There are differences between the Gospels. It’s undeniable. But do those differences mean the Gospels are historically unreliable? How can we reconcile these differences? Harmonize? Ancient literary devices? Is it something else? Come hear 4 different perspectives on why there are differences in the Gospels so that you can be prepared to defend your faith.
The BEST worldview conference in Chicagoland!
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
Hear from world-class speakers
Connect with an entire community
Enjoy the beautiful Chicago area!
The BEST worldview conference in Chicagoland!
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
Hear from world-class speakers
Connect with an entire community
Enjoy the beautiful Chicago area!
Meet the 2019 Keynote Speakers
Mike Licona
Mike Licona is Associate Professor in Theology at Houston Baptist University. He is a thorough New Testament scholar whose most recent work, Why Are there Differences in the Gospels?, looks at the relationship between the ancient Greco-Roman biographer Plutarch and the Gospels. Licona is the President of Risen Jesus and resident scholar on the Risen Jesus Podcast.
Bart Ehrman
Bart Ehrman is the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill. He is an extensive and widely published New Testament scholar. His 2009 work Jesus, Interrupted was a New York Times best-seller following upon the success of Misquoting Jesus. His most recent work The Triumph of Christianity looks at the growth of the Christian religion.
Craig Keener
Craig Keener is the F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. He has a heart and sole (literally) for the Majority World, traveling frequently around the globe to teach and fellowship with believers. A true scholar of scholars, last month his work on the genre of the Gospels was published: Christobiography.
Rob Bowman
Rob Bowman has taught at the collegiate level for over 30 years at institutions such as Biola University and New Orleans Theological Baptist Seminary. He is an expert in the two major American cults: Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnesses. His present research looks at the Resurrection narratives and Joseph’s Smith’s First Vision.
Program Schedule
October 18-19
Christ Church of Oak Brook
501 Oak Brook Rd
Oak Brook, IL 60523
6:00 PM FRIDAY DOORS OPEN
6:45 PM Welcome/Introduction
7:00 PM Mike Licona
7:50 PM Interview with Licona
8:15 PM Breakout #1
8:30 AM SATURDAY DOORS OPEN
9:00 AM Rob Bowman
9:50 AM Interview with Rob Bowman
10:00 AM Presentation by Logos Bible Software
10:30 AM Breakout #2
11:30 AM Bart Ehrman
12:20 PM Interview with Bart Ehrman
12:30 PM LUNCH
1:20 PM Craig Keener
2:10 PM Interview with Craig Keener
2:35 PM PANEL DISCUSSION and Q&A
Gospel Track
“Historical Jesus 101: What Scholars Are Saying about Jesus and History”- Rob Bowman
“What Do We Mean by the Term ‘Historically Reliable’?” – Mike Licona
Starter Apologetics Track
“Evidence of Miracles” – Craig Keener
“Indoctrination or Intelligent Faith? Raising Children Who Think Critically about the Christian Worldview” – Elizabeth Urbanowicz
Experienced Apologetics Track
“The Synoptic Problem for Undesigned Coincidences” – Kurt Jaros
“Why is the Trinity So Hard to Understand?” – Sanjay Merchant
Program Schedule
October 18-19
Christ Church of Oak Brook
Oak Brook, IL
6:00 PM FRIDAY DOORS OPEN
6:45 PM Welcome/Introduction
7:00 PM Mike Licona
7:50 PM Interview with Licona
8:15 PM Breakout #1
8:30 AM SATURDAY DOORS OPEN
9:00 AM Rob Bowman
9:50 AM Interview with Rob Bowman
10:00 AM Presentation by Logos Bible Software
10:30 AM Breakout #2
11:30 AM Bart Ehrman
12:20 PM Interview with Bart Ehrman
12:30 PM LUNCH
1:20 PM Craig Keener
2:10 PM Interview with Craig Keener
2:35 PM PANEL DISCUSSION and Q&A
Gospel Track
“Historical Jesus 101: What Scholars Are Saying about Jesus and History”- Rob Bowman
“What Do We Mean by the Term ‘Historically Reliable’?” – Mike Licona
Starter Apologetics Track
“Evidence of Miracles” – Craig Keener
“Indoctrination or Intelligent Faith? Raising Children Who Think Critically about the Christian Worldview” – Elizabeth Urbanowicz
Experienced Apologetics Track
“The Synoptic Problem for Undesigned Coincidences” – Kurt Jaros
“Why is the Trinity So Hard to Understand?” – Sanjay Merchant
Conference Sponsors
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If you would like to sponsor or be a vendor at the Defenders Conference, please fill out this contact form, and we will followup with you!
Become a sponsor and you will recieve: your logo on all promotional materials (posters, conference program, etc.), logo and description of your organization/business on the conference website (thedefendersconference.com), logo rotating on main screens in between sessions, a two-minute pitch to the whole audience during on-site lunch session, and one table in the exhibition area.
Cost: $350
Want to be a vendor at the Defenders Conference?
You’ll receive: one table in the exhibition area to showcase your organization and verbal recognition by the host at the event.
Cost: $100
Payment for sponsorship must be received before benefits are given. Final deadline for sponsorship is September 17. Vendors will be considered until all available tables are claimed or September 27 (whichever comes first).