TAP 500 -- BASIC APOLOGETICS Instructor: Jack Cottrell
Course Assignments -- Spring 2010 Three Credit Hours
A. RATIONALE.
From the very beginning of Christianity, the followers of Jesus Christ have believed not only that he is the divine Savior and the risen Lord, but also that the Biblical world view in general is the one and only true world view. Such a commitment is intended to be made not on the basis of "blind faith" but on the basis of rational, objective evidence. Christians are told to be "ready to make a defense to every one who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15, NASB). The Greek word for "defense" is apologia, from which the word "apologetics" comes. Thus the necessity for making a rational defense of Christianity has always been incumbent upon Christians, and this has never been more true than in the present day, in view of the many diverse challenges that are being hurled against their faith. Such a course as this is thus a natural part of the curriculum of a seminary that stands in the mainstream of historic, conservative Christianity.
B. OBJECTIVES. Upon completion of this course the student should --
1. Have a clear understanding of the evaluative function of human reason.
2. Have a clear understanding of the nature of the major objections to the truth of the Christian world view, and be able to respond to them.
3. Have a clear understanding of the major arguments for the truth of the Christian world view, and be able to explain them to others.
4. Have a firm confidence in the validity of his or her own personal faith in Jesus Christ.
C. GENERAL INFORMATION.
1. Absence Policy. This course meets Tuesday from 12:30 to 3:10 p.m., January 19 through May 10, 2010. You are expected to attend every class session. If an absence is necessary, you should make arrangements with another student to record the class, and then listen to the recording. Three absences may require extra work; four absences may result in exclusion from the course.
2. Class Sessions. For each class session you should bring to class a Bible (NASB or ESV preferred but not required) and a course outline (available online). Do not eat meals in class.
3. Grade Determination. Completed reading ...... 10%
Two book reviews, @ 15% ...... 30%
Mid-term exam ...... 30%
Final exam ...... 30%
4. The professor reserves the right to make changes in the assignments as deemed necessary.
D. ASSIGNMENTS.
1. Reading Reports. The following items must be read by the dates indicated in the schedule below; on each of those dates the student should turn in on a 3x5 card a simple statement indicating that the reading assignment for that date has been completed.
a. MAIN TEXTBOOK: William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics, third ed. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2008.
b. Excerpts from miscellaneous writings as indicated in the weekly schedule below.
2. Book Reviews. The student must prepare written reviews of two books. One will be read and reviewed by everyone: Michael J. Behe, Darwin's Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution (2nd ed., New York: Free Press, 2006). The second will be chosen from the following list. These reviews should each be 1,500 to 2,000 words in length and must be submitted on the dates indicated in the schedule below. (Put the word count on the cover sheet.)
Baggett, David J., ed. Did the Resurrection Happen? A Conversation with Gary Habermas and Antony Flew (Veritas Forum Books). Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2009.
Barfield, Kenny. The Prophet Motive: Examining the Reliability of the Biblical Prophets. Nashville: Gospel Advocate, 1995.
Brantley, Garry K. Digging for Answers: Has Archaeology Disproved the Bible? Montgomery, AL: Apologetics Press, 1996.
Cowan, Steven B., ed. Five Views on Apologetics. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000.
Davis, Stephen T. God, Reason, and Theistic Proofs. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997.
Davis, Stephen T., ed. Encountering Evil: Live Options in Theodicy. 2 ed. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 2004.
Erickson, Millard J. Postmodernizing the Faith: Evangelical Responses to the Challenge of Postmodernism. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998.
Geivett, R. Douglas; and Gary R. Habermas, eds. In Defense of Miracles: A Comprehensive Case for God's Action in History. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1997.
House, H. Wayne, ed. Intelligent Design 101: Leading Experts Explain the Key Issues. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2008.
McDowell, Josh; & Sean McDowell. Evidence for the Resurrection. Ventura, CA: Regal, 2009.
McGrath, Alister E. Science and Religion: An Introduction. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell, 1998.
Peterson, Michael, et al. Reason & Religious Belief: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion, 4 ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2008.
Powell, Doug. Holman Quick Source Guide to Christian Apologetics. Nashville: Holman Reference, 2006.
Ross, Hugh. The Creator and the Cosmos: How the Greatest Scientific Discoveries of the Century Reveal God, 3rd ed. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2001.
Wood, W. Jay. Epistemology: Becoming Intellectually Virtuous. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1998.
3. Suggested Contents for Book Reviews.
A book review should attempt to answer the following questions. First, what is the writer's overall purpose? What does he hope to accomplish with the book? What main point is he trying to make?
Second, how well does the writer accomplish his purpose? Does he cover the subject adequately? Does he leave any loose ends, any questions unanswered? Does he treat all viewpoints fairly and take account of all the options? Such questions as these must be answered only in terms of the author's intended purpose.
Third, are there logical or theological weaknesses or errors in the author's presentation? Are his conclusions really supported by the evidence presented? Are his presuppositions legitimate? Is his thinking Biblical? To answer such questions as these, the reviewer must read the book critically. He must not simply report what the book says, but must evaluate what is said.
Fourth, what is the value or usefulness of the book? Who would profit most from reading it?
A reviewer need not and probably should not slavishly outline his review according to the four categories mentioned above. All the elements should be included, but the form will vary according to the nature of the book being reviewed.
E. WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS.
Jan. 19 -- First class session.
Jan. 26 -- Read D. Elton Trueblood, General Philosophy, chs. 3-6. Report.
Feb. 2 -- Read Craig, up through p. 90. Report.
Feb. 9 -- Read Jack Cottrell, What the Bible Says About God the Creator, pp. 419-442; and What the Bible Says About God the Ruler, ch. 11. Report.
Feb. 16 -- Read Craig, pp. 93-156. Report.
Feb. 23 -- Read Craig, pp. 157-204. Report.
Mar. 2 -- Read Craig, pp. 207-283. Report.
Mar. 9 -- Spring break, no class.
Mar. 16 -- Read Craig, pp. 287-407. Take-home mid-term exam distributed.
Mar. 23 -- Completed take-home exam to be turned in at the beginning of the session.
Mar. 30 -- Read John Montgomery, History and Christianity (Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1986). Report.
Apr. 6 -- Submit Review of Behe.
Apr. 13 -- Come to class.
Apr. 20 -- Come to class.
Apr. 27 -- Come to class.
May 4 -- Submit Review #2.
May 1 -- Final Exam.
F. Communicating with the professor: E-mail -- (school)
(home)
Phone -- 513-244-8166 (office); 812-637-9628 (home)
Address -- 2700 Glenway Avenue, Cincinnati OH 45204
Basic Apologetics
Bibliography
Cincinnati Bible Seminary -- Spring 2010
(* = recommended texts)
General Works
The Apologetics Study Bible. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2007. Features articles by leading apologists.
Bahnsen, Greg L. Van Til’s Apologetic: Readings and Analysis. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1998.
*Beckwith, Francis J., William Lane Craig, and J. P. Moreland. To Everyone an Answer: A Case for the Christian Worldview. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2004.
Bartholomew, David J. Uncertain Beliefs: Is It Rational to be a Christian? Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1996.
Bauman, Michael, David Hall, and Robert Newman, eds. Evangelical Apologetics: Selected Essays from the 1995 Evangelical Theological Society Convention. Camp Hill, Penn.: Christian Publications, 1996.
Boa, Kenneth D., and Robert M. Bowman, Jr. Faith Has Its Reasons: An Interactive Approach to Defending Christianity. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2001.
Boyd, Robert. A. Boyd’s Handbook of Practical Apologetics: Scientific Facts, Fulfilled Prophecies and Archaeological Discoveries That Confirm the Bible. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1996.
Bruce, F. F. The Defense of the Gospel in the New Testament. Rev. ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1977 (first ed., 1959).
Butler, Joseph. The Analogy of Religion, Natural and Revealed, ed. Joseph Cummings. New York: Eaton and Mains, 1903 (printing of 1875 ed., which is slightly revised from the 1860 ed. prepared by William Fitzgerald. Butler’s first edition was published in 1736).
Butt, Kyle. Out with Doubt. Montgomery, AL: Apologetics Press, 2001. Thirteen lessons, esp. for youth: existence of God, inspiration of Scripture, resurrection of Christ, dinosaurs, age of the earth, miracles, etc.
*Campbell-Jack, W. C.; & Gavin McGrath, eds. New Dictionary of Christian Apologetics. Downers Grove: IVP, 2006.
Campolo, Anthony. We Have Met the Enemy, And They Are Partly Right. Dallas: Word, 1985. A good examination of the classic attacks upon middle-class Christianity.
Carnell, E. J. The Case for Orthodox Theology. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1959.
Carnell, E. J. An Introduction to Christian Apologetics. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1948. (6th ed. Alhambra, Calif.: Green Leaf Press, 1996).
Carson, D. A. The Gagging of God. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996.
Clark, David. Dialogical Apologetics: A Person-Centered Approach to Christian Defense. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1993; reprint, 1999.
Clark, Kelly James. Return To Reason: A Critique of Enlightenment Evidentialism and a Defense of Reason and Belief in God. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990.
Copan, Paul; & William Lane Craig, eds. Passionate Conviction: Modern Discourses on Christian Apologetics. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2007. Essays by Moreland, Wright, Beckwith, Habermas, N. T. Wright, etc.
Corduan, Winfried. No Doubt About It: The Case for Christianity. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1997.
*Cowan, Steven B., ed. Five Views on Apologetics. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000. (The classical, evidential, presuppositional, Reformed epistemology, and cumulative case methods.)
*Craig, William Lane. Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics, 3rd. ed. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 2008; original edition: Apologetics: An Introduction, Chicago: Moody, 1984;
Dembski, William A., and Jay Wesley Richards, eds. Unapologetic Apologetics: Meeting the Challenges of Theological Studies. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2001. Exposes naturalistic presuppositions of mainline theology as related to contextualism, errancy, feminism, incarnation, universalism.
Edgar, William; & K. Scott Oliphint, eds. Christian Apologetics Past and Present: A Primary Resource Reader, vol. 1, to 1500. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2009. Excerpts, e.g., from Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Augustine, Anselm, Savonarola.
Evans, C. Stephen. Why Believe? Reason and Mystery as Pointers to God. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998.
Faust, David. Taking Truth Next Door: Offering Honest Answers to 21st-Century Seekers. Cincinnati: Standard, 1999.
Fisher, George Park. Manual of Christian Evidences. New York: Scribner’s, 1897.
Follis, Bryan A. Truth with Love: The Apologetics of Francis Schaeffer. Wheaton: Crossway, 2006.
Frame, John. Apologetics to the Glory of God: An Introduction. Phillipsburg, N.J.: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1994. A good modern presentation of presuppositional apologetics. Highly regarded by D. A. Carson.
*Gardner, Lynn. Christianity Stands True: A Common Sense Look at the Evidence. Joplin, Mo.: College Press, 1994.
*Geisler, Norman L. Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics. Grand Baker, 1999. A fine evangelical reference.
*Geisler, Norman L. Christian Apologetics. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1976. (Revised edition, 1988.)
*Geisler, Norman L., and Ron Brooks. When Skeptics Ask: A Handbook of Christian Evidences. Grand Baker, 1990.
Geisler, Norman L.; & Chad V. Meister, eds. Reasons for Faith: Making a Case for the Christian Faith. Wheaton: Crossway, 2007.
*Geisler, Norman L., and William D. Watkins. Worlds Apart: A Handbook on World Views. 2 ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1989.
Glynn, Patrick. God: The Evidence -- The Reconciliation of Faith and Reason in a PostsecularWorld. Rocklin, Calif.: Prima Publishing, 1997. A very popular and well-reviewed book that claims the scientific discoveries of the past 25 years have supported the existence of God.
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Hamilton, Floyd. The Basis of Christian Faith, rev. ed. New York: Harper & Row, 1964.
Hoover, Arlie J. Dear Agnos: Letters to an Agnostic In Defense of Christianity. Joplin, Mo.: College Press, 1992, orig. Dear Agnos: A Defense of Christianity, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1976. Church of Christ author.
House, H. Wayne; & Joseph M. Holden. Charts of Apologetics & Christian Evidences. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006.
Hunt, Dave. In Defense of the Faith: Biblical Answers to Challenging Questions. Eugene, Or.: Harvest, 1996.
Kreeft, Peter and Ronald K. Tacelli. Handbook of Christian Apologetics. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 1994. A mini-encyclopedia of apologetics.
Lewis, Gordon Russell. Testing Christianity’s Truth Claims: Approaches to Christian Apologetics. Chicago: Moody, 1976. Reprint: Lanham, Md.: University Press of America, 1990.
*Mayers, Ronald. Both/And: A Balanced Apologetic. Chicago: Moody, 1984. Reprint: Balanced Apologetics: Using Evidences and Presuppositions in Defense of the Faith. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publishing, 1996.
*McDowell, Josh. The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1999.
McGrath, Alister. A Passion for Truth. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 1996.
McGrath, Alister. Glimpsing the Face of God. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002.
McGrath, Alister. Intellectuals Don’t Need God and Other Modern Myths: Building Bridges to Faith Through Apologetics. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993.
Moreland, J. P. Scaling the Secular City. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1987.
Morris, Henry. Many Infallible Proofs. 2 edition. Green Forest: Master Books, 1996.
Morris, Thomas V. Francis Schaeffer’s Apologetic: A Critique. Chicago: Moody, 1976.
Murray, Michael J., ed. Reason for the Hope Within. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999. By American Christian philosophers. Many relevant chapters.
Nash, Ronald. Faith and Reason: Searching for a Rational Faith. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1988. Very good conservative introduction.
Nash, Ronald. Worldviews in Conflict: Choosing Christianity in a World of Ideas. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1992.