By: Bellator Christi Leadership Team | October 17, 2024
S8E6 Bellator Talks Episode 1 (Augustinian Apologetics and AI)
Augustinian Apologetics
- (Starting with TJ) What is Augustinian apologetics (pastoral apologetics)?
- (Starting with TJ) How does Augustinian apologetics expand on the apologetics of Peter and Paul?
- (Starting with Michelle) What are the benefits of bringing this form of apologetic methodology into modern conversations and relationships with others?
- (Starting with Deanna) Are there any drawbacks to the approach?
AI and Helene Disaster
- Recently, the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee were impacted by catastrophic flooding due to record-breaking rains from Hurricane Helene. Most troubling was the number of AI-generated images that inundated social media. (Starting with Deanna) How easy is it for someone to create an image using artificial intelligence?
- (Starting with Tony) How can a person detect an AI-generated picture from one that is real?
- (Starting with Tony) What epistemological problems could come from AI’s blurring of the imaginary from the real?
On the next episode of Bellator Talks, the leadership team will examine helpful ways to navigate political conversations during the holidays.
Brian G. Chilton, M.Div., Ph.D.: Founder of Bellator Christi Ministries, President, Publisher, Contributor, and Co-host of the Bellator Christi Podcast
Brian G. Chilton is the founder of Bellator Christi Ministries and the co-host of the Bellator Christi Podcast. Dr. Chilton earned a Ph.D. in the Theology and Apologetics at Liberty University (with high distinction), a M.Div. in Theology from Liberty University (with high distinction); his B.S. in Religious Studies and Philosophy from Gardner-Webb University (with honors); earned a Certificate in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, and completed Unit 1 of Clinical Pastoral Education at Wake Forest University’s School of Medicine. Dr. Chilton is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Evangelical Philosophical Society.
In his spare time, he enjoys reading, working out in his home gym, and watching football. Brian has served in pastoral ministry for over 20 years, works as a clinical hospice chaplain, is an Adjunct Professor of Apologetics at Carolina College of Biblical Studies (https://www.CCBS.edu), and serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Acquisitions for Illative House Press (https://illativehousepress.com).
T. J. Gentry, D.Min., Ph.D.: Associate Vice President of Publishing and Communications, Assistant Editor, Publisher, and Contributor
Dr. Thomas J. Gentry II (aka T. J. Gentry) serves as the Senior Pastor of First Christian Church of West Frankfort, Illinois, the Assistant Vice President of Publishing and Communications, and the Assistant Editor of Bellator Christi Ministries. He formerly served as the Executive Editor of MoralApologetics.com. Dr. Gentry earned his Ph.D. in Theology and Apologetics (Liberty University); Ph.D. in Theology with Missiology (North-West University, South Africa); and Ph.D. in Biblical Studies, Ph.D. in Leadership, and D.Min. in Pastoral Counseling (Carolina University). Additionally, he is the President of Illative House Press (illativehousepress.com), having previously published Pulpit Apologist: The Vital Link between Preaching and Apologetics (Wipf and Stock, 2020) and Absent from the Body, Present with the Lord: Biblical, Theological, and Rational Arguments against Purgatory (Wipf and Stock, 2019).
Dr. Gentry proudly served his country, both enlisted and officer, in the United States Army Chaplain Corps, and he has taught martial arts as a Christian ministry platform since the late 1990s. He is an adjunct professor at Carolina University (carolinau.edu) and Manna University (manna.edu). He and his wife are blessed with five children and two grandchildren. His daily Bible teaching and devotions can be heard at tjgentry.net.
Deanna Huff, Th.M., Ph.D.: Associate Vice President of Spiritual Care and Outreach, Assistant Editor, Publisher, and Contributor
Deanna Huff is a wife and mother. She is passionate about teaching others to share and defend their faith, drawing on 25 years of experience in the field. Her publications include contributing chapters to Why Creationism Still Matters and Strong Faith.
She has led many seminars for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Ladies Retreat, and the State Evangelism Conference. In addition, she taught high school students for ten years at Christian Heritage Academy, covering subjects such as Bible, Universal History, Apologetics and Philosophy.
Deanna earned a Ph.D. in Theology and Apologetics at Liberty University. She holds a Master of Theology in Apologetics and Worldview from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Oklahoma.
Deanna is an active member of Capitol Hill Baptist Church where she co-hosted a podcast called The Analysis with Pastor Mark DeMoss. She also co-hosted a podcast with her daughter Ellie Huff called but why should i care. She and her husband teach an adult Sunday school class, discipling others in the faith.
Tony Williams: Assistant Vice President of Publications
Tony Williams is currently serving in his 20th year as a police officer in a city in Southern Illinois. He has been studying apologetics in his spare time for two decades, since a crisis of faith led him to the discovery of vast and ever-increasing evidence for his faith. Tony received a bachelor’s degree in University Studies from Southern Illinois University in 2019. His career in law enforcement has provided valuable insight into the concepts of truth, evidence, confession, testimony, cultural competency, morality, and most of all, the compelling need for Christ in the lives of the lost. Tony plans to pursue postgraduate studies in apologetics in the near future to sharpen his understanding of the various facets of Christian apologetics.
