Kenneth Samples

Senior Research Scholar

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 a scholar at Reasons to Believe, I have a great passion to help people understand and see the truth and relevance of Christianity’s truth-claims. My writings and lectures 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.”

As an RTB scholar I have a great passion to help people understand and see the truth and relevance of Christianity’s truth-claims.

Biography

Philosopher and theologian Kenneth Richard Samples is a senior research scholar at Reasons to Believe, an organization that researches and communicates how God’s revelation in the Bible harmonizes with science and philosophy.

Kenneth earned a BA in social science with an emphasis in history and philosophy from Concordia University and an MA in theological studies from Talbot School of Theology. Prior to joining RTB in 1997, Kenneth worked for seven years as senior research consultant and correspondence editor at Christian Research Institute, where he regularly cohosted The Bible Answer Man, a popular call-in radio program founded by renowned apologist Dr. Walter Martin. In addition, Kenneth’s articles have been published in Christianity Today, Christian Research Journal, and Facts for Faith, and he holds memberships in the Evangelical Philosophical Society, the Evangelical Theological Society, and the International Society of Christian Apologetics.

An intellectual even at a young age, Kenneth’s journey to faith in Christ began in earnest during his teenage years as he wrestled with a deep sense of longing and restlessness. His older brother’s suicide spurred his efforts to seek answers to life’s “big questions.” Eventually, he began reading the Bible and attending church, but it was his sister’s gift of Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis that helped Kenneth to truly understand the Christian Gospel and to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. From then on, he pursued an intellectually satisfying and deeply personal faith.

Today, Kenneth focuses on demonstrating the unique compatibility of Christianity’s great doctrinal truths with reason and logic. He is the author of several books, including Christianity Cross-Examined, Classic Christian Thinkers, and God among Sages. He leads RTB’s Clear Thinking podcast and also writes Reflections, a weekly blog dedicated to exploring the Christian worldview. Kenneth has spoken at universities and churches around the world on such topics as religion and worldview, the identity of Jesus, and Christian apologetics. He has also made guest appearances on programs such as FOX News, Issues Etc., and Stand to Reason.

Upcoming Events

See events with Kenneth Samples and the Reasons to Believe Scholar Team here.

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Download the latest photos of Kenneth Samples. A variety of styles and poses are available to use for outreach event
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One Sheet

Biography

Philosopher and theologian Kenneth Richard Samples is a senior research scholar at Reasons to Believe, an organization that researches and communicates how God’s revelation in the Bible harmonizes with science and philosophy.

Kenneth earned a BA in social science with an emphasis in history and philosophy from Concordia University and an MA in theological studies from Talbot School of Theology. Prior to joining RTB in 1997, Kenneth worked for seven years as senior research consultant and correspondence editor at Christian Research Institute, where he regularly cohosted The Bible Answer Man, a popular call-in radio program founded by renowned apologist Dr. Walter Martin. In addition, Kenneth’s articles have been published in Christianity Today, Christian Research Journal, and Facts for Faith, and he holds memberships in the Evangelical Philosophical Society, the Evangelical Theological Society, and the International Society of Christian Apologetics.

An intellectual even at a young age, Kenneth’s journey to faith in Christ began in earnest during his teenage years as he wrestled with a deep sense of longing and restlessness. His older brother’s suicide spurred his efforts to seek answers to life’s “big questions.” Eventually, he began reading the Bible and attending church, but it was his sister’s gift of Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis that helped Kenneth to truly understand the Christian Gospel and to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. From then on, he pursued an intellectually satisfying and deeply personal faith.

Today, Kenneth focuses on demonstrating the unique compatibility of Christianity’s great doctrinal truths with reason and logic. He is the author of several books, including Christianity Cross-Examined, Classic Christian Thinkers, and God among Sages. He leads RTB’s Clear Thinking podcast and also writes Reflections, a weekly blog dedicated to exploring the Christian worldview. Kenneth has spoken at universities and churches around the world on such topics as religion and worldview, the identity of Jesus, and Christian apologetics. He has also made guest appearances on programs such as FOX News, Issues Etc., and Stand to Reason.

Upcoming Events

See events with Kenneth Samples and the Reasons to Believe Scholar Team here.

Promotional Items

Download the latest photos of Kenneth Samples. A variety of styles and poses are available to use for outreach event
publicity or in conjunction with a media interview.

Photos

One Sheet

Quote of the Week: St. Augustine, 3
Quote of the Week: St. Augustine, 3
Augustine on the creation days of Genesis: What kind of days these are is difficult or even impossible for us to imagine, to say nothing...
Creation Model
Blaise’s Best Bet, Part 5: Pascal’s Wager
Blaise’s Best Bet, Part 5: Pascal’s Wager
Blaise Pascal1 is probably best known for his presentation of the “wager argument.”2 Pascal’s friends who remained simultaneously unconvinced by the claims of atheism...
Blaise’s Best Bet, Part 4: Pascal for Today
Blaise’s Best Bet, Part 4: Pascal for Today
For the last several weeks, I’ve been reflecting on French thinker Blaise Pascal (1623–1662). I’ve discussed his life, his achievements in science and mathematics,...
Human Origins & Anthropology
Science, Faith, Reason, Sporks
Science, Faith, Reason, Sporks
In the opening scenes of Disney and Pixar’s Wall-E, the titular robot returns home from a full day of garbage cleanup with a little...
Worldviews
Quote of the Week: Walter Martin, 2
Quote of the Week: Walter Martin, 2
No amount of argument or evidence conjured or amassed by the human mind can convince a skeptic that God has spoken, until God has...
Worldviews
Blaise’s Best Bet, Part 3: a Bold Apologist
Blaise’s Best Bet, Part 3: a Bold Apologist
Last week, I highlighted the remarkable mathematical and scientific accomplishments that distinguished the short life of French thinker Blaise Pascal (1623–1662). His ideas and...
Philosophy & Ethics
Quote of the Week: Kenneth Samples, 4
Quote of the Week: Kenneth Samples, 4
You may have an:
iPod,
iPhone,
iPad,
iTunes,
But only Jesus is the I Am (John 8:58). –Kenneth Samples, Sunday school class, Christ Reformed Church
Theology
Quote of the Week: T. V. Morris
Quote of the Week: T. V. Morris
Ockham on the razor – ‘I would much rather have had a good after-shave named for me.’ – T. V. Morris, The Bluffer’s Guide to Philosophy (South...
Philosophy & Ethics