Apologetics & Philosophical Theology

REL 375 / Topics in Theology / 4 Credits / Northwestern College / Fall 2008

 

 Instructor:  Dr. Michael Andres, andres@nwciowa.edu                            

Office/Hours:  VPH115; Mon, Tue, Fri 3:30-5:00pm; Wed 9:00-12:00; ext. 7079

Class Time: Tu-Th 9:25-10:55 am     Class Location:  VPH117

Course Description:

This course is a theological, biblical, and historical study of apologetics, the defense of the faith, from a classical as well as a contemporary perspective.  As we consider contemporary apologetics issues, we will explore the relationship between theology and philosophy, especially in epistemology.

Course Objectives:

1.    To think

2.    To think some more

3.    To think about what some others think about what we think, esp. those who question our thinking

4.    To actually listen attentively to those people and think about why they might think that way

5.    To think about how to articulate a persuasive response to those people, in a way that is responsible to truthfulness and respects them as persons

6.    To actually say something truthful and persuasive to some of those people who question our thinking

7.    To love God and neighbor by doing all of the above

Primary Texts:

• Ehrman, Bart, Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why (HarperOne, 2005).

• Harris, Sam, Letter to a Christian Nation (Vintage, 2006)

• Keller, Timothy, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism (Dutton, 2008).

• Komoszewski, Ed, Sawyer, James, and Wallace, Daniel, Reinventing Jesus: How Contemporary Skeptics Miss the Real Jesus and Mislead Popular Culture (Kregel, 2006).

• Schaeffer, Francis, The God Who Is There (InterVarsity, 1998).

Course Requirements:

• Class attendance/participation: Participation highly encouraged. Attendance is mandatory; material covered in class often is not found in readings.  After three unexcused absences, students will be graded down one-half letter grade for every subsequent unexcused absence.
• Readings:  Reading of required texts should be completed before class time listed.  It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of forthcoming reading assignments and films given in syllabus.
• Quizzes:  Seven quizzes will cover material from required reading.  Quizzes can only be rescheduled with advanced approval by professor.
• Written Analyses:   Two written book analyses.
• Significant Apologist Group Presentations
• Final Apologetic Engagement Project

Course Assessment:

• Quizzes (28%) = 10 points each / 70 points total
• Group Presentation (12%) = 30 points
• Written Analyses (40%) = 50 points each / 100 points total
• Apologetic Engagement Project (20%) = 50 points

Guidelines for Group Presentations

Students will be assigned a small group and a significant apologist (see list of apologists in ‘content’ section of synapse).  Research the apologist, his culture and context, and read his main apologetic arguments.  Determine the theology and method of the apologist.  As a group, evaluate their arguments with care and truthfulness. 

·         Are they pertinent?

·         Are they fair?

·         Are they true?

·         Do they persuade?

·         Are they sensitive and wise?

Then prepare a short 15 minute class presentation (with one-page handout):

• Give brief outline of apologist and context (5 min max.).

• Show how his context influenced his arguments.

• Report on your group discussion and evaluation of the apologist.

Guidelines for Written Analyses

New Atheists Analysis #1

Read Sam Harris, Letter to a Christian Nation.  Then read Tim Keller, The Reason for God, Intro-Intermission.  Consider their contexts.  Summarize their main arguments and/or rebuttals.  Evaluate their arguments with care and truthfulness. 

·         Are they pertinent?

·         Are they fair?

·         Are they true?

·         Do they persuade?

·         Are they sensitive and wise?

Then answer, in as much as Keller has directly addressed some of Harris’ criticisms, has he done so adequately?  Give reasons for your answer.

(2000 words max. / 100 points / Due Oct 28)

Textual Reliability Book Analysis #2

Read Bart Ehrman, Misquoting Jesus, Ch 5-7.  Then read Komoszewski / Sawyer / Wallace [KSW], Reinventing Jesus, Part 2.  Consider their contexts.  Summarize their main arguments and/or rebuttals.  Evaluate their arguments with care and truthfulness. 

·         Are they pertinent?

·         Are they fair?

·         Are they true?

·         Do they persuade?

·         Are they sensitive and wise?

Then answer, in as much as KSW have directly addressed some of Ehrman’s criticisms, have they done so adequately?  Give reasons for your answer.

(2000 words max. / 100 points / Due Nov 20)

Make sure to follow the Writing and Submission Guidelines.

These analyses should be original to you; do not be tempted to plagiarize!  Do not consult other students for analysis and evaluation.  Be very discerning when using the internet as a resource; ideas found on the net are not necessarily correct or relevant to a theological analysis.  If consulted, the internet should be used minimally as a source and any ideas (not only phrases) borrowed should be carefully footnoted!

Students will be evaluated according to the depth of comprehension, fairness, analysis, and evaluation demonstrated in their analyses.  Be sure to give clear evidence for your analysis and evaluation.  For further elaboration of grading criteria, see Grading Guidelines.

Apologetic Engagement Project:

Students are required to actively engage in apologetics with real people beyond the walls of NWC.  Possibilities include leading an Alpha Course, a letter to the editor of a major magazine or publication, a youth event with an apologetic topic, a meeting with Mormon elders, etc.  Students may think creatively, but must seek professor approval first.

After your work or event is completed, write a paper that (1) gives a report of your engagement, context, and response, (2) explains your method and reasons why you utilized the arguments you did, and then (3) evaluates the arguments you used with care and truthfulness. 

·         Were they pertinent?

·         Were they fair?

·         Were they true?

·         Did they persuade?

·         Were they sensitive and wise?

(2000 words max. / 100 points / Due Dec 15)

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:

Northwestern College is a Christian academic community committed to integrity and honesty in all intellectual and academic matters. All students, faculty, and staff are expected to follow the highest standards of honesty and ethical behavior. In addition, as members of the campus community all students, faculty, and staff have a responsibility to help other members of the community to demonstrate integrity in their actions. Behavior that violates academic integrity can take a variety of forms including, but not limited to, cheating on tests, quizzes, papers, and projects; plagiarism using unauthorized material; willful misrepresentation of evidence and arguments.  Plagiarism is the unacknowledged use of someone else's words or ideas, with the intent of deceiving the reader concerning the origin of the words, ideas, or images.  (Excerpt from NWC Student Handbook, 11)

Course Assistance:

I have an open door policy.  Please come by my office, preferably at office hours, if you have any questions or are having any problems with the reading, lectures, note taking, written project, etc.  Or come by for a cup of tea and chat about life.  For further assistance in academic matters help is available through Tom Truesdell at Academic Support (VPH 125B).  Academic Support is there to help you so if you are having difficulties do not hesitate to ask for assistance. 

Course Links:

Faith Has Its Reasons (Boa and Bowman)

Stand to Reason (Greg Koukl)

Primetime Jesus

Think Christianly

Be Thinking - UCCF

Bible.org

L'Abri

Veritas Forum

The Trinity Forum

Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics

Third Millennium Ministries Apologetics Page

Alpha Course

Christianity Explored

Apologetics - C. S. Lewis Society

An Alvin Plantinga Page

Academy of Christian Apologetics

Center for Reformed Theology and Apologetics (Presuppositional)

John Frame Apologetics Articles

Reasonable Faith - William Lane Craig

Leadership U Apologetics Page

Ravi Zacharias International Ministries

Apologetics Bibliography - Doug Groothius

The Secular Web (Defends secularism, critiques Christianity)

Course Schedule: