Dr. Ed Bulkley	Rev. Richard Fisher	Mr. Gordon Franz	Rev. Keith Gibson	Dr. Gary E. Gilley	Mr. T.A. McMahon	Dr. Robert Peterson	Dr. Ron Rhodes

Plenary Session Leaders and Titles:

• Dr. Ed Bulkley

• Why Christians Can’t Trust Psychology  (CD #1207)
Today’s search for inner fulfillment has exploded into what is now called the Recovery movement, complete with twelve-step seminars, counseling programs, and self-help books. Thousands are looking to Christian psychology to help them attain victory over modern dysfunctions.  Does that mean the Bible alone is inadequate for the problem faced by Christians today? This session will present the biblical response to that question and show how believers are being shortchanged by the empty promises of psychology.

 

• Rev. G. Richard Fisher

• The Imperative of Discernment  (CD #1221)
Why is there so much error overwhelming the Church today? There has to be a root cause. Why are so few able to spot error and heresy in its small beginnings? Could it be that biblical discernment has been ignored and even abandoned? Has political correctness dulled us to critical thinking? We need to know the facts regarding discernment, the failures in discernment, and fully embrace biblical discernment.

 

• Mr. Gordon Franz

• Cracked Pot Archaeology  (CD #1214)
Alongside professional and biblical archaeology comes many popular and contemporary archaeological theories and ideas which, like cracked pots, hold no water! For the average Christian, it is hard to know what’s fact and what’s fiction with the many claimed biblical archaeological discoveries. This presentation will review and give a scholarly analysis and critique of the theories and ideas that have been uncontrollably presented on the Internet or via popular books, movies, DVDs and television broadcasts. The sensational and even bizarre views and claims of Ron Wyatt, Bob Cornuke, Vendyl Jones, and others will be examined.

 

• Dr. Gary E. Gilley

In Search of the Mission  (CD #1208)
The original social gospel movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries began as an appendage to the emerging liberalism that started in Germany and ultimately swept through the Western Church. As this liberal movement matured it left behind most doctrinal distinctives held by earlier Protestants and eventually focused almost exclusively on social action. Today a new wave of social involvement is flowing through evangelical churches, changing the very nature of church dynamics and outreach. What can we learn from Church History? What is happening today? What does Scripture say about the mission of the Church?

 

• Mr. T. A. McMahon

Temporal Delusion: Setting up the Kingdom Prior to the Return of the King  (CD #1220)
Widely diverse groups—theologically, politically, socially, and ecologically — are reflecting an amazingly similar focus, whether it is zealously setting up Christ’s Kingdom now, or restoring the earth so that Christ can return, or solving the world’s social problems and saving the planet. According to Scripture, the next kingdom to come is not Christ’s kingdom! Is it possible that such agendas might unwittingly be contributing to the development of the kingdom of the Antichrist?

 

• Dr. Ron Rhodes

The Necessity of Christian Apologetics  (CD #1201)
The modern Church shows a real lack of — and disdain for — discernment. In losing its will for discernment, the Church has given way to mysticism, the Word-Faith movement, eschatological extremes (date-setting), “Christian” psychics and psychic phenomena (even among our kids), “Christian” Wicca and paganism (and vampirism), and a host of horrible books including The Shack and Your Best Life Now.  Yet, as the Scriptures prove, God cares about biblical discernment; and true biblical discernment answers each of these issues. This session will also provide a summary of the benefits of discernment, setting forth tips on how to increase discernment, and closes with a call to urgency.


10 Keys to Witnessing to the Cults  (CD #1227)
Cults inflict a variety of injuries upon people, including emotional injury, physical injury, and spiritual injury. Christians have a ‘‘kingdom assignment’’ to reach out to people lost in the kingdom of the cults.  Toward that end, this session presents 10 keys to effective cult evangelism, based on decades of first-hand experience.

Workshop Session Leaders and Titles:
 

Dr. Ed Bulkley

• How Evolutionism and Psychologism Compete with Biblical Faith  (CD #1215)
While many Christians see that the theory of evolution is incompatible with biblical faith, few realize that psychology is just as dangerous and devastating to one’s personal faith, values, and walk with God. Both evolutionism and psychologism are religious faiths that compete with and contradict biblical Christianity. Evolution is bold in its denial, while psychology is deceptively subtle; yet both undermine and damage the faith of sincere believers in Christ. This workshop will explore and respond to the harmful clash of both against a biblical faith.


• How Our Worldview Affects Our Personal Walk with God and Our Relationships with Others   (CD #1222)
Your worldview — or how you interpret reality — is the basis for how you view God, the origin of man and his destiny, evil, suffering, and morality. It is the very nucleus of how we think and act. Holding to a Christian worldview is not just for Christian leaders and seminary professors, it is required for all believers. It determines how others are received, evaluated, understood, and treated — and it affects one’s self-image, marriage, friendships, politics, and personal finances. Yet, the Barna Group tells us that only about 9% of those who call themselves ‘‘born-again’’ Christians actually possess a biblical worldview. This workshop will explain the importance of a proper understanding of the Christian worldview and why it’s essential to look at life from God’s point of view.
 

Dr. Ed Bulkley is Senior Pastor of LIFE Fellowship near Denver since its founding in 1979 and author of three books, Why Christians Can’t Trust Psychology, How Big Is Your God?, and Only God Can Heal the Wounded Heart.  Dr. Bulkley oversees an extensive counseling ministry and hosted a daily radio program called Return to the Word for over fifteen years. He is also the President of the International Association of Biblical Counselors, a training, resource, and certifying organization for pastors and laity who are committed to the Scriptures.
 

 

Rev. G. Richard Fisher

• The Hebrew Roots Movement  (CD #1202)
How much attachment to Judaism and Israel is necessary for the Christian? The answers are many and varied. One group in particular, The Jerusalem School of Synoptic Research, under David Bivin believes that we cannot correctly understand Scripture without their insights. We will examine their premise and teachings after surveying briefly the broad field of commitment to and support of Israel and Judaism.


• The Two Faces of Joyce Meyer  (CD #1209)
Popular televangelist and author Joyce Meyer has a powerful public image reaching a potential 3 billion people worldwide with her broadcasts and flooding the marketplace with almost 90 books in the past 30 years. Yet many are surprised to learn that her beginnings are that of a dyed-in-the-wool Word-Faith proponent. Her extreme aberrations and false teachings are many and well documented. During the past few years, however, Meyer has refashioned herself and her message by moving more into a psychological self-help genre. She now authors inspirational and motivational books which are really not all that helpful when examined in the light of Scripture. This workshop will show how Meyer’s teachings — both past and present — fall short of the biblical mark.

Rev. G. Richard Fisher is director for Personal Freedom Outreach and the senior researcher/writer for The Quarterly Journal. He served as pastor of Laurelton Park Baptist Church in Bricktown, N.J., for over 40 years, from 1968 until his retirement in June 2009. Pastor Fisher also was part of the teaching staff at Central Jersey Bible Institute for over three decades, where he had served as Dean of the school. He has led over 30 tours of the Holy Land and has co-authored The Confusing World of Benny Hinn.
 

 

Mr. Gordon Franz

• Gehenna: Jerusalem’s Garbage Dump in Late Christian Oral (and Written)
Tradition  (CD #1223)
There is a late Christian tradition (the Lord Jesus would call it the ‘‘traditions of men’’) which states that Gehenna, or Hell, was a garbage dump in the Hinnom Valley in Jerusalem where they burned criminals’ bodies and refuge during the Second Temple period. More recently, this point of view is espoused by such men as universalist Rob Bell and preterist John Noe, and is even taught by sects such as Jehovah’s Witnesses. But was Gehenna, during Jesus’ day, merely Jerusalem’s garbage dump and used only as symbolism — or is it a literal place of final punishment? This workshop will examine the historical and archaeological evidence to show that this tradition is false and will also present a biblical theology of Gehenna.


• He Has Risen As He Said: Contemporary Attacks on the Resurrection of Christ  (CD #1203)
The bodily resurrection of Christ is the foundational truth of the Christian faith — it is the very heart of the Gospel message (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Therefore it should come as no surprise that the Resurrection is under constant attack. At Easter time, the news media will feed off liberals and critics to undermine, question, and explain away the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus. However, none of these efforts have ever been able to satisfactorily refute the empty tomb of Christ. This workshop will examine the recent theories exploited and circulated by journalists and strident skeptics, and will reveal how they are grasping at straws in their assault.

Mr. Gordon Franz is Bible instructor at New York School of the Bible in New York City, lecturer at Evangelical (Chinese) Mission and Seminary International in New Jersey, adjunct professor for the Talbot School of Theology’s ‘‘Bible Lands’’ programs at Biola University (La Mirada, Calif.), and former instructor at the Institute of Holy Land Studies in Jerusalem. Mr. Franz has conducted numerous field trips throughout Israel and Jordan, and has worked on archaeological excavations in Israel, including Jerusalem, Jezreel, Hazor, and Lachish.
 

 

Rev. Keith Gibson

•  Is God Immoral?  (CD #1224)
The ‘‘new atheists’’ such as Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, the late Christopher Hitchens and many others are attacking Christianity on all fronts. In several recent, highly-publicized books the claim has been made that the God of the Bible is actually immoral in His actions. This workshop will examine the claims of the new atheists and will show the fallacy of their reasoning. We will attempt to provide a grid for examining and understanding difficult passages in the Scripture. Special emphasis will be given to those passages that cause some believers to stumble such as the so-called genocide passages of the Old Testament. In all things we will uphold the absolute holiness and moral rightness of the God of Scripture.


•  Mormonism: Christian or Cult?  (CD #1210)
Recent events in the news have brought Mormonism to the forefront again. Are Mormons truly Christians who just have more revelation as they claim or are they, in reality, a non-Christian cult as they have been accused? In this workshop we will examine the central tenants of the Mormon faith to see how they compare to Christianity. We will discuss what constitutes a cult. Drawing from the words of Mormon general authorities, past and present, we will demonstrate that Mormonism is a completely different religion than historic Christianity. Lastly, emphasis will be given to some methods of sharing the truth of Christianity to Mormon friends and associates.


• Passionate Heresy (IHOP / Mike Bickle)  (CD #1204)
The International House of Prayer (IHOP) successfully recruits young people based on a seemingly vibrant worship and prayer ministry, bold vision and intense commitment. While the ministry appears to many to be within the mainstream of Christianity, a closer examination reveals the truth. In reality the ministry is built upon the shaky foundations of personal revelation and is, in fact, promoting heresy. This session will look at the issues that IHOP presents to the church with a view to understanding that passion alone is not enough.


• The Word-Faith Movement  (CD #1216)
Unfortunately the most visible face of Christianity on television and other media continues to be teachers within the Word-Faith Movement. Leaders like Joel Osteen are frequently interviewed by reporters such as Larry King as though they represent biblical Christianity. But is this so? What is the Word-Faith Movement? What are their distinctive doctrines and characteristics? We will examine the Word-Faith Movement’s historic roots and look at its doctrines as well as some of its leading proponents. We will see that the differences do not exist merely in a few minor doctrines, but rather that these leaders deviate in essential matters of the Christian faith.

Rev. Keith Gibson is the founding pastor of Word of Life Community Church in Belton, Mo., and has been the Kansas City Director of Apologetics Resource Center for the last eight years. He has also authored numerous articles and is a charter member of the International Society of Christian Apologetics. Rev. Gibson is the author of the recently published book, Wandering Stars: Contending for the Faith with the New Apostles and Prophets.
 

Dr. Gary E. Gilley

• Cutting It Straight: The Theological Discipline of Hermeneutics  (CD #1217)
The Ancient-Future faith movement is one of the newer stages in the emergent church movement. It is seekers who repudiate Church history and behave as if the Church was born yesterday. The Emergent adherents not only want a link to the past, but a return to the past. While these elements have always been present in Emergent, they are just now rising to the top of the conversation. For them it is not enough to complain about the modern Church or to brush aside all truth-claims as relative. Roots of some kind must anchor the movement if it is to last. What is it that will give this conversation a fixed point of reference and at the same time launch it into the next stage? This seminar will contend that it appears to be what some call “Ancient-Future faith.”


•  In Search of the Message  (CD  #1211)
The most hotly debated subject within evangelism today concerns the Church and its involvement with social issues. On the table is not whether Christians should engage their culture, but to what extent attempting to solve the injustices and problems of society is the mission of the church. Has the Church been commissioned to proclaim the Gospel of redemption and disciple converts, or has the Church been called to improve society, or both? Ultimately at issue is the message we have been called to proclaim. This seminar will examine these issues through the lens of Scripture.


•  Out of Formation  (CD #1205)
The Spiritual Formation Movement has rocked the Church. Ancient disciplines, most often practiced within the monastic movement in the early centuries of Christianity, have been dusted off, repacked, and resubmitted to believers as the means whereby spiritual growth is obtained. There is increasing discussion about fasting, journaling, pilgrimage, simplicity, solitude, silence, contemplative prayer, and spiritual direction in Christian literature. What can be learned from this renewed interest in spiritual formation, and what are the dangers? This seminar interacts with the history, teachings and dangers of the Spiritual Formation Movement.

Dr. Gary E. Gilley is pastor of Southern View Chapel in Springfield, Ill. Dr. Gilley is also a director for Personal Freedom Outreach and a researcher and writer for The Quarterly Journal. He received his B.A. from Moody Bible Institute and his M.B.S. and Th.D. from Cambridge Graduate School. He is a frequent speaker at Bible conferences and the author of five books including Is That You Lord? and This Little Church Went to Market. He is also a board member of Brazil Gospel Fellowship Mission and New Tribes Missions.
 

 

Mr. T. A. McMahon

•  Extrabiblical Insights About Heaven: Are They ‘‘For Real’’?  (CD #1206)
Two top New York Times best-selling books (The Shack and Is Heaven For Real?) along with a host of others have been giving millions of Christians and non-Christians insights about what goes on in heaven — things the Holy Spirit did not include in Scripture. Do those alleged personal experiences of visiting heaven or visitations from those in heaven to earth strengthen a Christian’s faith? Or do they, instead, undermine biblical faith?


•   Rome’s Romancing of Today’s Evangelical Church  (CD #1225)
Has Roman Catholicism changed since Vatican II? And following decades of dialogues between Catholics and Evangelicals have the once clearly defined theological barriers been wrongly removed? Are baptized non-Catholics now simply ‘‘separated brethren’’ and should we recognize one another as brothers and sisters in Christ? Or is there still an unbridgeable gap between the gospel of Rome and the biblical Gospel?

Mr. T.A. McMahon is president and executive director of The Berean Call ministry, editor-in-chief and contributing writer for The Berean Call newsletter, co-author of best-selling Christian classic The Seduction of Christianity, The New Spirituality, and author of Showtime for the Sheep? Mr. McMahon has been the executive producer and co-host of two weekly radio programs, Search the Scriptures Daily (with Dave Hunt) and According to God’s Word.  He is co-founder and an executive committee member of Reaching Catholics for Christ.
 

Dr. Robert Peterson

• The Deity of Christ: An Essential Doctrine of the Christian Faith  (CD #1226)
Historic Christianity has held to the deity of Christ, the fact that Jesus of Nazareth is fully divine (as well as fully human). Though this is denied by liberalism and the cults, it is an essential aspect of the Christian faith. We will explore arguments in support of Christ’s deity, including some that may be new to attenders.


• Inclusivism: Christ is the Only Savior, but Faith in Him Is Not Necessary for Salvation  (CD #1218)
There are three main answers to the question: What about those who have never heard? Pluralism argues that all religions and philosophies lead to God. Exclusivism or restrictivism holds that Jesus is the only Savior of the world and that people must put their faith in him in this life to be saved. Inclusivism holds that although Jesus is the only Savior of the world, faith in Him in this life is not necessary. We will explore the varieties of inclusivism, it main proponents, their arguments, and give biblical answers to their arguments.


•  Universalism: Everyone Will Be Saved in the End  (CD #1212)
Universalism is the false view that everyone will ultimately be gathered into the love of God and be saved. This workshop will present the varieties of universalism, its chief proponents, and their main arguments. It will specifically answer the biblical arguments used to defend universalism.

Dr. Robert Peterson is the professor of Systematic Theology at Covenant Theological Seminary in Saint Louis and the pastor of Country Bible Church in Bunker Hill, Ill.  He is the author of numerous works including, Salvation Accomplished by the Son: The Work of Christ, Hell on Trial: The Case for Eternal Punishment and Our Secure Salvation: Preservation and Apostasy, and is the co-author of What Is Hell?  He has also edited Presbyterion, the journal of Covenant Theological Seminary, from the spring of 1997 until the present.
 

Dr. Ron Rhodes

•  Brian McLaren and ‘‘A New Kind of Christian’’  (CD #1213)
Publisher’s Weekly magazine calls Brian McLaren the ‘‘Martin Luther for the 21st century.’’ Time magazine says he is one of the top 25 evangelicals in the world. McLaren’s two controversial books — A New Kind of Christian and A New Kind of Christianity — have caused shockwaves in the Christian community. This session will biblically examine the deceptive and dangerous teachings of this man.


•  The New Testament Under Siege: An Apologetic Defense   (CD #1219)
The New Testament is under attack by the ‘‘new atheists’’ (like Richard Dawkins), novelists (like Dan Brown), New Age gurus (like Ronda Byrne in her book The Secret), and critical scholars like Bart Ehrman. Some Christians have weakened in their faith as a result. This session will provide convincing, faith-building evidence for the reliability and trustworthiness of the New Testament.
 

Dr. Ron Rhodes is president of Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministries. Dr. Rhodes is the adjunct professor of Theology at Dallas Theological Seminary (Dallas, Texas), Veritas Evangelical Seminary (Murrieta, Calif.), and Biola University (La Mirada, Calif.). With over 1.5 million books in print, he is the author of the popular ‘‘Reasoning from the Scriptures’’ series and over fifty other apologetic works including The Complete Guide to Bible Translations, The Complete Guide to Christian Denominations, and 5-Minute Apologetics for Today.
 

Compact Disks (CDs) of all sessions are available for a cost of $4.00 each (plus shipping).

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The complete set of 27 Conference Sessions on compact disk (CDs) is available for $100.00 (plus shipping).

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Shipping Charges:
1-8 items – $3.00
9-16 items – $4.00
17-23 items – $5.00
24+ items – $6.00

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The 2012 Conference included seven plenary lectures
and 20 workshops.

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A complete listing of all conference session titles, leaders,  biographies, along with workshop descriptions are here provided.