This year begins my last year as a full-time professor at Houston Christian University! When I came on board in 2012, the goal was to create a flourishing apologetics degree alongside some great colleagues. Over the years, the program exceeded our expectations! Our HCU apologetics students and graduates are engaging in the public sphere, going onto PhD’s, ministering in the local church, and so much more.

HCU: One More Year

Our original vision included an emphasis on how to combine the arts and apologetics. We perceived that apologetics–the task of making a case for the existence of God–had been well explored in rhetoric, such as debates, as well as through  lecture-style argument presentation. However, the arts, which have much persuasive power, needed more attention. So, we first focused on the development of a cultural apologetics program. As this part of our endeavor began to flourish with graduate students from all types of backgrounds and interests, we turned some attention towards creating a philosophical track. We now have the two tracks going strong at the university: cultural and philosophical. Often times, students take electives from the track of which they are not in…they just want that philosophical boost on the problem of evil…or, perhaps, they couldn’t resist trying out Dr. Tallon’s apologetics and film course. (I still want to take it myself!)

Twelve Years a Professor

Now, here I am, twelve years into my professorship. Funny, I never intended to be an apologetics professor. Isn’t that how things go sometimes? And while it wasn’t my intention, I have desired to be an educator since my early high school years. I began in public school music education and I ended up in university apologetics, an important field that brings together theology and philosophy in a 1 Peter 3:15 way.  I am sometimes amazed that God brought together my longtime interest in education with the study of my beliefs…and that I was entrusted to teach others to do the same.

Oh, I would be remiss not to mention how much the students have enriched my life! I have met and engaged some amazing people, doing all sorts of ministry work: from a Screamo band lead singer to a local church pastor; from a tabletop role-playing game developer to an international public speaker. These students have encouraged me with their visions for ministry, their eagerness to learn, and genuine commitment to God. I had the privilege of helping most of our students form an apologetics presentation during one of my courses.  Over many years of working on and grading these projects, I have watched them develop into podcasts, blogs, books, journals, speaking platforms, professorships, and even PhD confirmations. Plus, my students have reciprocated and helped me along the way. They’ve read chapters of books I wrote, helped research topics I’ve debated, and engaged me in looking at the toughest questions of life through different angles.

Further, there are my colleagues…whom I lovingly call the “merry band of misfit apologists.” Don’t hold this title against any of them…this one’s all on me. (I sometimes leave out the “misfits,” just in case.) I cannot imagine a life without having known these folks. They have been an encouragement to me, embracing me for where I am skilled, and yet not looking down on me for things I have yet to learn. Ever resourceful and always surprising, I will miss my merry band of colleagues.

So, in summing up…to say this has been a rewarding experience doesn’t quite capture the depth of that reward.

Looking Ahead

As I enter this final full-time year, I can fondly look back at the enriching experience at HCU while also looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead. At this point, I don’t know what God has in store for me next, but He has taught me at least one thing over the years: whatever it is, it’s never boring!

“Further up and further in!”

Professor Mary Jo Sharp