The second annual IAC was held at the beautiful campus of Elmhurst College in the Chicago area June 6-8. The event was sponsored by the Apologetics Research Society (ARS). Those in attendance came from Mexico City, Guadalajara, London, and from more than a dozen states.

Like last year, this was a blowout event. Many were inspired in their faith and encouraged to bring what they learned back to their local congregations.

The theme of this year’s conference was the apologetics of world religions. Class topics included the resurrection (Foster Stanback), geological evidence (Dr. Willis Hames), Christian world view and world religions (Dr. Robert Kurka), neuroscience research and its relationship to theology (Dr. John Beggs), the ethics of apologetics and evidence (John Lang), the Jewish Messiah and messianic prophecies (Phillip Lester), Islam (Dr. Douglas Jacoby), archaeology and the New Testament (Dr. John Wilson) and Eastern religions (Dr. John Oakes). This was an ecclectic mix which met many needs.

Educational field trips included the Chicago Field Museum (natural history), the Oriental Museum (Near Eastern archaeology) and a visit and tour of a local mosque. As last year, the conference included evangelistic events. Dr. Oakes gave a lecture on God and Science on Friday and Dr. Douglas Jacoby spoke on the topic, “Do all roads lead to God?” Sunday morning. Several hundred attended these events.

The highlight of the conference, without a doubt, was the public “tribate” titled “Judaism, Christianity, Islam: Which is the True Legacy of Abraham?” The Christian point of view was represented by our own Dr. Douglas Jacoby, while the world famous scholar, author and star of “Shalom in the Home,” Rabbi Shmuley Boteach represented the Jewish position, and the world-renowned Imam Shabir Ally represented the Muslim position. This was truly a ground-breaking event. It was an honor just to be there. To those who know him, Doug Jacoby more than held his own with these men who are, arguably, the most able debaters in the world today representing their religions. See below for a review of the debate.

Good news: A DVD of all the classes from this year’s conference, as well as a DVD of the debate are available at www.ipibooks.com.

Many thanks to the Chicago Church of Christ and especially to a;sdflkj;dfj for hosting the event. Special thanks to ARS member Kedron Jones who secured the speakers for the debate and did an exceptional job moderating the event. Thanks also, to Jan Oakes who did the lion’s share of the work putting together the conference.

For those who have already attended this event but have not gotten enough, or for anyone else interested in Christian apologetics, mark your calendars for the third annual IAC. The theme will be The Historical Jesus. It will be held in Houston, Texas June 13-15, 2009.

John Oakes, President, ARS

www.evidenceforchristianity.org