TH 505 Apologetics - Defending the Faith Summer 2013 Phoenix Seminary

TH 505 Apologetics - Defending the Faith Summer 2013 Phoenix Seminary INSTRUCTOR: Contact Information: 602 850-8000, x103 fchay@ps.edu Teaching Assistant: Brenda Dinell brenda.dinell@azbar.org Sanctify Christ as Lord in your heart, always being ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you yet with gentleness and reverence 1 Peter 3:15 COURSE DESCRIPTION: Christianity is increasingly being challenged by new religions and cults, as well as by the secularization of our culture. In this class, you will learn to explain what you believe and defend the great truths of our faith. 2 hours. Instructor: Chay. Frequency: Odd Summers. Apologetics elective for MDiv and M.A. B.L. General elective for all other programs except MAC. Prerequisites: None. COURSE OUTCOMES: Objectives: At the end of the course, the student should be able to: 1. Distinguish the different approaches to apologetics. (M.Div, 1, 2, 4, 5; MABL 1; GDP 2; MAPC 1, 2, ) 2. Develop familiarization with some of the literature in defense of the Christian faith. (M.Div 3; GDP 1) 3. Demonstrate comprehension and provide answers to the main objections leveled against Christianity. (M.Div 1, 2, 4, 5; GDP 1, 2,) COURSE TEXT(S): Required Reading Boa, Kenneth D., Bowman, Robert M., Faith Has Its Reasons: Integrative Approaches to Defending the Christian Faith., Downers Grove, IL, Intervarsity Press, 2012. ISBN: 9780830-856480 Groothuis, Douglas, Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith Downers Grove, IL, Intervarsity Press, ISBN: 978-0830-83935-3, 2011 Koukl, Greg, Tactics: A Game Plan For Discussing Your Christian Convictions. Grand Rapids, MI. Zondervan, 2009. ISBN: 978-0310-28292-1. Recommended Reading Carlson, Richard F., ed., Science & Christianity: Four Views. Downers Grove, Ill., InterVarsity Press, 2000-08. ISBN: 9780830822621 Cowan, Steven B., Five Views on Apologetics: Counterpoints. Grand Rapids, Mich., Zondervan Carr Books, 2000. ISBN: 9780310224761. Geisler, Norman, Christian Apologetics. Grand Rapids, Baker Academic, 1988. ISBN: 9780801038228 Halverson, Dean, The Compact Guide To World Religions. Minneapolis, Minn., Bethany House Publishers, 1996. ISBN: 9781556617041 Johnson, Phillip E., Reason in the Balance: the Case Against Naturalism in Science, Law and Education. Downers Grove, Ill., Intervarsity Press, 2006. ISBN: 9780830819294. Johnson, Phillip E., Darwin on Trial. Downers Grove, IL, IVP Books, 2010. ISBN: 9780830838318. Kreeft, Peter, Handbook of Christian Apologetics. Downers Grove, IL, InterVarsity Press, c1994. ISBN: 0830817743 Lewis, C.S., Miracles. New York, NY, Macmillan, 1978, c1947. ISBN: 9780020867609. 1 of 8

Nash, Ronald, Faith & reason : searching for a rational faith. Grand Rapids, Mich., Academie Books, c1988. ISBN: 0310294002 Timothy R. Phillips & Dennis L. Okholm., eds., Christian Apologetics in the Postmodern World. Downers Grove, Ill., InterVarsity Press, c1995. ISBN: 083081860X COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Exam There will be 2 exams. Each will be worth 25% of your grade 50% [Outcomes 3] Papers 25% [Outcomes 1, 2 & 3] (See Apologetic Discussion Below) Reading 15% [Outcomes 1 & 2] Apologetic Engagement 10% [Outcomes 1 & 3] You will write a paper on the topic of evolution and the Christian faith. It will integrate the areas of culture, philosophy and science to the Christian faith. The paper will be typed, double-spaced. The length will be 10 pages. They are to follow the format described in Guidelines for Course Papers, (available in the seminary office). Late papers will be accepted but not without penalty. Submission of late papers will limit the student to receiving a "B". Papers will not be accepted one week beyond the due date! One Apologetic Discussion with non-christians, focusing on some aspect of apologetics. The engagement will be summarized in a 4-5 page paper. You will be expected to read the assignments before the discussion in class. A reading report will be collected during the course. One engagement: Apologetic Discussion 10%. COURSE WORKLOAD: The following is a breakdown of the number of hours the average student can expect to spend outside of class to complete the required assignments. These numbers may be higher or lower depending on your particular background and education. GRADING SCALE: Reading 15% Exams 50% (2 exams: each worth 25%). Papers 25% Apologetic Engagement 10% # of Hours Reading 38.0 1 Evolution Paper 7.0 2 Written Exam @ 6 hrs each 12.0 1 Apologetic Engagement Paper 3.0 TOTAL HOURS 60.0 Remember, the goal of our class is to learn how to defend the faith in the midst of a culture that hates our Savior. I trust this is intrinsically motivational and that it outweighs the external forms of tests. Summer 2013 TH 505 Apologetics Defending the Faith 2 of 8

GRADING INFORMATION The percentage ranges are given as guidelines which the instructor has freedom to modify. Letter Grade Percentage Grade Points Description A+ 100-98 4.0 A 97-95 4.0 Excellent; superior achievement. A- 94-92 3.7 B+ 91-90 3.3 B 89-87 3.0 Good; commendable achievement. B- 86-84 2.7 C+ 83-82 2.3 C 81-80 2.0 Satisfactory; acceptable achievement. C- 79-78 1.7 D+ 77-75 1.3 D 74-73 1.0 Poor; marginal achievement. D- 72-71 0.7 F 70-0 0.0 Failure to advance in the course. No credit earned. Computed in GPA. S N/A N/A U N/A N/A Sufficient achievement of course objectives. Not computed in GPA. Insufficient achievement of course objectives. Not computed in GPA. EX N/A N/A Extension. A formally approved petition for course extension. NR N/A N/A Not Received. Instructor has not yet submitted grade. WP N/A N/A Withdrew from class while passing. Not computed in GPA. WF N/A 0.0 Withdrew from class while failing. Computed in GPA until retake. Summer 2013 TH 505 Apologetics Defending the Faith 3 of 8

COURSE POLICIES The following policies are not covered in this syllabus but are nonetheless binding on a student s work and behavior. It is important that the student refer to the respective sections of the Student Handbook (available online at www.ps.edu/download/student_handbook.pdf) for further details: Statement of Unity and Respect Course Assignments: Electronic Submission, Late Paper Policy Course Attendance Course Recording Statement of Academic Honesty Copyright Law Disclosure of Personal Information Gender Inclusive Language Grading: Course Extensions, Grade Appeals, and Repeating a Course Ethical Guidelines for Human Subject Research Teaching Assistants Visitors On-Line Course Materials Handouts and other course materials will be posted to http://ps.mrooms.net each Friday morning in advance of the following week s classes. These materials will not be distributed in-class so students are responsible for obtaining any required course materials (in electronic or printed form) prior to each class meeting. Course Evaluations Each student is required to complete an anonymous course evaluation on this course s page at http://ps.mrooms.net. Course evaluations will be open one week before the first day of the last week of the class until one day before grade reports are issued. All course evaluation results are reported anonymously: professors have no way of linking a particular student to a particular evaluation. This anonymous information will be processed and distributed to professors in summary form and used to strengthen their teaching methods and courses. PROFESSOR S OTHER Late Papers. Late papers will be accepted but not without penalty. Submission of late papers will limit the student to receiving a "B". Papers will not be accepted one week beyond the due date! This penalty will be applied in ALL cases of emergency (i.e. forgetfulness, computer failure, schedule problems, etc.). Papers are to be typed, double-spaced, with a title page. Papers without a title page or not typed will not be accepted. Please staple (do not use plastic binders). Attendance. Students are expected to attend and participate in classroom activities as directed by the professor. It is the student s responsibility to make arrangements with the professor for missed class work. A professor is under no obligation to assist a student in making up assignments unless a student provides a legitimate reason for the absence (e.g., illness or family emergency). When a foreseeable absence occurs, a student should consult with the professor in advance about work which will be missed. You must attend 6 of the scheduled classes to receive an A. Summer 2013 TH 505 Apologetics Defending the Faith 4 of 8

COURSE SCHEDULE: TH 505 APOLOGETICS (THURSDAY, 6-9:50PM) Week 1 May 23 Introduction The Reason for Apologetics The Relationship of Doubt in Apologetics The Role of Apologetics in the New Testament The Reality of Apologetics for Today Week 2 May 30 The Scientific Arena Dr. Jack Mayfield, Apologetics & Science Week 3 June 6 The Cultural Arena: The Cultural Matrix: The Field We Must Play On The Church Mandate: The Corporate Apologetic The Systems Mindset: The Apologetic Systems Week 4 June 13 6-8pm - Exam #1 8-9:50pm Theodicy Week 5 June 20 The Reality Arena 6-8pm - Ali Al Fadi: Islam 8-9:50pm - The Role of Miracles Week 6 June 27 The Authority Arena The Reliability of the N.T. and the Deity of Jesus Christ The Reality of the Resurrection July 1-7, 2013 Summer Break No classes (Seminary Closed on July 4 only) Week 7 July 11 Exam #2 Apologetic Engagement due Paper due This is not the end, nor the beginning of the end, but it might be the end of the beginning. W.C. Summer 2013 TH 505 Apologetics Defending the Faith 5 of 8

BIBLIOGRAPHY: General Apologetics Cowan, Steven B., ed. Five Views on Apologetics. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000. [B]. Craig, William Lane. Reasonable Faith. Wheaton: Crossway, 1994. [I]. Geisler, Norman L. Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999. [B]., Christian Apologetics. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1976. [I]., and Brooks, Ronald M. When Skeptics Ask. Wheaton: Victor, 1990. [B]. Kreeft, Peter, and Tacelli, Ronald K. Handbook of Christian Apologetics. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1994. [B]. Moreland, J.P. Scaling the Secular City. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1987. [I]. Murray, Michael J., ed. Reason for the Hope Within. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999. [I]. Nash, Ronald H. Faith and Reason. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1988. [I]. Plantinga, Alvin. Warranted Christian Belief. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. [A]. Presuppositional Apologetics Bahnsen, Greg L. Always Ready. Texarkana, Ark.: CMF, 1996. [B].. Van Til's Apologetic. Phillipsburg: P & R, 1998. [I]. Frame, John M. Apologetics to the Glory of God. Phillipsburg: P & R, 1994. [B].. Cornelius Van Til. Phillipsburg: P & R, 1995. [I]. Pratt, Jr., Richard L. Every Thought Captive. Phillipsburg: P & R, 1979. [B]. Bible Difficulties Archer, Gleason L. Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1982. [B]. Geisler, Norman L. and Howe, Thomas. When Critics Ask. Wheaton: Victor, 1992. [B]., and Nix, William E. A General Introduction to the Bible, rev. ed. Chicago: Moody, 1986. [B/I]. Haley, John W. Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible Grand Rapids: Baker, 1977. [B/I]. The Existence of God Craig, William Lane. The Kalam Cosmological Argument. N.Y.: Macmillan, 1979. [A]. Geisler, Norman L. and Corduan, Winfried. Philosophy of Religion, 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1989. [I]. Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. N.Y.: Macmillan, 1952. [B]. Bk 1.. Miracles. N.Y.: Macmillan, 1960. [B]. Chapters 3, 5, and 13. Moreland, J.P. Scaling the Secular City. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1987. [I]. Chapters 1-4. Moreland, J.P. and Nielsen, Kai. Does God Exist? Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1990. [I]. Swinburne, Richard. The Existence of God, rev. ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. [A].. Is There a God? Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996. [B]. Theory of Evolution/Intelligent Design Behe, Michael J. Darwin's Black Box. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1996. [I]. Dembski, William A. Intelligent Design. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1999. [B/I]. Dembski, William A., ed. Mere Creation. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1998. [I]. Summer 2013 TH 505 Apologetics Defending the Faith 6 of 8

Denton, Michael. Evolution: A Theory in Crisis. London: Burnett, 1985. [I]. Johnson, Phillip E. Darwin on Trial. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1991. [I].. Defeating Darwinism. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1997. [B]. Moreland, J.P. Christianity and the Nature of Science. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1989. [I]. Moreland, J.P., ed. The Creation Hypothesis. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1994. [I]. Plantinga, Alvin. Warrant and Proper Function. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993. [A]. Chapters 11 and 12. The Historicity and Resurrection of Jesus Copan, Paul, ed. Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998. [B]. Craig, William Lane. Knowing the Truth About the Resurrection. Ann Arbor: Servant, 1988. [B]. Geivett, R. Douglas and Habermas, Gary, eds. In Defense of Miracles. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1997. [B/I]. Habermas, Gary. The Historical Jesus. Joplin: College Press, 1996. [B/I]. Miethe, Terry L., ed. Did Jesus Rise From the Dead? San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1987. [B]. Moreland, J.P. and Wilkins, Michael J., eds. Jesus Under Fire. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995. [I]. The Problem of Evil Craig, William Lane. No Easy Answers. Chicago: Moody, 1990. [B]. Chapters 4 and 5. Geisler, Norman L. The Roots of Evil, 2nd ed. Probe Books, 1989. [B]. Geivett, R. Douglas. Evil and the Evidence for God. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1993. [I]. Plantinga, Alvin. God, Freedom, and Evil. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974. [I/A].. The Nature of Necessity. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1974. [A]. Chapter 9. Swinburne, Richard. Providence and the Problem of Evil. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998. [I/A]. Lewis, C.S. The Problem of Pain Fienberg, John, The Many Faces of Evil (Out of print) Summer 2013 TH 505 Apologetics Defending the Faith 7 of 8

TH 505 READING /ATTENDANCE REPORT NAME I have read the following: Faith Has its Reasons YES NO Number of pages? Christian Apologetics YES NO Number of pages? Tactics YES NO Number of pages? Number of course sessions missed: Signature Date Summer 2013 TH 505 Apologetics Defending the Faith 8 of 8