Defenders 1: Basic Christian Apologetics
Course Description
Basic Christian Apologetics is an elective course that seeks to equip believers to defend the Christian faith with reason and precision, yet in a more philosophically technical way. The apologetic tradition of Vancouver Bible Institute attempts to apply solid Christian theology and Christian philosophy to the challenges that confront Christianity and the church. Defenders 1 is crafted to equip students to converse in an informed and intelligent manner with a broad spectrum of people.
Apologetics is a Biblically mandated responsibility of all believers (1 Peter 3:15-16), yet many of us have not been equipped to deal with the many objections assaulting the Christian faith in our time.
This 8-week course is designed to prepare everyday believers to defend their faith with grace and precision. Know what you believe and why; know how to answer the objections of detractors; understand the fallacies of the arguments against the Christian faith. Students learn to advance faith conversations deliberately, reasonably, and effectively by applying straightforward, cool-headed arguments (not arguing), and discover how being on guard with the truth can change lives forever.
In this course, students will be involved in studying matters such as:
Course Outline
Session One: Introduction and Syllabus; Why Apologetics; Five Views of Apologetics
Session Two: For and Against the Classical Method
Session Three: For and Against the Evidential Method
Session Four: For and Against the Cumulative Case Method
Session Five: For and Against the Presuppositional Method
Session Six: For and Against the Reformed Epistemological Method
Session Seven: Conversational Apologetics
Session Eight: Spontaneous Creativity in Apologetic Method
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able:
Assignment Description
1. Reading: Daily reading assignments will be given during the eight-week period. Each student will be expected to read the material according to the eight-week-session schedule provided in the syllabus. Completing the reading assignments will help you to effectively participate in the classroom discussions and assist you in grasping the concepts being taught in each class session.
2. Methodology Familiarity: Each student will be expected to become fundamentally conversant in all five (5) apologetic methods.
3. Class Discussion: A portion of each class session involves discussion by all participants. It is an essential part of the learning process as well as a substantial aid in developing the apologetic skills of each student.
4. Course Evaluation Paper: Within three (3) days following the last class, students will submit electronically a one- to two-page course evaluation paper.
"May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word." 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
Course Description
Basic Christian Apologetics is an elective course that seeks to equip believers to defend the Christian faith with reason and precision, yet in a more philosophically technical way. The apologetic tradition of Vancouver Bible Institute attempts to apply solid Christian theology and Christian philosophy to the challenges that confront Christianity and the church. Defenders 1 is crafted to equip students to converse in an informed and intelligent manner with a broad spectrum of people.
Apologetics is a Biblically mandated responsibility of all believers (1 Peter 3:15-16), yet many of us have not been equipped to deal with the many objections assaulting the Christian faith in our time.
This 8-week course is designed to prepare everyday believers to defend their faith with grace and precision. Know what you believe and why; know how to answer the objections of detractors; understand the fallacies of the arguments against the Christian faith. Students learn to advance faith conversations deliberately, reasonably, and effectively by applying straightforward, cool-headed arguments (not arguing), and discover how being on guard with the truth can change lives forever.
In this course, students will be involved in studying matters such as:
- The place of logic in apologetics;
- Discussing the four arguments for God's existence;
- Studying and articulating the historicity of Jesus' resurrection;
- Addressing the problem of suffering;
- Showing why religious relativism does not work.
Course Outline
Session One: Introduction and Syllabus; Why Apologetics; Five Views of Apologetics
Session Two: For and Against the Classical Method
Session Three: For and Against the Evidential Method
Session Four: For and Against the Cumulative Case Method
Session Five: For and Against the Presuppositional Method
Session Six: For and Against the Reformed Epistemological Method
Session Seven: Conversational Apologetics
Session Eight: Spontaneous Creativity in Apologetic Method
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able:
- To defend the Christian faith as being reasoned and reasonable.
- To demonstrate through logical argument that not only does God exist necessarily, but that the Christian God is that God.
- To develop arguments which address the deepest levels of various worldviews.
- To articulate biblical principles for the defense and commendation of the gospel of Jesus Christ in evangelism.
- To understand the patterns and cultural trends of our times.
- To develop answers to some of the most frequent challenges raised against the Christian faith and respond reasonably and intelligently.
- To know something of the history of thought.
- To be familiar with some of the most articulate apologists throughout history.
- To articulate the relationship between faith and reason.
- Bible (NASB or NET preferred)
- Cowan, Steven B. (General ed.). Five Views on Apologetics. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010
Assignment Description
1. Reading: Daily reading assignments will be given during the eight-week period. Each student will be expected to read the material according to the eight-week-session schedule provided in the syllabus. Completing the reading assignments will help you to effectively participate in the classroom discussions and assist you in grasping the concepts being taught in each class session.
2. Methodology Familiarity: Each student will be expected to become fundamentally conversant in all five (5) apologetic methods.
3. Class Discussion: A portion of each class session involves discussion by all participants. It is an essential part of the learning process as well as a substantial aid in developing the apologetic skills of each student.
4. Course Evaluation Paper: Within three (3) days following the last class, students will submit electronically a one- to two-page course evaluation paper.
"May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word." 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
