God’s existence, he used the fi ne-tuning argument, certainly RESEARCH COORDINATOR which refers to the physical constants that govern our universe being within such a miniscule range needed value to permit life, that they seem to point to the existence to them”
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Image: Mustello@iStock
Global gospel: the work of the EMEA team
urope, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) are home to EUROPE over two billion people. As a region within the global RZIM E Th e work of RZIM continues to grow itinerant team, we are seeking to proclaim the good news of in Europe, both through the expanding Jesus in this vibrant and diverse part of the world. Despite the reach of OCCA, as well as the work of the challenges posed by secularism, Islam, tribalism and hedonism, team members in many countries across God is at work in miraculous and powerful ways. We are the continent. One key initiative is RZIM blessed with a gifted team who live, speak, travel and minister Spain’s Proclama training programme to powerfully in the languages and cultures of EMEA, as RZIM Above: Amy Orr-Ewing raise up emerging evangelists, which is now seeks to reach the culture shapers in universities, businesses, being launched in the DACH region and parliaments and creative spaces. Romania. Th e region is also home to the Oxford Centre for Christian Another important part of mission work Apologetics (OCCA), where people come from all over the world is the creation of evangelistic resources in to learn how to become evangelists and this continues to act as “We are other languages, so that more people can an important pipeline for adding speakers to our global team blessed with be reached, not only in Europe, but in other (see page 28). It is an absolute privilege for me to lead this countries on other continents. Th e RZIM growing team of apologist-evangelists based in EMEA, whose a gifted team online Academy, for example, is already in minds and hearts are on fi re for Christ, as we play our part in who live, English, Spanish and French, and is being the wider global vision of RZIM. speak, travel launched in German in 2018. Amy Orr-Ewing and minister EMEA REGIONAL DIRECTOR AND CO-DIRECTOR OF THE OXFORD CENTRE FOR CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS powerfully”
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Top left: Andy Wickham at REBOOT Madrid, 2017 Above: Spanish Proclama students with Andy Wickham and Tom Price Far left: Julia Garschagen at JesusHouse Left: Os Guinness and Kosta Milkov with Macedonian government offi cials Right: Luna Wang, OCCA Fellow, at the University of Sussex, 2017
Spain spoke at a prayer breakfast in southern on-going ‘Oxford Connections’ programme, It has been a groundbreaking year Estonia attended by politicians, civic where Christian academics from Oxford for RZIM in Spain (Fundación RZ), as leaders, and church leaders and an event at University speak to students and faculty at the ministry moved into a new offi ce, Tartu University. leading institutions in Macedonia. Kosta experienced considerable growth in has also been working on an initiative with Romania training programmes and resources, and the Academy of Sciences and Arts, and with Th is year, RZIM Romania experienced hosted the fi rst-ever REBOOT in Spanish. student movements in Slovenia, Ukraine breakthroughs in the business community, Over the last twelve months, Fundación and Belarus. as well as in invitations from a wide array RZ has spoken and engaged on eleven of churches and conferences, as more United Kingdom university campuses, assisted by our people in the Christian community grasp Th e UK team continues to act as a Proclama students. It has also seen the importance of evangelistic outreach global hub for many of RZIM’s initiatives considerable growth in its social media undergirded by apologetics. in the EMEA region and the Oxford presence and has worked on co-publishing RZIM Romania Director Vlad Criznic Centre for Christian Apologetics remains ¿Por qué?, Sharon Dirckx’s book Why? spoke at a conference for 600 students an important pipeline for training new Looking at God, Evil, and Personal Suff ering. and at a number of summer camps. Other evangelists (see page 28). Th e offi ce has Th e team has also been developing more highlights were RZIM’s ‘Th ink, Ask, also pioneered and expanded the REBOOT modules for the RZIM Academy in Spanish. Ponder’ conference in Cluj, an evangelistic youth apologetics events (see page 34) and DACH (Germany, Austria and event that attracted over 200 business the Festival of Th ought initiative (see page Switzerland) leaders, and Amy Orr-Ewing’s talk to 400 38), both of which are now running in a Th e work of RZIM in the DACH region students at the University of Cluj, which number of other countries. has been greatly enhanced by the addition was not only the largest evangelistic Th e team has been involved with a of Julia Garschagen, our fi rst apologist meeting in recent years, but also the fi rst to number of collaborative events throughout based in Germany (see page 32). She joins have a woman as the main speaker. RZIM Europe, often in conjunction with speakers Christian Hofreiter, who oversees the Romania has also participated in several from other RZIM countries and other ministry in the German-speaking world gatherings in Moldova and Vlad will be ministries. Th ere have also been increasing through the Zacharias Institute for teaching at one of its universities, as well opportunities to speak to young people Science, Faith, and Culture, which is as to its extension sites in Kazakhstan, through the expansion of REBOOT, based in Vienna. Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan. and invitations to speak to students in Over the year a number of people have a number of notable schools, as well as Macedonia come to faith during diff erent events. One opportunities to reach those in positions Despite considerable geopolitical particular highlight was Julia helping lead of political power with Amy Orr-Ewing turmoil, God continues to open exciting a huge youth mission, called JesusHouse, and John Lennox both doing events for doors for RZIM to reach the infl uencers in which was organised by ProChrist and had Christians in Parliament. Th e Zacharias Macedonia, through the Balkan Institute a remarkable 825 church youth groups Trust is also expanding its work in the for Faith and Culture, which Kosta and taking part with outreach in 275 locations business community with a number of new Nada Milkov pioneered and established. to over 85,000 people across Germany, initiatives, including growing the Festival One of the most signifi cant events was Austria and Croatia. Another was Julia, of Th ought. > the visit of Os Guinness, who was able Michael Ramsden, Kosta Milkov and OCCA to speak at a round table forum on the Fellow Mari Ovsepyan visiting Germany migrant crisis, organised in conjunction for an IFES (International Fellowship of with the Offi ce of the President of the Evangelical Students) conference to train Republic of Macedonia. 2,000 students from over 40 diff erent One of the main ways for reaching countries in reaching universities across academic circles has been through the Europe with the gospel. Christian also
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Image: Mahlatse Mashua, African Team Director, speaks at Reboot George 2017 to 400 young people
Image: Wassim Sabry, Middle East Team Director, speaks at ‘One Thing’ 2017
Above and left: Maher Samuel speaks to crowds at ‘One Thing’ 2017 Above right: Mahlatse Mashua Right: Amy Orr-Ewing and Racheal Mutesi Below: Middle East Summer School
MIDDLE EAST 19 countries in Lebanon, the majority of Internet and media evangelism have whom had Islamic backgrounds. Wassim become one of the most eff ective tools Over the past several years, the RZIM Sabry was also able to travel to Th ailand and one new initiative is RZIM Turkey’s team has been cultivating strategic to speak to Chinese students preparing online quarterly magazine, Rhema. RZIM relationships in the region, encouraging to be missionaries around the world. Turkey Director Senem Ekener was also church leaders to embrace apologetics, Together, Maher and Wassim preached at interviewed by CBN’s Isik Abla on a and speaking to diverse audiences. Even the ‘One Th ing’ conference at the end of programme that is widely watched by amid tremendous geopolitical change, 2017, a livestreamed event held in Egypt for Muslims around the world. She continues God is opening exciting doors for the over 8,000 people. to teach in a variety of settings, including at team to impact key arenas with the truth A key part of the ministry is running a local Bible school. of the gospel. ‘Th e question in the hearts training schools in Egypt and the of millions in the Middle East is, “Does surrounding countries for those engaged Christianity have something diff erent AFRICA in evangelism in the region. Th e new Cairo to off er than what we are seeing in this offi ce is also focusing on producing more RZIM’s ministry has grown considerably region?”’ said Maher Samuel, RZIM Senior apologetics material online through the in Africa under the leadership of RZIM Middle East Apologist, based in Alexandria, Credologos portal. Africa Director Mahlatse Mashua. Th e Egypt. team has recently been enlarged with John Turkey Egypt Njoroge moving to Kenya and a number For over a year, Turkey has been in an One country the Egyptian team has been of new Africa Adjuncts. Th is network of offi cial state of emergency with all kinds of focusing on is Iraq, with Maher Samuel evangelists includes speakers in South ramifi cations for the daily life and ministry speaking in a number of diff erent settings. Africa, Ghana, Nigeria and Uganda. Th e of the churches and mission organisations. He also spoke to over 100 leaders from opportunities for sharing the gospel are
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Left: Racheal Mutesi, Below: OCCA Adjunct, Gideon Odoma, OCCA Adjunct in Uganda speaks at Makerere University, Uganda
Left: The African team from left to right: Mahlatse Mashua, African Team Director; Justice Okoronkwo, OCCA Adjunct, Nigeria; Raymond Bukenya, OCCA Adjunct, Uganda; Ian Smith, EMEA Executive Director; Hassan John, OCCA Adjunct, Nigeria; John Njoroge, RZIM Speaker, Kenya; Mike Day, OCCA Fellow, South Africa; Amy Orr-Ewing, EMEA Director; Lara Buchanan, Zacharias Trust Speaker; Racheal Mutesi, OCCA Adjunct, Uganda; Frog Orr-Ewing, OCCA Chaplain and Missioner
Far left: Amy Orr-Ewing Left: Amy and Frog Orr-Ewing Right: REBOOT South Africa team
great, as are some of the challenges in this Mahlatse also spoke on the topic at Unions (FOCUS), which was attended large and diverse continent. One hope is the largest social justice conference in by over 2,000 people. More recently, the that the Africa team will hold missions on the country and another particular amazing story of God’s providence in his every one of the top 25 universities on the highlight was commending Christianity life was featured in the second largest continent by 2025. on a radio debate with a prominent newspaper in the East African region, university professor and a well-known which has encouraged many people and led South Africa social commentator. to further invitations. Mahlatse has had a number of Th e team is also focusing on training John is continuing to look for more opportunities to speak on the hot topics of church leaders to build authentic and opportunities to do youth evangelism and racism, justice and the role of the church in diverse faith communities, and to use the he is also working on an apologetics fi lm reconciliation. One of his planned talks in tough questions that arise from hard social project for God TV. Rhodes University was met by protestors, narratives to preach the gospel and validate who were fi red on by the police with rubber the truth claims of Jesus. bullets. Th e tent, which was supposed to We give thanks in the EMEA region for be the venue for the talk, became a refuge Kenya the tremendous impact of the gospel. Th e for the injured. Although the event did not John Njoroge moved to Nairobi in 2016, RZIM team has worked with energy, loyalty occur, the team was able to demonstrate partly to be closer to Valley Light Home, and commitment sometimes in danger God’s love by caring for the activists, the orphanage he and his wife, Leah, or facing signifi cant challenges. We look which was particularly poignant, as a began, with many ministry opportunities forward to another year of opportunity. common accusation against the church arising. At the end of last year, John was is that it has done little in the face of one of the keynote speakers at a conference Events: You can see where and when our global systematic injustice. organised by the Fellowship of Christian team are speaking at www.zachariastrust.org.
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Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics
Th e Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics (OCCA) plays a crucial role as a global training institution, not only for identifying, mentoring and training the next generation of evangelists for the wider RZIM team, but also for supporting the worldwide church.
he centre is a community of scholars who benefi t In the East End of London the varied forms of Tfrom the teaching of world-class thinkers, such as outreach included business talks, an assembly in a local John Lennox, Os Guinness, Michael Ramsden, Amy school, ministering to prisoners, speaking at a drug and Orr-Ewing, Ravi Zacharias and many others. Tanya alcohol abuse recovery centre, and a Q & A event at an Walker plays a key role in shaping the global mission Eff ective arts café in a Muslim-dense area. A number of people strategy for the centre, as the new Dean of OCCA. prayed for salvation and one student, Alanzo Paul, evangelism, described the experience as one of the greatest nights OCCA Missions academic of his life. He added, ‘I’ve lost count of how many people A highlight of studying at OCCA is taking part in I’ve got to pray for. Th e city of London is so open. a number of missions in conjunction with Christian excellence It was just such a privilege to go out there and serve ministries and churches. Th ese not only allow students and spiritual people until we had nothing left in us. We left it all in to participate in diff erent forms of evangelism, but East London’. they also provide the opportunity to see God’s work in formation OCCA off ers the following courses for those with a action. Last academic year, they were held in the cities passion to make Christ known: of London, Buckingham and Östersund (Sweden), the • One-year Programme universities of Bath, Leicester, De Montfort and Sussex, • Programme for Masters Students as well as in schools in High Wycombe and Cranleigh. Top left: OCCA students • Four-week Business Programme (see page 40) In each setting, there were fi rst-time commitments from the 2017/8 cohort • Doctoral Fellows Programme (see page 30) made to God, people expressing a desire to fi nd out Top right: Tanya Walker, more about Christianity, as well as local ministries Dean of OCCA www.theocca.org being encouraged and supported. Above right: Andy Moore
A community EVENT OF Belief-mapping of scholars THE YEAR 2017 You can read more about the The Christian Union Events Week that OCCA One resource that OCCA tutor Tom Price is continuing to wider community of students was involved with at De Montfort University develop for use in university settings is a belief-mapping tool connected with OCCA on was named the ‘Event of the Year 2017’ by its designed to open up conversations about worldview and God. page 30. Students’ Union. This has already been translated into a number of diff erent languages, including Mandarin.
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Images: Some of the people helped by Wellspring International
“Wellspring PROJECTS is ‘practical Th e individual projects cannot be listed for security apologetics’. reasons, but below is a snapshot of some of the global initiatives Wellspring International is involved with. Love is the North America most powerful Child bereavement and hospice services for over apologetic. It 30 families. is the essential South America Wellspring Outreach and support to sex workers and at-risk component children. International in reaching Asia the whole Support for over 800 victims of violence from burning, educational scholarships for over 400 children from ellspring International is the humanitarian person in a slum areas, fl ood relief for the vulnerable, and medical Warm of RZIM. It was established in 2004, as an fragmented services for exploited sex workers in the continent’s extension of the central focus of the ministry, where largest red light district. we live out what we preach and defend. Th e vision of world. Th e Europe Wellspring is to identify and fi nancially equip existing need is vast, Recovery services and personal outreach programmes organisations aiding women and children at risk, as to men and women in prostitution and victims of well as to provide individual scholarships to support but it is also human traffi cking. education, healthcare, and basic living needs. imperative Support is given to aid organisations that embody Middle East four principle areas that are vital for this work: that we be Providing food coupons for over 1,000 refugee families willing to and services and support for over 200 children with • RESCUE: Liberating individuals from destructive special needs (and over 1,000 family members). environments. follow the Africa • REHABILITATION: Off ering programmes that example of Support for over 200 children who have special needs provide treatment and healing for physical and Jesus and or have been abandoned or orphaned (many of whom emotional needs. have HIV). meet the • RESTORATION: Providing respite and renewal to All donations made to Wellspring International enable new hope, confi dence and independence. need.” go directly to the projects described above, as the • RE-ENTRY: Supplying homes, vocational training (RAVI ZACHARIAS) administrative costs of the ministry are covered and job opportunities. by RZIM.
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IMAGE: LARA BUCHANAN SPEAKER IMAGE: MAX JEGANATHAN SPEAKER
KASEY LEANDER MATTHEW MITTELBERG KYUNG MIN RO ALANZO PAUL IBRAHIM BAIDOO PAULSON TUMUTEGYEREIZE OCCA FELLOW OCCA FELLOW OCCA FELLOW OCCA FELLOW AFRICA ADJUNCT AFRICA ADJUNCT
Meet our new team members Th e OCCA is a community of scholars that not only is an important pipeline for the RZIM speaking team, but also supports the wider church by training people who are called to evangelism in diff erent settings.
Speakers OCCA Fellows “Th is growing network We are pleased to announce that former Five former OCCA students have joined of evangelists supports OCCA Fellows, Max Jeganathan and Lara the team as new OCCA Fellows. Kasey Buchanan, have taken up posts as full Leander and Matthew Mittelberg, from the church and itinerant speakers for RZIM in Singapore America, will be based in Washington the global RZIM team” and Oxford respectively. DC, Kyung Min Ro, from South Korea, and David Bennett, from Australia, will be studying at St Andrew’s University, whilst Alanzo Paul, from Canada, will be continuing his education at Oxford University.
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IMAGE: MARI OVSEPYAN OCCA FELLOW
DANIEL TRACEY Daniel is an Australian researching the self-assembly of certain particles through computer simulations.
IMAGE: DAVID BENNETT OCCA FELLOW
ANNA HUTCHINSON BLAKE TRIMBLE Africa Adjuncts Anna is a British scholar Blake is an American Former OCCA students, Ibrahim Baidoo exploring the relationship exploring the role between Scriptural ontology that belief plays in how and Paulson Tumutegyereize have joined and interpretation in the we relate to cultural the team as Africa Adjuncts and will be church. phenomena. serving in Ghana and Uganda respectively. Th is growing network of evangelists supports the church and the global RZIM ANDREW NEWELL team in a number of countries across OCCA Research Associates Andrew is a British student the continent. examining the eighteenth- Th e OCCA Research Associateship is a century poet and hymn- new group within the OCCA community OCCA Doctoral Fellows writer, William Cowper. of individuals at an advanced stage in their Th e OCCA is also pleased to welcome a doctoral studies: new cohort of Doctoral Fellows, who are a group of PhD students who we hope will BEN PAGE DEJAN AZDAJIC play a crucial role in communicating the Ben is a British scholar Dejan is an ordained credibility of the Christian worldview in researching the philosophy minister from Slovenia serious academic circles for many years. of mind from a Neo- whose ethnographic Th e cohort of nine includes three former Aristotelian standpoint. research on Sufi Islam was conducted whilst living or current staff members (Ben Page, amongst Muslims. Anna Hutchinson and Martin Smith):
OLIVIA ANDERSON JAHDIEL PEREZ KIRSTEN MACKERRAS Olivia is an American Jahdiel is an American Kirsten is an Australian who examining religious exploring CS Lewis’ literary is examining how the early persecution in the imagination to construct a church defended the faith late seventeenth ‘hermeneutic of humour’. from its persecutors. century England.
TIMOTHY GLOVER MARTIN SMITH CALUM MILLER Timothy is a British student Martin is a British student Calum is a British doctor who researching the late medieval examining the potential does research on a range of devotional literature of for a new type of moral issues as a Visiting Research Richard Rolle. argument for God’s Scholar of the Uehiro Centre existence. for Practical Ethics.
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Image: University mission at Karlsruhe ©Immanuel Steiner
Correspondence from Cologne: We caught up with our newest German team member, Julia Garschagen, to introducing talk about her path to faith, the latest initiatives of RZIM, and the challenges Julia Garschagen for evangelism in the country.
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“Unto this SIMON WENHAM: Could you start by telling us become the strongest objections against Christianity. day, I am a little bit about yourself and how you got involved People question the morality of God and of those who with RZIM? follow him. For some, this is very real and personal, so thankful sometimes the best apologetic is an apology. But we also for people JULIA GARSCHAGEN: I was born and raised in need to tell the positive story, to show how Christianity Cologne, Germany. Invited by a friend from primary can infl uence our society for the better, and how it who allowed school, I got involved in the local church and came makes a life-changing diff erence to the individual. Th e room for to know and love Jesus. My environment was quite gospel message is not only powerful, it is also beautiful. sceptical so, as a teenager, I wrestled with questions Another challenge comes from history. Due to the my questions about the credibility of the Bible and the relationship communist regime in the former DDR, East Germany and showed between science and faith. Unto this day, I am thankful is today the most unchurched region in Europe. In for people who allowed room for my questions and many families, there hasn´t been a Christian for two me that showed me that there is good reason to have faith in generations and many have no knowledge of the there is Jesus. Bible whatsoever. Th ey have forgotten that they have After fi nishing High School, I worked for a year in the forgotten God. To them, Christianity doesn´t seem to good reason slums of Lima (Peru), which was a time that left a deep be relevant at all. to have faith impression on me. It showed me that following Jesus Here, relationship and friendship are key: the does not only involve heart and mind, but also our apologetics of a life lived with Christ. At the same time, in Jesus” hands, as we are called to serve the poor, just as He did. we need to show all three of the power, the beauty and Feeling a strong sense of calling, I studied theology in the truth of the gospel. Germany and afterwards did ministry, mainly working with High School students. As teenagers are asking big What projects are you currently working on and questions of identity and meaning, they are much more how can we pray for you? open to Jesus´ love than any other age group. I realised how many of them didn´t have what I had: someone My ministry with RZIM has three main focuses: who was not afraid of their questions, would take them one is evangelism and apologetics at the universities in seriously and would accompany them on their way the German-speaking region. Although we have seen a to fi nding solid answers. For many of them faith is number of universities banning Christian witness from blind faith, and once they go to university, they don´t their campuses, the number of mission weeks is also have the tools to question and deal with the diff erent growing and we rejoice over people coming to Jesus worldviews they encounter. during them. It might not (yet) be many, but we believe In order to sharpen myself, I went back to university that God counts fruit, not success, and growing fruit and did an MA in Th eology at King´s College, London. needs time. Students are becoming more creative in Afterwards, I was invited by a small charity to work as how to reach out to their friends and there is a strong a university evangelist for a year, both in the UK and in eagerness to be trained in evangelism. We are starting Europe. Th rough this ministry, I got to know RZIM and a training programme called Proclama with a core group was thrilled to hear about their new offi ce focusing on of twelve students. Over the course of two years, we the German-speaking countries (based in Austria). will train and equip them in evangelism, apologetics Due to our church history, apologetics is not very and spiritual life. Our prayer is that they may become developed in the German-speaking world, but there is a future public evangelists for our region. growing need for it, which makes the presence of RZIM Another focus is evangelism among young people. I very strategic. I stayed connected with them and it was am a key leader, organiser and speaker at JesusHouse, a great privilege for me to join the team in October the biggest German youth mission, which is organised 2016 as the fi rst itinerant based in Germany. by ProChrist. Th is spring, we trained 150 evangelists and did 400 missions, including live-broadcasting from What are the specifi c challenges to being an two cities and several countries. We know of 9,000 evangelist in the German-speaking world? young people who responded to the gospel. I have now taken over leadership of this project and we are My experience is that the soil in the region is much planning ahead for 2020. harder than in the UK, for example, for a number of Th ere is also a growing openness for training in reasons. One is that fewer people are asking about the apologetics among pastors and youth workers, who see question of truth. Th e new atheism that is so concerned the need to strengthen this rather neglected fi eld. I with this issue never really took off in the German- have the opportunity to teach apologetics at one of the speaking world, because postmodernity, with its denial most important theological seminaries in Germany. of truth, is very much ingrained in people´s thought. Also please pray for a book project on apologetics that So, their questions are not about whether something is I´m hoping to write in the coming year. true, but rather whether it is helpful. We therefore need to learn to show the power of the gospel in a new way. If you would like to know more about Julia and the work of RZIM in Above left: Julia Garschagen at Jesus As in many countries in the West, ethical objections the German-speaking world, visit www.zachariasinstitut.org (a House©Immanuel Steiner relating to exclusiveness, arrogance and hypocrisy have German language website).
ZACHARIAS TRUST MAGAZINE 2018 33 REACHING OUT
Top: Amy Orr-Ewing at REBOOT Edinburgh Above left and centre: REBOOT audience Centre left: Daniel Rangel, Max Jeganathan and Mike Day Bottom left: Max Jeganathan and Gareth Black
34 WWW.ZACHARIASTRUST.ORG REACHING OUT
Youth apologetics in Scotland
In March 2017, 400 young adults and youth leaders came through the doors of Central Hall, Edinburgh for the launch of the fi rst REBOOT in Scotland.
illing the venue with this number was already “I found invited by her Catholic boyfriend and although she Ftestimony to God’s providence and faithfulness, as had never felt the need for God, was unexpectedly local church and youth leaders had said that anything this day overcome by emotion during the worship. Lara was above 200 would be surprising! Evidently, REBOOT amazing as able to explain that that is sometimes the way God gets was scratching a very present itch. our attention. After asking her whether she wanted to Th e day began with the team racing through some it answered invite Jesus into her life, she said that she did, but was hot apologetics questions, before Amy Orr-Ewing the really not sure how to do it. Lara had the privilege of being tackled the question of ‘Why Trust the Bible?’ She able to pray with her, as she started her journey of was followed by Andy Moore exploring reasons for tough following God. God, Lara Buchanan on the cross and suff ering, and questions At the end of the day, thirty people ticked ‘count me Daniel Rangel on sex and relationships. Th ere were also in’ on their feedback cards, meaning they had either seminars on mental health, other religions, ‘apologetics and made a fi rst-time commitment to follow Jesus or a in real life’ and one tailored for youth leaders, as well as explained signifi cant re-commitment to their faith. an interview with Ben Th omas, a Christian medic who What a privilege it was to empower the next is same-sex attracted. things so generation of Christians in Scotland with a refreshed An open environment was encouraged by the clearly. sense of urgency, relevance and courage for the gospel! interactive question and answer sessions in which people could ask any question anonymously via their Loved it! Helen Downey own smartphones. Th is allowed sensitive questions to I came with PROGRAMMES MANAGER surface. A stark and recurring theme was legalism and REBOOT youth apologetics events are held in major cities across the what Christians were ‘allowed’ or ‘not allowed’ to do. questions globe (see below) By explaining about God’s grace, the team were able to and feel help many in the audience feel the burden lifted from them. much more Many teens came forward for prayer at the end to confi dent ask God for greater boldness in being true Christians in their schools, whilst others came forward for prayer now with about sexual guilt or shame. Lara Buchanan felt that my faith. REBOOT Edinburgh was livestreamed one of the most signifi cant moments for her was and has since attracted over 6,000 views online. praying with a seventeen-year-old girl who asked about Th ank you If you’re interested in looking back at the day, you can learning the type of speaking that had been used at the for do so here: www.rebootglobal.org/edinburgh/ event, which she had not come across before. Lara felt a strong sense of the presence of God as they talked transforming REBOOT is held in a number of locations across the world and the UK events are: about the kinds of resources that could help her go me.” deeper in her faith and become better equipped for • Edinburgh, 10 March 2018 evangelism. Th e conversation was perhaps a fulfi lment (REBOOT ATTENDEE) • Belfast, 10 March 2018 of the picture Lara had had months before about suits • London, 22 September 2018 of armour hanging up in the hall, waiting there for young people to come and step into them at REBOOT. For more information see Another who came forward was a girl who was www.rebootglobal.org. attending her fi rst ever Christian event. She had been
ZACHARIAS TRUST MAGAZINE 2018 35 EQUIPPING YOU FOR THE WORKPLACE
Evangelism in the workplace Christians know they are called to tell others about their faith, but not necessarily how to do it. In this article, Max Jeganathan shares fi ve biblical principles to help believers be more eff ective and obedient disciples within their working environments.
s believers, we fi nd ourselves as lawyers, doctors, by Whitman, Wordsworth or Yeats. “...the A engineers, artists, waiters and waitresses, What can we learn from these observations? How can IT professionals, nurses, tradespeople and, of course, we utilise these overlapping professional tendencies for workplace every other profession under the sun. What does this God’s glory? undoubtedly tell us? Amongst other things, it refl ects the undeniable As we search for guidance in our approach to eff ective reality that Christians, while united in their love for and obedient discipleship in the workplace, it is the off ers a Christ and identity in Him, can be very diff erent. Word of God itself, as ever, that gives us our starting unique setting Diff erent interests, personality-types, hobbies, point. Th ere is no better place to begin than with Luke’s pastimes and friendship groups separate us. account of Paul in Greece. In Acts 17, Paul goes to through which However, when it comes to a workplace setting Th essalonica – to a synagogue – and reasons from the authentic – wherever it may be – it is reasonable to assume Jewish scriptures. He has some success and meets some that some of these diff erences will in fact become resistance. He then moves on to Berea and does the friendships similarities, in relation to the people with whom we same again (evoking a similar reaction). He then goes to can be work. While not all lawyers like chocolate ice-cream, Athens. For a third time, he goes to a Jewish synagogue. most enjoy a contested-space and a rigorous battle of He then goes to the Areopagus – arguably, then the built and ideas. Not all investment bankers like the same kinds global centre for academic, philosophical and political invested in” of pizza, but most appreciate a good fi nancial model discourse – where he reasons from their philosophers, or a reliable equities algorithm. Not all artists like beliefs and customs. In every instance, we see the basketball, but most appreciate the richness of a poem following:
36 WWW.ZACHARIASTRUST.ORG EQUIPPING YOU FOR THE WORKPLACE
a door-to-door salesman and as likely to succeed as a salad bar in a KFC restaurant. Of course, it must also be said that evangelism in the workplace needs to be done sensitively and with respect to regulations and guidelines of your employing organisation and any other relevant laws and ethical boundaries. While it is up to each of us to be appraised of these, the conversations I have alluded to thus far are best done ‘in the margins’ – at work social events, a beer at the pub, a dinner-party, a weekend brunch – and we must especially be respectful of any perceived or actual impropriety that may arise when we share our faith with those whom we directly manage or lead professionally. Th at being said, all fi ve principles need not be watered down in how they are made real in our working lives. As Paul was, we must be strategic and yet genuine, tactical and yet authentic, intentional and yet loving. As a great preacher said, the gospel is like a beautiful Image: Black and White London shot ©Samuel Zeller, Tate Modern Museum, London, United Kingdom diamond and it shines in diff erent ways depending on the angle at which you hold it. Th e workplace off ers us the opportunity to share our faith-story, answer 1. Paul speaks to the people where they are, “As a great questions and invite people to Christ – all the while physically. preacher said, praying for the Spirit to lead us in how best to hold up the gospel, so its unstoppable light shines into people’s 2. He speaks to the people where they are, the gospel is lives in a relevant way. intellectually. like a beautiful Yes, being carefully vocal with our faith in the 3. He is neither judgmental, nor condescending. workplace may seem diffi cult. And yes, we may diamond and come up against social, emotional and professional 4. He fi nds common-ground for the gospel in their adversity. However, we know what Shakespeare’s worldview and channels the gospel through that it shines in Duke Senior said about adversity: it’s ugly and common ground. diff erent ways venomous, like a toad, but it holds a precious jewel in Of course, these principles are not confi ned to depending its head! Th e only place that our colleagues can fi nd evangelism in the workplace. Th ey are, arguably, the fulfi lment, satisfaction, peace and flourishing universal handy hints for sharing our faith anywhere on the angle they have always looked for, is in the love of Jesus and with anyone. However, the workplace undoubtedly at which Christ. So let us build authentic relationships at work. off ers a unique setting through which authentic Let us channel the gospel graciously, respectfully (1 friendships can be built and invested in. Th ese you hold it” Peter 3:15), strategically and thoughtfully (Acts 17). relationships can then form the backdrop against which Let our workplaces be a place where our faith is lived all four of Paul’s principles can be brought into practical out – where God’s glory is proclaimed and where His eff ect. Th is backdrop is underpinned by the fi fth and, Kingdom is advanced. arguably, most important principle: Max Jeganathan 5. Our demonstration of the love of Christ in how SENIOR ITINERANT SPEAKER, RZIM ASIA we behave in our workplaces is our most powerful apologetic platform for evangelism (John 13:35). Our workplaces off er us the unique opportunity to TRAINING FOR EVANGELISM bring all fi ve of these principles together. To engage Above: Max Jeganathan with colleagues where they are, we must actively and Do you want to be better at communicating Above far left: People at genuinely engage with who they are – their lives, their lunch from above © Daria your faith to others? If so, the Zacharias hopes, their dreams, their fears, their questions. As Shevtsova. London Sky Trust off ers a range of training options and Gardens 2016 Francis Schaeff er famously said, given one hour with you can read about these on the back page an individual in an evangelistic conversation, he would Far left: Michael Ramsden of this magazine. There is also a specifi c spend fi fty-fi ve minutes asking them questions and speaking at Canary Wharf Business Programme for those who want then would respond and share the gospel in the last fi ve Centre: John Lennox to reach others within their workplaces and minutes. We must be patient and responsive – never in teaching senior business owners and executives a hurry. A believer who thinks of their colleagues and you can read about that on page 40. Left: Evangelistic talk in friends as ‘evangelism projects’ is about as obvious as Canary Wharf in 2015
ZACHARIAS TRUST MAGAZINE 2018 37 EQUIPPING YOU FOR THE WORKPLACE
Festival of Th ought Across the world, RZIM is engaging with questions of truth and purpose in business.
estival of Th ought emerged from a series of events in 2015, Th e Festival is designed for those of any faith or none and has Fwhen RZIM partnered with a number of Christian networks been viewed by corporates as an incredible learning opportunity, within banking and fi nancial institutions in London to discuss the a way of enhancing understanding of company values and Christian perspective on issues relating to business. Since then, as a contribution to Continuing Professional Development Festivals have taken place in other global business centres and the for attendees. next is planned for South Africa in 2018. An RZIM team will speak Looking towards 2018, Mahlatse Mashua, Director of RZIM in a variety of corporate settings across both Johannesburg and South Africa, explains that there is an incredible opportunity to Cape Town. reach people in the fast-paced and dynamic world of business, Tackling questions such as ‘Does integrity matter at work?’, because there is already a vibrant intersection of ideas taking place. ‘How can I get results and preserve relationships?’, ‘Do the markets Th e questions that are being raised relate to, on the one side, the need morality?’ and ‘How can I lead in an honourable way?’, RZIM’s broader and deeper issues of morality, meaning, purpose, integrity, world-class thinkers and speakers off er the Christian perspective in trust and faith, and, on the other, those emanating from societal a way that brings new insight. pressures that revolve around the hot topics of justice, freedom and inequality.
38 WWW.ZACHARIASTRUST.ORG EQUIPPING YOU FOR THE WORKPLACE
Top far left: 360 Chicago © Kevin Rajaram. Chicago 2017 Top: Taller than the trees © Sean Pollock. London 2017 Above left: Concrete Jungle © Andi Rizal. Singapore 2017 Above right and left: Andy Moore
Former fi nancial adviser, Andy Moore, who leads the Festival some of these topics, but also a forum in which workers can ask of Th ought globally, points out that whilst it is very common for questions, give their own points of view, and hopefully come to employees to be encouraged to be good corporate citizens – in some conclusions about the Christian faith. keeping with the ethical language that is often written large across Th e Festival of Th ought in Cape Town and Johannesburg runs the walls of offi ces – it often isn’t clear whether anyone really knows from 15-22 April 2018. what those words mean. Th is is where Festival of Th ought makes a unique contribution. For further information see: www.festivalofthought.buzz. It provides an opportunity for those in business to consider the big questions of life, in a way that makes sense in their vocational If you have any questions about Festival of Th ought contact setting. As Michael Ramsden explains, it allows people to explore, [email protected] at a much deeper level, the kinds of topics that many people wish were raised and addressed within the workplace. Moreover, as Amy Orr-Ewing points out, the week-long Festival provides not only the opportunity to hear cutting-edge speakers and thinkers address
ZACHARIAS TRUST MAGAZINE 2018 39 EQUIPPING YOU FOR THE WORKPLACE
A transformational time at OCCA: taking apologetics into the business world
Oxford is a long way from Chariton, Iowa. So you might ask what I was doing, packing up my wife and four children and heading to England to spend the summer of 2016 doing the Business Programme at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics (OCCA).
Image: OCCA Business Programme students and members of staff 2016
Far left: Jeff Johnson Left: Oxford Above: Eagle and Child pub, Oxford Top right: Tom Price, Ian Smith, Michael Ramsden, Os Guinness and David Lloyd Right: Houses of Parliament visit
40 WWW.ZACHARIASTRUST.ORG EQUIPPING YOU FOR THE WORKPLACE
t’s a fair question – one that I asked myself several “I enrolled in diff erent groups, but the overall blessing of what I had Itimes. But since I know God is good – very good – I the OCCA experienced. One friend in particular, a local physician, trust him in all things, particularly big adventures. So was interested in helping me carry the message to other off we went. And none of us have been the same since. Business people in our area. So we started a programme called Here’s a little about me. I am the fourth-generation Programme so Crossroads Apologetics (www.crossroadsapologetics. owner and operator of a 200,000-square-foot steel com). fabrication plant in the Midwest with approximately I would have We rented a facility and hosted talks once a month to 100 employees. Th e business has been quite successful an answer share what we had learned. It has been amazing to see and there’s a larger story to tell about how God has the encouragement in the fellowship arise out of just a guided and directed our business but, for now, let me for those who simple discussion. We are moving the event to our local just tell you what led me to Oxford. asked about universities and are developing partnerships with CRU As President of a small family-owned business, I am (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) as well as some aff orded the fellowship of other Presidents and CEOs my faith. Not local churches to take similar talks to students and in diff erent business groups and organizations. As I only did I gain faculty. would share with them the amazing things God has I enrolled in the OCCA Business Programme so I been doing with my family, my business, and my life, the knowledge would have an answer for those who asked about my they began to have questions. And I felt more and more I sought, but faith. Not only did I gain the knowledge I sought, but compelled to have an answer for them. my faith grew as well. I have a revitalized desire to read As God would have it, I bumped into a friend from my faith grew my Bible and spend time in prayer. I am more open to Florida who had previously attended the OCCA as well.” seeing God move in my life. At the same time, the world Business Programme. He explained how the teaching has gotten smaller for me. I have stayed in contact was second to none, as was his overall experience of with my fellow students from around the world. We the course. In fact, he said it was one of the greatest chat frequently, and it is amazing to see how they have experiences of his life. So my wife and I prayed about all gone on to carry the message in their own spheres the matter and after applying, to our delight, I was of infl uence, whether in their businesses, families, or accepted and admitted into the OCCA Business places of worship. Programme for 2016. For my part, I met ten classmates from around the Our God is indeed good! world that quickly became my dearest friends. I’ll never forget the fi rst class I attended, when another student joined us: Os Guinness. He simply sat down on Jeff Johnson a seat alongside the students, pulled out a notepad and CEO OF JOHNSON MACHINE WORKS INC. began taking notes just like the rest of us. His humility and hunger for continued learning made a lasting impression on me. If my intention in going to Oxford was to be well- equipped, I was equipped and then some. During the programme we were given access to some of the fi nest scholars in the world. Among those who taught us were The OCCA Michael Ramsden, Tom Price, Amy Orr-Ewing, Tanya Business Programme Walker, John Lennox, Sam Allberry, Sharon Dirckx, Jo Vitale, Vince Vitale, and Os Guinness, to name a Are you a business leader with a passion to few. Under Tom Tarrants, we studied the importance make Christ known in the marketplace? of spiritual formation, grace, and humility. We learned about profi les of leadership, questions concerning the If so, the OCCA Business Programme will equip you Bible, handling tough questions and other religions. with the necessary tools to do this in a credible, culturally-engaging and relevant way. We toured the British Museum, the British Library and were exposed to art and culture through various Designed for senior business people and tours around Oxford, as well as London. We even professionals, this intensive four-week programme will re-invigorate and envision you, ready for your visited the Houses of Parliament and spoke with return to serve God in your work environment. one of its members, Baroness Cox, about how her faith had infl uenced her governance and other charitable endeavours. Overall, the experience far exceeded my expectations. I have binders full of notes that, now OTHER TRAINING more than a year later, I pore over almost daily, as I The OCCA also off ers other training options grow stronger and deeper in my faith. and you can read about them on page 28 of When I got back to Iowa, many friends and colleagues Above: Jeff Johnson with his this magazine. wanted to hear what I had learned in England. It was OCCA Business Programme a tremendous joy to share not only specifi c lessons to certifi cate
ZACHARIAS TRUST MAGAZINE 2018 41 #NOQUESTIONOFFLIMITS
The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics is a study centre that offers courses for those with a passion to make Christ known (see page 28).
• Four-week Business Programme • One-year Programme REBOOT is a fun and interactive youth event designed to help • Programme for Masters Students young people of any background to investigate the • Doctoral Fellows Programme claims of the Christian faith and to fi nd answers to the diffi cult questions they \\ WWW.REBOOTGLOBAL.ORG EFFECTIVE EVANGELISM, face today (see page 34). ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE & SPIRITUAL FORMATION 10 MARCH 2018, EDINBURGH AND BELFAST www.theocca.org 22 SEPTEMBER 2018, LONDON
Zacharias Trust Training Weekends
Why Truth? The Zacharias Trust Training Weekends provide in-depth and interactive teaching to help The ʻWhy? Seriesʼ is an annual training event that participants become dynamic witnesses in provides answers to some of the most diffi cult topics believers whatever context God has placed them. face today, as well as giving practical guidance for those wanting to communicate their faith more effectively.
FORMAT: 3 WEEKENDS OF TRAINING (HELD TWICE A YEAR IN OXFORD) SATURDAY 12 MAY 2018 ST MARYʼ S CHURCH BRYANSTON SQUARE, LONDON SEE WWW.ZACHARIASTRUST.ORG/TRAINING-WEEKENDS WWW.ZACHARIASTRUST.ORG/TRAINING-DAY
OXFORD SUMMER SCHOOL The RZIM Academy is an online NOW The Oxford Summer School is an annual week-long training curriculum designed to AVAILABLE residential event that helps believers not only share help individuals become better IN SPANISH and defend the Christian faith more eff ectively, but also equipped to give an answer to & FRENCH deal with people’s heartfelt objections to the gospel. anyone who asks them to give (and German from 2018) a reason for the hope that they have in Jesus. 8-13 JULY 2018 | MERTON COLLEGE, OXFORD
SEE WWW.ZACHARIASTRUST.ORG/SUMMERSCHOOL WWW.RZIMACADEMY.ORG