Kevin Bywater is a Researcher, Author, Lecturer, and Resident-Scholar for Summit Oxford, a Summit Ministries® institute. Mr. Bywater holds a B.A. in Philosophy, a M.A. in Theology, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D in New Testament Studies at the University of Durham, UK. As a former member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kevin is dedicated to helping Christians understand and effectively reach members of pseudo-Christian religions. He has published articles on cults, worldviews, and Islam, as well as co-authored Clergy in the Classroom (with David Noebel and J.F. Baldwin). He and his wife, Angela, and their four children currently live in both Colorado Springs, CO, and Durham, UK. You can learn more about Mr. Bywater at his webpage. Please peruse his contributions to our store.
Introduction to Worldviews
Whirled Views 1: We are in a battle! The booty is the hearts, minds and souls of the old and young alike. In a world where the battle of ideas rages strong, both the devotion of discipleship and the skill of discernment are essential. In these seminars, a tried and true approach to introducing worldview analysis is presented and related to both discipleship and discernment.
Whirled Views 2: See the explanation under part I. In addition, this second seminar will focus attention on our confrontation with other worldviews, including such topics as "overturning the iceberg," "disarming apologetics" and "developing your Christian worldview."
Logic and Critical Thinking
Thinking Clearly in a Confused Culture 1: The study of logic has largely fallen by the way, but it's importance never will. The study of logic has largely fallen by the way, but it's importance never will. Often the study of logic is dry and abstract, though it doesn't have to be that way. In this seminar we will experience the victory silencing discussion stoppers, thwarting intellectual laziness, and encouraging a deep and sustained intellectual life...for ourselves and others. Are you ready for some intellectual push-ups?
Thinking Clearly in a Confused Culture 2: See explanation under part I. In addition, this second seminar will supply recommendations for critical thinking classroom activities in a number of disciplines.
Developing Discernment
Every Thought Captive 1: Lies of the enemy come in a variety of seductive packages. But Christians are called to not be taken captive by false philosophies, and we are called to bring every thought captive to Christ. In this presentation Kevin urges believers to develop discernment based on God's Word. Kevin also presents a very practical method to aid in developing biblical discernment.
Every Thought Captive 2: How should we assess arguments? The answer to this question is at the heart of this lecture. In this presentation, Kevin surveys a variety of logical fallacies so as to train Christians to not be held captive by hollow and deceptive arguments. Understanding fallacies is a primary step to developing a discerning mind.
Every Thought Captive 3: How should we think about such weird things as UFOs and crop circles, firewalking, and ESP? In this lecture Kevin tackles these and other questions that arise about strange phenomena as he shows you how to uncover the deception and distortion prevalent in so much of the propaganda of the religious fringe.
Spiritual Warfare
Spiritual warfare is a hot topic among Christians today, and rightly so! We are involved in a battle, not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers of darkness. What is the nature of this battle? What are our weapons and how can we use them? What are some of the unbiblical teachings in the Church today regarding spiritual warfare? These and other questions will be answered as Kevin takes you through this important and timely study of biblical spiritual warfare.
Bible Study
How do you study the Bible? Have you been frustrated? Have to tried to read through the Bible, only to give up somewhere in Numbers? Well, these difficulties are common, but they need not be. Through a discussion of Paul's letter to Titus, Kevin will illustrate a tried-and-true way of developing the needed skills and a deep desire to study the Bible.
New Age Movement
Where Gods May Dwell 1: The New Age movement has affected every area of American life, including our churches. Given this survey of New Age beliefs and practices, you will understand what New Agers believe and how these beliefs are manifest throughout our culture. (Note: If the history of the New Age movement is surveyed, this particular lecture will be expanded to two sessions.)
Where Gods May Dwell 2: Alternative medicine, channeling, near-death experiences, etc.—Christians are purchasing (and 'buying into') a variety of New Age ideas and practices. In this lecture Kevin surveys common compromises, providing clear biblical guidelines for discernment in what may seem to be 'gray areas.'
Where Gods May Dwell 3: How can Christians communicate the gospel of grace to those involved in the New Age movement? With biblical clarity and personal experience, Kevin reveals ten key areas—from spiritual warfare to reincarnation—on which Christians must focus when witnessing in this new age.
Islam
Understanding Islam 1: Islam is one of the major world religions. Where and when was it founded? Who was Mohammad? What does Islam teach? What do Muslims practice? Why does Islam grow? These are some of the questions answered in this introduction to Islam.
Understanding Islam 2: There is a great diversity among Muslims today. Most Muslims are not Arabs. What are the differences? How does this diversity express itself? How can this help us to reach Muslims with the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Understanding Islam 3: Muslims challenge Christians with numerous questions and critiques. What should we expect? How may we respond? How might we seek to persuade Muslims of the truth of Jesus and the Bible?
Pseudo-Christian Religions (aka Cults)
Wolves in Sheep's Clothing 1: From Jonestown to David Koresh and the Branch Dividians, pseudo-Christian religions (a.k.a., "cults") have made tremendous inroads into American society—even into our churches! The danger? These pseudo-Christian cults claim to believe and teach the Christian worldview! The need is clear: we must not only learn to distinguish major worldviews, we must learn to discern true Christianity from the false but attractive ideas propagated by these groups. In a memorable fashion, Kevin shows how to recognize the marks of a cult.
Wolves in Sheep's Clothing 2: Christians have a mission field on their doorsteps: Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses. In this lecture, Kevin presents simple and straight-forward ways we can witness to those bound in the cults. Instead of simply slamming doors in their faces, we must learn to speak the truth in love.
Mormonism (1-3): The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Mormon temples, Mormon missionaries, television ads—we are exposed to them all the time. Mormonism is one of the fastest growing religions in the world today. Why? Why are so many people becoming Mormons? What do Mormons believe and why do they believe it? As a former fifth-generation Mormon, Kevin is able to relate what Mormons believe—from the inside! If you've ever wanted to know what Mormons believe and how to reach them with the gospel, then this series is for you. As Mormonism is compared to Christianity, this seminar series will provide you with more than mere facts. Kevin also presents effective ways you can communicate the Gospel of Christ to Mormons.
Jehovah's Witness (1-3): The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society publishes more literature in one month than all North American Christian missionary groups do in one year—put together! If you have ever met a Witness on your doorstep, then you know how they can use their Bibles. In this seminar series Kevin provides a clear overview of the history and central teachings of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. As Witness beliefs are compared to Christianity you will be provided with more than mere facts. Kevin presents effective techniques you can use to communicate Christ to those bound by the Watchtower.
Apologetics
The Historical Jesus 1: Maybe you've heard of the famous trilemma: "Is Jesus Christ a Liar, a Lunatic, or Lord?" But there is a fourth alternative: Legend-and many so-called scholars believe Jesus to be just that. In this presentation, Kevin explains the nature of the debate, exposes the presuppositions of the critics, and calls for a firm commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord of all.
The Historical Jesus 2: It is often claimed today that the Gospel writers were biased and untrustworthy. It is also claimed that many New Testament writings date long after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD. These claims, and others, are addressed as Kevin presents a strong and persuasive case for the historical reliability of the Gospels and their portrait of Jesus.
Answering Biblical Critics: In this series we examine a number of criticisms leveled against the Bible. It is often charged with having contradictions, with missing books, with being mistranslated, with containing duplicate accounts that don't cohere, and on and on. Basic principles of harmonization will be discussed and specific examples of criticisms will be addressed.
Christianity and the Problem of Evil: The so-called problem of evil is probably the most often repeated, and most powerful, objection to the Christian faith. In this seminary Kevin shows the many resources Christians have for addressing not only the arguments but also the realities of evil.
Atheism and the Problem of Good: If Christians have a "problem of evil," then what about the atheist's "problem of good?" How can an atheist account for good in the world? On what basis can an atheist make any moral claim or determination? Can humans be "good" without God? In this lecture, Kevin reveals one "Achilles' heal" of atheism.
Why I Am a Christian Bertrand Russell, formerly a world-famous atheist, wrote a well-known essay entitled, "Why I Am Not a Christian." In this essay Russell attempted to supply good reasons for his position in rejecting the God of the Christian faith. In this lecture, Kevin shows that Russell indeed had no good reasons for either his rejection of Christ or his embrace of atheism.
Religious Pluralism: Many would have us believe that the Christian's claim to know the truth is simply closed-minded. After all, we live in a pluralistic world: different people, different cultures, different beliefs. Therefore, how can Christians claim to have the truth? In this presentation, Kevin surveys various approaches to these issues and discusses the biblical resources bearing on them.
Ethical Issues
Responding to Relativism: In this presentation, Kevin surveys three kinds of relativism: cultural, ethical, and philosophical ("all truth is relative"). He shows how Christians have been influenced, and how we can respond to the loss of the good, the true and the beautiful in our world today.
Abortion: While surveying the biblical, scientific and philosophical aspects of the abortion debate, Kevin shows how the pro-abortion arguments simply don't hold up to close scrutiny. He also surveys several ways we can get involved in the battle for the unborn.
Environmental Issues
Environmentalism 1: Are we facing the breakdown and destruction of the global environment? Is it true that we must dramatically change our ways or else we are facing extinction? These and other questions will be tackled as Kevin discusses the current state of the environment, and the current state of radical environmentalist rhetoric, with reference to logic, economics and science.
Environmentalism 2: Following a critique of radical environmentalist rhetoric, it is vital to discover what the Scriptures say about our environment and how Christians are to live. What is the Christian responsibility to creation? How are we to live? These are among the key questions answered in the second part of "Radical Environmentalism."
Environmentalism 3: It is often asserted that the biblical perspective of the environment has lead to untold damage to our world, but that the Native American worldview was in harmony with it. We'll examine the case, expose the propaganda, and get to the heart of the matter.
Orthopraxy
The Grandeur of the Great Commission Based on Matthew 28:18ff, Kevin shows upon Whom we base our trust as we go forth with the Gospel of grace. There is no need to worry, fear or be dismayed. What should we expect concerning the advance of the Gospel? Will the gates of hell prevail? If God is for us...
Evangelism and the Redemptive History There are a number of ways to present the gospel, but not all recommendations are effective in all situations. We live in a postmodern age where even the basics of the biblical worldview are seldom understood and often misconstrued. In this presentation, Kevin provides a method of evangelism that will present the gospel in light of the biblical worldview – much the same as the apostle Paul did in Acts 17.