2014 Meetings...
ATL RTB 11th Annual
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October Meeting
presented by...
Thursday October 30th- 7:00 PM
JOHNSON FERRY BAPTIST CHURCH
Young Earth Creationists and Progressive Creationists differ greatly on interpreting Genesis and science. However, they both agree the Bible is the inerrant word of God and that inerrancy extends to all historical
and scientific statements the Bible may make. Out of the ashes of the battle over the age of the Earth and evolution, a third option has arisen and is increasing in influence. Though many of its adherents are
otherwise conservative Christians, they have accepted a method of dealing with science and Scripture that redefines the traditional doctrine of inerrancy. Ben Smith believes this is weakening the
foundations of Christianity and that we are truly in a Battle for Scientific Inerrancy.
Ben Smith has been a student of apologetics for 30 years and will soon finish his bachelor's degree in Christian Worldview and Apologetics from Luther Rice University. He teaches apologetics and doctrine at his home
church in Carrollton Ga. He is a frequent presenter at Atlanta RTB and is the director of the student led Ratio Christi group at the University of West Georgia.
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September Meeting
presented by...
Thursday September 25th- 7:00 PM
JOHNSON FERRY BAPTIST CHURCH
Christians would agree with the statement "The Bible is the written Word of God", but what else should an informed Christian know about the Bible?
Dr. Jefrey Breshears, President and founder of the Areopagus Christian study center, will present material from his latest book, "An Introduction to Bibliology". From the origin and choice of books to be
included and the history of their transmission to the present day to issues of philosophy and worldview, Dr. Breshears as a historian and apologist can increase our understanding of the Bible.
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August Meeting
presented by...
John Danahue
Thursday August 28th- 7:00 PM
JOHNSON FERRY BAPTIST CHURCH
Before the many findings of archaeologists of the 20th century, it was popular for scholars hostile to the Bible to make all kinds of charges that the Bible was historically and physically inaccurate. In this session
John Donahue will examine the compelling and overwhelming archaeological evidence to substantiate multiple Biblical accounts, showing the Bible to be a totally reliable theological document, as well as a faithful
witness to historical accuracy. The great Biblical archaeologists will be introduced along with the concepts and tools they employed to unearth some of the greatest archaeological discoveries in recent history.
With this session we welcome John to the Atlanta Chapter of Reasons to Believe from active participation in the Washington DC Chapter of RTB. He made a number of presentations on apologetics there, particularly
in the area of the Intelligent Design vs Evolution debate. Presentations there included “The Myth of Mutations”, “The Paleontology of Creation” and “The Shroud of Turin”.
John has a BA, History and Philosophy of Science, Princeton University, and a MA, Apologetics candidate, Luther Rice University and Seminary.
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June Meeting
a review and panel discussion with...
Thursday June 26th- 7:00 PM
JOHNSON FERRY BAPTIST CHURCH
In view of the recent publication of Dr. Hugh Ross’s latest book “Navigating Genesis” and the production of a 2-DVD study kit for small-group studies of the content of the book, we will have an
active review of the book in our June RTB meeting. Thanks to Andrea Smith, Ben Smith, Eric Smith, Mark Tabladillo and Bruce Phillips for presenting brief overviews of sections of the book and acting as a panel for
the discussion to follow.
Navigating Genesis has been a challenge throughout the history of the Christian church. Dr. Ross’s treatment emphasizes the concordance between the latest scientific discoveries and the Biblical text and can
help us with our conversations both inside and outside our churches.
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May Meeting
Presented by...
Joseph McRae Mellichamp. Ph.D.
Thursday May 29th- 7:00 PM
JOHNSON FERRY BAPTIST CHURCH
In the Prologue of Darwin’s Doubts, Stephen Meyer writes, “Today modern neo-Darwinism seems to enjoy almost universal acclaim among science journalists and bloggers, biology
textbook writers, and other popular spokespersons for science as the great unifying theory of all biology. High-school and college textbooks present its tenets without qualification and do not acknowledge the
existence of any scientific criticism of it. “ ...
With an undergraduate degree from Georgia Tech and a PhD in Engineering Management from Clemson, Dr. Mellichamp served on the faculty of the University of Alabama with a specialty in Artificial Intelligence. This put
him in position to do consulting for NASA’s Space Shuttle Program, the U.S. Army’s Star Wars program and major companies such as ATT and General Motors. Along with the academic achievements, he and his
wife Peggy helped launch the faculty ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ, Christian Leadership Ministries. Throughout his academic career he worked to use his influence as a Christian professor with both students
and colleagues, and wrote a book “Ministering in the Secular University” to help other Christian faculty members. After retirement from his academic position, he worked with Crusade toward the development
of the faculty ministry for over 15 years.
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March Meeting
Presented by...
Thursday March 27th- 7:00 PM
JOHNSON FERRY BAPTIST CHURCH Following the lead of Dr. William Lane Craig’s recent debate with cosmologist Dr. Sean Carroll in the Greer-Heard Forum, this month’s RTB meeting will focus on those aspects of modern cosmology that point to the God of the Bible. Dr. Craig invoked the Kalam cosmological argument, which posits that anything that began to exist has a cause. He then argued that the observed pattern of expansion of the universe plus the increase in entropy of the universe are strong evidences for a beginning of the universe in finite time. Another way that cosmology is congruent with the Genesis account is in the observed fine-tuning of the constants of nature so that life is possible. Add to this the number of “goldilocks scenarios” that make our planet just right for the sustenance of intelligent life and the observation and understanding of the universe and you have a strong base of evidence that cosmology is compatible with a theistic view of our universe.
Dr. Rod Nave will lead this discussion with resources from Dr. Hugh Ross’s books “The Creator and the Cosmos” and “Why the Universe Is the Way It Is” , Dr. John Lennox’s lecture “The Origin of the Universe”, and Dr. Craig's book "The Kalam Cosmological Argument". |
February Meeting
Presented by...
Thursday February 27th- 7:00 PM
JOHNSON FERRY BAPTIST CHURCH We will review the August 2013 northwestern Canada RTB Burgess Shale Adventure and Drumheller Excursion. We will begin with a brief pictorial description of the group trip. Then will show biological creation significance of the Cambrian Explosion with portions of presentations by Dr. Fuz Rana. Much of this material invites consequential discussions. Then we will show information on the geologic timing of the Cambrian Explosion with respect to the development of the earth as suitable for life. Most of this material will come from presentations by Dr. Hugh Ross.
Please give some thought to the Cambrian Explosion before this meeting and be prepared to contribute to the discussion. There are many good references you can draw from. |
January Meeting
Presented by...
Thursday January 30th- 7:00 PM
JOHNSON FERRY BAPTIST CHURCH
Ben Smith will examine their arguments and show they are not as strong as many think they are. Animal death before the Fall does no harm to Christ's substitutionary death and is not a problem for Biblical authority. We hope to see you there. |
