CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS
Course Syllabus
Zion Bible College
TH 4381-01, 3 Credits
Spring 2011
Thursday, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. and
Friday 10:00-10:50 a.m.
Classroom Bldg., Room 204
Dr. Daniel W. Howell, Professor
Office: Academy Hall 116
Campus Phone: 478-3462
Office hours: Wednesday, 2:45-3:45 p.m. and Thursday, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Email: dhowell@zbc.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
A philosophical study and defense of the Christian faith as it relates to natural science,
humanism, reason, and experience. An emphasis is placed on the necessity of Christ’s
deity, His supernatural Incarnation, His substitutionary death, and His physical
resurrection. The intent is to instill an ability to defend the faith from a philosophical and
theological view.
OBJECTIVES:
1.
The student will demonstrate the factuality of the Christian religion.
2.
The student will understand the relationship between faith and reason.
3.
The student will know arguments for the existence of God.
4.
The student will be able to comprehend and explain, but not limited to, such
Christian truths as the reliability of the Bible, the deity of Jesus Christ, the
authority of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of Christ, the existence of God, the
inspiration and authority of the Bible.
5.
The student will, for positive evangelistic purposes, know how to remove
prejudices men and women may have against the Gospel.
6.
The student will demonstrate familiarity with the vocabulary peculiar to this field
of study.
7.
The student will learn how to apply the concept of apologetics to the Postmodern mindset.
8.
Based upon the students reading of the text, the lectures, and written
assignments, the student will be able to reflect on how the material has impacted
their personal spiritual growth throughout the semester.
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TEXTBOOKS AND REQUIRED MATERIALS:
1.
The Bible. (NASB is the professor’s choice)
2.
Kreeft, Peter and Tacelli, Ronald. Handbook of Christian Apologetics. Downers
Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994.
3.
Stackhouse, John G. Humble Apologetics. Oxford: Oxford University Press,
2002.
REQUIREMENTS:
1.
Reading and Written Assignments:
a.
The textbooks are to be read in totality. All chapters must be read prior to
the lecture covering the subject matter. Reading Cards are to be turned in
at the time of each examination.
b
The student will keep a Vocabulary Notebook. This notebook is to include
words given in class as well as words from the text the student may not
know. The student is responsible for finding the definition of the words.
By finding the definitions to words given in class the student will net a
score of 75, as long as the assignment is correctly completed and
formatted. The possibility for a 75-100 rests with the student identifying
and defining words he/she does not know. Each entry for the Vocabulary
Notebook is to include: a) the vocabulary word; b) the definition; c) the
source of the definition. The Vocabulary Notebook should be typed. With
today’s technology, one should be able to keep the words either
alphabetically or by chapter. The vocabulary notebook is due at each
exam.
c.
The student will write four (4) eight-hundred word essays/apoloetics
(about four pages double spaced). Please see the Essay Guidelines
handout for specifics and due dates. These essay’s/apologetic’s are
subject to the late project policy.
2.
Quizzes:
a.
There may be approximately three to six quizzes given throughout the
semester on assigned work and reading.
Quizzes will be both
unannounced or announced. Quizzes will cover vocabulary, class
lectures, and textbook materials. Quizzes cannot be made up.
3.
Examinations:
a.
There will be four exams throughout the semester.
b.
Please see the Course Schedule for the dates of the exams and the
material covered in each exam.
c.
The fourth exam will not be comprehensive, but the student will be
required to draw from material presented throughout the semester.
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POLICIES:
1.
Attendance:
a.
Students are expected to attend all class periods. Five absences are
granted for illness, personal matters, or for emergencies.
b.
Because the class is offered back to back, one extra absence is granted
(for a total of six absences). Please refer to the Student Handbook for
information on excessive absences.
c.
If the student comes in to class after attendance is taken, it is the
responsibility of the student to inform the professor of your attendance.
2.
Daily assignments must be completed by the due date. Late work will be
accepted but at a point loss of five points per day past the assigned date.
3.
Examination and Quiz Policy
a.
Exams can only be made up by the student according the following policy.
Students have one-week (seven days) from the original exam date to
make up the missed exam.
b.
In the case of illness, the student must notify the Resident Director of
his/her illness and secure from the Resident Director a “sick-slip.” The
student should fill out a “Make-Up Exam” request form. Forms are located
in the Office of the Academic Dean and the Office of Admissions. The
completed form is to be submitted to the Office of the Academic Dean for
approval and appropriate signature. The student will receive notification in
their campus mail, as will the faculty member. Once the student has been
approved to make up an exam he/she should schedule a time with the
faculty member. The student has one-week (seven days) from the date of
the original exam in which to make up the exam. The student will receive
a grade of zero “0” for an exam not made up within that one-week period.
c.
Students who miss an exam for non-illness reasons should fill out a
“Make-Up Exam” request form. Forms are available at the Office of the
Academic Dean and the Office of Admissions. The completed form is to
be submitted to the Office of the Academic Dean for approval and
appropriate signature. The student will receive notification in the campus
mail, as will the faculty member. Once the student has been approved to
make up an exam he/she should schedule a time with the faculty member.
All exams are to be made up within one week (seven days) of the original
exam, it is therefore imperative that a student attend to this as quickly as
possible. A fee of $5.00 will be added to the student’s account. The
student will receive a grade of zero “0” for any exam not made up within
that one-week period.
d.
The faculty member may deduct a maximum of 10 points for all nonillness related make-up exams.
4.
Project Extensions
Extensions will only be granted for the following four reasons: 1) hospitalization
for illness. A doctor’s note confirming such is required; 2) extended serious
illness that prevents a student from attending class. This requires a doctor’s note
and signature of verification from the student’s Resident Director; 3) funerals or
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family emergencies granted as an approved absence by the Academic Dean and
Dean of Students; 4) school-approved activities. If the student meets one of
these exceptions, a “Request for Extension Form” must be filled out. The form
can be obtained from the Office of Admissions or the Office of the Academic
Dean. If your paper is turned in after attendance is taken on November 5, you
will receive an automatic point deduction of five (5) points. For each twenty-four
hour period (this includes Saturday’s, Sunday’s and school breaks) the paper is
not turned in, there will be a forfeiture of five (5) points from the total points. If
the paper is not turned in within five twenty-four hour periods after the due date
and time, an automatic score of zero (0) will be entered for the grade with no
chance of making up the paper/grade. If a hard copy cannot be presented by the
specified time and hour, an email copy may be presented for verification of
completion with a hard copy following.
5.
Plagiarism Policy
Any material, whether published or unpublished, copied from another writer, must be
identified by use of quotation marks, block quotations, and documentation with specific
citation of the source. Paraphrased material must likewise be attributed to the original
author. As a school, intent on training men and women of integrity for the ministry Zion
takes plagiarism seriously.
a.
Plagiarism consists of the following categories:
i.
Use of another’s ideas without giving credit;
ii.
Quoting material from published or unpublished works, or oral
presentation, without giving proper citation;
iii.
Paraphrasing material, whether published or unpublished, written or
oral, without proper citation;
iv.
Copying another student’s paper, without that student’s permission.
b.
Any Student found guilty of plagiarism will be subject to, but not
necessarily limited to, the following discipline:
i.
Faculty discipline on first offense:
•
Reduction of grade
•
Failure of assignment
•
Letter of reprimand
ii.
Academic Affairs Committee discipline on successive offense(s).
Student will be subject to, but not necessarily limited to, the
following discipline:



Receiving an “F” for the course
Removal from any extracurricular activities (second offense)
Dismissal for one year (three or more offenses)
Faculty is to report all cases of plagiarism to the Dean of Academics in the form of a
“Plagiarism Report.”
6.
Cheating
Cheating consists of but is not necessarily limited to the following:
a.
Using unauthorized notes or material when taking an examination;
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b.
Copying answers to examination questions, obtaining, or helping others to
obtain, unauthorized copies of examination questions;
c.
Copying another person’s class work/assignments and/or homework and
submitting it as one’s own.
d.
Having another student do one’s paper, or any other assignment, in whole
or in part and submitting the assignment as one’s own work;
e.
Allowing another student to copy one’s paper;
f.
Copying another student’s paper with that student’s permission;
g.
Students found guilty of cheating will therefore be subject to, but not
necessarily limited to, the following discipline:

Receive an “F” for the assignment/course;

Dorming/Campusing

Suspension

Dismissal
GRADING CRITERIA:
1.
See Class Schedule for all due dates.
2.
Expectations and penalties for late assignments are stated under “Requirements”
or “Essay Guidelines for Apologetics” section. The Essays for this class are
considered projects and fall under the project policies.
MY EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
1.
To be in class and alert, to participate in class discussions, and to take notes.
2.
To do the assigned readings before coming to class in order to be able to
participate in discussion and to have a working knowledge of the concepts before
the lecture.
3.
To turn in all assignments, projects, and papers when attendance is taken, not to
turn in work for another student, not to turn in work after the due date and time.
4.
To bring their Bible and textbooks to class.
5.
To express individual opinions in a polite manner while respecting the opinions of
others.
6.
To abide by the Matthew 18 principle regarding the student/professor
relationship.
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If a student realizes they are beginning to or are falling behind in class work, I
expect the student to take the initiative to set an appointment in order that a plan
might be organized for the student to get their work caught up so their grade will
not be adversely affected.
INITIAL
COURSE
SCHEDULE - APOLOGETICS
DATE
READINGS
TOPIC
Jan. 20
Jan. 21
Kreeft and Tacelli: Ch. 1
Stackhouse: Ch. 7,11
Kreeft and Tacelli: Ch. 2
Introduction to Course;
Lecture: What is Apologetics?
Lecture: Faith and Reason
Lectures: Faith and Reason;
Systems of Thought
Jan. 27
Jan. 28
Feb. 3
Feb. 4
Essay Due: Faith and Reason
Feb. 10
Kreeft and Tacelli: Chapter 4
Feb. 11
Feb. 17
Feb. 18
Feb. 24
Feb. 25
Lecture: Systems of Thought
Lecture: Systems of Thought
Lecture: Systems of Thought
Lectures: Systems of Thought;
Various Theisms
Exam 01: Readings and
Lectures 1/9-1/30
Kreeft and Tacelli: Chapter 3
Kreeft and Tacelli: Chapters15
Apologetic Due: Argument for
the Existence of God
Exam 02: Readings and
Lectures2/4-3/3
Kreeft and Tacelli: Chapters 5
Lecture: Various Theisms
Lecture: Various Theisms
Lectures: Various Theisms;
Nature of Truth
Kreeft and Tacelli: Chapters 6
Lecture: Nature of Truth
Exam 2
Lecture: Defending the Miraculous
Lecture: Defending the Miraculous
Spring Break
Spring Break
Lecture: Evil and the Goodness of God
March. 24
Kreeft and Tacelli: Chapter 9,7
Lecture: Evil and the Goodness of God
Lecture: Defending the Bible;
Defending the Divinity of Christ
March. 25
Essay Due: Is Evil More Than
Disordered Love and Disordered
Will;
Kreeft and Tacelli: Chapter 8
Lectures: Defending the Resurrection;
Defending the Resurrection
March. 3
March. 4
March. 10
March. 11
March. 17
March. 18
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March. 31
April. 1
Kreeft and Tacelli: Chapters 10-12
April. 7
Stackhouse: Chapter 1
Lectures: Defending the Resurrection;
Is There Life After Death?;
Defending the Idea of Hell
Lecture: Defending the Idea of Heaven
Lectures: Defending the Idea of
Heaven;
Pluralism
April. 8
Exam 03: Kreeft and Tacelli,
Chapters 5-12 and
Lectures 3/3-3/26
Exam 3
Lecture: Postmodernity
April. 14
April. 15
April. 21
April. 22
April. 28
April. 29
May. 4
Bold=2 Hr.
Blocks
Stackhouse: Chaptesr 2,3,4
Stackhouse: Chapter 5
Kreeft/Tacelli: 13,14
Stackhouse: Chapters 6,7
Apologetic Due: Is Christianity
the Only True Religion?;
Stackhouse: Chapters 8-10
Stackhouse: Chapters 11,
Conclusion
Finals Begin
Bold = Exam/Assignments
Lectures: Postmodernity;
Is Christianity Plausible?;
Christianity and Consumerism;
What is Conversion?
Lecture: Deciding about Religion;
Apologetic Conversation
Easter Break
Lectures: Apologetic Conversation;
Audience Specific Apologetics
Lecture: Audience Specific Apologetics
Lectures and Readings 4/2-4/23
Bold = No Class
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Exam 1
Exam
02
LECTURES
TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS
What is Apologetics
Faith and Reason
Systems of Thought
K-T - Chapters 1-2
Stackhouse - Chapter 7,11
Vocabulary words, Chapters 1-2,
ESSAYS
Relationship Between Faith and
Reason
Vocabulary Words, Chapters 3-4
and 15
Select one of the twenty arguments for
the existence of God that interests you
Variety of Theisms
The Nature of Truth
K-T - Chapters 3-4; 15
Exam
03
Exam
04
Defending the Miraculous
Vocabulary Words, Chapters 5-12
The Problem of Evil
Defending the Bible
Defending the Divinity of Christ
Defending the Resurrection of Christ
Defending the Concept of Life After Death
Defending the Idea of Heaven
Defending the Idea of Hell
K-T - Chapters 5-12
Vocabulary Words, Chapters 13,
Pluralism
14,16 and all of Stackhouse
Post Modernism
Plausibility and Christianity
Consumerism and Christianity
Defining Conversion
Deciding About Religion
Apologetic Conversation
K-T - Chapter 13, 14, 16
Stackhouse - Entire Book
2/7/2016
Is Evil More than Disordered Love and
Disordered Will?
Is Christ one way to salvation?
ESSAY/APOLOGETIC GUIDELINES FOR APOLOGETICS
1.
The essay’s/apologetic’s for Apologetics are formal essay’s and will follow the
structure of The Zion Manual and A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses,
and Dissertations by Kate L. Turabian, 7th edition.
2.
Each essay/apologetic is to be a minimum of eight hundred (800) words,
excluding your title page and bibliography. You will receive a reduction in points
if the minimum is not met. Your essay’s/apologetic’s are to be typed in a true
type font using 12-point font. No exceptions. Footnotes are to be used and not
endnotes. You are to have a minimum of two sources per essay/apologetic in
addition to any textbooks you use. None of the sources are to be from the
Internet. The student is to type the word count at the bottom of the last page.
3.
You will be allowed one spelling error, one grammar/syntax error, one formatting
error, and one punctuation mistake per page. After that, each error will be a one
point deduction taken from your grade. This sounds misleading, like the form
grade of the paper is not important. You will receive a one (1) point deduction
for each incomplete/illogical sentence, no grace mistakes. From previous
papers, after the two grace mistakes, I would expect a minimum of somewhere
between 5 and 7 points to be taken off each paper for these form mistakes. If
your content grade is a 95, the reduction in points for form mistakes could reduce
your grade from an “A” to a “B.”
4.
The due dates are:
a.
Feb. 4; Essay - For the Christian, what is the relationship between faith
and reason?
b.
Feb. 25; Apologetic - Select one of the twenty arguments for the existence
of God that interests you
c.
Mar. 25; Essay - Is personal evil more than disordered love or disordered
will?
d.
April 28; Apologetic - Is Christianity the Only True Religion?
The essays/apologetics are due at the beginning of class. If your essay is turned
in after attendance is taken on the due date you will receive an automatic point
deduction of five (5) points. If you turn the essay/apologetic in the following day,
it will be an additional five (5) points off. Each day thereafter will be a forfeiture of
five (5) points off the total points. This includes Saturday’s, Sunday’s and any
school holidays. Please make sure your printer is in correct working order, you
cannot use your printer as an excuse for turning your paper in late.
6.
If English is your second language, please have the CAD or someone proficient
in English either proof your paper or help you in the process of writing your
paper. If the paper comes to me and it is not in proper English grammar, it will
be returned for correction and one letter grade will be deducted.
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VOCABULARY WORDS
CHAPTER
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0
1
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1
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WORD
a posteriori
epistemology
existentialism
metaphysical
ontological
certitude
empiricism
nominalism
summa
object of faith
propositions
syllogism
gluons
muons
univocal
cosmology
Manichaeism
ethereal
law of non-contradiction
spatial
Machiavellian
synapses
condensation
knave
heliocentric
juxtaposes
a fortiori
a priori
avatar
Elysian Fields
paucity
Manichaean dualism
posit
genus
monism
mysticism
empiricism
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Allen, Diogenes. Christian Belief in a Postmodern World. Louisville: Westminster/John
Knox Press, 1989.
Boyd, Edward and Gregory Boyd. Letters From a Skeptic. Colorado Springs: Scripture
Press Publications, 1994.
Carson, D.A. The Gagging of God. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996.
Clark, David. Dialogical Apologetics. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1993.
Cowan, Steven, ed. Five Views on Apologetics. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000.
Geisler, Norman. Christian Apologetics. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1976.
Groothuis, Douglass. Truth Decay, Defending Christianity Against the Challenges of
Postmodernism. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000.
Kaufman, Walter, ed. The Portable Nietzsche. New York: Penguin Books, 1976.
McDowell, Josh. Evidence That Demands a Verdict. United States: Campus Crusade
for Christ, 1972.
_____. More Evidence That Demands a Verdict.
Morris, Thomas V. Making Sense of it All, Pascal and the Meaning of Life. Grand
Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1998.
Otto, Rudolf. The Idea of the Holy. Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1976, reprint.
Pascal, Blaise. Pensees. Harmondsworth, England: Penguin Books, 1985, reprint.
Stackhouse, John G. Can God Be Trusted? Faith and the Challenge of Evil. Oxford:
Oxford University Press, 1998.
Strobel, Lee. The Case for Christ. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, _____.
_____. The Case for Faith. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000.
Wells, David. Above All Earthly Powers. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans
Publishing Co.. 2005.
Zacharias, Ravi, ed. Beyond Opinion. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2007.
Spring 2011