AP 101 Apologetics
Fall 2017 Syllabus
Tobias England
I. Course Description
This course is designed to equip students in effectively defending their Christian faith. This course will examine and present evidence that supports the authenticity of the Bible and the basic doctrines and fundamentals of the Christian faith. Students will learn how to “earnestly contend” for their faith in Christ Jesus.
II. Course Objectives
The student who successfully completes this course will be able to: / Institutional Objectives* / Bible Program Objectives / CourseRequirement
(Assignment)
1 / Present sound, persuasive arguments for Christian theism / 1 / 1 / Textbook
2 / Differentiate between major apologetic approaches / 1 / 3 / Term paper, Lectures
3 / Identify common mistakes in reasoning and argumentation and provide examples of valid syllogisms / 3 / 2 / Quizzes
Class participation
4 / Expose critical errors in significant, contemporary belief systems that are critical of the Christian worldview / 3,5 / 4 / Term Paper,
Quizzes
5 / Utilize rhetorical tactics of persuasion and argumentation in evangelistic contexts / 3,5 / 4 / Quizzes,
Class participation
6 / Defend a correspondence view of truth that is cohesive, comprehensive, and exclusive / 2 / 1,4 / Quizzes
7 / Draw logically valid conclusions from independent research in fields related to their research paper / 2 / 4 / Term Paper
III. Course Requirements
1. Students are to keep a neat and well-organized notebook of typed lecture notes.
2. Class Participation
Students will be asked to respond to scenarios, questions, and give examples of application to lecture material.
3. The required text for this course is Mere Apologetics by Alister McGrath. A book review will be required for this text, and is due on October 2nd. This project should be at least 4 pages long but no longer than 5. Please consult separate instruction sheet and rubric at http://england.wcbc.edu for instructions.
4. A five-page research paper will be due on November 6th. A title page, outline, and bibliography are to be included in addition to the five-page body. Students must select an approved apologetic topic for their paper. Please consult separate instruction sheet and rubric at http://england.wcbc.edu for instructions.
IV. Course Grading Factors (approximate)
Quizzes 30%
Mid Term Exam 14%
Book Critique 16%
Term Paper 20%
Final Exam 20%
V. Spiritual and Academic Integrity
Attendance Policy
In your student portal, you are able to track your attendance. You should be checking this weekly. If you miss more than fifteen (15) percent of this class, you will be automatically dropped from the roster and receive an “F” for the course. The amount missed contains the accumulation of tardies, cuts, and any other absences.
Academic Honesty
Cheating, plagiarism, collusion, and any act designed to give an unfair advantage to the student (such as, but not limited to, submitting the same assignment for two courses or providing false or misleading information in an effort to receive a postponement or an extension on a test, quiz, exam, or other assignment) is considered cheating and will not be tolerated.
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is “the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one’s own original work.” Common forms of plagiarism are copying words or ideas and not giving the author credit for them by providing proper reference.
Another author’s specific words must be placed within quotation marks with an appropriate reference given. Another author’s ideas must include an appropriate reference.
VI. Contact Info
Please let me know if you have questions regarding course assignments or materials. If there is anything I can do for you, do not hesitate to contact me (e-mail preferred). I also have an open-door policy, and you are always welcome to come by my office in the North Auditorium.
1. Email
2. Text 661.544.4631
VII. Bibliography
Behe, Michael J. Darwin’s Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution. New York: Touchstone, 1996.
Bruce, F. F. The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1981.
Chesterton, G. H. Orthodoxy. 1908. Kindle Edition.
Collins, Francis S., The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief. New York, NY: Free Press, 2006.
Geisler, Norman. Miracles and the Modern Mind: A Defense of Biblical Miracles. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2004.
_____, Norman L. and Frank Turek. I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2004.
_____, Norman L. and William Watkins. Worlds Apart: A Handbook on World Views. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1989
Ham, Ken, Carl Wieland, and Don Batten. One Blood: The Biblical Answer to Racism. Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 1999.
Holden, Joseph M. and Norman Geisler. The Popular Handbook of Archaeology and the Bible. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2013.
Johnson, Phillip E. Defeating Darwinism by Opening Minds. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997.
_____, Phillip E. Darwin on Trial. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993
Koukl, Gregory. Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009.
Lewis, C. S.. Mere Christianity. San Francisco, CA: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., 1952 .
Loftus, John W. Why I Became an Atheist: A Former Preacher Rejects Christianity. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books, 2008.
McDowell, Josh. He Walked Among Us: Evidence for the Historical Jesus. San Bernardino, CA: Here’s Life Publishers, Inc., 1988.
McGrath, Alister. Mere Apologetics: How to Help Seekers and Skeptics Find Faith. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2012.
Mooreland, J. P. Kingdom Triangle: Recover the Christian Mind, Renovate the Soul, Restore the Spirit’s Power. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2007.
Morris, Henry M. Scientific Creationism. Green Forest, AR: Master Books, Inc., 1985.
_____, Henry M. The Genesis Record. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1976.
_____, Henry M. and John D. Morris. The Modern Creation Trilogy, 3 vols. Green Forest, AR: Master Books, Inc. 1996.
_____, John D. The Young Earth. Green Forest, AR: Master Books, Inc., 1994.
Schaeffer, Francis A., Escape from Reason: An Analysis of Trends in Modern Thought. Madison, WI: Inter-Varsity Press, 1976.
_____, Francis A., How Should We Then Live? Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2005.
______, The God Who Is There. Madison, WI: Inter-Varsity Press, 1982.
Sheler, Jeffery L. Is the Bible True? New York: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., 1999.
Strobel, Lee. The Case for Christ. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1998.
______. The Case For a Creator. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2004.
Walsh, John Evangelist. Unraveling Piltdown. New York: Random House, Inc. 1996.
Whitcomb, John C. and Henry M. Morris. The Genesis Flood. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 1961.
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