APOL 550 Syllabus

APOL/THEO 697

The Theology and Apologetics of C. S. Lewis

Professor: Dr. David Baggett

Office Info TBA

  1. Course Description

An introduction to the theology and apologetics of C. S. Lewis (1898-1963), perhaps the foremost Christian apologist of the 20th century. The course will discuss a bit of his fiction and more his prose to uncover and assess both his operative theology and his apologetic arguments—from his Trilemma to his argument from desire, his moral argument for God’s existence to his argument from reason.

  1. Rationale

With the increasing emphasis on apologetics in many quarters of Christianity, it is important to understand the strategies and style of the foremost Christian apologist of the 20th century. Lewis as a wonderful writer of fiction, an Oxford don, and a defender of the faith has much to offer prospective contemporary theologians and apologists. Both his philosophically sophisticated ideas and the way in which he expressed them with such simplicity and power are well worth careful examination and emulation. The appeal of the thought of Lewis to the Christian mind is surprisingly resilient and appears not to be waning in the more than half century since his death. It makes sense to take a careful look and pleasant portion of this important Christian thinker’s arguments and claims and to appreciate the enduring significance of his insights.

“Good philosophy must exist, if for no other reason, because bad philosophy needs to be answered.”

C. S. Lewis, from The Weight of Glory (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1949), p. 50.

“Every age has its own outlook. It is specially [sic] good at seeing certain truths and specially liable to make certain mistakes. We all, therefore, need the books that will correct the characteristic mistakes of our own period. And that means the old books.”

C. S. Lewis, in God in the Dock (Walter Hooper, ed., Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1984), p. 202.

  1. Prerequisites

APOL 500

  1. Required Resource Purchases

Bagget, David J., Gary R. Habermas, and Jerry L. Walls, eds. C. S. Lewis as Philosopher. Foreword by Thomas V. Morris. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2008. ISBN: 0830828087

Lewis, C. S. God in the Dock. New York: HarperCollins, 2014. ISBN: 0802808689

. Signature Classics. New York: HarperCollins, 2007. ISBN:0061208493

.The Four Loves. New York: Mariner Books, 1971. ISBN: 0156329301

  1. Additional Materials for Learning
  2. Computer Internet access (broadband recommended)
  3. Microsoft Word (Microsoft Office available at a special discount to LU students.)
  1. Measurable Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course students will understand the various positions and some important objections to, and defenses of, Lewis’s philosophy of the Christian faith.More particularly, the student will be able to:

  1. Identify the philosophical dimensions and virtues of Lewis’s various arguments in favor of Theism and Christian Theism.
  1. Criticize on principled grounds the positions and arguments presented by and typical of Lewis's work.
  1. Describe their own life and worldview by applying the insights of Lewis to their own situation and culture of life and inquiry.
  1. Analyze Lewis's works by breaking down and explaining the parts of Lewis's apologetic and philosophical orientations.
  1. Reconstruct Lewis's apologetic or Christian philosophical system for discussion and criticism from the constitutive parts that he presents in different parts of his literature.
  1. Course Requirements and Assignments
  2. Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes
  3. Student Presentations (2)

The student is required to provide two presentations on one chapter of the reading that demonstrates a working knowledge of the relevant assigned readings and an awareness of issues discussed in lectures and class discussion. The student will then answer questions from fellow students and the teacher. (Outcomes: A, B, C, D, E)

  1. Paper

Each student will write a paper that provides a comprehensive description and critique of one of the arguments for God’s existence that Lewis advanced. The paper will contain a detailed outline and a bibliography. The final paper should be 5-7 pages, and include at least 4 high-quality, scholarly sources (in addition to the course textbooks).The paper will be due within one week of the end of the class. (Outcomes: A, B, D, E).

  1. BookCritique / Response Paper

Each student will write a 6 page, two-part book review of C. S. Lewis as Philosopher. The first part of the paper will follow the structure of a standard academic essay and will include a summary of the book’s major themes, and an assessment of the book that takes into consideration its strengths and weaknesses. The second part of the paper will be a personal application and response to two specific chapters of the book. Both parts will be combined and submitted as one paper. It will be due within one week of the end of the class. (Outcomes: A, B, C, D, E)

  1. Final Exam

The exam will cover the assigned readings and lecture presentations. It will be given on the afternoon of the last class; a study guide will be provided in advance. (Outcomes: A, B, D, E).

  1. Screwtape Letter chapter exercise

This will be due during the intensive. It’s a creative writing exercise in which each student will need to write their own chapter in the voice of Screwtape to augment The Screwtape Letters. Each student will read their chapter in class. (Outcomes: C, E).

  1. Course Grading and Policies

A.Points

Screwtape Letter presentation / 100 pts.
Student Presentations (2 at 150 pts each) / 300 pts.
Book Review / 200 pts.
Paper / 200 pts.
Final Exam / 200 pts.
Total Points / 1000

B.Scale

940-1000 / A
920-939 / A-
900-929 / B+
860–899 / B
840–859 / B-
820–839 / C+
780–819 / C
760–779 / C-
740–759 / D+
700–739 / D
680–699 / D-
BELOW 679 / F

C.Assignment Policies

Please get all assignments in by the due date if at all possible. Late work may not be penalized at the instructor’s discretion in the event of a military deployment, medical emergency, death in the family, or other extenuating circumstances.

D.Attendance Policies

The student is obliged to follow the attendance policies identified in the graduate catalog.

E.Academic Misconduct Policies

Academic misconduct is strictly prohibited.See the graduate catalog for specific definitions, penalties, and processes for reporting.

F.Drop/Add Policies

The student is obliged to follow the drop/add policies identified in the graduate catalog.

G.Dress Code

The student is expected to maintain a neat, professional appearance while in class. The code is described in the graduate catalog and may be amended with guidelines by the school of study.

H.Classroom Policies

The use of cell phones will not be permitted. The use of computers is prohibited.

I.Disability Assistance

Students with a documented disability may contact the Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) in Green Hall 2668 to make arrangements for academic accommodations. For all disability testing accommodation requests (i.e. quieter environment, extended time, oral testing, etc.) the Testing Center (Green Hall 2700) is the officially designated place for all tests administered outside of the regular classroom.

J.Student Conduct Policy

The student is expected to conduct himself/herself in a Godly and civil manner when addressing the professor or other students. While good healthy discussion will be expected and encouraged, at no time will personal attacks be tolerated.

  1. Course Schedule: In our five classes together, every chapter from every book will be discussed in the lewis books, in this order: Signature Classics, God in the Dock, The Four Loves. This requires advanced reading.

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