Polishing the Pulpit - Branson 2026: Full Schedule

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9:00am CDT

What the Church Learned from Rome — and Shouldn’t Forget

Wednesday July 15, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am CDT

A look at the cultural overlap between the Roman world and ours: entertainment, excess, and idolatry — and why the same gospel still answers it.

Speakers

Gary Bennett

Gary has been preaching for 47 years, as of this July 1, and has been the evangelist for the Dodge City, KS congregation for sixteen years, come August 1. He attended Williamstown Bible College, Preston Road School of Preaching, Ark-La-Tex School of Biblical Studies, and was awarded... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am CDT
Cooper Creek 3

History, Subtype1

10:00am CDT

How We Got the Bible: Early Translations

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am CDT

Cooper Creek 3

In this session, we will examine the first few centuries of translation work on the Bible and trace it up through the invention of printing.

Speakers

Luke Griffin

Executive Director, House to House, Heart to Heart

Luke was an assistant professor and a librarian at the Illinois Institute of Technology and Jacksonville State University before joining the staff of House to House/Heart to Heart (HTH). He has worked for HTH and PTP since 2003 and now serves as the Executive Director for HTH and... Read More →

Early Bible Translations Final Branson Pic pptx

Bible Translations First to 14th Century Handout pdf

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am CDT
Cooper Creek 3

History Textual

11:00am CDT

The Bodmer Papyri p66/75

Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:00am - 11:30am CDT

Fall Creek

Travel back to the earliest centuries of Christianity through two of the most important New Testament discoveries ever made: Papyrus 66 (P66) and Papyrus 75 (P75). In this class, we will examine these remarkable Bodmer papyri—ancient manuscripts that preserve large portions of Luke and John and date to within a few generations of the originals. Students will explore the manuscripts as physical artifacts while also discovering what their texts reveal about the early transmission of the New Testament. Join us as we handle the evidence that brings us strikingly close to the earliest form of the Gospel text and the world of the first Christian readers.

Speakers

Wayne Scrimsher

PTP 2026 class bodmer image pres pdf

Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:00am - 11:30am CDT
Fall Creek

History Textual

3:45pm CDT

Greek Philosophy Meets Hebrew Faith: The Tensions Behind Nicaea

Wednesday July 15, 2026 3:45pm - 4:30pm CDT

Short Creek 1

Why metaphysics, language, and worldview clashed in the debates.

Speakers

Rick Brumback

Professor of Bible and Historical Theology, Freed-Hardeman University

Rick Brumback serves as Professor in the College of Biblical Studies and director of the Graduate School of Theology at Freed-Hardeman University. He also preaches for the Christian Chapel Church of Christ in Wildersville, Tennessee. He holds a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Baylor... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 3:45pm - 4:30pm CDT
Short Creek 1

Scholars' Think Tank History

Polishing the Pulpit - Branson 2026

9:00am CDT

Gary Bennett

10:00am CDT

Luke Griffin

11:00am CDT

Wayne Scrimsher

3:45pm CDT

Rick Brumback

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