Course Catalog

PHI412E Apologetics (3 credits) 9336

COURSE DESCRIPTION
An examination of the nature and methodology of Christian apologetics with particular attention to the philosophical defense of the truth of the Christian faith.

LEARNING RESULTS
The learner will be able to:
• Distinguish between the two major kinds of apologetics.
• Articulate the scriptural (biblical) foundation for apologetics.
• State the reasons why people believe what they believe about the God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, and the Christian worldview.
• Offer sound reasons for why people should believe Christianity and why they should believe it to be objectively true.
• Articulate some of the objections to Christianity and the Christian worldview.
• Offer refutations for some of the classic objections to Christianity.
• Expound on the importance of apologetics for the individual Christian and for the church as a whole.
• Articulate a number of the arguments for God’s existence.
• Express the critic’s argument from evil and offer a number of responses to such an argument.
• State the five different apologetic methodologies, noting the emphasis of each methodology and the strengths and weaknesses of each methodology.
• State the evidence that supports the existence of Jesus Christ as a real, historical person.
• Demonstrate that Jesus was the Son of God.
• Articulate the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS
• Handbook of Christian Apologetics by Peter Kreeft and Ronald K. Tacelli, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 1994. ISBN 0-8308-1774-3.
• Five Views on Apologetics by Steven B. Cowan, et. el., Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids. MI, 2000. ISBN 0-310-22476-4
• The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel et. el., Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1998. ISBN 0-310-22655-4
• “True For You, But Not For Me”: Deflating the Slogans that Leave Christians Speechless by Paul Copan, Bethany House Publishers, Minneapolis, MN, 1998. ISBN 0-7642-2091-8

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INTEGRATION OF FAITH AND LEARNING
The integration of faith and learning for this learning agreement occurs in several ways. First, in learning to better understand apologetics we are learning to strengthen our faith-commitment. Second, as we gain insight into the rational presentation of our faith we are learning ways to mature our faith. Third, as we learn ways to support our faith-commitment we grow in our understanding of God’s Word and of His call to us to go into “all the nations” with the gospel message. Fourth, as we learn the various apologetic methodologies we learn to be better equipped, better prepared to carry out the word of the apostle Peter, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Pet. 3.15).

LEARNING DOCUMENTATION
To determine if the course learning results have been attained, students document their learning by submitting the following items:
• Answers to the questions from Handbook of Christian Apologetics.
• Outlines of the main points of each apologetic methodology presented in Five Views on Apologetics and your comments on your methodology.
• Answers to the questions from The Case for Christ.
• Answers to the questions from “True For You, But Not For Me.”
• Paper on Paul’s apologetic methodology from Acts 17.
• Documentation reflecting the apologetic interaction of your choice.
There are 7 lessons and 0 examinations for this course.

LEARNING EVALUATION
Evaluation is on a point system:
Assignment #1 0 points
Assignment #2 through #7 100 points each
Total Points 600