This presentation will provide a summary and recommended overview for work by Ken Samples, an RTB scholar. The purpose of the presentation is to provide the major points from four books by Ken Samples, and encourage everyone to read the books on your own. These four books with links to the RTB website are: 7 truths that changed the world: discovering Christianity's most dangerous ideas A world of difference: putting the Christian truth-claims to the worldview test Lights in the sky & little green men: a rational Christian look at UFOs and Extraterrestrials Without a doubt: answering the 20 toughest faith questions

1. A “Sample” of Samples
Mark Tabladillo Ph.D.
RTB Chapter Officer: Atlanta, GA
January 29, 2014

2. Networking

3. Mark Tab
Believer since 1985
Member @ North Point Community
Church
Perspectives on the World Christian
Movement
RTB
Ratio Christi

4. ?
?

5. American Philosopher
What does it look like to engage American ideas

6. Outline
Background
Five RTB Books
Two Books from the CRI Season
Resources

7. Background

9. Online Bio
Kenneth R. Samples
Senior research scholar, Reasons to Believe
I believe deeply that "all truth is God’s truth." That historic affirmation means that when we discover
and grasp truth in the world and in life we move closer to its divine Author. This approach relies on the
Christian idea of God’s two revelatory books - the metaphorical book of nature and the literal book of
Scripture.
As an RTB scholar I have a great passion to help people understand and see the truth and relevance of
Christianity's truth-claims. My writings and lectures at RTB focus on showing how the great doctrinal
truths of the faith (the Trinity, the Incarnation, the Atonement, creation ex nihilo, salvation by grace,
etc.) are uniquely compatible with reason. This approach reflects the historic Christian apologetics
statement - "faith seeking understanding."
I work to help myself and others fulfill Peter's words in 2 Peter 3:18: "But grow in the grace and
knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."

10. Ken Samples Q&A
1) Born in what state?
2) Father served in what war?
3) First religion?
4) Second religion?
5) Third religion?
6) Death job?
West Virginia
World War II
Seventh-Day Adventist
Roman Catholic
Reformed
(http://christreformedinfo.org/)
Cemetery digger

11. Ken Samples Q&A
7) Favorite “trinity” before
conversion
8) Played what minor league sport?
9) First apologist he worked for?
10) CRI expert for what?
11) Favorite Hymn?
12) Married a woman who would
have been…?
Beatles, Lakers, Dodgers
Baseball
Walter Martin (CRI)
7th Day Adventism; Catholicism
A Mighty Fortress is Our God
A nun (Joan) [FYI: three children are
Sarah, Jacqueline, Michael]

14. Top 5 Thinking Movies for 2015
(for adults)
To End All Wars (2001)
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Restless Heart (2013)
Dead Poets’ Society (1989)
12 Angry Men (1957)

15. Five RTB Books
Author or Coauthor

16. Don’t Judge
a Book
By Its Cover

17. Lights in the Sky and
Little Green Men (2002)
A Rational Christian Look at UFOs and
Extraterrestrials

20. Lights in the Sky and Little Green Men
Message:
About UFOs, in context of
life in the universe
US Government
advanced physics
UFO groups
Bible
Fine-tuning parameters and
probabilities
Audience:
People wanting a framework for
understanding UFOs
People wanting a framework for
how scientists have investigated
UFOs
People wanting an explanation of
UFOs from the Christian worldview
Level: Beginner

21. Lights in the Sky and Little Green Men:
Chapters
1. The UFO Craze
2. Types of UFOs – classification systems
3. Life on Other Planets – habitable planet classification
4. Evolution’s Probabilities – ending with directed panspermia
5. Interstellar Space Travel – what are the challenges
6. RUFO’s – the Unexplained UFOs – evidence against constant observers
7. Government Cover-ups: Roswell NM, Air Force’s Project Blue Book, Area 51
8. Government Conspiracies: ever leaked?

22. 2014 Article
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl
e-2573193/Flying-saucer-focus-seagull-
taking-poo-Slides-Snowdens-latest-
leak-fake-UFO-images-used-
deliberately-spread-misinformation-
online-claims-expert.html

23. Lights in the Sky and Little Green Men:
Chapters
9. Nature and Supernature (beyond nature): Fine-Tuning and the Anthropic Principle
10. The Interdimensional Hypothesis
11. A Closer Look at RUFOs: (1M/year UFO, 100K/year RUFO). Invitations to demonic
attacks: séances, Ouija games, astrology, spiritualism, witchcraft, palm reading,
psychic reading, fortune telling
12. Abductees: why people can be irrational
13. Contactees: regular relationship
14. UFO Cults: Worldview Test (9 points)
15. The Bible and UFOs: 7 points to return to God
16. Summary: Proverbs 3:5-6

24. Lights in the Sky and Little Green Men:
Conclusion (1/2)
The biblical worldview is much more satisfying. It leaves open the possibility that God
could have created life elsewhere in the universe, but it also suggests that there is no
reason for Him to have done so. The Bible warns of the danger of occult practices,
such as those associated with UFOs, and from the Bible one learns how to find
protection from the evil spirits who are causing RUFO encounters. The Bible
encourages a pursuit of the truth in this area as in all others.
Ross, H., Samples, K., & Clark, M. (2002). Lights in the sky & little green men: a
rational Christian look at UFOs and extraterrestrials (p. 169). Colorado Springs, CO:
NavPress.

25. Lights in the Sky and Little Green Men:
Conclusion (2/2)
The truth about UFOs can be known. Indeed, the UFO mystery is a mystery solved.
Earth is not being visited by aliens from another planet, but some people are being
visited by spirit beings who want everyone to think they are aliens from another
planet. By trusting the revelation given by the greatest transdimensional Being of
them all, people need never wonder about UFOs again. When people put their lives in
the hands of this Cause of human existence, this God who loves every person, the fear
of UFO demons and what they can do evaporates.
Ross, H., Samples, K., & Clark, M. (2002). Lights in the sky & little green men: a
rational Christian look at UFOs and extraterrestrials (p. 169). Colorado Springs, CO:
NavPress.

26. A World of Difference
(2004)
Putting Christian Truth Claims to the Worldview Test

28. A World of Difference (2007)
Message:
Developing a Worldview
Perspective (4 chapters)
Exploring the Christian Worldview
(7 chapters)
Evaluating Worldview Competitors
(5 chapters)
Worldview charts
Audience:
People wanting a foundation on
worldview
People wanting a systematic
examination of major competing
worldviews
Level: Intermediate

29. A World of Difference: Chapters
1. Shades of Reality: 12 big questions of life, 6 components of a worldview
2. Testable Truth: 9 tests for a worldview
3. Logic 101 and Christian Truth-Claims: Primer on logic; deductive, inductive,
abductive
4. Straight Thinking: 10 ways to avoid fallacious reasoning

30. A World of Difference: Chapters
5. A Christian’s View of Truth (7 pts), Knowledge (6 pts), and History (6 pts)
6. A Soldier’s Creed: Apostles’ Creed
7. God’s Written Word – Scripture: Chicago Statement, Sola Scriptura
8. The Historic Christian View of God: Trinity, Attributes of God
9. God’s World – Creation and Providence: Reformed View
10. The Historic Christian View of Man: Imago Dei, difference from animals
11. The Historic Christian View of Moral Values: 5 points on ethics, sovereignty

31. A World of Difference: Chapters
12. Naturalism: A Secular Worldview Challenge – with Test Scores
13. Postmodernism: A Skeptical Worldview Perspective – with Test Scores
14. Pantheistic Monism: An Eastern Mystical Viewpoint – with Test Scores
15. Islam: A Radical Monotheistic Challenge – with Test Scores
16. Testing the Christian Theistic Worldview – leaning on Augustine

32. Natural Theology Revealed Theology
for whenever there is a
conflict between an
interpretation of the Bible
and a current
understanding of God’s
general revelation, priority
should generally be given
to the interpretation that is
more certain
Geisler, N. L. (2002).
Systematic theology,
volume one: introduction,
Bible (p. 77). Minneapolis,
MN: Bethany House
Publishers.
Therefore, in showing
Christianity to be true, it is
the role of argument and
evidence to show that the
central tenets of the
Christian worldview are
true. And it is the role of the
Holy Spirit to use these
arguments, as we lovingly
present them, to bring
people to Christ.
Craig, William Lane (2008-
06-09). Reasonable Faith
(3rd edition): Christian Truth
and Apologetics (p. 58).
Crossway. Kindle Edition.

33. Without a Doubt (2004)
Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions

34. Without a Doubt
Message:
Thinking through questions about
faith in God (6 chapters)
Thinking through questions about
faith in Jesus Christ (5 chapters)
Thinking through objections to the
Christian faith (9 chapters)
Audience:
People asking 20 important life
questions
Level: Intermediate

35. Without a Doubt: Chapters
1. How can anyone know that God exists? 9 points
2. How can I believe in a God that I can’t see? 5 points
3. How has God revealed himself? General revelation and Special Revelation
4. Aren’t the Creeds a thing of the past? 4 points
5. How can God be three and one? 10 points; 5 propositions; 4 strands
6. Why should I gamble on faith? 12 points on Pascal’s Wager

36. Without a Doubt: Chapters
7. Are the gospels trustworthy accounts of Jesus’ life? 6 points on historical reliability;
6 points on factual
8. Is Jesus a Man, Myth, Madman, Menace, Mystic, Martian or the Messiah? 4 ways
Jesus Claimed to be God; 7 alternatives
9. How can Jesus Christ be both God and man? Lots of lists
10. Did Jesus Christ actually rise from the dead? Lots of lists
11. Why did Jesus Christ have to die? All about sin, and then Jesus Christ

37. Without a Doubt: Chapters
12. Don’t all religions lead to God? Response to metaphysical pluralism
13. How should Christians respond to the world’s religions? 10 points on biblical perspective
14. Aren’t Christianity and Science enemies? 10 preconditions for science
15. Doesn’t hypocrisy invalidate Christianity? Debunk 2 misconceptions
16. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own body? Abortion, sexuality, euthanasia
17. Doesn’t Christianity promote intolerance? 5 responses
18. Isn’t morality simply in the eye of the beholder? Points in support of ethical and moral absolutes
19. How can a good and all-powerful God allow evil? Logical response points
20. How should a Christian prepare to give reasons for faith? Three points

38. Preparing for Apologetic Engagement
Cultivate the life of the mind to the glory of God
Offer thoughtful and winsome answers to people’s questions
Focus study on the best sources for consistent, truthful and solidly biblical answers

39. 7 Truths that Changed
the World (2012)
Discovering Christianity’s Most Dangerous
Ideas

40. 7 Truths that Changed the World
Message:
Seven truths: two chapters each
Five rules; dying; group questions
Audience:
People wanting a robust framework
in Christian apologetics
Christians who want to learn how
the Christian worldview is different
from others
Level: Intermediate

41. 7 Truths that Changed the World:
Chapters
Dangerous Idea 1: Not All Dead Men Stay Dead
1. Easter Hope – 7 evidences in support of the resurrection
2. Objections Examined – 8 naturalistic theories examined
Dangerous Idea 2: God Walked the Earth
3. Religious Pluralism (3 points) and God in the Flesh (4 points)
4. Explanations for Christ’s Life (7 rational options)
Dangerous Idea 3: A Fine-Tuned Cosmos with a Beginning
5. Cosmology and Creation out of Nothing (3 philosophical positions)
6. Divine Providence and the Emergence of Science (12 points)

42. 7 Truths that Changed the World:
Chapters
Dangerous Idea 4: Clear Pointers to God
7. The Explanatory Power of Atheism versus Christian Theism (6 points)
8. More Signposts to the Almighty (6 points)
Dangerous Idea 5: Not by Works
9. Moral Goodness and the Human Condition (6 questions on sin)
10. God to the Rescue (7 points on atonement)
Dangerous Idea 6: Humanity’s Value and Dignity
11. Secular Humanism and the Imago Dei (4 points)
12. How Human Beings Differ (from animals: 7 points)

43. 7 Truths that Changed the World:
Chapters
Dangerous Idea 7: The Good in Suffering
13. Squaring Evil with God’s Goodness – precise logic
14. God’s Good Purposes for Evil and Suffering

44. 7 Evidences in Support of the
Resurrection
1. Jesus's empty tomb
2. Jesus's postmortem appearance
3. Short time frame between actual events and eyewitness claims
4. Extraordinary transformation of the Apostles
5. The greatest conversion in history (Paul)
6. Emergence of the historic Christian Church
7. Emergence of Sunday as a day of worship

45. 8 Common Objections
1. Legend Theory: Resurrection of Jesus legend or myth?
2. Fraud Theory: Someone stole the body.
3. Wrong Tomb Theory: The women were mistaken.
4. Relocated - Second Burial Theory: Jesus's body was moved.
5. Apparent Death Theory: Jesus wasn't really dead.
6. Hallucination Theory: Jesus's followers suffered from hallucinations.
7. Twin Brother Theory: Jesus had an identical twin.
8. Disembodied Visions Theory: Jesus appeared to the Apostles in a non physical way.

46. Christians’ Assurance in Confronting Evil
and Suffering
1. Believers need to know that they never suffer alone
2. God calls all his children to live with faith
3. Evil and suffering are not merely a logical or philosophical problem

47. Resources

48. MarkTab Recommends
Speed Reading: Use your own books

49. http://reasons.org

51. RTB Biographies Online
If you'd like to learn more about Ken Samples or the other RTB scholars, MP4 files of
the biographies of Ross, Samples, Rana, and Zweerink are available from the following
link:
http://1drv.ms/1IwCiic
Listen to them on your favorite MP4 player. The four folders do not have the team
names on them -- the titles are from the original CDs, and will be a fun quiz to guess
who's who. These interviews may be elsewhere on the RTB site or iTunes, but they
are provided here for convenience.

52. Abstract
This presentation will provide a summary and recommended overview for work by Ken
Samples, an RTB scholar. The purpose of the presentation is to provide the major points from
four books by Ken Samples, and encourage everyone to read the books on your own. These
four books with links to the RTB website are:
7 truths that changed the world: discovering Christianity's most dangerous ideas
A world of difference: putting the Christian truth-claims to the worldview test
Lights in the sky & little green men: a rational Christian look at UFOs and Extraterrestrials
Without a doubt: answering the 20 toughest faith questions
Please ook up these books using the provided links or on Bing or Amazon to familiarize
yourself about what they are about, and feel free to bring some written questions. The
presentation slides will be available after the event.