Faith Seeking Understanding
Theological Prolegomena, Religious Epistemology, & Apologetics

Topics in Theology / REL 375 / 4 Credits / Northwestern College / Spring 2001

 

 

Instructor:  Michael Andres          Office/Hours:  VPH 115, ext.7079
      andres@nwciowa.edu                  MW 3:00-5:00 / TuTh 2:00-4:00          

Class Time:   TuTh 9:25-10:55        Class Location:  VPH 309

Course Description:

This is a course about  intellectual reflection on the Christian faith by believers.  We will think about how Christians think.  This reflection includes introductory and foundational issues in Christian theology, an exploration of the relationship between faith and reason, and considerable discussion about apologetic method and practice - the defense of the christian faith.  Our discussion of apologetics will focus on its intellectual and philosophical dimensions, both commending the faith by evidences and defending Christianity against intellectual objections.

Course Objectives:

(1) To learn how to think with a Christian mind about our world and culture.
(2) To explore the relationship between faith and reason.
(3) To think carefully about complex or controversial areas of christian belief.
(4) To consider the various ways that the Christian faith has been defended.
(5) To love God with our minds.

Primary Texts:

  • Bible (modern translation, NIV preferable; bring to every class period).  [B]
  • Bruce, F. F., The Defense of the Gospel in the New Testament (Eerdmans, 1989). [BR] – out of print/intructor will inform you of how to obtain this title.
  • Cowan, Steven, ed., Five Views on Apologetics (Zondervan, 2000). [C]
  • Evans, C. Stephen, Why Believe? (Eerdmans, 1996).   [E]
  • Lewis, C. S., Mere Christianity (Macmillan, 1943).  [L]
  • Peterson/Hasker/Reichenbach/Basinger, Reason & Religious Belief (Oxford, 1991). [PH]
  • Plantinga, Alvin, Warranted Christian Belief (Oxford, 2000). [PL]
  • Schaeffer, Francis A., The God Who Is There (Intervarsity, 1968). [S]
     
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    Course Requirements:

    (1) 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 letter grade for every subsequent unexcused absence.
    (2) Readings:  Reading should be completed before class time listed.  It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of forthcoming reading assignments given in syllabus.
    (3) Quizzes:  Six quizzes will cover material from readings. Top five quiz scores count towards final grade.  Quizzes can only be rescheduled with advance permission of instructor.
    (4) Written Project:  One paper due April 24.  Guidelines to be announced.
    (5) Journal:  Ongoing personal journal detailing student’s “faith seeking understanding” in practice is required.  Examined twice by instructor.
    (6) Exams:  There will be two exams; one midterm and one final exam.

    Guidelines for Written Project:

    TBA.

    Guidelines for Journal:

    Students are required to produce an ongoing personal journal showing evidence of “faith seeking understanding” in practice.  Personal comments and thoughts are welcome, even encouraged, but clear evidence of careful, concise, and plausible reasoning must be demonstrated.  Be sure to adequately elaborate on the issue you choose.  Set out an intellectual faith issue, reflect on it, consider alternatives, give clear reasons and evidence for the view you find most persuasive.  An average of two or three entries per week are expected.  Your journal shall be examined twice by intructor, but only one overall grade will be given.

    Course Assessment:

    Participation / Preparation (10%) = 50 points
    Quizzes (10%) = 50 points/10 points each
    Journal (20%)= 100 points
    Written Project (20%) = 100 points
    Exams (40%) = 200 points/100 points each

    Final Exam Schedule:

    Wednesday, May 9, 10:30-12:30, VPH 309

    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 Patti Thayer 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 Schedule:

    Date Topic Reading
     

    Jan 9

    		  

    Introduction

    		  
         
      Theological Prolegomena  
    Jan 11 Faith Seeking Understanding  RR (Reserved Reading): Helm, “Faith Seeks Understanding”
    Jan 16 Theology and Faith B:Heb 11:1-3; Quiz #1 (terms, cf. C, 21-24)
    Jan 18 Theology and Reason  B:Gen 1:1-5; Psa 8,19, 29; John 1:1-13; Acts 17:16-34; Rom 1:18-32; 1Cor 1:18-29; E:ix-17
         
      Religious Epistemology  
    Jan 23  Fideism PH:32-47; Quiz #2
    Jan 25 Rationalism E:18-25
    Jan 30 Reformed Epistemology PH:117-135
         
      Apologetic Method  
    Feb 1 Evidentialism C:25-90; 147-206; Journal Due
    Feb 6 The Presuppositional Method  C:207-264
    Feb 8  The Reformed Epistemological Method C:265-313; Quiz #3
    Feb 13 Self-Authentication RR:Helm, “Faith, Evidence, and the Scriptures”; PL:258-266
         
      Case Studies in Apologetics  
    Feb 15 Early Christian Apologetics BR:1-31; B:Acts 7
    Feb 20  Early Christian Apologetics BR:32-103; Acts 17; RR:Justin Martyr, “The Defence and Explanation of the Christian Faith and Practice,” Tertullian,“Apologetics”
    Feb 22 Medieval & Enlightenment Apologetics RR:Aquinas, Summa Theologica selections
    Feb 27 Exam #1  
    Mar 1  Contemporary Apologetics E:32-94
      Spring Break – March 3-13  
    Mar 15 C.S. Lewis  RR:C.S. Lewis, “Christian Apologetics”; L:5-68
    Mar 20 C.S. Lewis  L:69-190; Quiz #4
    Mar 22 Francis Schaeffer S:13-50
    Mar 27 Francis Schaeffer S:51-118; Quiz #5
    Mar 29 Francis Schaeffer  S:119-150
    Apr 3 Alvin Plantinga PL:1-66, 135-166; E:105-120
    Apr 5 Alvin Plantinga PL:167-240
    Apr 10  Alvin Plantinga PL:241-356; Quiz #6
      Easter Break – April 12-16  
         
      Issues in Apologetics  
    Apr 19  Religious Pluralism PH:219-234; E:140-142; PL:422-457
    Apr 24 Religious Pluralism Written Project Due
    Apr 26 The Problem of Evil PH:92-116; E:95-104
    May 1 The Problem of Evil  PL:458-499
    May 3  Open for Discussion Journal Due
    May 9 Final Exam – 10:30-12:30