Worldview Thinkers Nancy Pearcey and J. Richard Pearcey to Join Faculty at Rivendell Sanctuary
January 13, 2011
Bloomington, MN (Jan. 13, 2011) -– Rivendell Sanctuary, an innovative new college, announces that best-selling author and scholar Nancy Pearcey, and editor-publisher J. Richard Pearcey, will join the Rivendell faculty. The couple begins team-teaching classes in the Fall 2011.
Best known for award-winning books such as Total Truth, Nancy Pearcey is currently a columnist with the Capitol Hill newspaper Human Events and editor at large of The Pearcey Report. Nancy studied with Francis Schaeffer at L'Abri in Switzerland and served as the Francis A. Schaeffer Scholar at the World Journalism Institute. Her most recent position was Scholar of Worldview Studies at Philadelphia Biblical University. An article in The Economist describes Nancy as “America’s pre-eminent evangelical Protestant female intellectual.” Her latest book is Saving Leonardo: A Call to Resist the Secular Assault on Mind, Morals, & Meaning.
“What appeals to me about Rivendell Sanctuary,” Nancy says, “is that it is a ‘great books’ program with an integrated curriculum, using a Socratic method of teaching. Students are taught to dig deeply into a text and learn how to think for themselves.”
J. Richard Pearcey, also a published writer, has worked in the Washington, D.C., area for several years as an editor at The World & I, managing editor of Human Events, and associate editor of the Evans-Novak Political Report. He has edited books by David Limbaugh, Hal Lindsey, and John Erickson and is currently writing a manuscript on worldview and resistance in a secular age. In 2005 he launched the influential Pearcey Report (www.pearceyreport.com).
Rick and Nancy met at Swiss L’Abri, and they see Rivendell as encouraging a similar kind of honest and intensive engagement with ideas that helped thousands of young people discover a vibrant Christian worldview through the Schaeffers’ work. As Rick puts it, “In a sense, Rivendell is L’Abri with a bit more structure.”
In the 18-month program, students learn to think independently and Christianly while earning an Associate of Arts degree that they can take to any four-year college. A Rivendell education emphasizes:
Bobby Norment, co-founder and CEO of Rivendell, says, “We are delighted to welcome the Pearceys to our team at Rivendell Sanctuary. Their high standards of excellence and dedicated pursuit of truth align perfectly with our vision for developing students of honor.”
To learn more about Rivendell, go to www.rivendellsanctuary.com. To find out how you can enable a student to attend this life-changing new college, look into their “Take Back Education Scholarship Fund” at www.takebackeducation.org.
To schedule media interviews with the Pearceys, or to talk with someone about Rivendell Sanctuary, please contact A.J. Hofstetter at 952-996-1451.
Best known for award-winning books such as Total Truth, Nancy Pearcey is currently a columnist with the Capitol Hill newspaper Human Events and editor at large of The Pearcey Report. Nancy studied with Francis Schaeffer at L'Abri in Switzerland and served as the Francis A. Schaeffer Scholar at the World Journalism Institute. Her most recent position was Scholar of Worldview Studies at Philadelphia Biblical University. An article in The Economist describes Nancy as “America’s pre-eminent evangelical Protestant female intellectual.” Her latest book is Saving Leonardo: A Call to Resist the Secular Assault on Mind, Morals, & Meaning.
“What appeals to me about Rivendell Sanctuary,” Nancy says, “is that it is a ‘great books’ program with an integrated curriculum, using a Socratic method of teaching. Students are taught to dig deeply into a text and learn how to think for themselves.”
J. Richard Pearcey, also a published writer, has worked in the Washington, D.C., area for several years as an editor at The World & I, managing editor of Human Events, and associate editor of the Evans-Novak Political Report. He has edited books by David Limbaugh, Hal Lindsey, and John Erickson and is currently writing a manuscript on worldview and resistance in a secular age. In 2005 he launched the influential Pearcey Report (www.pearceyreport.com).
Rick and Nancy met at Swiss L’Abri, and they see Rivendell as encouraging a similar kind of honest and intensive engagement with ideas that helped thousands of young people discover a vibrant Christian worldview through the Schaeffers’ work. As Rick puts it, “In a sense, Rivendell is L’Abri with a bit more structure.”
In the 18-month program, students learn to think independently and Christianly while earning an Associate of Arts degree that they can take to any four-year college. A Rivendell education emphasizes:
- Holistic Learning -- Discover how the unity of knowledge engages the whole person
- Critical Thinking –- Test everything in the rigorous pursuit of truth
- Authentic Community -– Live and learn in fellowship with a single group of students and faculty for the entire 18-month program to build genuine relationships
- Global Adventure –- Travel abroad to broaden your perspective with a semester in Europe
Bobby Norment, co-founder and CEO of Rivendell, says, “We are delighted to welcome the Pearceys to our team at Rivendell Sanctuary. Their high standards of excellence and dedicated pursuit of truth align perfectly with our vision for developing students of honor.”
To learn more about Rivendell, go to www.rivendellsanctuary.com. To find out how you can enable a student to attend this life-changing new college, look into their “Take Back Education Scholarship Fund” at www.takebackeducation.org.
To schedule media interviews with the Pearceys, or to talk with someone about Rivendell Sanctuary, please contact A.J. Hofstetter at 952-996-1451.
Introducing the Rivendell Sanctuary Lecture Series
December 22, 2010
A core component of Rivendell’s revolutionary curriculum is expert instruction from top Christian scholars. Each curriculum module, from Theology to Economics, will feature a guest lecturer in that field. This scholar will spend a significant amount of time with our students, devoting 12-15 hours of class time toward lecture and discussion. During their time on the Rivendell campus, the guest scholar will also give an evening lecture open to the public. These evening session comprise the Rivendell Sanctuary Lecture Series.
With a different guest lecturer every 6 weeks, the Rivendell Sanctuary Lecture Series is one way we hope to bless the local community. The series will cover topics such as law, government, philosophy, apologetics, and other themes pertinent to the Rivendell educational experience and to the larger Christian community.
Our first public lecture will take place on Thursday, January 13th, 2011 from 7-9pm and will feature professor Kenneth Samples. Professor Samples currently serves as senior research scholar at Reasons to Believe and also lectures for the Master’s of Christian Apologetics program at Biola University. He encourages believers to develop a logically defensible faith and challenges skeptics to engage Christianity at a philosophical level.
Professor Samples is the guest lecturer for Rivendell’s Critical Thinking and Worldview module. His public lecture is entitled, “Darwin’s Doubt: Can naturalistically evolved human minds be trusted to provide true beliefs about reality?”
Future speakers in the Rivendell Sanctuary Lecture series include theologian Dr. Richard G. Howe of Southern Evangelical Seminary, philosopher Dr. J.P. Moreland of Talbot School of Theology, and mathematician James Nickel of the Center for Cultural Leadership.
For more information on the Lecture Series or Rivendell’s modular curriculum, please contact our main office: (952) 996-1451.
With a different guest lecturer every 6 weeks, the Rivendell Sanctuary Lecture Series is one way we hope to bless the local community. The series will cover topics such as law, government, philosophy, apologetics, and other themes pertinent to the Rivendell educational experience and to the larger Christian community.
Our first public lecture will take place on Thursday, January 13th, 2011 from 7-9pm and will feature professor Kenneth Samples. Professor Samples currently serves as senior research scholar at Reasons to Believe and also lectures for the Master’s of Christian Apologetics program at Biola University. He encourages believers to develop a logically defensible faith and challenges skeptics to engage Christianity at a philosophical level.
Professor Samples is the guest lecturer for Rivendell’s Critical Thinking and Worldview module. His public lecture is entitled, “Darwin’s Doubt: Can naturalistically evolved human minds be trusted to provide true beliefs about reality?”
Future speakers in the Rivendell Sanctuary Lecture series include theologian Dr. Richard G. Howe of Southern Evangelical Seminary, philosopher Dr. J.P. Moreland of Talbot School of Theology, and mathematician James Nickel of the Center for Cultural Leadership.
For more information on the Lecture Series or Rivendell’s modular curriculum, please contact our main office: (952) 996-1451.
Leading Scholars to Lecture During Rivendell's Inaugural Program
August 17, 2010
J.P Moreland, Ph.D., Kenneth R. Samples, James D. Nickel, Jonathan A. Anderson, and Richard G. Howe, Ph.D. have signed on to lecture during Rivendell's inaugural program, which begins in January 2011. Excerpts from each scholar's biography are below.
Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
Ph.D., University of Southern California
M.A. University of California, Riverside
Th.M., Dallas Theological Seminary
B.S., University of Missouri
With degrees in philosophy, theology, and chemistry, Dr. Moreland has taught theology and philosophy at several schools throughout the U.S. He has authored, edited, or contributed papers to thirty-five books, including Does God Exist? (Prometheus), Universals (McGill-Queen’s), Consciousness and the Existence of God (Routledge) and Blackwell Companion to Natural Theology (Blackwell). He has also published over 75 articles in journals such as Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, American Philosophical Quarterly, Australasian Journal of Philosophy, MetaPhilosophy, Philosophia Christi, Religious Studies, and Faith and Philosophy. Dr. Moreland served with Campus Crusade for 10 years, planted two churches, and has spoken on over 200 college campuses.
Kenneth Samples began voraciously studying Christian philosophy and theology when his thirst for purpose found relief in the Bible. He earned his undergraduate degree in philosophy and social science from Concordia University and his MA in theological studies from Talbot School of Theology. For seven years, Kenneth worked as Senior Research Consultant and Correspondence Editor at the Christian Research Institute (CRI) and regularly co-hosted the popular call-in radio program, The Bible Answer Man, with Dr. Walter Martin.
As a youth, Kenneth wrestled with “unsettling feelings of meaninglessness and boredom,” driving him to seek answers to life’s big questions. An encounter with Christian philosophy in Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis led Kenneth to examine the New Testament and “finally believe that Jesus Christ is the divine Son of God, the Lord and Savior of the world.” From then on, he pursued an intellectually satisfying faith.
Today, as senior research scholar at Reasons To Believe (RTB), Kenneth uses what he’s learned to help others find the answers to life’s questions. He encourages believers to develop a logically defensible faith and challenges skeptics to engage Christianity at a philosophical level. He currently lectures for the Master of Arts program in Christian Apologetics at Biola University, and has held memberships in the American Philosophical Association, the Evangelical Philosophical Society, the Evangelical Theological Society, and the Evangelical Press Association.
He is the author of Without a Doubt and A World of Difference, and has contributed to numerous other books, including: Lights in the Sky and Little Green Men, The Cult of the Virgin, and Prophets of the Apocalypse. He has written articles for Christianity Today and The Christian Research Journal, and regularly participates in RTB’s podcasts, including Straight Thinking, a podcast dedicated to encouraging Christians to utilize sound reasoning in their apologetics. He also writes for the ministry’s daily blog, Today’s New Reason to Believe.
Since 1973, James Nickel has devoted himself to the cause of Christ's kingdom. Albeit falling short of God's standards in many ways, he has endeavored in God's grace to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (II Corinthians 10:5) - especially in the area of mathematics and science. He holds degrees in mathematics (B.A., Fresno State University), theology (B.Th. and B.Miss. Bethany College of Missions), and education (M.A., Valley Christian University). He is the author of Mathematics: Is God Silent? (Ross House, [1990] 2001) and Lift Up Your Eyes on High: Understanding the Stars (Christian Liberty Press, 1999). He is currently working on two more textbooks, Mathematics: Building on Foundations (pre-calculus), exploring the nature, structure, and purpose of mathematics starting from explicit biblical presuppositions and Mathematics: The Language of Science, exploring advanced topics in high school algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
Professor Nickel has worked in the fields of mathematics and computer science in a wide variety of contexts, including for the US Navy as a mathematical analyst designing code to analyze radar flight data of the F-14A Tomcat and the Tomahawk Cruise Missile. He is currently a full-time consultant, teacher, as well as Dean of the School of Mathematics of a proposed distance learning program.
M.F.A., California State University, Long Beach
B.S., Biola University
Roehampton Institute, University of Surrey; London, England
Jonathan Anderson has taught at CSU Long Beach, CSU Dominquez Hills, and has been teaching at Biola University since 2006. He holds an M.F.A. from California State University Long Beach, where he received the Award for Distinguished Achievement in Drawing & Painting. Anderson is an actively exhibiting artist, both locally and nationally, including exhibitions at Gallery de Soto in Los Angeles, CA; the Museum of the Living Artist in San Diego, CA; the 930 Art Gallery in Louisville, KY; Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ; and several other galleries throughout the Southwest.
Professor Anderson’s research interests include contemporary art, theology of art, and theology of spatial concepts. Courses that he regularly teaches include Contemporary Art Trends, Figure Studies, and Survey of Western Art History: Renaissance through Romanticism. He also regularly leads a three-week study abroad seminar in Art History.
Visit Professor Anderson’s website www.jonathanandersonpaintings.com.
M.A. University of Mississippi
B.A. Mississippi College
Dr. Richard G. Howe has taught courses in philosophy, theology, and apologetics at several universities and seminaries, including the University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, Luther Rice Seminary & University, Marquette University and the University of Arkansas. He is currently Professor of Philosophy and Apologetics and Director of the Ph.D. program at Southern Evangelical Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Dr. Howe is a contributing writer for the Christian Research Journal, and the Midwest Christian Outreach Journal, and has written for The Christian Apologetics Journal and Areopagus Journal as well. He has also contributed to a number of apologetics books, including The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics (Harvest House, 2008) and Reasons for Faith: Making the Case for the Christian Faith (Crossway, 2007).
J.P. Moreland, Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor of PhilosophyTalbot School of Theology, Biola University
Ph.D., University of Southern California
M.A. University of California, Riverside
Th.M., Dallas Theological Seminary
B.S., University of Missouri
With degrees in philosophy, theology, and chemistry, Dr. Moreland has taught theology and philosophy at several schools throughout the U.S. He has authored, edited, or contributed papers to thirty-five books, including Does God Exist? (Prometheus), Universals (McGill-Queen’s), Consciousness and the Existence of God (Routledge) and Blackwell Companion to Natural Theology (Blackwell). He has also published over 75 articles in journals such as Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, American Philosophical Quarterly, Australasian Journal of Philosophy, MetaPhilosophy, Philosophia Christi, Religious Studies, and Faith and Philosophy. Dr. Moreland served with Campus Crusade for 10 years, planted two churches, and has spoken on over 200 college campuses.
Kenneth R. Samples
Senior Research Scholar, Reasons to BelieveKenneth Samples began voraciously studying Christian philosophy and theology when his thirst for purpose found relief in the Bible. He earned his undergraduate degree in philosophy and social science from Concordia University and his MA in theological studies from Talbot School of Theology. For seven years, Kenneth worked as Senior Research Consultant and Correspondence Editor at the Christian Research Institute (CRI) and regularly co-hosted the popular call-in radio program, The Bible Answer Man, with Dr. Walter Martin.
As a youth, Kenneth wrestled with “unsettling feelings of meaninglessness and boredom,” driving him to seek answers to life’s big questions. An encounter with Christian philosophy in Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis led Kenneth to examine the New Testament and “finally believe that Jesus Christ is the divine Son of God, the Lord and Savior of the world.” From then on, he pursued an intellectually satisfying faith.
Today, as senior research scholar at Reasons To Believe (RTB), Kenneth uses what he’s learned to help others find the answers to life’s questions. He encourages believers to develop a logically defensible faith and challenges skeptics to engage Christianity at a philosophical level. He currently lectures for the Master of Arts program in Christian Apologetics at Biola University, and has held memberships in the American Philosophical Association, the Evangelical Philosophical Society, the Evangelical Theological Society, and the Evangelical Press Association.
He is the author of Without a Doubt and A World of Difference, and has contributed to numerous other books, including: Lights in the Sky and Little Green Men, The Cult of the Virgin, and Prophets of the Apocalypse. He has written articles for Christianity Today and The Christian Research Journal, and regularly participates in RTB’s podcasts, including Straight Thinking, a podcast dedicated to encouraging Christians to utilize sound reasoning in their apologetics. He also writes for the ministry’s daily blog, Today’s New Reason to Believe.
James D. Nickel
Senior Fellow of Mathematics and Education, Center for Cultural LeadershipSince 1973, James Nickel has devoted himself to the cause of Christ's kingdom. Albeit falling short of God's standards in many ways, he has endeavored in God's grace to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (II Corinthians 10:5) - especially in the area of mathematics and science. He holds degrees in mathematics (B.A., Fresno State University), theology (B.Th. and B.Miss. Bethany College of Missions), and education (M.A., Valley Christian University). He is the author of Mathematics: Is God Silent? (Ross House, [1990] 2001) and Lift Up Your Eyes on High: Understanding the Stars (Christian Liberty Press, 1999). He is currently working on two more textbooks, Mathematics: Building on Foundations (pre-calculus), exploring the nature, structure, and purpose of mathematics starting from explicit biblical presuppositions and Mathematics: The Language of Science, exploring advanced topics in high school algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
Professor Nickel has worked in the fields of mathematics and computer science in a wide variety of contexts, including for the US Navy as a mathematical analyst designing code to analyze radar flight data of the F-14A Tomcat and the Tomahawk Cruise Missile. He is currently a full-time consultant, teacher, as well as Dean of the School of Mathematics of a proposed distance learning program.
Jonathan A. Anderson
Assistant Professor of Art, Biola UniversityM.F.A., California State University, Long Beach
B.S., Biola University
Roehampton Institute, University of Surrey; London, England
Jonathan Anderson has taught at CSU Long Beach, CSU Dominquez Hills, and has been teaching at Biola University since 2006. He holds an M.F.A. from California State University Long Beach, where he received the Award for Distinguished Achievement in Drawing & Painting. Anderson is an actively exhibiting artist, both locally and nationally, including exhibitions at Gallery de Soto in Los Angeles, CA; the Museum of the Living Artist in San Diego, CA; the 930 Art Gallery in Louisville, KY; Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ; and several other galleries throughout the Southwest.
Professor Anderson’s research interests include contemporary art, theology of art, and theology of spatial concepts. Courses that he regularly teaches include Contemporary Art Trends, Figure Studies, and Survey of Western Art History: Renaissance through Romanticism. He also regularly leads a three-week study abroad seminar in Art History.
Visit Professor Anderson’s website www.jonathanandersonpaintings.com.
Richard G. Howe, Ph.D.
Ph.D. University of ArkansasM.A. University of Mississippi
B.A. Mississippi College
Dr. Richard G. Howe has taught courses in philosophy, theology, and apologetics at several universities and seminaries, including the University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, Luther Rice Seminary & University, Marquette University and the University of Arkansas. He is currently Professor of Philosophy and Apologetics and Director of the Ph.D. program at Southern Evangelical Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Dr. Howe is a contributing writer for the Christian Research Journal, and the Midwest Christian Outreach Journal, and has written for The Christian Apologetics Journal and Areopagus Journal as well. He has also contributed to a number of apologetics books, including The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics (Harvest House, 2008) and Reasons for Faith: Making the Case for the Christian Faith (Crossway, 2007).
Jesus said “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” (John 8:32) We know from John 14:6 that Jesus Himself is the truth. But from the context of John 8:32 we see that Jesus spoke these words to the Jews who had believed on Him whom Jesus was instructing about their own discipleship. Thus, Jesus must have been talking about something more than just knowing Him personally in a saving way. Through both God’s General Revelation (creation) and Special Revelation (scripture) God has enabled us to know truths that not only enable us to have eternal life, but truths about His creation that enable us to become His disciples. That’s why I believe so strongly in not only sound theology but also sound philosophy as well. – Dr. Richard G. Howe