Winter Session 2016
Introduction to Christian Apologetics, GM 130
NWC, Saturdays, 11:40 am-12:50 pm, Room M2 (1 Credit)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course serves as an introduction to the study of Christian apologetics. The students will analyze biblical, philosophical and existential approaches utilized in the discipline of apologetics, and will examine the strengths and weaknesses inherent within classical, evidential and pre-suppositional approaches to defending the Christian faith.
RELATION TO INSTITUTE STATEMENT OF MISSION
The mission of Life Ministry Institute is to help people pursue God’s call on their life through providing quality theological education and practical ministry training. It is the Institute’s intent that those who complete the ministry institute become part of a church planting team, continue on with theological education or move into other leadership roles within the local church and the Foursquare family. Thiscourse is designed to fulfill the institutes’ mission in part by showing the student that faith is reasonable and there are intellectual reasons to believe.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- explain the basic purpose and elements of apologetics
- give a Biblical basis for employing apologetics
- explain various arguments for the existence of God from a Christian perspective.
- explain the major systems of apologetics in vogue today
- cite various "evidences" for providing a rationally justifiable Christian apologetic
- be familiar with the reasonable and intellectual reasons to believe
- understand methods needed and practical approaches to engage various diverse worldviews
Introduction to Apologetics, GM 130
Instructor: Tom Nicodemus
Instructor Voice Mail: 253-468-0872
Instructor Email: - 1 -
Introduction to Christian Apologetics, GM 130
COURSE FORMAT
Classes will meet for one hour and ten minutes once a week for twelve sessions. Reading and study questions will be assigned each week for the following week (see Schedule of Assignments). Sessions will include lecture, question and answer time and discussion.
COURSE TEXTBOOKS
House, H, Wayne/Jowers, Dennis W., Reasons For Our Hope: An Introduction to
Christian Apologetics (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2011.)
ISBN: 9780805444810
Introduction to Christian Apologetics - Institute Study Manual, Life Ministry Institute
(LMI), Federal Way, WA 2014.
Bibliography for this course is found in Section1 of “Introduction to Christian Apologetics - Institute Study Manual.”
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
I.Exams: Two exams are required. All exams will be based on assigned readings
from Reasons For Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologeticsthe student study guides found in Introduction to Christian Apologetics - Institute Study Manual, course materials and lectures.
Exam 1:The exam will be based on the questions contained in Study Guide 1, questions 1-103, and the answers based on reading Reasons for Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics(Pages 1-120 and 198-222). While questions are based on the study guide, they will not necessarily be identical to the questions in the study guide. Topics found in assigned reading for Study Guide 1 include…
Exam 2: The exam will be based on the questions contained in Study Guide 2, questions 1-100, and the answers based on reading Reasons for Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics(Pages 222-282 and 342-416). While questions are based on the study guide, they will not necessarily be identical to the questions in the study guide. Topics included in assigned reading include…
.
II. Written Projects (Learning Activities). Three learning projects are required. Some details of the projects are found in the Student study workbook:Introduction to Christian Apologetics, under “Learning Activities.”
1. Learning Activity 1– In writing explain the Biblical foundations for and the necessity of apologetics as an extension of evangelism and missions. This should be a three page, typed and double spaced paper following the standard format as required by LMI. Footnoting and bibliography are required.
2. Learning Activity 2–In writing explain a time in your life when you have been confronted with questions about your faith and how you were or were not able to answer them. In hindsight what would you have done differently? This should be a three page, typed and double spaced paper following the standard format as required by LMI. This is a personal reflections paper.
3. Learning Activity 3 – in classprojectStudent are to watch the debate, Does God Exist?, by William Lane Craig and Christopher Hitchens, on their own time outside of class and come prepared to discuss it in class and engage in a mock debate.
COURSE GRADING
The Course grading scale is as follows:
A 94-100
A-91-93.99
B+88-90.99
B84-87.99
B-81-83.99
C+78-80.99
C74-77.99
C-71-73.99
D66-70.00
FBelow 66
Grade Percent Distribution is as follows:
Two Examinations (20% each)40%
Learning Activity 135%
Learning Activity 215%
Learning Activity 3/participation/attendance10%
Total 100%
CLASS POLICIES
- Late work will receive a grade deduction of 10% per day late (including Saturdays and Sundays). Assignments are due at the beginning of class and will be counted late thereafter.
- Exams must be taken on the assigned date. Any special arrangements must be made ahead of time with the Instructor in regards to the final exam time.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance is essential to get the most out of the class. Classparticipation, attendance and discussionwill be taken into account in determining your course grade. Any student that is absent for three consecutive weeks is automatically dropped with a W/F. Once a student exceeds five (5) absences during the semester, his/her grade will bereduced by 5 %. Every absence thereafter will add another 1% reduction to the student’s grade.
CLASS AND ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE
NOTE: Complete assigned reading and assigned study guide section before the next class.
WEEK: / DATE: / LECTURE/ DISCUSSION / ASSIGNMENTS1 / Dec 3 / Class Introduction/What is Apologetics / Read Reasons For Our Hope, pages 1-60
Learning Activity 1 Assigned
Answer study guide #1 questions 1-47
2 / Dec 10 / Truth, Christianity, Relativism and Postmodernism / Read Reasons For Our Hope, pages 61-90
Answer study guide #1 questions 48-76
3 / Dec 17 / Natural Theology, God and Ultimate Reality / Read Reasons For Our Hope, pages 91-110
Answer study guide #1 questions 77-103
Learning Activity 2 Assigned
Dec 24 / CHRISTMAS BREAK
Dec 31 / CHRISTMAS BREAK
4 / Jan 7 / Contemporary Apologetics / Read Reasons For Our Hope, pages 182-198
Learning Activity 1Report DUE
Answer study guide #2 questions 1-13
5 / Jan 14 / Philosophy and Apologetics / EXAM #1 Taken (in class)
Read Reasons For Our Hope,Pages 221-231
Answer study guide #2 questions 14- 25
6 / Jan 21 / Defending Christianity against Skepticism and Postmodernism / Read Reasons For Our Hope,Pages 233-267
Answer study guide #2 questions 26-32
7 / Jan 28 / The Problem of Evil / Read Reasons For Our Hope,Pages268-282
Answer study guide #2 questions 33-60
8 / Feb 4 / Comparative Religions / Read Reasons For Our Hope, Pages342-371
Answer study guide #2 questions 61-75
9 / Feb 11 / Engaging the Cultist and New Age Mysticism / Read Reasons For Our Hope,Pages372-380
Answer study guide #2 questions 76-86
10 / Feb 18 / Engaging the Secularist and Atheist / Read Reasons For Our HopePages 381-405
Answer study guide #2 questions 87-100
11 / Feb 25 / Engaging the Muslim / Read Reasons For Our Hope, Pages405-416
Learning Activity 2 Report DUE
12 / Mar 4 / Practical Applications / EXAM #2Taken (in class)
Learning Activity 3 Final In-class Project
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