Apologetics & Evangelism
How To Be An A-Paul-ogistThe Bible tells us to be apologists. But does the Bible show us how to be apologists?
I think Acts 17 definitely answers this question. If we want to be effective apologists, we should imitate how Paul engages his audience—that is, we should be apologists like Paul. We should be a-Paul-ogists. (Okay, that’s a really bad pun. Forgive me.)
In this sermon, Tim carefully walks through Acts 17:16–34 and illuminates eight important lessons on how to be an apologist.
Why Apologetics?
Now this may come as a shock to you, but not everyone is a fan of apologetics. In fact, some in the church are outright hostile to apologetics. So, before we can make a case for Christianity, we have to make a case for making a case for Christianity. In this talk, Tim walks through four reasons why we must engage in apologetics. Simply put, the Bible commands it, the culture demands it, the Church needs it, and the results confirm it. Taken individually, each reason should motivate us to engage in apologetics. However, taken altogether, these provide a powerful apologetic for apologetics.
Conversing With the Atheist
It is usually not until our faith is under attack that we begin to search for answers. But by that time it might be too late. Vast numbers of young people are going off to college or university without being properly equipped to defend what they believe and why they believe it. However, Tim has found a proven strategy to get young people motivated. He beats them up. What do we mean? Tim comes in as an atheist professor and hits them with the most common arguments for atheism and against Christianity. This allows the individual young people to evaluate whether they are capable of defending their own faith. Half-way through the talk, Tim reveals that he is actually a Christian apologist and proceeds to answer all the challenges he raised. This presentation gives students a taste of what it is like to face objections to their faith, but in the safety of your church, school, or conference. This is guaranteed to be a valuable and memorable experience.
Engaging the Minds of Our Students
Tim often receives emails from parents who have a child who has walked away from the Church. The specific details are always a little different, but the general theme is the same. Student grows up in a Christian home—attends Sunday school and youth group—but goes off to a secular university or college, and ends up walking away.
Many students are getting talked out of their faith by friends and professors. It’s my belief that the vast majority are talked out of it, because they were never talked into it. Students are disengaging from the church because they were never engaged by it. In this presentation, Tim gives practical steps on how parents and church leaders can better engage the minds of our students.
Why I Am a Christian
Most of the reasons Christians give for being a Christian aren’t good reasons. Rather, the primary reason why we ought to embrace Christianity is because Christianity is true. In this talk, we will clarify this controversial claim and show how the truth of religious claims must be grounded in reality.
Tactics in Defending Your Faith
Have you ever been caught flat-footed in conversations about spiritual things? Have you ever wished that you spoken up but didn't because you didn't know how to start? This talk is for you! Instead of giving you a truck load of information to download, this presentation does something a little different. Tim wants to give you a game plan you can use to defend your faith to friend and foe alike. In your time together, he is going to equip you with a handful of effective maneuvers, which he calls 'Tactics'. Whether you are shy or outgoing; have a High School diploma or a PhD, this presentation will help you get into the game and make an impact for Christ.
Theology
Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? (Why Jesus?)Have you ever heard someone say that Jesus never existed? Is there any historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus? In this talk, Tim puts the central claim of Christianity to the test by using the methods of historiography to investigate three established facts surrounding the resurrection. Next he explores competing explanations to determine what best explanation of these facts. By the end of this presentation, your confidence in the bodily resurrection of Jesus will be bolstered and you’ll be excited to share this information with others.
Who Is Jesus?
An appropriate understanding of the Person of Jesus is essential to Christianity. Every Christian should know exactly why Christians have always understood Jesus to be God despite acts from other religions and cults. In this talk Tim walks through the most persuasive evidence from the Bible from the deity of Christ.
Witnessing to Jehovah's Witnesses
Most Christians are ill-equipped to handle themselves in discussions with Jehovah's Witnesses. JW's seem to know their stuff while most Christians don't. Most Christians know what they believe, but don't know why they believe it. This is where this two-part series comes in; it answers the 'why'. Watch and listen as Tim Barnett graciously and respectfully walks through the reasons for believing that Jesus is Jehovah!
Is Jesus the Only Way?
The exclusivity of Christ as the only way is deeply offensive to our relativistic and pluralistic culture. Yet this is the clear teaching of Scripture. In this talk, Tim looks at three ways this view is being challenged both inside and outside the church. First, there are some who mistakenly think that Jesus can be true for them but not for others. That is, He is the only way for some but not for others. Tim shows this belief stems from a misunderstanding of the gospel. Second, there is the explicit teaching that there are many ways to God. This idea stems from religious pluralism. Tim demonstrates that religious pluralism is false. Finally, there is a view that tries to argue for both one way and many ways. That is, everyone is saved through the death of Jesus Christ. However, you don’t have to actually believe in him to be saved. This is referred to as inclusivism. Tim shows that inclusivism does not makes sense of the clear Scriptures. This talk will give you the ability to defend Jesus’ claim to be “the way, the truth, and the life.”
Does God Condone Genocide?
One of the most difficult challenges that Christians face is the alleged Canaanite genocides commanded by God in the Old Testament. In this talk, Tim thoughtfully walks through how to respond to this challenge. First, he shows how that atheist cannot account for immorally of genocide in the first place. In fact, atheists rely on God to make moral pronouncements against Him. Second, Tim carefully looks at the context of these conquests. Moreover, he shows how the time for the fulfillment of God’s land promise to Abraham converges with the time when God was finally ready to execute judgment upon that land’s inhabitants. Third, he shows that this was not a genocide based on race or ethnicity, but rather a judgment based on egregious wickedness. Fourth, Tim spends time looking at the mercy of God on those who repent. Finally, he shows how many of the texts cited to support genocide thesis are really hyperbola.
Bible
Can the New Testament be Trusted? (Why the Bible?)One of the most foundational questions that must be asked by any Christian is this: can the Bible be trusted? Most Christians believe the Bible is true, but do not know why they believe it. Answering the why is much more difficult. To do this, Tim looks at five criteria for historicity. These include eyewitness testimony, early testimony, embarrassing testimony, excruciating testimony, and external testimony. Each of these provides clear markers of truth, but taken together, they deliver an overwhelming historical case for the veracity of the New Testament.
Is What We Have Now What They Wrote Then?
It is no secret that we do not have the original New Testament documents. Given this fact, how do we know the Bible we carry to church contains the same words penned in the first-century by the apostles? In this talk, Tim walks through the transmission of the New Testament and explains why we should be extremely confident that we know what the original said.
Is the Bible Full of Contradictions?
Skeptics and atheists will often make the claim that the Bible is full of contradictions. In this presentation, Tim shows that the often-cited examples of apparent contradictions aren’t really contradictions. In fact, most claims of Bible contradictions stem from the reader misunderstanding (or misrepresenting) the author’s intent. That is, false expectations from modern readers lead to false claims of contradictions. The biblical authors do not give us all the details we want (sometimes they are selective), with the mathematical precision we want (but they are still accurate), with the exact time frame we want (sometimes the events are time compressed), and it’s not always in the order that we expect (it’s not always chronological). But, as Tim will demonstrate, that doesn’t mean the authors got it wrong!
Philosophy & Morality
Does God Exist? (Why God?)Belief in God is simply a blind leap in the dark. In fact, there is overwhelming evidence for God’s existence. In this session, Tim explains three powerful arguments for God’s existence in a way that is understandable and compelling. In addition, he will examine the best objections to each offered by atheists. By the end of this talk, it will be clear that unbelief isn’t an evidence issue; it’s a heart issue.
If God, Why Evil?
The problem of evil has caused more atheism, skepticism, and agnosticism than any other challenge to Christianity. In this talk, Tim offers four important insights on God and evil that have revolutionized his thinking of this issue. First, evil is something. Second, evil is not some thing. Third, something good made evil possible. Finally, evil is solved by someone. Each of these points is crucial to reconciling a good God with all of the evil in the world.
The Truth about Truth
We are living in a culture that has abandoned the idea of truth, especially moral and religious truth. As a result, Christians are in the strange position where they need to argue that truth exists before they can argue that Christianity is true. In this presentation, Tim walks through the difference between subjective and objective truth claims. Through an interactive and engaging presentation, Tim demonstrates that moral and religious claims are objective despite assertions to the contrary by our confused culture.
The Power of Pornography: Protecting Yourself—and Your Family—in a Pornified World
One of the great dangers facing the Church is pornography. In fact, this generation has been more affected by pornography than any other generation in history. In this talk, Tim shows how are acceptability, accessibility, affordability, and anonymity have helped pornography thrive in this generation. Furthermore, Tim looks at the effect pornography has on the individual, relationships, and society. Finally, Tim gives practical steps to fighting back against pornography.
Making the Case for Life
The most dangerous place on Earth, is not Afghanistan, or Columbia, or even Antarctica. The most dangerous place on Earth is the womb. A horrific number of unborn human persons are being killed simply because they are in the way and canʼt defend themselves. So what are you going to do about it? In this powerful presentation, Tim offers a persuasive case against abortion. After clearly and concisely refuting moral relativism, Tim trains you to simplify the abortion issue by raising the only question that matters: what is the unborn? Next, he teaches you to answer this question using modern science and logically sound philosophy. Finally, Tim looks at common objections raised against the pro-life position.
Science
The Heavens Declare the Glory of GodIs design in nature just an illusion? Is there anything special about Earth and the Universe? Join Tim as he walks you through one of the greatest discoveries of modern physics and astronomy—the fine-tuning of the universe. Using the heroic, true story of the Apollo 13 space mission, Tim draws parallels between the “just right” conditions that are necessary for the astronauts aboard the Apollo 13 space shuttle to emphasize that our existence too is balanced on a razors edge. Combining spectacular visuals and thorough knowledge of physics, this presentation is sure to have you echoing the words of the Psalmist, “The heavens declare the glory of God.”
Who Am I that You Are Mindful?
When many look out at the vastness of the cosmos, they wrongly conclude that we are insignificant—a cosmic accident. This results from a misunderstanding of the Copernican Principle. In this presentation, Tim shows how science points to the significance of man. More specifically, the vastness of the cosmos is only one side of the equation. We must also look at the factors necessary for life and the cause able to produce life. In the end, Tim will demonstrate that the One who made you is mindful of you.
Are Science and Faith Compatible? (Has Science Buried Faith in God?)
Our culture is being bombarded by the idea that science has buried God and the Christian faith along with Him. But is science and belief in God really incompatible? In this talk, Tim starts by looking at the misconceptions of faith and contrasts that with faith as taught by Jesus and the New Testament authors. Next, Tim exposes how philosophical naturalism has been forced upon the methodology of science. As a result, many scientists just exclude any possibility of supernatural conclusions before they even look at the evidence. Finally, Tim walks through some of the best scientific evidences for God's existence. This talk will strengthen your faith and have you bowled over at God's wisdom, power, and creativity.
Should Christians Embrace Evolution?
Have you ever wondered if evolution and Christianity are compatible beliefs? Can't we just say "God used evolution!" and be done with it? In this talk, Tim takes a in-depth look at the logical, theological and scientific problems of trying to marry the ideas of Neo-Darwinian evolution with the Bible. This particular topic has found itself at the forefront of evangelical debates. Far from being a peripheral issue, this question has far-reaching implications and must be clearly and carefully thought through.
Shattering the Icons of Evolution
After assessing numerous arguments for macroevolution, I have found that each falls into one of three categories: exaggerated extrapolations, egregious errors, and equivocal evidence. The first category is exaggerated extrapolations. Evolutionists take genuine evidence of microevolution and think that if they add enough time, they will get macroevolution. This amounts to a mistaken projection. The second category is egregious errors. This evidence has been shown to be false and outdated. This amounts to mistaken information. The third category is equivocal evidence. This could be evidence of macroevolution, but could also be evidence of intelligent design. So the evidence can be interpreted in different ways. As a result, I believe the evolutionist comes to a mistaken conclusion.
Each evidence offered to support macroevolution that I’ve encountered fits into one of these three groups. Once you have determined which category the evidence belongs to, you are in a better position to respond accordingly. Exaggerated extrapolations fail to provide the right kind of evidence, and egregious errors fail to provide the kind of evidence that is right. With these out of the way, the evolutionist is left with equivocal evidence to make their case. The problem is, these can be equally used to make the case for an intelligent designer.
For Kids
The Heavens Declare the Glory of GodIs design in nature just an illusion? Is there anything special about Earth and the Universe? Join Tim as he walks you through one of the greatest discoveries of modern physics and astronomy—the fine-tuning of the universe. Using the heroic, true story of the Apollo 13 space mission, Tim draws parallels between the “just right” conditions that are necessary for the astronauts aboard the Apollo 13 space shuttle to emphasize that our existence, too, is balanced on a razors edge. Combining spectacular visuals and thorough knowledge of physics, this presentation is sure to have you echoing the words of the Psalmist, “The heavens declare the glory of God.”
Incredible Creatures That Defy Evolution
Christians are being bombarded with the claim that all of biology can be explained by an undirected, natural process. But can Neo-Darwinian evolution explain all the complex life we see today? In this presentation, Tim invites you to investigate some truly remarkable creatures that defy evolution. From the gigantic giraffe, down to the beautiful butterfly, all the way to the microscopic bacteria flagellum, the animal kingdom cries out for a Creator. (This talk can be modified for young children)
Why Bad Things Happen
Even small children understand that the world is not how it’s supposed to be. In this talk, Tim explains why there is “badness” in the world at a level that a 6-year-old can understand.
Sermons
- How to Guard Against False Ideas About God
- What Happens to Those Who Never Hear the Gospel?
- For Whom Did Christ Die? A Case for Unlimited Atonement
Other
How to Properly Use PowerPoint to Maximize Student Learning
Many of us have developed bad habits when using PowerPoint. Instead of providing an effective visual aid for our students, our presentations amount to cruel and unusual punishment. You don’t need to be a technology guru to put together a visually engaging presentation that will aid in teaching difficult concepts. All you need to do it employ some practical tips that have been proven to work. In this session, you will learn how to use PowerPoint to maximize your students learning. (This is a great seminar for teachers, pastors, and apologists)