COURSE SYLLABUS Graduate School MAPS PROGRAM, PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT, LU GRADUATE SCHOOL LIBERTY UNIVERSITY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY APOL 610 MIRACLES GARY HABERMAS, DISTINGUISHED RESEARCH PROFESSOR (434) 534-0601 GHABERMAS@LIBERTY.EDU OFFICE: SCHOOL OF RELIGION I. COURSE DESCRIPTION Presents a detailed study of contemporary denials of miracles, emphasizing the resurrection of Jesus and the part it plays in Christian apologetics and theology. II. RATIONALE The resurrection of Jesus Christ is at the very center of the Christian faith. In the New Testament it is integrated with many Christian doctrines, as well as with many areas of Christian practice. A detailed study of this event, including objections to it, is warranted. III. PREREQUISITES: None. APOL500 is recommended. IV. MATERIALS LIST A. Doug Geivett & Gary Habermas, Editors, In Defense of Miracles (Downers Grove, Il: InterVarsity, 1997). B. Gary Habermas, The Risen Jesus & Future Hope (Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2003). C. Gary Habermas & Mike Licona, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2004). 1
D. Class notes: Gary Habermas, Philosophy of History, Miracles, and the Resurrection of Jesus, Third ed. (Virginia Beach, VA: Academx, 2006), available in LU bookstore. E. An additional 1000 pages of reading in relevant areas are required (see suggested sources below). Michael Licona s or N.T. Wright s volumes are recommended highly. V. MEASURABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES The student will be able to: A. Evaluate major features in the analytic philosophical debate on the nature of miracles, as well as attempts to explain the resurrection naturally, indicating the students critical thinking techniques. This outcome is indicated chiefly by class discussions and by research essay #1 below, if so chosen (VII, B, below). B. Defend major components of the minimal facts historical argument for Jesus resurrection, to be demonstrated by class discussions and in research essay #1 (VII, B, below). C. Integrate the resurrection of Jesus with either a major theological doctrine or with a key area of Christian practice, developing an important aspect of the Christian world view, as demonstrated in research essay #2 (VII, C, below). VI. PRE-CLASS READING AND PREPARATION ASSIGNMENTS: A. It is absolutely crucial that the student be prepared thoroughly to begin the initial class discussion by having assimilated the content of the class notes (Habermas, Philosophy of History, Miracles, and the Resurrection of Jesus, available in the LU bookstore). In particular, concentrate on Section One, Part III (pp. 10-24) and Section Four, Parts II and III (pp. 49-63). B. Read at least Habermas, The Risen Jesus and Future Hope, Chapters 1-3, then as much of the Habermas/Licona volume as possible. VII. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS A. Class attendance is essential and will contribute to that portion of the grade, along with the reading statement. Prior study (see Pre-Class Assignment) should be obvious in any class participation. B. A research essay is required, either a critique of a specific critical approach to the resurrection (such as a single a priori challenge to miracles in general, or a single a 2
posteriori critique of the resurrection), or a developed positive case for an aspect of the resurrection. Begin with a specific thesis statement, and spend the bulk of the paper interacting with the material in the way you indicate. Both this and the essay under C should be double-spaced, with normal margins, including endnotes or footnotes (preferably the latter). Be sure to maintain consistency throughout. The essays should be scholarly and signify original thinking. When you have not used the actual source in question, always include the work where the reference was mentioned, but keep these secondary references to a minimum. Avoid summarizing any class notes or discussions, and avoid using any but the most indispensable Internet sources, and only when they were written by recognized authors. Grading will be based chiefly on your evaluation/response to the chosen topic and the originality of your insights. Strict Maximum length for paper #1: 10 pages (double-spaced, including all notes and any end-matter). C. Essay #2 should be a reflective essay that demonstrates the student s ability to integrate the truth of Jesus resurrection with one of the following areas of Christian theology or practice: formulating a Christian world view, God s existence, the essentials of the gospel data, eternal life/heaven, Scripture, Christian ethics, the religious disciplines, religious tolerance, the compassionate use of wealth/finances, evangelism, counseling, personal philosophy of ministry or life, or any of life s major struggles (our fears, lack of motivation, grief), etc. Do not develop evidential arguments, but use the assumed truth of Jesus resurrection to form a bridge to our most treasured areas of belief, contemplation, and application, especially in terms of practical insights. Grading is based more rigorously on how you link the resurrection to your chosen topic, along with the creativity of your applications. Strict maximum length for paper #2: 7 pages (double-spaced, including all notes and any end-matter). Follow the other writing parameters under B above, as well. D. A statement of the final amount of reading completed specifically for this class is required, including both the required texts as well as the sources read for the 1000 additional pages. Provide a total page count for all sources, as well. This is also a part of the Class Participation grade. E. The professor reserves the right to change any of the course items, including the content, procedures, and/or grading, depending on the class circumstances. VIII. COURSE GRADING AND POLICIES A. The final grade is made up as follows: Research Essay #1...................... 50% Research Essay #2..................... 40% Attendance & reading................... 10% TOTAL 100% 3
B. Grading Scale: 980-1000 A+ 960-979 A 940-959 A- 910-939 B+ 880-909 B 850-879 B- 810-849 C+ 780-809 C 750-779 C- 719-749 D+ 680-709 D 650-679 D- BELOW 650 F No late work is accepted without the penalty of five (5) points per day, including separate weekend days and holidays. The penalty begins from the due date unless the professor has granted prior permission. C. All written work should be submitted as hard copies, unless other arrangements are made in class. D. All required class assignments must be completed satisfactorily in order for the student to pass the course. IX. Attendance Policies Attendance is also required at each session unless prior permission has been given. Attendance is a portion of the final grade. X. Other Policies A. Academic Misconduct Academic misconduct is strictly prohibited. See The Graduate Catalog for specific definitions, penalties, and processes for reporting. B. Disability Statements Online students with a documented disability may contact the DLP Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) at dlpodas@liberty.edu to make arrangements for academic accommodations. Residential students with a documented disability may contact the Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) in TE 127 for arrangements for academic accommodations. 4
For all disability accommodation requests (i.e. quieter environment, extended time, oral testing) the Tutoring/Testing Center (TE 128) is the officially designated place for all tests administered outside of the regular classroom. A student with a disability must make such a request through the Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) which is located in the Center for Academic Support and Advising Services (CASAS) in DH 2016. A professor does have the right to administer a test in another location at their discretion; however, the testing environment must meet the criteria spelled out in the Disability Academic Support memo sent from ODAS for each student with a disability. C. Drop/Add Policy Consult the Graduate Catalog for drop/add policies. D. Dress Code Students are expected to maintain a neat, professional appearance while in class. Consult your department for additional guidelines. E. Classroom Policies Classroom policies will be established and enforced by the individual instructor. Please turn off all cell phones. XI. CALENDAR Class content is announced daily. All due assignments are to be postmarked as designated in class. XII. Additional Bibliography Brown, Colin. Miracles and the Critical Mind. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1994. Craig, William Lane. Assessing the New Testament Evidence for the Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus. Lewiston, N.Y.: Edwin Mellen, 1989. Davis, Stephen. Risen Indeed: Making Sense of the Resurrection. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1993. Davis, Stephen, Daniel Kendall, and Gerald O Collins, Editors. The Resurrection: An Interdisciplinary Symposium on the Resurrection of Jesus. Oxford: Oxford University, 1997. Habermas, Gary R. The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ. Joplin: College Press, 1996. Lewis, C.S. Miracles. N.Y.: Macmillan, 1960. 5
Licona, Michael. The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2010. Schaaffs, Werner. Theology, Physics, and Miracles. Trans. by Richard L. Renfield. Washington, D.C.: Canon, 1974. Swinburne, Richard, Editor. Miracles. N.Y.: Macmillan, 1989. Swinburne, Richard. The Concept of Miracle. London: Macmillan and St. Martin s, 1970. Wenham, David and Craig Blomberg, Editors. Gospel Perspectives: The Miracles of Jesus, Vol. VI. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2003. Wright, N.T. The Resurrection of the Son of God. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2003. 6