A professor from Trinity Western University in British Columbia is poised to launch a two-part lecture series at Providence’s Otterburne campus, which will be free of charge and open to the public. The series, entitled “Can We Talk? The Role of Apologetics in Contemporary Public Discourse,” will take place on October 30.
Dr. Paul Chamberlain, Director of the Institute of Christian Apologetics at Trinity Western, will explore the relationship of Christian apologetics and the general public.
In the first session, which will kick off at 10:00 a.m., Dr. Chamberlain will discuss the core nature and purpose of apologetics, asking if there is a broader, richer understanding of apologetics than is conventionally assumed. He’ll examine the various historical and cultural settings of apologetics and talk about the different contextual and theological reasons for preferring certain apologetic approaches over others.
In the second session, at 1:00 p.m., he will focus on the resurgence of apologetics, asking how it can still play a useful role in public discourse. Dr. Chamberlain will look at how apologetics can move beyond a modern presentation of arguments to include a postmodern engagement in true dialogue.
Dr. Chamberlain is a Providence alumnus and has authored several books, including Talking About Good and Bad Without Getting Ugly: A Guide to Moral Persuasion and Why People Stop Believing.
Between the sessions, lunch can be purchased at the Reimer Student Life Centre.
