Contact: Anthony Horvath, Athanatos Christian Ministry, 202-280-7971, director@athanatosministries.org

LA CROSSE, Wis., Sept. 20, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- Dr. Gary Habermas will be the guest lecturer for Athanatos Christian Ministry's online apologetics academy fall 2011 session that begins this October. Using virtual conferencing software, Habermas will present on the historical evidence for the Jesus of the Scriptures and Jesus' resurrection.

The lectures are part of an innovative approach to Christian apologetics that ACM has been pursuing for several years.

ACM's Executive Director, Anthony Horvath, explains, "It is a common misconception that only scholars and trained professionals can defend the Christian faith. When the Scriptures tell us to 'always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you' it is speaking to every Christian. That said, 'being prepared' can be a daunting task if one doesn't know where to start. Our academy makes apologetics accessible to the average Christian and gives them the tools for further, independent, study."

Connecting top notch apologists such as Dr. Habermas with ordinary Christians is only one example of the ACM's unique approach to apologetics. Reflecting ACM's quest to present Christian truths and values to American culture through the arts and literature, the academy offers a writing workshop and a 'literary apologetics' course that examines the fiction and nonfiction of writers such as CS Lewis, Flannery O'Connor, Dorothy Sayers, and GK Chesterton.

Horvath says, "These and other apologists have had a lasting impact and it wasn't only because of their arguments. It was also because of their story telling. We may wish to bear their examples in mind when considering the evangelism challenges of our own day."

The academy's courses all take place over the Internet and combine the ability to work at one's own pace with the benefits of interaction using ACM's virtual conferencing software. The courses are chosen due to their relevance to the issues that 'average' Christians and seekers are confronted with today.

Youth directors and other church professionals may benefit from the certificate program that is designed to give them the tools they need to minister effectively in today's pluralistic society.

All academy enrollees have access to Habermas' lectures. Guest access is also available.

For more information about the academy, including the full list of courses offered this fall, visit: www.academyofapologetics.com.

Anthony Horvath is available for interviews at 202-280-7971 or director@athanatosministries.org. Home page: www.athanatosministries.org.