APOL/THEO 697
THE THEOLOGY AND APOLOGETICS OF C. S. LEWIS
PROFESSOR: DR. DAVID BAGGETT
OFFICE INFO TBA
I.
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.
II.
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.
APOL 550 Syllabus
III.
PREREQUISITES
APOL 500
IV.
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
V.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR LEARNING
A. Computer Internet access (broadband recommended)
B. Microsoft Word (Microsoft Office available at a special discount to LU students.)
VI.
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:
A. Identify the philosophical dimensions and virtues of Lewis’s various arguments in
favor of Theism and Christian Theism.
B. Criticize on principled grounds the positions and arguments presented by and typical
of Lewis's work.
C. Describe their own life and worldview by applying the insights of Lewis to their own
situation and culture of life and inquiry.
D. Analyze Lewis's works by breaking down and explaining the parts of Lewis's
apologetic and philosophical orientations.
E. 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.
VII.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS
A. Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes
B. 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)
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APOL 550 Syllabus
C. 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).
D. Book Critique / 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)
E. 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).
F. 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).
VIII. 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.
1000
Total Points
B.
Scale
940-1000
A
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APOL 550 Syllabus
C.
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
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
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APOL 550 Syllabus
(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.
IX.
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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