INTRODUCTION TO APOLOGETICS 06ST530 RTS Washington, DC June 2016 Professor: Flavien PARDIGON COURSE OVERVIEW Course Objectives This course offers an overview of the field of apologetics and develops an argument for a biblicaltheological and confessional approach, in the Reformed tradition. It seeks to equip students with the basic understanding and tools needed to uphold and defend the faith delivered once-for-all in our time and (globalized) place. Trusting in the full sufficiency of Scripture, the goal is to grow in our ability to think biblically in our theology and biblico-theologically in our Christian life, witness and ministry. And to do all for the glory of the Triune God alone. Basic Course Outline I. Introduction II. In Defense of Apologetics III. Apologetics Defined A. A Definition B. Main Schools of Apologetics IV. Developing a Biblical and Confessional Approach A. Taking Stock of Our Theological and Confessional Heritage B. Building from Scripture C. Meta-apologetics D. Learning from Non-theological Fields of Knowledge E. Synthesis V. Classic and Current Challenges to the Christian Faith VI. Conclusion 1/5
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE Course participation Students are expected to interact constructively with the professor and their fellow-students during class time. The quality of that interaction will play into their final grade. Reading Digests Students must write digests for the required readings marked with an asterisk. These should be concise and the fruit of a careful analytical reading. Please send an electronic copy to the RTS administrator and to the professor. Due August 6 th 2016. Paper Students are to write a dialogue between them and a Muslim. This dialogue must be built on: 1) actual conversation(s) with one or more Muslims (if you do not have any Muslim friend, a meeting to learn more about Islam can easily be arranged through a local mosque); 2) an array of readings on the subject (see recommended readings and the bibliography in Daniel Brown s book for a start); 3) the content of the course lectures. It should be at least 2000 words long, but should not exceed 15 pages (a grade penalty will be applied if it does). Please type it double spaced, in 12 pt Times New Roman font, with 2 inch margins. The dialogue should focus on one major issue between Christianity and Islam and demonstrate the goals, principles, and methods of the apologetic approach studied in class. It should cite at least eight reputable sources in its bibliography. Please send an electronic copy to the RTS administrator and to the professor. Due August 6 th 2016. Final exam 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 the 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). If typing is not feasible or practical, then write legibly in dark ink and leave 2 inch margins. Indicate in writing whether you want to get feedback from the instructor on your exam. Due August 6 th 2016. Any delay with turning in any of the assignments will incur a grade reduction. If you have any problem with the deadline, contact the instructor as soon as possible ahead of time. See the RTS policy concerning extensions for details of the process. Required readings K. Scott Oliphint, Covenantal Apologetics: Principles and Practice in Defense of Our Faith (Wheaton: Crossway, 2013). *Greg L. Bahnsen, Always Ready: Directions for Defending the Faith, edited by Robert R. Booth (Covenant Media Foundation, 1996), chapters 30-34. *Cornelius Van Til, The Defense of the Faith, 2 nd ed. (P&R, 2012). 2/5
*Vern S. Poythress, Inerrancy and Worldview: Answering Modern Challenges to the Bible (Crossway, 2012). Westminster Theological Journal 57 (1995), 1-31, *33-56, *81-102, *103-24, *125-44, 145-63, *187-219. *Cornelius Van Til, Nature and Scripture in The Infallible Word: A Symposium by Members of the Faculty of Westminster Theological Seminary (P&R, 1946), 263 301. 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 2007, http://www.booksandculture.com/articles/2007/marapr/1.21.html (accessed 10/18/2014). Flavien Pardigon, Theology of Religions and Areopagus Speech, https://independent.academia.edu/flavienpardigon For Further Study A Common Word, http://www.acommonword.com/the-acw-document (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). 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 3/5
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, The Face of Truth: Lifting the Veil (P&R, 2001). William Edgar and K. Scott Oliphint, eds., Christian Apologetics Past and Present: A Primary Source Reader, 2 vols. (Crossway, 2009-2011). 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 Academic, 2005). Cornelis Haak, The Missional Approach: Reconsidering Elenctics, in two parts, Calvin Theological Journal 44 (2009), 37-48, 288-305. 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, 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). K. Scott Oliphint, Reasons for Faith: Philosophy in the Service of Theology (P&R, 2006). 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), 8-33. Alvin Plantinga, Warrant: The Current Debate (Oxford University Press, 1993). Vern S. Poythress, Redeeming Science: A God-centered Approach (Crossway, 2006). 4/5
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, 2013). 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). 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, Psychology of Religion (P&R, 1971). 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) 150-59. Cornelius Van Til, Christian Theistic Evidences (P&R, 1978). Cornelius Van Til, Introduction to Systematic Theology, 2 nd ed. (P&R, 2007). Cornelius Van Til, Christianity in Conflict, Steve Vanderhill ed., syllabus (WTS, n.d.). Miroslav Volf, Allah: A Christian Response (HarperOne, 2012). 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). 5/5