Polishing the Pulpit - Sevierville 2026: Full Schedule

8:15am EDT

Apologetics and Evangelism: Two Sides of the Same Coin

Saturday August 15, 2026 8:15am - 8:45am EDT

Some argue that, while apologetics is good, it is not as important as supporting “mission work.” What does the Bible say?

Speakers

Jeff Miller

Scientist, Apologetics Press

Dr. Miller holds multiple degrees in the physical sciences, including an earned
Master’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Ph.D. in Bio-
Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University, with emphases in Thermodynamics,
Bio-Thermal Science, Bio-transport Phenomen... Read More →

Saturday August 15, 2026 8:15am - 8:45am EDT
Ballroom B

Evangelism Scholars' Think Tank

10:00am EDT

Engaging the Skeptics on Ethics: Does the Bible Give Absolute Rules or Only Conditional Rules?

Saturday August 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT

Meeting Room CD

Skeptics suggest that the Bible could not consistently give rules that apply at all times. Allegedly, life involves so many competing values and interests that every moral rule must be conditional. How can the biblical theist respond to this criticism?

Speakers

Caleb Colley

Pulpit Minister, North Jackson church of Christ

Caleb Colley is the pulpit minister for the North Jackson Church of Christ in Jackson, Tennessee. He is a graduate of Freed-Hardeman University, where he received a B.A. in communication, a B.S. in biblical studies (2006), and an M.A. in New Testament (2021). He also received a Master’s... Read More →

Saturday August 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Meeting Room CD

Scholars' Think Tank

11:00am EDT

A Biblical Look at Just War Theory

Saturday August 15, 2026 11:00am - 11:30am EDT

Meeting Room B

Speakers

Jon Burnett

Saturday August 15, 2026 11:00am - 11:30am EDT
Meeting Room B

Scholars' Think Tank

1:30pm EDT

Engaging the Skeptics on the Soul: Are There Strong Arguments Against the Reality of the Soul?

Saturday August 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:00pm EDT

Meeting Room CD

Critics of the biblical doctrine of the soul have suggested a number of reasons why we should not believe that we have a soul. How can a biblical theist respond to these objections?

Speakers

Caleb Colley

Pulpit Minister, North Jackson church of Christ

Saturday August 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:00pm EDT
Meeting Room CD

Scholars' Think Tank

6:00pm EDT

Hurry Back Session: Were Dinosaurs on the Ark?

Saturday August 15, 2026 6:00pm - 6:30pm EDT

Ballroom B

Speakers

Jeff Miller

Scientist, Apologetics Press

Saturday August 15, 2026 6:00pm - 6:30pm EDT
Ballroom B

Evidence Scholars' Think Tank

9:30am EDT

Bible Class (Schedule B): God and the Problem of Evil: Men in the Bible Who Struggled with the Problem of Sin and Suffering

Sunday August 16, 2026 9:30am - 10:10am EDT

Hotel Deep Creek

We still ask God the same two questions that men of God asked thousands of years ago: Why am I going through this trouble and how long will it last? God does not speak to us like He answered them, but those answers in the Bible give us the strength we long for when our spirits are heavy with affliction.

Speakers

Kerry Duke

Vice-President of Academics, Tennessee Bible College

Minister of West End church of Christ in Livingston, TN. Author of ten books on Bible interpretation and current issues. Host of My God and My Neighbor podcast and speaker for GBN Beyond the Basics studies.

Sunday August 16, 2026 9:30am - 10:10am EDT
Hotel Deep Creek

Bible Class Scholars' Think Tank

2:15pm EDT

Gene Therapy 101 – History from Jesse Gelsinger to Oliver Chu

Sunday August 16, 2026 2:15pm - 2:45pm EDT

Hotel Deep Creek

Gelsinger died of a gene therapy experiment that went awry in 1999. Recently, Oliver Chu was successfully treated for a rare, inherited condition called Hunter syndrome (MPSII).

Speakers

Daniel Stearsman

Faculty/ Dean of Graduate Studies, Bear Valley Bible Institute

Daniel Stearsman is a preacher, pharmacist, and ethicist by training. After serving congregations in Florida and Georgia, he joined the faculty of Bear Valley Bible Institute in 2025 and was appointed Dean of Graduate Studies in 2026. He holds degrees from the University of Florida... Read More →

Sunday August 16, 2026 2:15pm - 2:45pm EDT
Hotel Deep Creek

Scholars' Think Tank

3:45pm EDT

Scripture Alone or Scripture and Tradition? Engaging Eastern Orthodoxy

Sunday August 16, 2026 3:45pm - 4:30pm EDT

Meeting Room CD

Speakers

Aaron Gallagher

Sunday August 16, 2026 3:45pm - 4:30pm EDT
Meeting Room CD

Doctrine Scholars' Think Tank

9:00am EDT

God and the Problem of Evil: The Cross Is God's Answer to the Problem of Evil

Monday August 17, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT

Hotel Deep Creek

Life is not fair. Good things come to bad people and bad things happen to good people. How can a just and loving God allow this? In a sense, by becoming part of the problem.

Speakers

Kerry Duke

Vice-President of Academics, Tennessee Bible College

Monday August 17, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT
Hotel Deep Creek

Scholars' Think Tank

10:00am EDT

Gene Therapy 101 – Image of God and Human Genetic Commodification

Monday August 17, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT

Hotel Deep Creek

Does the altering of human DNA in gene therapy alter human dignity, nature, or being created in the image of God?

Speakers

Daniel Stearsman

Faculty/ Dean of Graduate Studies, Bear Valley Bible Institute

Monday August 17, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Hotel Deep Creek

Scholars' Think Tank

3:45pm EDT

Gene Therapy 101 – “Playing God” or "Faithful Stewardship"?

Monday August 17, 2026 3:45pm - 4:30pm EDT

Hotel Deep Creek

Emerging biotechnologies and medical advancement from IVF to CRISPR demand careful ethical biblical reflection now and moments to come. This will look at a Biblical framework for making faithful genetic decisions.

Speakers

Daniel Stearsman

Faculty/ Dean of Graduate Studies, Bear Valley Bible Institute

Monday August 17, 2026 3:45pm - 4:30pm EDT
Hotel Deep Creek

Scholars' Think Tank

2:15pm EDT

“The Sons of God” in Genesis 6: What Does the Text Actually Say?

Tuesday August 18, 2026 2:15pm - 2:45pm EDT

Ballroom A

Speakers

Doug Burleson

Doug Burleson serves as a Professor in Bible at Freed-Hardeman University where he also is the Assistant Dean of the College of Biblical Studies, the Director of the Annual Bible Lectureship, and the Director of the Equip Ministry Camp. He is married to Kristi Johnson Burleson and... Read More →

Tuesday August 18, 2026 2:15pm - 2:45pm EDT
Ballroom A

Scholars' Think Tank