Unlocking Truth
Résumé
Unlocking Truth
A Book on Christian Apologetics
Unlocking Truth is a book on Christian apologetics, shaped by my unique perspective as a reconstructive plastic surgeon who has spent the past 17 years in full-time volunteer service with humanitarian organizations across Africa and beyond.
My journey has taken me from operating rooms in South Africa to hospital ships off the coast of West Africa, from rural clinics in Ethiopia to teaching venues at Stanford and other universities. In these diverse settings, I have confronted profound questions about faith, suffering, beauty, and the existence of God—questions that demand both intellectual rigor and compassionate answers.
I hold a Certificate in Christian Apologetics from Biola University (2021) and am the author of A Lemoncode Sceptic and Orange Answers - 2011 (AuthorHouse), as well as The Secret of Beauty - 2013 (to be edited and republished). Through my work with Mercy Ships, PAACS, Operation Smile, and CURE Hospitals, I’ve had the privilege of addressing audiences at universities, hospitals, schools, churches, and conferences across multiple continents on topics connecting faith, service, and human dignity.
Unlocking Truth presents apologetic arguments grounded not merely in abstract philosophy, but in the lived reality of serving “the least of these”—where questions about God’s goodness meet the faces of children with cleft palates, burn victims, and the forgotten poor of Africa.
Tertius H J Venter
M.B.,Ch.B. F.C.S. (S.A.) M.Med (UCT)
Condensed Curriculum Vitae
Contact Information
- Email: tertius@torquetalk.nl
- Websites:
https://www.cyclemilesforsmiles.org
- Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands / Cape Town, South Africa
Academic Qualifications in Christian Apologetics
Certificate in Christian Apologetics
Biola University, California, United States
26 April 2021
I have dedicated much of my time to the study of Christian Apologetics, producing written content for my blog and developing educational videos for YouTube.
Blog:
https://tertius26.torquetalk.nl/
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXzOjBhzDwqfNfuUPyPTbBg
Apologetic Website:
Published Works
Books
1. A Lemoncode Sceptic and Orange Answers
January 11, 2011
2. The Secret of Beauty
January 13, 2013
– to be edited and republished
Professional Background
Medical Career Overview
- Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon with over 30 years of experience
- Fulltime volunteer surgeon since March 2006 with multiple international humanitarian organizations
- Extensive work in underserved communities across Africa, Central America and India providing surgical care to the poor
Humanitarian Service & Mission Work (2006-Present)
Mercy Ships (2000-present)
- 41 visits serving in West and East Africa
- Specialty Consultant for Mercy Ships Global
- Countries served: The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Togo, Ghana, Congo Brazzaville, Guinea, Madagascar, Benin, Cameroon, Senegal
- Board member Mercy Ships Southern Africa (2006-2016)
- Specialty Consultant and International Medical Review Board member, Mercy Ships Global, Dallas, Texas (2013-present)
PAACS - Pan African Academy for Christians Surgeons (2008-2022)
- 15 visits training general surgeons in Africa
- Served in Cameroon, Ethiopia, and Malawi
Operation Smile (2011-2023)
- 23 visits providing cleft lip and palate surgery
- Field Medical Director for 2 missions
- Surgical Team Leader for 4 missions
- Educator for 3 missions
- Countries served: DRC, Namibia, Ethiopia, Malawi, Madagascar, Rwanda, Mexico, The Philippines, Ghana, India
CURE Hospitals (2023-present)
- 11 visits to Niger, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia
Willing and Abel (2013-present)
- Medical Board Member - Global Charity
- www.willingandabel.org.uk
Public Speaking Experience
Motivational Talks: "The Surgical Need of the Poor"
Addressed audiences on various platforms across multiple countries:
Universities in the United States
- Stanford University, California
- University of California, Irvine
- University of California, San Diego
- The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
- Loma Linda University, California
International Venues:
- Universities, Hospitals, Churches, Rotary Clubs, and Schools
- Countries: The Netherlands, Belgium, United Kingdom, United States, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa
Recent Conference Presentations Related to Global Service
1. Webinar Symposium "Crossing borders to improve global treatment in Plastic Surgery"
Amsterdam University Medical Center, The Netherlands
30 September 2021
"Working full-time as a plastic surgeon for NGOs in low-income countries: My experiences"
2. ICCCC Keynote Address
Guwahati, India
10 November 2013
"Repair of Cleft Lip and Palates: The Power of Beauty"
Relevant Professional Experience
- Co-author: "Principles of Reconstructive Surgery in Africa" PAACS textbook (2013)
- Training focus: Teaching first-world surgeons about unique medical challenges in Africa
- Extensive cross-cultural experience: Working across multiple continents and diverse cultural contexts
- Faith-based medical service: Over 17 years of fulltime volunteer work with Christian humanitarian organizations
