The renaissance in Christian apologetics has resulted in the rapid growth of the Christian Case Making community. As Christians begin to recognize their identity as Case Makers, they have taken to the internet to make the case for Christianity. Many have even pursued advanced degrees in Christian apologetics. But not everyone is destined to become a tenured Philosophy professor or internationally recognized Christian apologist. “One Dollar Apologists” recognize their special role as “tent-making” Christian Case Makers. If you’re beginning to hear God’s call on your life to become the case maker He wants you to be, you may be wondering where all this will lead. Today, I’d like to encourage you to consider an incredible opportunity. My friend Rick Schenker leads Ratio Christi, an international Christian Case Making movement growing on university campuses around the world. They can use some help from “One Dollar Apologists” Like you and me. From the Ratio Christi website:
“Ratio Christi (Latin for ‘The Reason of Christ’) is a global movement that equips university students and faculty to give historical, philosophical, and scientific reasons for following Jesus Christ. Bringing together faith and reason to establish the intellectual voice of Christ in the University, Ratio Christi is planting student led apologetics clubs at universities around the world. Students, engaged in the battle for the mind, learn to defend God’s existence, the reliability of the Bible, and the fact of Christ’s resurrection. We seek a Renaissance of Christian Thinking in the University.
Our goal is to place apologetics clubs at all major universities. Situating Ratio Christi chapters at universities around the world is an important step in reversing the skepticism that permeates most educational institutions. We desire to partner in taking back the mind of the University for Christ. By equipping Christian students we believe many students will not only hold onto a faith that they might otherwise abandon, but they will also begin to stand up for Christianity when it comes under fire in the classroom. Furthermore, we want to train students to be conversational evangelists that can in turn train others to defend and proclaim the Gospel.
Ratio Christi also provides a safe and charitable venue for atheists, agnostics, skeptics, and adherents to any religion to investigate the claims of Christianity, discuss religious beliefs, and seek truth without fearing reprisal. While this is a distinctly Christian organization, any student is able to become a member, learn, debate, and explore the connection of faith and reason.”
Ratio Christi chapters are opening across the country as we speak. In fact, there are a number of locations where students are ready to join Ratio Christi groups, but there aren’t any leaders to form the chapters! Blake Anderson, Ratio Christi’s Chief Operating Officer, recently reported an urgent need for Chapter Directors at the following universities:
1. Carson Newman University (Jefferson City, TN)
2. West Virginia University (Morgantown, WV)
3. Drake University (Des Moines, IA) needs a mentor for younger start up apologist
4. Baylor University (Waco, Texas)
5. Tennessee Tech University (Cookville, TN)
6. University of Texas San Antonio
7. Morgan State University (Baltimore, Maryland)
8. University of Michigan Ann Arbor
9. Bradley University (Peoria, Illinois)
10. Toccoa Falls College (Christian college in Toccoa Falls, Georgia)
11. Kent State University (Kent, Ohio)
12. Truman State University (Kirksville, Missouri)
13. University of Nevada Las Vegas
Not close to any of these locations? Not a problem. Just pick a campus close to you and connect with Ratio Christi to see how you can get involved as a Chapter Director. You have what it takes to lead young people to the truth, even if you’re already employed full-time. Many of the Ratio Christi Directors are “tent-making” Christian Case Makers. Here are just a few examples:
Clint Field (Automobile Industry Computer Programmer)
University of Kentucky
Courtney Madise (Software Developer)
Biola University
David Haines (Student)
Université Laval
Don Morris (Hospitality Management, Travel, Meeting and Event Planning)
Austin Community College
Gary Zacharias (College Professor)
Palomar College
Jason Wisdom (High School Teacher)
University of Georgia
Jeremy Scarbrough (Music Educator and Student)
University of Mississippi
Julie Loos (Stay at home Mom)
Ratio Christi National Organization
Julie Miller (Stay at Home Mom / Student)
Rutgers University
Larry Lund (Geospatial Scientist / Tractor-Trailer Operator)
University of Maryland
Kelly Fitzsimmons Burton (Adjunct Philosophy Teacher)
Arizona State University
Ken Mann (Software Engineer)
University of Colorado
Kyle Clark (Retired Police Sergeant and Law Enforcement Trainer)
University of North Florida
Mike Felker (Manufacturing / Sales)
Georgia State University
Patrick Collins (Network Engineer / Software Design Tester)
University of Alabama Huntsville
Rob Lundberg (Auto Salesman)
Germanna Community College
Tim Foutz (Professional Baseball Organization Employee)
University of Washington / Seattle Pacific University
Wesley Henderson (U.S. Postal Service Carrier)
University of North Carolina Asheville
Like other “tent-making” Christian Case Makers, these Ratio Christi Directors come from a variety of full-time occupations. They’re just like the rest of us: Christians called to defend what they believe. Are you ready to take another step and help young Christians at their point of greatest challenge? Consider becoming a Ratio Christi Case Maker.
For more information about the nature of Biblical faith and a strategy for communicating the truth of Christianity, please read Forensic Faith: A Homicide Detective Makes the Case for a More Reasonable, Evidential Christian Faith. This book teaches readers four reasonable, evidential characteristics of Christianity and provides a strategy for sharing Christianity with others. The book is accompanied by an eight-session Forensic Faith DVD Set (and Participant’s Guide) to help individuals or small groups examine the evidence and make the case.
J. Warner Wallace is a Dateline featured Cold-Case Detective, Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, Adj. Professor of Christian Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, author of Cold-Case Christianity, God’s Crime Scene, and Forensic Faith, and creator of the Case Makers Academy for kids.
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