Summer School 2014

www.rzim.eu

events@rzim.eu

01865 30290001865 302900

See website for further information.

Dr Ravi Zacharias

Ravi Zacharias is Founder and Chairman of RZIM. He was born in India in 1946 and emigrated to Canada with his family twenty years later. He received his Masters of Divinity from Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, and has conferred Doctor of Divinity degrees from Houghton College, Tyndale College and Seminary, and McMaster Divinity College, Toronto, and a Doctor of Laws degree from Asbury College, Kentucky. He is also a Senior Research Fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. Dr Zacharias has spoken in over fifty countries and in numerous universities, notably Harvard, Princeton, and Oxford. He has addressed the writers of the peace accord in South Africa, the President's cabinet and parliament in Peru, and military officers at the Lenin Military Academy and the Centre for Geopolitical Strategy in Moscow. He has given the main address at the National Day of Prayer in Washington DC, and has also spoken at the Annual Prayer Breakfast at the United Nations in New York. Dr Zacharias has written many books, including the Gold Medallion winner, Can Man Live Without God? His weekly radio programme, Let My People Think, is broadcast over 1,700 stations worldwide. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife Margie.

Michael Ramsden

Michael Ramsden is the Regional Director of RZIM EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), a Lecturer in Christian Apologetics at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford and Director of the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. Michael was brought up in the Middle East and later moved to England where he worked for the Lord Chancellor’s department investing funds. While doing research in Law and Economics at Sheffield University, he taught Moral Philosophy and lectured for the International Seminar for Jurisprudence and Human Rights in Strasbourg. He has also been a Professor-in-Residence at the Wolfsberg Executive Institute in Switzerland. Michael has lectured in many settings, including the White House in Washington DC and NATO headquarters in Brussels. He has also spoken to numerous business groups about the global financial crisis and marketplace ethics. Michael is also involved in a number of initiatives to equip and train emerging leaders and evangelists throughout Europe and has contributed to the books Preach the Word! and Beyond Opinion. He lives in Oxford with his wife, Anne, and their three children

Amy Orr-Ewing

Amy Orr-Ewing is Director of Programmes for the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics and UK Director of RZIM EMEA. She has degrees in theology from Oxford University and King’s College, London and is currently working on a DPhil at Oxford focusing on the life and work of Dorothy L. Sayers. Amy has written Why Trust the Bible? (shortlisted for the 2006 UK Christian Book Awards) and But Is It Real?, as well as co-authoring (with her husband, Frog) Holy Warriors: A Fresh Look at the Face of Extreme Islam, and Deep. She has also contributed to God and the Generations, Worth Knowing: Wisdom for Women, and Beyond Opinion. Amy has spoken all over the world in such varied places as the West Wing staff at the White House, the USA Naval Academy at Annapolis, the European Leadership Forum in Hungary, and the Keswick Convention. As well as being a Trustee for Keswick Ministries, she runs (with Frog) Latimer Minster, a missional church near Beaconsfield, which is where they and their three sons are based.

Revd Prof Alister McGrath

Alister McGrath is Professor of Theology, Ministry and Education at King's College London and Director of its Centre for Theology, Religion and Culture. He is also President of the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, and Senior Research Fellow at Harris Manchester College, Oxford. He has degrees in both Chemistry and Theology from Oxford University and was awarded an Oxford DPhil for his research in the natural sciences. Alister also holds an Oxford Doctor of Divinity for his work in theology. He has written many popular and academic books, including Christian Theology: An Introduction, Dawkins’ God, The Dawkins Delusion?, Mere Theology, Surprised by Meaning, The Twilight of Atheism and Why God Won’t Go Away. More recently, Alister has authored Mere Apologetics and two new books on C. S. Lewis, including an acclaimed biography entitled C. S. Lewis: A Life.

Os Guinness

Os Guinness is an author and social critic, and is a Senior Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. Great-great-great grandson of Arthur Guinness, the Dublin brewer, he was born in China in World War Two where his parents were medical missionaries. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of London and his DPhil in the social sciences from Oriel College, Oxford. Os has written and edited many books, including The Global Public Square, A Free People’s Suicide, The Call, Time for Truth, Invitation to the Classics, Long Journey Home, Unspeakable, and A Case for Civility. He has been a Guest Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Studies, a Guest Scholar and Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Institution, both in Washington DC, and most recently a Senior Fellow at the East West Institute in New York. From 1991 to 2004 he was a Senior Fellow at the Trinity Forum, and a frequent speaker and seminar leader at political and business conferences in the United States, Europe, and Asia. In 2012 he wrote ‘The Global Charter of Conscience’, which seeks to establish a framework for maintaining people’s freedom of thought, conscience and religion in societies around the world, in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He lives with his wife Jenny in McLean, Virginia.

Tom Price

Tom Price is a Tutor at the Oxford Centre of Christian Apologetics and an apologist for RZIM EMEA. He studied Philosophy at university and later completed an MA in Christian Apologetics. Before studying for his master’s degree, Tom worked for UCCF (University and Colleges Christian Fellowship) as the founding editor of their apologetics website (www.bethinking.org). As well as working for the OCCA, Tom is also involved with Damaris, an educational charity that seeks to help people across the world explore spiritual and moral issues underlying their contemporary culture. He enjoys spending time with those who are asking difficult questions about God, philosophy, life, love and work. He is married to Caroline and they are based in Oxford.

Rev Dr Keith Small

Keith Small is a visiting Lecturer and Associate Research Fellow at the London School of Theology teaching undergraduates and postgraduates internationally on Islamic and Christian theology, especially concerning the textual history of the Qur'an and the New Testament. He has presented his research at major academic conferences in Britain, Germany, France, and the USA. His book Textual Criticism and Qur'an Manuscripts was published by Lexington books in April 2011. Keith also has more than 20 years of experience in various church-based and university interfaith ministry initiatives in Britain and Europe.

Frog Orr-Ewing

Frog (Francis) Orr-Ewingis Rector of Latimer Minster, oversees the Minster’s weekly congregations and has overall responsibility for the Minster projects. He is also the Chaplain and Missioner to the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. In 2003, he became the youngest incumbent in the country as vicar of All Saints church in Peckham after a curacy at St Aldate’s Church in Oxford. Despite Peckham’s many challenges, over seven years the congregation witnessed marked growth and breakthroughs in community engagement and mission. He has co-written Deep and Holy Warriors with his wife, Amy.

Michelle Tepper

Michelle Tepper is an apologist for RZIM EMEA and the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. Born and raised in Florida, USA, Michelle came to Oxford University to complete her BA in Political Science at New College. She then spent six years as a full-time Student Pastor at St Aldates, a thriving student church located in the heart of Oxford. Michelle is a gifted communicator and has a great connection with people and a very accessible and engaging style. She speaks on a variety of faith issues in various forums around the UK, as well as across Canada and North America. Michelle is married to Peter, an ordained minister, and they have a daughter, Sophia. They have recently moved to Beaconsfield to join Frog and Amy Orr-Ewing at Latimer Minster.

Dr Vince Vitale

Vince Vitale is Senior Tutor at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, Tutor in Evangelism and Apologetics at Wycliffe Hall, and an apologist for RZIM EMEA. He holds a DPhil in Philosophy and an MPhil in Theology, both from the University of Oxford. His primary research interests are in ethics, epistemology, and philosophy of religion, areas which converge in his doctoral thesis on ‘the problem of evil’. Vince served as secretary of the Joseph Butler Society for the Philosophy of Religion in Oxford and is an Associate Editor of Forum Philosophicum: International Journal for Philosophy. He was recently named the 2013 IVP Young Philosopher of the Year and is currently working on a number of writing projects relating to his academic research, including a book on suffering, to be co-authored with Ravi Zacharias. Before coming to Oxford, he was a Lecturer in the Philosophy and Religion Departments of his alma mater, Princeton University, where he committed his life to Christ as an undergraduate and also served as Faculty Director of the campus ministry Athletes in Action. Vince is a sportsman who played varsity soccer at Princeton and was a 'double Blue' at Oxford, competing for the University in football and boxing. Vince lives with his wife Jo in Oxford.

Dr Tanya Walker

Tanya Walker is an Apologist for RZIM EMEA, having been an Associate and a guest lecturer at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics for several years. Following her undergraduate degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Christ Church, Oxford University, Tanya worked in the charity sector in a variety of public policy and media communications roles. She speaks in a range of settings, including regular opportunities in universities and churches, has taught at several RZIM events and on the CARE leadership development programme in Westminster. She has a broad understanding of other faiths, has an MA in Islamic studies and her PhD research has focused on the political and sociological implications of Islamic law in the West. She is married to Toby and, along with their young daughter, they are based in Oxford.

Dr Sharon Dirckx

Sharon Dirckx is a scientist with a PhD in brain imaging. She is a graduate from the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, where she completed the one-year Certificate in Christian Apologetics. Her passion is to communicate the gospel effectively in an increasingly secular Britain. She divides her time between scientific research, and evangelism and apologetics. Sharon joined the RZIM EMEA team as a part-time Academic Tutor at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. She is married to Conrad, and they have two young children.

Simon Edwards

Simon Edwards is an apologist for RZIM EMEA and a Chaplain at Latimer Minster, a church near Beaconsfield. He holds qualifications in law, economics and education from the University of Queensland and in theology from Oxford University. Simon brings with him a diverse experience of Christian ministry, government, legal and teaching experience. He practiced law in Australia for a number of years, both in private practice and government, and he has also taught religious education in a secondary school in England. He speaks regularly at outreach and evangelistic events, and in schools and universities across the country. He is married to Natasha and they have one daughter.

Jo Vitale

Jo Vitale is a tutor at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. She received a first in Theology at Oxford and was twice recipient of the university’s Gibbs Prize for her first year and final year examination results. After completing a Masters in Biblical Interpretation, Jo was awarded an Arts and Humanities Research Council Scholarship for doctoral studies. She is using that scholarship to complete a doctorate on “Women and Beauty in the Old Testament.” She speaks regularly on questions of biblical reliability and whether the Bible is sexist, and has recently been involved in leading missions to the universities of Leeds and York. Jo and her husband Vince worship at St. Aldates Church, where she helps lead the ministry to undergraduates and sits on the Parochial Church Council and Standing Committee.

---

RZIM EMEA’s Summer School will again be held in one of the oldest colleges of Oxford University – The Queen’s College. Originally named the ‘Hall of the Queen’s Scholars at Oxford’, it was founded in 1341 by Robert de Eglesfield, a chaplain in the household of Queen Philippa, who named it in her honour. The Front Quad has been called ‘the grandest piece of classical architecture in Oxford’, and the striking chapel has stood virtually unchanged since it was consecrated by the Archbishop of York in 1719.

The college also has a fascinating Christian heritage. One of the most famous figures in the history of the church, John Wycliffe, studied here in the fourteenth century. Wycliffe, one of the forerunners to the reformation, argued for sweeping reform of the church and is perhaps most famous for translating the Bible into English.

The college is situated in the heart of the city on one of Oxford’s oldest roads – the High Street. The magnificent Radcliffe Camera, Sheldonian Theatre, Bodleian Library and Bridge of Sighs are all just a few minutes’ walk away, as are the Botanical gardens, Magdalen College and the University Examination Schools.

For further information about Queen’s College, please visit: www.queens.ox.ac.uk

The Oxford Summer School will be an intensive week of exploring how we can best share the Christian faith and how we can also defend it in the light of people's intellectual objections and heartfelt concerns. The morning will begin with a daily Bible study from Os Guinness. This will be followed by delegates choosing either our 'Introduction to Apologetics' or an in-depth look at the arguments for the existence of God in 'Reasons to Believe'. A track tackling 'Big Questions' will close the morning session. To further strengthen your 'Confidence in the truth', the afternoon seminars will give delegates the opportunity to dig deeper into science and religion, or the Film and Culture track, and then a second stream either focusing on understanding Islam or grappling with questions about texts. Three 'On the Spot' evening sessions bring the ideal opportunity for delegates to ask their key questions to our panel of speakers.

View the schedule: Click here to download.

Room Type

Cost

Residential (Individual)

£1,695

The standard cost of the Summer School is £1,695 per person.
This price includes lodging in The Queen’s College, all meals, refreshments, tuition and materials.
Most delegates will be accommodated in single rooms within The Queen’s College, and each of these has a private shower and toilet. The Queen’s College has a limited number of double/twin rooms and these are reserved for married couples only.

Residential (Married Couple)

£3,225

Queen’s College has a limited number of double/twin rooms reserved for married couples.
These also have a private shower and toilet, and the cost for this is £3,225 per couple.

1. Complete the registration form

Registration for this event is free. Simply go back to the top of this page, select which ticket option you would like and then complete the online registration form that you will automatically be taken to. By completing the online registration form you are reserving your place for 7 days. PLEASE NOTE: Your place is not secured until your deposit of £350 per person has been paid.

2. Telephone our office to pay the deposit

To secure your reservation you will need to call our office on +44 (0)1865 302900+44 (0)1865 302900 and pay the minimum deposit of £350 (non-refundable) per person by credit/debit card. We will hold your reservation for 7 days, and if after this period we have not received your deposit the reservation will be released and offered to someone else.

3. Pay final balance

If you choose to just pay the minimum deposit for your place to begin with, then the remaining balance is due by 28th February 2014. We will contact you 2 weeks before this deadline as a reminder. You will need to telephone our office again to authorise payment of the remaining amount.

Note:

Full instructions for completing the payment of your summer school fees are contained in the final page of the registration, and also in the confirmation email that you receive after registration. If you have misplaced this information, then please telephone our office on +44 (0)1865 302900+44 (0)1865 302900.

We have loads of information in our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), so do download the PDF as it will answer the majority of questions you may have regarding many aspects of the Summer School.

To now register, select your residential option from the table at the top of this page.

Please review our Terms & Conditions.