Adelaide Chapter

‘Paul versus James’ by Brian Schroeder

April 27, 2023

It is often claimed that our Christianity comes from Paul, rather than from Jesus and that Paul took it over and moulded it in his own image.  There is a stark contrast between Paul and James regarding faith and works.  While this appears to be a major conflict that critics like to point out and use to try to discredit Christianity, Christians also have problems with it.  The great reformer Martin Luther is famously quoted as calling James an “epistle of straw”, so what are we to make of it?

Brian’s presentation is available on YouTube.

Brian Schroeder

Brian Schroeder is a Reasonable Faith committee member. He has BSc and BA degrees from Adelaide University (Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics), and an MA in Theology.

‘Do people have a natural sense of God?’ By Dr Kevin Rogers

April 27, 2023

Sensus Divinitatis is a Latin term that refers to a natural sense of God that is present within every human being, but what does this actually mean?

This talk covered:

  • What were the views of major Christian figures on the Sensus Divinitatis?
  • What does the Bible say about it?
  • Can it be suppressed?
  • Is it innate or
    • Is it derived from observation of the creation?
    • Is it dependent on culture and upbringing?
  • What are the major objections to the sensus divinitatis?
  • How does it affect Christian apologetics and the proclamation of the gospel?

Kevin’s presentation can be viewed on YouTube.

Dr Kevin Rogers

Kevin Rogers is the director of Reasonable Faith Adelaide. He is a former research fellow, lecturer and research supervisor at the University of South Australia. He is now mostly retired but continues with part-time research.

Should we fear God? by Geoff Russell

March 10, 2023

An image of Mount Sinai

The Bible (both Old and New Testaments) has a lot to say about the fear of God. Is this fear good and could it be beneficial, or is it “old hat” and no longer relevant, and how should we understand this fear?

Geoff’s presentation can be viewed on YouTube.

Geoff Russell

Geoff Russell is a professional electrical engineer. He has a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours from the University of Adelaide, a post-graduate Diploma in Engineering & Computer Applications and an Associate in Theology from the Bible College of South Australia. Two years ago, Geoff retired to Warrnambool, but he’s as busy as ever. In a sea change from engineering, he’s become an Associate Pastor at a local Baptist Church and the sole Chaplain at the Warrnambool Campus of Deakin University. He’s doing what he loves!

‘Apologetics for young people’, by Kevin Rogers

February 25, 2023

On the 9th February 2023, Kevin Rogers provided a presentation on Apologetics for young people.

It covers:

  • Is there a decline and how great is it?
  • What are the causes?
  • Are deficiencies in lack of apologetics for children a significant factor?
  • Is current apologetics for children adequate?
  • What can we do?

His presentation can be viewed on YouTube

Dr Kevin Rogers

Kevin Rogers is the director of Reasonable Faith Adelaide. He is now mainly retired after having an electrical engineering career for 40 years and then working as a research Fellow, lecturer and PhD student at the University of South Australia.

‘What is an experience of knowing Christ?’ by Kevin Rogers

February 25, 2023

On the 23rd February 2023, Kevin Rogers provided a presentation on What is an experience of knowing Christ?’

He describes his talk as follows:

It is often claimed that being a Christian means having a personal relationship with Christ, but what does this mean, how should it feel like, and do I have one?

Within conservative protestant circles, assurance is often based on scriptural promises. E.g., we can know we are a Christian if we have put our faith in Christ, or ‘Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so’.  However, although these statements are true, they do not go far enough. Both Jesus and Paul state that assurance goes beyond this, and Paul expects his readers to share in his own experience.

Apologetics by reasoned arguments is commanded and is useful for providing intellectual support, but it does not go the whole way. God can do more than that such that we can we truly know. The Spirit can attest with our spirit that we are children of God.

During this talk, I will cover:

  • The value and limitations of apologetics,
  • My own Christian experience,
  • The Biblical warrant for Christian experience and assurance,
  • Paul’s teaching on knowing Christ, and
  • The conditions for knowing Christ,

Kevin Rogers

Dr Kevin Rogers

Kevin Rogers is the director of Reasonable Faith Adelaide. He is now mainly retired after having an electrical engineering career for 40 years and then working as a research Fellow, lecturer and PhD student at the University of South Australia.

His presentation can be viewed on YouTube.