Decisions: A discussion between Bart Ehrman & Mike Licona

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  • Mike Licona combines the mind of a scholar, the heart of an evangelist, the clarity of a communicator, and the persuasive skills of a debater. His ministry is vitally important in answering objections currently being leveled against Christianity. Mike has my strong endorsement as an effective and winsome apologist.

    Lee Strobel New York Times best-selling author of The Case for Christ
  • Dr. Licona is not only a superb scholar but he is a model of Christian love and respect. He is scholarly but relatable and will provide your audience with a wealth of knowledge in a way that can be understood and applied. As an event planner I deal with all types of personalities and I can honestly say that there is no one I could recommend more highly than Michael Licona.

    Dr. Leighton Flowers Director of Evangelism & Apologetics, Texas Baptists, Host of Soteriology 101 Podcast
  • On two separate occasions, our Ratio Christi chapter has invited Dr. Licona to give lectures at Clemson. Our hosting him a second time is clear indication of how pleased we were with the initial event. The responsiveness of his organization (Risen Jesus, Inc.) and the content available for use with promotional materials significantly aided our pre-event planning and execution. More importantly, Dr. Licona exemplifies attributes to which all of us engaged in Christian apologetics hopefully aspire – a desire for truth, deep knowledge of the subject matter, the ability to effectively communicate unfamiliar material, and a demeanor that attracts rather than repels. If you need a speaker to make a winsome and persuasive case for the truth of Christianity, contact Risen Jesus, Inc. I am fully confident you will be glad you did.

    Barry Sudduth Chapter Director, Ratio Christi at Clemson University

Meet Mike

Mike speaks to a variety of audiences, such as churches, conferences, and college student groups. He has a rare gift of being able to relate clearly to people in the pew in a Sunday morning worship service and to scholars at an academic conference. He speaks with the authority of a scholar, seasoned with winsomeness and occasional humor.

Mike Licona is Professor of New Testament Studies at Houston Christian University and President of Risen Jesus, Inc. He has a Ph.D. in New Testament Studies from the University of Pretoria, which he earned with distinction. Mike is the author of numerous books and was interviewed by Lee Strobel in his book In Defense of Jesus. Gary Habermas claims that Mike’s large book on the resurrection of Jesus is currently the best ever written on the subject. In 2017, Mike was elected to membership in the prestigious Society for New Testament Studies. He has spoken on more than 100 university campuses and has appeared on dozens of radio and television programs.

Topical Lectures

The Historical Case for the Resurrection of Jesus

Why should others believe Christianity is true in the face of so many worldviews? Can we know for certain? Are there any hard-core facts? A sober historical investigation surprisingly reveals that Jesus’ resurrection was an event in history.

The Historical Reliability of the Gospels

Apart from pure faith, are there good reasons to think the Gospels preserve accurate stories about Jesus? In this lecture, Mike Licona answers “Yes!” and provides several reasons from the viewpoint of a historian.

Should we trust the New Testament?

Why were certain books excluded from the Bible and who made the decision? How certain can we be that the Bible we have today is not a corrupted version of the original? Who wrote the Gospels? In this lecture, Mike Licona wrestles with these questions and provides authentic answers.

The A, B, Cs . . . Ds & Es of Defending the Gospels

Whether one is talking to an atheist or agnostic, Muslim or Mormon, an attack on the Gospels is often the primary assault. Mike Licona addresses the 5 most common objections to the historical reliability of the Gospels.

Are there contradictions in the Gospels?

Alleged contradictions in the Gospels is a frequent objection to their being historically reliable sources about Jesus. Mike Licona discusses how ancient literature was written and provides fascinating insights pertaining to how ancient literary devices often resulted in the types of discrepancies we observe in the Gospels and in much of ancient literature. (Note: This lecture is available as two lectures or in an abbreviated single lecture.)

Is Jesus the Only Way to Heaven?

Non-Christians often resent it when Christians claim Jesus is the only way to heaven. Mike Licona examines whether Jesus actually claimed to be the only way, discusses 3 major answers to the big question taken by Christians and answers 4 tough questions, such as what happens to those who have never heard the Gospel when they die.

Connecting Through Apologetics

Because Christianity no longer enjoys a privileged position over other worldviews in North America, sharing the gospel and quoting a few Bible verses often carries little or no weight with nonbelievers. However, there is strong scientific and historical evidence for the truth of Christianity that may be employed with great effect. Learn why and how to connect to our culture through apologetics.

Who is the “Real” Jesus? History, Hogwash, & Hot Air

Recent books portray Jesus in radically different ways than how he is presented in the New Testament. Mike Licona shows how to distinguish the authentic Jesus from counterfeits.

Does God Get Mad at Me When I Doubt?

C. S. Lewis was once asked if he ever doubted the truth of his Christian faith. He answered that he had but that he had also doubted his beliefs while he was an atheist. Doubt plagues many. Am I sinning when I doubt? What are some ways for dealing with doubt?

John, Paul, and the Fab 4 on Jesus

Nowhere do the Gospels say “Jesus is God.” So, why do Christians believe that he is? In this lesson, Mike Licona serves as your guide to discovering what Jesus claimed about himself and why the earliest Christians believed he is God.

Crucifixion

In antiquity, the worst way to die was to be crucified. What was the process like? Mike Licona goes to the ancient literature and tells us what occurred in a crucifixion, then applies these insights to shed new light on some biblical texts.

Holy Jihad! What are we to do about Islam?

The world is witnessing the intolerance, anger, violence, and aggression of radical Islam. Is radical Islam a recent phenomenon or is it what Muhammad taught? Mike Licona introduces you to Islam and provides practical tips for sharing the gospel with Muslims.

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