Academy of Apologetics
The Academy
The Academy offers an enriching academic experience in one of Europe’s most beautiful and historic cities. Its ten subject areas equip attendees to engage in a vigorous defense of historic Christian faith against secular philosophies, misleading religious options, and cultic viewpoints. The Academy views this task as particularly urgent at a time when many within the Church have adopted experiential and subjective modes of evangelism, neglecting the objective and factual foundations of authentic Christian proclamation. This concern is heightened in an era where human rights are increasingly praised as an ideal by secularists without any solid, transcendent basis for affirming their inalienable character.
The Location
The Academy takes place in Strasbourg, the enchanting capital of Alsace, nestled on the Rhine River where France meets Germany. A city where ancient and modern meet, Strasbourg boasts a still-inhabited medieval quarter and a university founded by John Calvin, while also serving as the seat of the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights.
The Academy sessions are held in the medieval Petite France district next to the Saint Thomas Church, where Mozart played the Silbermann organ and Martin Bucer, a contemporary of Luther and Calvin, once pastored. Albert Schweitzer inaugurated an annual Bach memorial concert here in 1908. Just steps away, John Calvin preached and led services at Saint Nicholas Church, near where the Academy carries out its academic activities.
The Program
In 2026, the International Academy will offer the following presentations, taught in English by the Professors in Residence:
The Apologetical Task Today
Scientific Apologetics
Cults, Sects & the World's Religions
Biblical Authority
Historical Apologetics
Apologetics and Human Rights
Philosophical Apologetics
Legal Apologetics
Medical Ethics
Each of these subjects will be covered by the Professors in Residence for at least 4 hours. A reading list will be provided upon initial registration to allow for background study before the summer session.
All participants attending at least 90% of the scheduled class sessions will receive a Certificate of Completion from the Academy. Those participants are able to sit for a written examination on the final day of the program. Successful completion of this culminating examination qualifies a student, after attending a second Academy program in Strasbourg (not necessarily in consecutive years), and after completing the written examination at the end of that session, one may sit for an oral examination which, if successfully completed, leads to designation as a Fellow of the Academy (F.C.A.). Also, on attending a second Academy session in Strasbourg, one may defend a thesis on an approved apologetics topic, thereby obtaining the Academy's Diploma in Christian Apologetics (Dipl. C.A.) or Human Rights (Dipl.H.R.).
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Academy Activities
The Academy has a number of group dinners at local restaurants, commencing on the night of your arrival. We will begin at Winstub Le Clou, a traditional brasserie that has been in operation for 400 years. We will also have group dinners at the Gurtlerhoft, a restaurant built into the original underground structure next to the cathedral. After the first day of class, we conduct a walking tour of Strasbourg and explain the history and enjoy the beauty of the city.
We take a bus trip through the Alsatian Valley to Colmar, where we visit the Unterlinden Museum and see the Isenheim Altarpiece. We drive along the beautiful Route du Vin, through some of the most famous vineyards in the world.
We then visit Kaysersberg, which is a medieval fairytale-like village and the home of Albert Schweitzer. Schweitzer obtained three doctorates from the University of Strasbourg and had significant impacts in all three areas: theology, music and medicine. A short lecture is provided on the reasons for Schweitzer’s theological problems.
Then we are off to Bennwihr, a village nearly wiped off the map in WWII during the fierce fighting at the close of the war. Two Americans won the Medal of Honor for their bravery in the battle known as the "Colmar Pocket."
From there, we arrive at Riquewihr, a fully-walled medieval village that has survived the ages. It is considered one of the best examples of a medieval town in the Alsace. There are numerous restaurant options for lunch.
Finally, we end the day at the library of the humanist Beatus Rhenanus (Bibliothèque Humaniste) in Selestat and see some of the rarest books and manuscripts ever assembled under one roof. Included in this collection is a 1516 edition of Erasmus’ entire New Testament in Greek, the Novum Testamentum.
This is truly a day you will never forget!
Faculty
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John A. Bloom, M. Div., Ph.D.
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Ross Clifford, M.A., D.Th.
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Paul Copan, Ph.D.
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William A. Dembski, Ph.D.
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Gary Habermas, M.A., Ph.D.
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Craig Hazen, Ph.D.
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Michael Horton, Ph.D.
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Willy Humbert, Sc.D.
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Philip Johnson, B.D.
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Gregory Koukl, M.A.
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Angus Menuge, Ph.D.
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Craig Parton, M.A., J.D.
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John Warwick Montgomery, Ph.D., D.Théol., LL.D.
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d. 9-25-2024
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Joining the Academy
Who Attends
Only 20 registrants will be accepted into the 2026 session. Interested participants are therefore encouraged to inquire about registration as soon as possible.
Attendees:
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University and college students
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Seminary students
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Clergy
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Laity
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Lawyers and Judges
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Student workers
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Members of human rights organizations
Costs
Only $3,295.00, exclusive of transportation to/from Strasbourg. This amount covers registration, lodging throughout the session, most lunches and dinners. It also covers all tuition and fees for the Academy, and a minimum of 3 semester hours of U.S. academic credit may be available for those who qualify. A full day's bus excursion to the Vosges mountains and the medieval villages of the Alsace is also included.
Scholarships
The Scholarship Fund provides a limited number of scholarships of $1,000 each to needy students to attend the 2026 International Academy Summer Study Session.
An additional scholarship of $1,500 for a science educator or a student majoring in science or in science education is generously provided by Dr. Don Korte in memory of his wife Dr. Mary Korte.
Criteria:
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Financial need
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Intended benefit from participation
Join Us
We are looking forward to hearing from you and will respond to inquiries as soon as possible.