HU 412D: Apologetics (3 hrs)

Instructor:

@graceu.edu

Helpdesk: pchelp@graceu.edu

(402) 449-2904

Course Description

A biblically based, philosophically detailed defense and statement of Christian theism and belief in God. Topics include: (1) the aims and methods of apologetics, (2) the existence of God, (3) religious language, (4) the problem of evil, (5) miracles and Scripture, (6) the nature of science, and other contemporary topics relevant to showing the rationality of Christian belief. The readings are drawn from both classical and contemporary sources. May be used as an Interdisciplinary Bible Course.

Textbooks

A significant amount of course content is based on the required textbooks. Textbooks are available for purchase from the university bookstore (www.graceu.edu/bookstore).

• Introducing Apologetics: Cultivating Christian Movement James E. Taylor, Baker, Copyright 2006 (ISBN: 0801027861)
• Five Views on Apologetics John Frame (Editor), Zondervan, Copyright 2000 (ISBN: 0310224764)

Technology Requirements

This course requires the latest versions of the software plug-ins or programs listed below. Run a system scan at the Microsoft system requirements site: https://www.microsoftelearning.com/help/systemRequirements.aspx

Software	Use	Download
Internet Explorer	Accessing course	http://www.microsoft.com/ie
Flash Player (SWF)	Viewing media	http://www.adobe.com/downloads
Adobe Reader (PDF)	Reading documents	http://www.adobe.com/downloads
Windows Media Player (WMV)	Viewing media	http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmedia
Microsoft Office Word (DOC)	Viewing, creating and editing documents (all files are sent in .doc format)	http://www.microsoft.com/office/word

Course Objectives

• to give the believer more confidence in their faith with an awareness that it rests on solid, rational foundations
• to be able to defend the faith against objections with advance knowledge of the correct questions and answers
• the student will become a more critical thinker about faith by learning the philosophical vocabulary and methods which have been used in defending the faith in the past

Class Schedule

Lesson	Topic	Learning Activities
1	Introduction	· Discussion
2	Real World Apologetics	· Discussion · Meditation
3	Methodology of Apologetics 1	· Discussion
4	Methodology of Apologetics 2	· Discussion · “Amen” · Method Adoption
5	The Cosmological Argument	· Discussion · Contingent Being
6	The Teleological Argument	· Discussion · Intelligent Design
7	Midterm	· Discussion · Midterm
8	The Hidden-ness & Silence of God	· Discussion · Horrific Evil · Hidden-ness of God
9	The Person of Jesus	· Discussion · Historical Evidence
10	Miracles	· Discussion · Miracles
11	Resurrection	· Discussion · Glorified Body
12	The Who Have Not Heard	· Discussion · Eternal Life
13	The Problem of Pluralism 1	· Discussion · Obviously Christian
14	The Problem of Pluralism 2	· Discussion · “Downfall”
15	Spirit of the Age	· Discussion · Final Exam · Amazon Research