PR 5500 - Apologetics (2 cr.) TEDS Madison Extension Spring Semester 2015 Jan. 16-17; Feb. 20-21; Mar. 27-28 6:30 PM 9:30 PM, Sat. 8:30 AM 4:30 PM Harold Netland, PhD Phone: 847-317-8087 Email: hnetland@tiu.edu COURSE SYLLABUS Course Description This is a 2 credit hour course that deals with the nature of Christian apologetics as a discipline, its relation to theology and church ministries, and some of the issues involved in defending a Christian worldview in an increasingly skeptical and pluralistic age. Selected topics which are addressed include the existence of God, the relation between faith and reason, the problem of evil, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the challenges of religious pluralism. Class instruction includes lectures and discussion of assigned readings. Since this is a modular class meeting over three weekends, it is essential that students work ahead and have completed all of the assigned readings prior to each weekend session. Topics and assigned readings for each weekend are on the class schedule below. Course Objectives Upon completion of the course, the student should: 1. Have a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the nature and significance of Christian apologetics, its relation to broader theological concerns, and its role in ministries of the church. 2. Have a basic awareness of some of the major intellectual challenges to Christian faith in the contemporary world and the cultural context within which these challenges gain plausibility. 3. Be able to think through basic issues relating to various intellectual challenges to Christian faith, to understand some possible Christian responses to such challenges, and be familiar with resources available for further personal study. PT 5500: Apologetics Netland Spring 2015 TEDS Madison Extension Page 1 of 5
Required Texts Each student is to read all of the following texts: Barnett, Paul. Is the New Testament Reliable? 2 nd ed. (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2003). Blomberg, Craig. Who Was Jesus of Nazareth? [This essay will be posted on the Moodle site for the class. The essay is available through the Carl F.H. Henry Center for Theological Understanding, Christ on Campus Initiative, and can also be accessed at henrycenter.org/christoncampus.php.] Craig, William Lane and Walter Sinnott-Armstrong. God? A Debate Between a Christian and an Atheist. (New York: Oxford University Press, 2004). Evans, C. Stephen. Why Believe? Reason and Mystery as Pointers to God (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996). Netland, Harold. Jesus Christ and Religious Diversity. [This essay will be posted on the Moodle site for the class. The essay is available through the Carl F.H. Henry Center for Theological Understanding, Christ on Campus Initiative, and can also be accessed at henrycenter.org/christoncampus.php.] Student Responsibilities Students are expected to attend all class sessions, to read carefully all assigned materials prior to class, and to participate actively in class discussions. There will be hand-outs for each class session which will be available on-line through Moodle. No paper hand-outs will be distributed in class. The hand-outs will form the basis for class lectures and discussions, so students should be sure to have access to the relevant hand-outs for each class session (whether electronically or printed out). 1. Paper on Sinnott-Armstrong. In God? A Debate Between a Christian and an Atheist Walter Sinnott-Armstrong presents some arguments that provide reasons for not believing that God exists. Students are to select one of the arguments Sinnott-Armstrong presents and to write a concise paper of 5-6 pages (1500 words) on that argument. The paper should (1) explain Sinnott-Armstrong s argument against God s existence; (2) explain William Lane Craig s response to the argument; and (3) provide your own assessment of the strengths or weaknesses of Sinnott-Armstrong s argument. While not required, it might be helpful to consult other resources in assessing the argument. The paper is due at the beginning of class on Friday, Feb. 20. Late papers will be marked down. 2. Mid-term exam on Saturday, Feb. 21. Further details to be given in class. PT 5500: Apologetics Netland Spring 2015 TEDS Madison Extension Page 2 of 5
3. Final essay. There will be a final take-home essay exam. Further details to be given in class. The completed exam is to be sent to Dr. Netland at the address below and postmarked no later than Friday, April 24, 2015. Dr. Harold Netland 1066 Cumberland Ct Vernon Hills, IL 60061 Course Grade Paper 30% Mid-term 30 Final essay 40 Grading Scale A 100-97 superior achievement of course objectives A- 96-94 B+ 93-90 B 89-86 commendable achievement of course objectives B- 85-83 C+ 82-79 C 78-75 satisfactory achievement of course objectives C- 74-70 D+ 69-67 D 66-63 marginal achievement of course objectives D- 62-60 PT 5500: Apologetics Netland Spring 2015 TEDS Madison Extension Page 3 of 5
PR 5500 (56) Apologetics Class Schedule I. Introduction and the broader context of apologetics Jan 16-17 Introduction. What is apologetics? Apologetics and evangelism. Faith and reason. Apologetics and the local church. Definitions and distinctions. Some conceptual tools Truth, plausibility and persuasion. Apologetics and culture. [Evans, Why Believe? pp. 1-60] Who has the burden of proof? Must one have reasons for faith? II. Specific issues in apologetics Can we know that God exists? Deductive arguments for God s existence. Feb 20-21 Cumulative case arguments. W. L. Craig s case for Christian theism. [Craig / Sinnott-Armstrong, God? pp. 3-78] Sinnott-Armstrong s critique of Christian theism. The problem of evil. [Craig / Sinnott-Armstrong, God? pp. 81-150] PT 5500: Apologetics Netland Spring 2015 TEDS Madison Extension Page 4 of 5
Mid-Term Exam March 27-28 Religious diversity and religious pluralism. [Netland, Jesus Christ and Religious Diversity ] History and faith. [Blomberg, Who was Jesus of Nazareth? ; Barnett, Is the NT Reliable? pp. 11-97] Miracles. III. A positive case for Christian theism Outline of a cumulative case argument for Christian theism. Distinctiveness of Jesus: The Incarnation. [Evans, Why Believe? pp. 61-149] Jesus and other religious leaders. The resurrection of Jesus Christ. [Barnett, Is the NT Reliable? pp. 98-190] PT 5500: Apologetics Netland Spring 2015 TEDS Madison Extension Page 5 of 5