Since a child, I have had an interest in biblical knowledge. My mother never took me to church, but I read the Bible on my own as I grew up. Sermons were sometimes frustrating because I felt I wasn’t learning enough substance. Sunday morning sermons seemed to be composed of a message to make the individuals feel good about themselves and return next week. I later enrolled in a bible college composed of a church I was attending. In the same period, I discovered reformed theology. With reformed theology, I felt I was learning solid theological substance. The bible college I attended promised more in-depth biblical knowledge. I attended one year and then dropped out because of disappointment in the overall teaching and material. I realized I was learning more on my own than when I was subjecting myself to the bible college. I later discovered expository teaching. Biblical exposition enlightened me to a more significant study, learning, and teaching method.
Around 2006, I watched an interview with Richard Dawkins talking about the God Delusion. I began to reflect on how someone like him can become a believer in Christ. I realized arguments from the Bible would not work against someone who has no belief in the Bible. So, I thought to myself, there must exist a way to prove the existence of God without the Bible. In my research, I discovered Dr. Greg Bahnsen, who, in his time, was considered the man the atheist feared most. He publically debated atheists on the existence of God only using logic and reason. So I began to read his books and listen to his debates. The man is a Godsend. Unfortunately, he passed away young due to health complications, but he left behind a legacy. Leading up to his Ph.D., he simultaneously received a Master of Theology and Divinity. His first degree was a B.A. in philosophy. I was so impressed and influenced by this man I enrolled myself for a B.A. in philosophy, from which I will graduate, Lord willing, in June.
That was the beginning of my academic and intellectual path. I have several intellectual goals. I am a dreamer but don’t share them with many because I’ve experienced that people are too discouraging. But, just for context, if people say they want to work at a bank, I’d reply, I’d rather own a bank, and that is where they discourage. It is not the action or verbiage they discourage; it is the idea and the complexities that come with it. Regardless, philosophy has become instrumental in establishing my beliefs. Knowing and having the ability to express and defend my beliefs is one of the greatest assets of philosophy. With it comes responsibility. Relatively, a philosopher can become persuasive and develop an audience. Just as Dr. Bahnsen influenced me, we will also influence. And we must have the self-awareness of whether our beliefs will influence others for better or worse.
Descendants of Grace Monergistic Agora 