INTRODUCTION TO APOLOGETICS 06ST530

Transcription

1 INTRODUCTION TO APOLOGETICS 06ST530 RTS Washington, DC Professor: Flavien PARDIGON June Shel Silverstein, Falling Up (HarperCollins, 1996), p /8

2 INTRODUCTION TO APOLOGETICS 06ST530 COURSE OVERVIEW Course Objectives As indicated in the title, this course is an introduction to Christian apologetics. This is why it includes an overview of the field and introduces its principal approaches, concepts and methodological considerations. This course seeks to equip students with the basic understanding and tools required to uphold and defend the faith delivered once-for-all in our time and (globalized) place. This goal is achieved through developing a biblical-theological and Reformed-confessional paradigm for apologetics and analyzing a few arguments. Trusting the full sufficiency of the Scriptures, the underlying purpose of the course is to grow in our ability to think biblically in theology and biblicotheologically in life, witness and ministry. All to the glory of the Triune God alone. Basic Course Outline I. Introduction II. In Defense of Apologetics A. Spurgeon s Lion B. Contemporary Air du Temps C. Culture Wars D. A Biblical Mandate III. The Field of Apologetics Defined A. Definition of Term and Concept B. Apologetics and Other Theological Fields C. Overview of the Main Schools of Apologetics IV. Developing a Biblical and Confessional Approach A. We Must Take Stock of Our Theological and Confessional Heritage B. Building from Scripture and Theology 2/8

3 C. The Christian Philosophy of Life, History and Knowledge D. Methodology E. A Critique of Inconsistent Apologetical Approaches F. Conclusion V. Preliminary Answers to Some Classic and Current Challenges to the Christian Faith COURSE REQUIREMENTS Pre-class requirements Students are expected to complete the following requirements before the beginning of the class: 1. Readings marked with. 2. Prepare a detailed analysis and evaluation of the following two arguments (from required readings): a. Bahnsen on the problem of evil (in Always Ready). b. Poythress on why scientists must believe in God (in JETS article). 3. Become familiar with the attached vocabulary list thanks to the required readings and specialized dictionaries. Students may also use John Frame s A Van Til Glossary (available online) and the subject index in Greg Bahnsen, Van Til s Apologetic: Readings and Analysis (P&R, 1998). 4. If you are not familiar with Reformed theology, I recommend you read William Edgar, Truth in All Its Glory: Commending the Reformed Faith (P&R, 2004) before class. These preparatory assignments will greatly enhance the students comprehension of the lecture material and facilitate their active participation in classroom discussions (thus improving both personal benefit and grade). Course participation (10% of final grade) Students are expected to interact constructively with the professor and their fellow-students during class time. The quality of that interaction is part of the final grade. Reading Digests (20% of final grade) Students must write digests for the required readings marked with an asterisk (*). These should be concise and the fruit of a careful and penetrating analytical reading. 3/8

4 Dialogue Report (30% of final grade) Students are to engage in a personal conversation about religious/spiritual matters with one (recommended) or more Muslims. If you do not have any Muslim friends, a meeting to learn more about Islam can easily be arranged through a local mosque. An evangelistic or apologetical dialogue would be best (use the readings and class material!), but is not required. A face-to-face encounter to explore the other person s beliefs and life of faith is the minimum requirement. The purpose is for the students to interact with an actual Muslim believer rather than merely with a textbook, and to reflect on the experience. Students will write a report focusing on the dynamics of the interaction, the arguments presented and their effectiveness, as well as any other element relevant to the course. The grade for this assignment will depend both on the quality of the conversation and of the analysis of its content and dynamics included in the report. Final exam (40% of final grade) The exam does not need to be proctored, as it relies on an honor system. The student must write and sign a pledge at the end of their exam (the exact wording will be provided with the exam sheet). Three hours maximum, covering all segments of the course. I prefer to have it typed (and in electronic format) per the above specifications. If typing is not feasible or practical, then write legibly in dark ink and leave 2 inch margin on the left. Indicate in writing whether you want any feedback from the instructor on your exam. I consider four elements in my grading: the content from the assigned readings and the lectures; the depth of analysis and the personal appropriation of that material; the student s personal contribution and reflection; the quality, precision and clarity of expression (including formal aspects of grammar, syntax and presentation). Please send an electronic copy of all assignments (digests, report and exam) to the RTS administrator and the professor by July 31 st Nota Bene: All assignments must follow the following format: double space, 12 pt Times New Roman font, with 2-inch margin on the left. They must also include the following information: student name, course, year, assignment identification. Any delay turning in any of the assignments will incur a grade reduction. Contact the instructor as soon as you realize that you might not be able to remain within the deadline. Please follow the RTS guidelines for course extensions. 4/8

5 Required readings *Greg L. Bahnsen, Always Ready: Directions for Defending the Faith, edited by Robert R. Booth (Covenant Media Foundation, 1996). *Cornelius Van Til, The Defense of the Faith, 4 th ed. (P&R, 2008). *------, Nature and Scripture in The Infallible Word: A Symposium by Members of the Faculty of Westminster Theological Seminary (P&R, 2003; orig.1946), Pdf available from: *Vern S. Poythress, Inerrancy and Worldview: Answering Modern Challenges to the Bible (Crossway, 2012). Pdf available from: , Why Scientists Must Believe in God: Divine Attributes of Scientific Law JETS 46.1 (March 2003), Pdf available from: *Westminster Theological Journal 57 (1995), 1 31, 33 56, , , , , ( Daniel W. Brown, A New Introduction to Islam, 2 nd ed. (Wiley-Blackwell, 2009). *Samuel Zwemer, The Moslem Doctrine of God, The Moslem Doctrine of Christ, combined edition of two studies originally published separately (Advancing Native Missions, 2010). Alvin Plantinga, The Dawkins Confusion, Books and Culture, February Flavien Pardigon, Theology of Religions and Areopagus Speech FlavienPardigon For Further Study (Note that inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement or agreement on the part of the instructor but usefulness for sharpening one s apologetical mind and skills) The Infallible Word: A Symposium by the Members of the Faculty of Westminster Theological Seminary (P&R, 1946). A Common Word, (accessed 11/01/2014). David W. Baker, ed., Biblical Faith and Other Religions: An Evangelical Assessment (Kregel, 2004). Richard Bauckham, Bible and Mission: Christian Witness in a Postmodern World (Baker, 2003). Richard Bauckham, Living with Other Creatures: Green Exegesis and Theology (Baylor University Press, 2011). 5/8

6 J. H. Bavinck, An Introduction to the Science of Missions (P&R, 1960). J. H. Bavinck, The Church between Temple and Mosque: A Study of the Relationship between the Christian Faith and Other Religions (Eerdmans, 1981). Peter L. Berger, The Sacred Canopy: Elements of a Sociological Theory of Religion (Anchor, 1990). Peter L. Berger, The Desecularization of the World: Resurgent Religion and World Politics (Eerdmans, 1999). D. A. Carson, The Gagging of God: Christianity Confronts Pluralism (Zondervan, 1996). D. A. Carson, Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church: Understanding a Movement and Its Implications (Zondervan, 2005). D. A. Carson, Christ and Culture Revisited (Eerdmans, 2008). D. A. Carson, Jesus the Son of God (IVP, 2012). Harvie Conn, Eternal Word and Changing Worlds: Theology, Anthropology, and Mission in Trialogue (P&R, 1984). Kenneth Cragg, The Call of the Minaret, 2 nd ed. (Orbis, 1985). John D. Currid. Against the Gods: The Polemical Theology of the Old Testament (Crossway, 2013). William Edgar, Truth in All Its Glory: Commending the Reformed Faith (P&R, 2004). William Edgar, Created & Creating: A Biblical Theology of Culture (IVP Academic, 2017). William Edgar and K. Scott Oliphint, eds., Christian Apologetics Past and Present: A Primary Source Reader, 2 vols. (Crossway, ). John M. Frame, Cornelius Van Til: An Analysis of His Thought (P&R, 1995). John M. Frame, No Other God: A Response to Open Theism (P&R, 2001). John M. Frame, A History of Western Philosophy and Theology (P&R, 2015). John M. Frame, A Van Til Glossary ( 45_PM~PT.Frame.VanTil.Glossary.pdf). Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., Systematic Theology and Biblical Theology, in The New Testament Student and Theology, John H. Skilton, ed., The New Testament Student, vol. 3 (Nutley, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1976), 32 50; also WTJ 38.3 (Spring 1976), Available online. E. R. Geehan, Jerusalem and Athens: Critical Discussions on the Philosophy and Apologetics of Cornelius Van Til (P&R, 1971). Ida Glaser, The Bible and Other Faiths: Christian Responsibility in a World of Religions (IVP 6/8

7 Academic, 2005). Cornelis Haak, The Missional Approach: Reconsidering Elenctics, Calvin Theological Journal 44 (2009), 37 48; Philip Jenkins, The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity (Oxford University Press, 2002). Phillip E. Johnson, Darwin on Trial, 2 nd ed (IVP, 1993). Hendrik Kraemer, World Cultures and World Religions: The Coming Dialogue (Westminster Press, 1960). Joshua Lingel, Jeff Morton and Bill Nikides, Chrislam: How Missionaries are Promoting an Islamized Gospel (i2, 2011?). Available in kindle format on Amazon. John Gresham Machen, Christianity and Liberalism (Eerdmans, 2009). Bassam Madany, The Bible and Islam: A Basic Guide to Sharing God s Word with a Muslim, 5 th ed. (Middle East Resources, 2015). Gerald McDermott, Can Evangelicals Learn from World Religions? Jesus, Revelation and Religious Traditions (IVP, 2000). Leslie Newbigin, The Gospel in a Pluralist Society (Eerdmans, 1999). K. Scott Oliphint, Reasons for Faith: Philosophy in the Service of Theology (P&R, 2006). K. Scott Oliphint, Covenantal Apologetics: Principles and Practice in Defense of Our Faith (Wheaton: Crossway, 2013). K. Scott Oliphint and Lane G. Tipton, eds, Revelation and Reason: New Essays in Reformed Apologetics (P&R, 2007). John Piper, A Peculiar Glory: How the Christian Scriptures Reveal Their Complete Truthfulness (Crossway, 2016). Alvin, Plantinga, When Faith and Reason Clash: Evolution and the Bible, Christian Scholar Review 21/1 (Sept. 1991), Alvin Plantinga, Warrant: The Current Debate (Oxford University Press, 1993). Vern S. Poythress, Redeeming Science: A God-centered Approach (Crossway, 2006). Vern S. Poythress, In the Beginning Was the Word: Language: A God-centered Approach (Crossway, 2009). Vern S. Poythress, Redeeming Sociology: A God-centered Approach (Crossway, 2011). Vern S. Poythress, Logic: A God-centered Approach to the Foundation of Western Thought (Crossway, 7/8

8 2013). Vern S. Poythress, Redeeming Philosophy: A God-centered Approach to the Big Questions (Crossway, 2014). Nabeel Qureshi, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity (Zondervan, 2014). Samuel Schlorff, Missiological Models in Ministry to Muslims (Middle East Resources, 2006). Smith, James K. A., How (Not) to Be Secular: Reading Charles Taylor (Eerdmans, 2014). Sam Solomon, Not the Same God: Is the Qur anic Allah the LORD God of the Bible? (ANM, 2015). Daniel Strange, For Their Rock is not as Our Rock : An Evangelical Theology of Religions (Apollos, 2014). Allamah Tabatabaei, Shiʻite Islam (State University of New York Press, 1971). Anthony C. Thiselton, Interpreting God and the Postmodern Self: On Meaning, Manipulation and Promise (Eerdmans, 1995). Ted Turnau, Popologetics: Popular Culture in Christian Perspective (P&R, 2012). Cornelius Van Til, Common Grace and the Gospel (P&R, 1972). Cornelius Van Til, Scripture and Reformed Apologetics, The New Testament Student and Theology, The New Testament Student Vol. 3, John H. Skilton ed. (P&R, 1976), Cornelius Van Til, Christian Theistic Evidences (P&R, 1978). Cornelius Van Til, Introduction to Systematic Theology, 2 nd ed. (P&R, 2007). Miroslav Volf, Allah: A Christian Response (HarperOne, 2012). B.B. Warfield, The Plan of Salvation, rev. ed. (Simpson Publishing Co., 1989). Edward J. Young, The God-Breathed Scripture (The Committee for the Historian of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 2007). Anees Zaka and Alfred Siha, It Is Written! The Use of Cornelius Van Til s Biblical Apologetics for Doing Missions Among Muslims (Church Without Walls, 2005). www. answering-islam.org 8/8