UNIT TITLE:
UNIT CODE:
UNIT HOURS:
SEMESTER:
YEAR:
PRE-REQUISITE:
LECTURER:
APOLOGETICS
TH 407/DTH 223
3 HOURS
THREE
2021/2022
NONE
EDWARD ALIGULA
Course Purpose
The purpose of this course is to acquaint the student with Christian worldview as set forth
by the Scriptures and to equip the student to understand and respond effectively to modern
secular thinkers and secularism, religious pluralism and postmodern philosophy.
Expected Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, students will have:
1. Explained the biblical basis for the apologetic task.
2. Examined reasons to be confident in the truth of Scripture and the Christian faith.
3. Critique frequently encountered objections and challenges, both historical and
contemporary, that have been brought against to the Christian faith.
4. Recognize and evaluate various apologetic methodologies.
5. Integrate biblical, theological, philosophical, historical, and scientific arguments
for the truth of the Christian faith.
6. Model the skills necessary to communicate the Christian faith in a respectful,
persuasive, intellectually responsible, and culturally relevant way.
Course Contents
This course will cover the following topics:
1. Introduction to contemporary Apologetics
2. Various approaches to Apologetics
3. Elements of Apologetics
4. Steps in Apologetics
5. Cross cultural Apologetics
6. The problem of evil, social and aesthetic issues
7. Religious pluralism
8. Relationship between science and religion
9. Cultural authenticity
10. The verification of the Christian faith through personal experience
11. Relationship between science and religion
Mode of Delivery
Online Facilitation, Media presentation, discussion forums, research papers, examination
Instructional Materials/Equipment
Media platform, library resources
Course Assessment
Continuous assessment
Final Examination
30%
70%
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Course Requirements
Assignments shall be given through ODeL (Moodle) platform. However, those who are
taking this course via Microsoft Teams will be requirement to complete assignments
according to the instructions given. Only purely online students shall attempt all the
assignments appearing on ODeL.
Key Textbooks
House, H. W., & Jowers, D. W. (2011). Reasons for our hope: An introduction to
Christian apologetics.
Kigame, R. Christian Apologetics through African eyes. Nairobi: Posterity Publishers,
2018.
Books and Materials for Further Reading
A. E. McGrath, Christian Theology: An Introduction. Oxford: Blackwell, 1994.
Aida Besancon Spencer and William D. Spencer, Eds. The Global God: Multicultural
Evangelical Views of God. Baker Books, 1998.
Bocchino, P. and Geisler, N.L. Unshakable Foundations: Contemporary answers to
crucial questions about the Christian faith. Bloomington, Minnesota: Bethany House
Publishers, 2000.
Bruce Milne. Know the Truth A Handbook of Christian Belief. Leicester: IVP, 1982.
Campbell-Jack, Walter Campbell, Gavin McGrath, and C. Stephen Evans. New
dictionary of Christian apologetics. Inter-Varsity Press, 2006. Selected articles
Frame, J. Apologetics: A Justification of Christian Belief. Philipsburg, NJ: P & R
Publishing, 2015.
G. Bray, The Doctrine of God. Inter Varsity Press. London.
Geisler, N.L. The Big Book of Christian Apologetics: An A to Z Guide (A to Z Guides).
Ada, Michigan: Baker Books, 2012.
Gould, Paul M. Cultural Apologetics: Renewing the Christian Voice, Conscience, and
Imagination in a Disenchanted World, Grand Rapids, Zondervan, 2019.
J. S. Mbiti. Concepts of God in Africa. Acton Press, 2012.
Keller, Timothy. The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. Riverhead Trade,
2009.
Kreeft, Peter, and Ronald K. Tacelli. Pocket Handbook of Christian Apologetics.
InterVarsity Press, 2003.
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Kwesi Dickson and Ellingworth P. Biblical Revelation and African Beliefs. Orbis Books,
1969.
Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. San Fransisco,Carlifornia: HarperOne, 2015.
M. J. Erickson and Hustard L. A. Introducing Christian Doctrine, Baker Books.
Malcolm McVeigh: God in Africa: Conceptions of God in African Traditional Religion
and Christianity. MS: C. Stark, Cape Cod, 1974.
S. Ngewa, Mark Shaw and Tite Tienou, eds. Issues in African Theology. Nairobi; East
African Educational Publishers, 1998.
Saleeb, A. and Geisler, N.L. Answering Islam: The Crescent in Light of the Cross.
Ada, Michigan: Baker Books, 2012.
Wilbur, O’Donovan. Biblical Christianity in African Perspective. Paternoster Press, 1998
Zacharias, R, and Geisler N. Who Made God?: And Answers to Over 100 Other Tough
Questions of Faith. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2003.
Zacharias, R. Why Jesus?: Rediscovering His Truth in an Age of Mass Marketed
Spirituality. Nashville, Tenesee: FaithWords, 2012.
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