Ryan C. MacPherson, Ph.D.

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Need a Speaker?

Planning a workshop or seminar? Seeking a keynote speaker for your conference? From rural midwestern churches to the U.S. Capitol Building, Dr. MacPherson has 20 years of experience talking to a broad range of audiences concerning issues of great importance:

  • Marriage & Family
  • Christian Education
  • Pro-Life Compassion
  • Evangelism
  • American Values
  • Constitution Day Speeches
  • ... and more!

To reserve a seasoned professional for your next event, contact Dr. MacPherson today.

P.S. Have you read Dr. MacPherson's books on these topics?

  • Print
  • Theology
  • Public Policy

Lutherans, Political Resistance and the 1550 Magdeburg Confession

Pastor Todd Wilken interviewed Ryan MacPherson on the Issues, Etc., radio program concerning the Magdeburg Confession of 1550, by which the second generation of Lutheran reformers explained the proper relationship between church and state and the conditions under which political resistance is appropriate.

Read more: Lutherans, Political Resistance and the 1550 Magdeburg Confession

  • Theology
  • Apologetics
  • Evangelism
  • Ancient History
  • Cultural Marxism

Getting the Facts Straight: How Grammar, History, & Logic Can Rescue Education from Postfactualism

Note: A PDF handout is available.

Read more: Getting the Facts Straight: How Grammar, History, & Logic Can Rescue Education from Postfactualism

  • Marriage & Family
  • Theology
  • Apologetics
  • Evangelism
  • Critical Theory
  • Cultural Marxism

Curved into Ourselves: How the New Gnosticism Cancels Our Own Humanity

Note: A PDF handout is available.

Read more: Curved into Ourselves: How the New Gnosticism Cancels Our Own Humanity

  • Theology
  • Apologetics
  • Evangelism
  • Public Policy
  • Critical Theory
  • Cultural Marxism

Courageously Compassionate, Compassionately Courageous: Biblical Apologetics, the Christian Worldview, and Contemporary Social Issues

Note: A PDF handout is available.

Read more: Courageously Compassionate, Compassionately Courageous: Biblical Apologetics, the Christian...

  • Theology
  • Apologetics
  • Evangelism
  • Creation
  • Ancient History
  • Evolution

Is the Old Testament Reliable? The Evidence within the Text

Note: PDF handouts are available.

Read more: Is the Old Testament Reliable? The Evidence within the Text

  • Print
  • Marriage & Family
  • Apologetics
  • Evangelism
  • Natural Law

What’s Worldview Got to Do with Everything?

Note: PDF handouts are available.

Read more: What's Worldview Got to Do with Everything?

About Ryan C. MacPherson, Ph.D.

Author

  • Rediscovering the American Republic: Biographies, Primary Texts, Charts, and Study Questions—Exploring a People’s Quest for Ordered Liberty
    • Volume 1: 1492-1877
    • Volume 2: 1877–Present
  • The Culture of Life: Ten Essential Principles for Christian Bioethics (2012), with a Bonus Section including:
    • “How a Christian Child’s Love Won Jane Roe’s Heart” (2009)
    • “Will You Forgive Her, As God Has Forgiven Her?” (2011)
  • Studying Luther’s Large Catechism: A Workbook for Christian Discipleship (2012)
  • Telling the Next Generation: The Evangelical Lutheran Synod’s Vision for Christian Education, 1918–2011 and Beyond (editor and contributor, 2011)

Speaker

  • Seven Things about the U.S. Constitution that Every College Student Needs to Know (2013)
  • Men and Abortion: The Forgotten Legacy of Roe v. Wade (2013)
  • “From Pedagogy to Publication: Involving Students in a Documentary History of Their College’s Educational Philosophy” (2011)
  • “History and the Art of Storytelling: Two Tales from the Early American Republic, Each Told in Two Different Ways” (2010)
  • “The Coercive Reality behind Pro-Choice Rhetoric” (2009)
  • “The Electoral College: Its History, Some Controversies, and Your Questions” (2008)
  • Speakers Bureau, Lutherans for Life

Historian

  • Ph.D., University of Notre Dame (2003)
  • Faculty (since 2003) and Chair (since 2011), Dept. of History, Bethany Lutheran College
  • Teaching Experience includes American Revolution, U.S. Constitution, Religion in America, Civil Rights Movement, U.S. Supreme Court

Philosopher

  • Hybrid Ph.D. in History and Philosophy of Science
  • Teaching Experience includes Logic, Moral Philosophy, Bioethics, plus History and Philosophy of Science

Policy Analyst

  • Tax Law Research, for the MacPherson Group, P.C., Attorneys at Law
  • Senior Editor for The Family in America: A Journal of Public Policy (2012–2016), e.g.:
    • “Homeownership and Public Policy: What Helps, and What Hinders, the American Dream” (2013)
    • “Marital Parenthood and American Prosperity: As Goes the Middle-Class Family, So Goes the Nation” (2012)
  • Circle of Experts, The Ruth Institute: Healing the 21st Century Family

Nonprofit Manager

  • Founding President, The Hausvater Project (promoting a biblical vision for family, church, and society in the spirit of the Lutheran confessions)
  • Board member, Evangelical Lutheran Synod Historical Society (2004-2013)
  • Previous service includes church council, preschool superintendent, and Sunday school superintendent

Education Consultant

  • “Training Children As They Should Go?: Evaluating Government Education Standards That May Impact Lutheran Elementary Schools” (2007)
  • Genesis Academy
  • Lutheran Schools of America
  • Wittenberg Academy

Grass-Roots Civic Leader

  • “Advice for Keeping Your Republic: Constitution Day Address” (2011)
  • Testimony at Public Hearing on Education Standards, Testimony at Town Hall Meeting, Precinct Vice Chair, Party Convention Delegate (2012)

Defender of the Natural Family

  • Principal Author of a “Friend of the Court” Brief for Perry v. Schwarzenegger (renamed Perry v. Brown), in support of the Proposition 8/California Marriage Amendment (2010)
  • “The Natural Law of the Family” in Natural Law: A Lutheran Reappraisal (2011)
  • “Bringing Good News to Life in Defense of Marriage,” Lutherans for Life national conference (2010)

Devoted Husband, Homeschool Father

  • “‘Balancing Work and Family’ vs. ‘Redeeming the Time’” (2011)
  • “Rhythm, Footwork, and Leadership—Three Essentials for the Marriage Dance” (2011)
  • “Honoring Fatherhood and Motherhood: Insights from Luther’s Large Catechism” (2010)
  • Member, Homeschool Legal Defense Association

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Faculty Positions

  • Professor and Department Chair, B.A. in History Program, Bethany Lutheran College
  • Adjunct Professor, M.A. in Theological Studies Program, Martin Luther College

Recent Projects

Other Recent Projects ...

(For the most recent, click here.)

  • Issues, Etc. radio interview: The Magdeburg Confession of 1550 and the Lutheran Principles of Political Resistance, July 3, 2020 [Learn More]
  • Vaccines in Prolife Perspective—LIVE ZOOM CONFERENCE—June 30, 2020 [Learn More]
  • Is the Old Testament Reliable? The Evidence Within the Text:  Mankato, Minnesota, June 27, 2019 [Learn More]
  • The Perils and Promises of Lutheran Science Education in the 21st Century: Madison, Wisonsin, February 14, 2019
  • Getting the Facts Straight: How Grammar, History, and Logic Can Rescue Education from Postfactualism: San Antonio, Texas, January 26, 2019 [Learn More]
  • Rebuilding the Church from the Family Up, Rebuilding the Family from the Elders Down: Manitowoc, Wisconsin, August 4, 2018 [Learn More]
  • What’s Worldview Got to Do with Everything?: Mankato, Minnesota, June 21, 2018 [Learn More]
  • Thank God, There Are So Many Old People in the Church! Ft. Wayne, Indiana, August 1–3, 2017 [Learn More]
  • Biblical Worldview Conference in San Antonio, Texas, February 10–11, 2017 [Learn More]
  • United We Divide: Explaining how no-fault divorce became so universally accepted. [Learn More]
  • Generational Generosity: A study revealing the driving causes of church membership trends. [Learn More]

Books by Dr. MacPherson

Rediscovering the American Republic, vol. 1: 1492-1877 (author)

Rediscovering the American Republic, vol. 2: 1877-Present (author)

Debating Evolution before Darwinism (author)

The Culture of Life (author)

Studying Luther's Large Catechism (author)

Telling the Next Generation (managing editor)

Here We Stand (contributing writer)

Natural Law: A Lutheran Reappraisal (contributing writer)

Need a Consultant?

Dr. MacPherson provides a variety of consulting services for organizations that need assistance pursuing their mission to the next level. Click for more information.


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