Apologetics
Cru – Institute of Biblical Studies
January 25-29, 2016
Instructor: Alan Scholes, Ph.D.
Course Description
This course will equip you to respond to basic objections to Christianity frequently
encountered in evangelism. Topics include: the existence of God, religious pluralism, the
fate of the unevangelized, the problem of evil, historical reliability of the Bible, the validity
of miracles, and several contemporary misunderstandings of Christianity.
Course Objectives
1. To develop a greater passion to lead others to into a deep, personal relationship with
Christ.
2. To understand the proper role of apologetics in ministry.
3. To gain an appreciation for some of the reasons Christians differ in their approaches to
apologetics.
4. To identify and examine several current challenges to the Christian faith including the
problem of evil, pluralism, inclusivism, and New Atheism.
5. To formulate biblical, thoughtful and culturally relevant responses to these objections.
6. To learn how to ask better questions as you discuss objections to the Christian faith.
7. To increase your skillfulness in the effective the use of apologetics in ministry.
8. To increase your personal confidence in your faith as you seek to persuade others to
follow Christ.
Required Texts
Allberry, Sam. Is God Anti-Gay? London, UK, The Good Book Company, 2013 (ISBN: 9781908762313) This little (75-page) book is available for under $10 from
bookdepository.com, barnesandnoble.com, and Amazon.com.
Copan, Paul. When God Goes to Starbucks. Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 2008 (ISBN: 9780801067433
Keller, Timothy. The Reason for God. New York, Riverhead Trade, 2009. (IBSN:
1594483493)
1
Assigned Readings (available online)
Grant, Jeff. “One Way to God?” Worldwide Challenge, Sept. 9, 2013, pp. 24-27.
Feinberg, Paul D. “Cumulative Case Apologetics” in Five Views on Apologetics, ed.
Steven B., Cowan, 148-72. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000.
Habermas, Gary R. and J. P. Moreland, “The Resurrection of Jesus” in Immortality:
The Other Side of Death (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1992), 54-72.
Netland, Harold A. & Keith E. Johnson, “Why is Religious Pluralism Fun—and
Dangerous?,” in Telling the Truth: Evangelizing Postmoderns, ed. D. A.
Carson (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000), 47-67.
Carson, D. A., “On Hearlding the Gospel in a Pluralistic Culture” in The Gagging of
God: Christianity Confronts Pluralism (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996),
491-514.
Phillips, Gary. “Religious Pluralism in a Postmodern World,” in The Challenge of
Postmodernism: An Evangelical Engagement, Dockery, David S., ed.
(Wheaton: Bridgepoint, 1995), 131-143.
Recommended for Further Reading
Copan, Paul. Is God a Moral Monster: Making Sense of the Old Testament God. Grand
Rapids: Baker Books, 2011.
Copan, Paul, ed. True For You, But Not For Me: Deflating The Slogans That Leave
Christians Speechless. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1998.
Cowan, Steven B., ed. Five Views on Apologetics. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000.
Craig, William Lane. “The Absurdity of Life Without God” in Reasonable Faith. Wheaton:
Crossway, 1984, 65-90.
Feinberg, John S. “God and Moral Evil” in The Many Faces of Evil: Theological Systems and
the Problem of Evil. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994, 165-190.
Halverson, Dean. C, ed. The Compact Guide to World Religions. Minneapolis: Bethany
House, 1996.
Koukl, Gregory. Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions. Grand
Rapids: Zondervan, 2009.
Netland, Harold. Encountering Religious Pluralism: The Challenge to Christian Faith and
Mission. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2001.
McGrath, Alister E. Intellectuals Don’t Need God. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993.
Pearson, Glenn. That’s a Great Question: What to Say When Your Faith is Challenged.
Colorado Springs: Cook Communications, 2007.
Tennent, Timothy C. Christianity at the Religious Roundtable. Grand Rapids: Baker
Academic, 2004.
Course Requirements
1. Reading: You are to master the content of the assigned text chapters and articles. You
may skim the readings if you are able by that method to master the basic arguments
offered on all sides of each issue. (For example: Copan ends each chapter with a
“Summary. You may want to read this first, then go back and read any corresponding
section in the chapter where you need, or would like, like more detail.)
2. Worksheets: You will complete six apologetic worksheets that will give you the
opportunity to apply what you have learned in the readings.
2
3. Project: The purpose of this course is to help you become more effective in use of
apologetics in the context of evangelism and follow up. During the course you will
complete a final project. You have four options from which to choose:
a) Evangelistic article: The article should be targeted to your specific ministry
audience (college students, high school students, athletes, etc.). It should
identify a specific objection to the Christian faith (e.g. problem of evil, religious
pluralism, fate of the unevangelized, etc.) and present a carefully crafted and
well-reasoned response. It is not a research paper. Your grade will be based on
(1) evidence of a good understanding of the nature of the problem and how it
challenges belief in Christian theism, (2) a well-reasoned response to this
problem, and (3) proper packaging (targeted toward an audience, good
introduction and conclusion). The article should be 5 to 8 pages in length. The
article should be typed, double-spaced, using 12-point type.
b) Follow-up Tool: Imagine you are sitting across the table from a believer
attempting to give a reasoned response to an apologetic issue. This tool would
help this person discover a scriptural viewpoint on an important apologetic
question. Some apologetic issues (e.g. resurrection of Christ, fate of the
unevangelized, Heaven and Hell, etc.) lend themselves more readily to this than
others. It must include appropriate Scripture related to the issue, carefully
chosen questions to aid discovery, logical progression of thought, and creative
packaging. Your grade will be based on (1) evidence of a good understanding of
the nature of the problem, (2) a well-reasoned scriptural response to this
problem, and (3) creativity in packaging (captivating introduction, illustrations,
several key points, and attractive visual layout). Note: if you wish, you may
organize this tool in outline form. However it is organized, you must use only
complete sentences (even for titles of main points). For ease of reading, it
should be double-spaced, use type no smaller than 12-point and be at least
three pages in length. There is no maximum length and you are encouraged to
include diagrams, art work, photographs, cartoons, etc..
c) Evangelistic Talk: The talk should contain about 30 minutes of content (about 45 pages of notes) and must interact with one apologetic issue. The talk should
be targeted to your audience (college students, high school students, athletes,
etc). It must identify a specific objection to the Christian faith and present a
carefully crafted and well-reasoned response. You will turn in a detailed outline
(typed) of the talk. “Detailed” means a clear statement of every thought/idea
you intend to communicate. Your introduction, conclusion, and illustrations must
be word for word. Even your outline points should be expressed in complete
sentences. Your grade will be based on (1) evidence of a good understanding of
the nature of the problem you discuss and how it challenges belief in Christian
theism, (2) a well-reasoned response to this problem, (3) creativity in
presentation, and (4) proper elements of a good talk (captivating introduction,
several key points, effective illustrations, and a conclusion). Your notes should
be double-spaced and no smaller than 12-point type.
3
d) Dialogical Discussions: You are to practice a dialogical discussion of the type
we’ve been learning in this course with two individuals. The individuals cannot
be people you know to be evangelical Christians, but you can choose any other
person. They must agree to a 30-minute discussion of their personal religious or
worldview beliefs. They must also agree for you to audio record your
conversation with a cell phone or other audio recording device. (Please have
them sign the release form available on the IBS website.) Since you will be audio
taping the discussion, this must be a live conversation. You may do it by phone,
Skype or other electronic means. However, text exchanges, even in real time, do
not qualify. You will write out in advance a series of at least 10 questions and/or
statements that you may use in the conversation (no upper limit on the number
of questions). You should attempt to share the gospel, in some manner, unless
the person makes clear that they are simply unwilling for you to do so.
You will turn in your prepared questions for each appointment (you may use the
same questions for both, if appropriate). You will also turn in a typed summary
of both conversations, with the names of those you spoke to altered to protect
their privacy. (Do not turn in the audio recordings.) Choose one of the
conversations and in 1-2 pages (single spaced, 12 pt. type), evaluate the
conversation. Your evaluation should include three parts: 1) a paragraph
describing who the person is, their relation to you, if any, and any other
information about them that is relevant to your critique; 2) how the conversation
went and what you might have done differently, if you could do the conversation
with that person over again; and 3) a plan for a second conversation with the
person, if they were open to it (what would you ask, what would you share, what
resources would you recommend—Bible portions, books, articles, videos, etc.)?
Reading Assignments: Due to the compressed nature of this course, you will need to have all of
the readings and Apologetic Worksheets completed before the classroom sessions begin.
J. Grant, “One Way to God?” Worldwide Challenge, Sept. 9, 2013, pp. 24-27.
P. Copan, Introduction, from When God Goes to Starbucks.
P. Feinberg, “Cumulative Case Apologetics,” from Five Views of Apologetics, 148-72.
T. Keller, Chapter 6, “Science Has Disproved Christianity,” from The Reason for God.
T. Keller, Chapter 8, “The Clues of God,” from The Reason for God.
T. Keller, Chapter 9, “The Knowledge of God,” from The Reason for God.
T. Keller, Chapter 13, “The Reality of the Resurrection,” from The Reason for God.
Habermas & Moreland, “The Resurrection of Jesus” from Immortality, 54-72
Apologetic Worksheet #1
T. Keller, Chapter 7, “You Can’t Take the Bible Literally,” from The Reason for God.
P. Copan, Chapter 11, “How Can the Psalmists Say Such Vindictive, Hateful Things?” from
When God Goes to Starbucks.
P. Copan, Chapter 12, “Aren’t the Bible’s ‘Holy Wars’ Just Like Islamic Jihad? Part One”
from When God Goes to Starbucks.
P. Copan, Chapter 13, “Aren’t the Bible’s ‘Holy Wars’ Just Like Islamic Jihad? Part Two”
from When God Goes to Starbucks.
P. Copan, Chapter 14, “Aren’t the Bible’s ‘Holy Wars’ Just Like Islamic Jihad? Part Three”
from When God Goes to Starbucks.
Apologetic Worksheet #2
T. Keller, Chapter 2, “How Could a Good God Allow Suffering?” from The Reason for God.
4
T. Keller, Chapter 5, “How Can a Loving God Send People to Hell?” from The Reason for
God.
Apologetic Worksheet #3
P. Copan, Chapter 7, “Don’t People from All Religions Experience God?” from When God
Goes to Starbucks.
T. Keller, Chapter 1, “There Can’t Be Just One True Religion.” from The Reason for God.
T. Keller, Chapter 11, “Religion and the Gospel,” from The Reason for God.
H. Netland & K. Johnson, “Why is Religious Pluralism Fun—And Dangerous?” from Telling
the Truth, 47-64.
D. A. Carson, “On Heralding the Gospel in a Pluralistic Culture” from The Gagging of God,
491-514.
Apologetic Worksheet #4
P. Copan, Chapter 17, “Why Are Christian Denominations So Divided?” from When God
Goes to Starbucks.
T. Keller, Chapter 3, “Christianity Is a Straightjacket,” from The Reason for God.
Gary Phillips, “Religious Pluralism in a Postmodern World” from The Challenge of
Postmodernism, 254-63.
S. Allberry, Whole book pp. 5-83 from Is God Anti-gay?
Apologetic Worksheet #5
P. Copan, Chapter 1, “Why Not Just Look Out for Yourself?” from When God Goes to
Starbucks.
P. Copan, Chapter 2, “Do What You Want” from When God Goes to Starbucks.
P. Copan, Chapter 4, “Why Is God So Arrogant?” from When God Goes to Starbucks.
T. Keller, Chapter 4, “The Church Is Responsible For So Much Injustice,” from The Reason
for God.
T. Keller, Chapter 14, “The Dance of God,” from The Reason for God.
Apologetic Worksheet #6
Lecture and Discussion Schedule
Monday, January 25
Introduction to Apologetics
Existence of God
Apologetic Worksheets 1-6 due at the beginning of class.
Choice of Project sheet is due by the end of the afternoon class.
Tuesday, January 26
Miracles and the Resurrection
Reliability of the Bible
Wednesday, January 27
Problem of Evil
and Inclusivism
Religious Pluralism
Thursday, January 28
Postmodernism
Intolerance, Sexual Ethics & Homosexuality
Your project is due at the beginning of class.
5
Your completed reading report is due at the beginning of class.
Friday, January 29
Other Social Issues and Christianity’s Influence
Discussion & Course Evaluation
Course Grade
Your course grade will be based on the following:
Apologetic Worksheets
Final Project
Reading Report
60%
30%
10%
(due at the beginning of class, Monday, 1/25)
(due at the beginning of class, Thursday, 1/28)
(due at the beginning of class, Thursday, 1/28)
Grading Scale
6
94-100%
A
92-93
A-
90-91
B+
84-89
B
82-83
B-
80-81
C+
74-79
C
72-73
C-
65-71
D
(No IBS Credit)
00-65
F
(No IBS Credit)
Reading Report: Apologetics
Name (please print) ________________________________________________________________
Bring this reading report to class on Thursday, January 28.
Date
Due
Monday
1/25
Assignment
% of Pages
Completed (if
all, write “all”)
J. Grant, “One Way to God?” Worldwide Challenge, Sept. 9, 2013, pp. 24-27.
P. Copan, Introduction, from When God Goes to Starbucks.
P. Feinberg, “Cumulative Case Apologetics,” from Five Views of Apologetics, 148-72.
T. Keller, Chapter 6, “Science Has Disproved Christianity,” from The Reason for God.
T. Keller, Chapter 8, “The Clues of God,” from The Reason for God.
T. Keller, Chapter 9, “The Knowledge of God,” from The Reason for God.
T. Keller, Chapter 13, “The Reality of the Resurrection,” from The Reason for God.
Habermas & Moreland, “The Resurrection of Jesus” from Immortality, 54-72
T. Keller, Chapter 7, “You Can’t Take the Bible Literally,” from The Reason for God.
P. Copan, Chapter 11, “How Can the Psalmists Say Such Vindictive, Hateful Things?”
from When God Goes to Starbucks.
P. Copan, Chapter 12, “Aren’t the Bible’s ‘Holy Wars’ Just Like Islamic Jihad? Part
One” from When God Goes to Starbucks.
P. Copan, Chapter 13, “Aren’t the Bible’s ‘Holy Wars’ Just Like Islamic Jihad? Part
Two” from When God Goes to Starbucks.
P. Copan, Chapter 14, “Aren’t the Bible’s ‘Holy Wars’ Just Like Islamic Jihad? Part
Three” from When God Goes to Starbucks.
T. Keller, Chapter 2, “How Could a Good God Allow Suffering?” from The Reason for
God.
T. Keller, Chapter 5, “How Can a Loving God Send People to Hell?” from The Reason
for God.
P. Copan, Chapter 7, “Don’t People from All Religions Experience God?” from When
God Goes to Starbucks.
T. Keller, Chapter 1, “There Can’t Be Just One True Religion.” from The Reason for
God.
T. Keller, Chapter 11, “Religion and the Gospel,” from The Reason for God.
H. Netland & K. Johnson, “Why is Religious Pluralism Fun—And Dangerous?” from
Telling the Truth, 47-64.
D. A. Carson, “On Heralding the Gospel in a Pluralistic Culture” from The Gagging of
God, 491-514.
P. Copan, Chapter 17, “Why Are Christian Denominations So Divided?” from When
God Goes to Starbucks.
T. Keller, Chapter 3, “Christianity Is a Straightjacket,” from The Reason for God.
Gary Phillips, “Religious Pluralism in a Postmodern World” from The Challenge of
Postmodernism, 254-63.
S. Allberry, Whole book pp. 5-83 from Is God Anti-gay?
P. Copan, Chapter 1, “Why Not Just Look Out for Yourself?” from When God Goes to
Starbucks.
P. Copan, Chapter 2, “Do What You Want” from When God Goes to Starbucks.
P. Copan, Chapter 4, “Why Is God So Arrogant?” from When God Goes to Starbucks.
T. Keller, Chapter 4, “The Church Is Responsible For So Much Injustice,” from The
Reason for God.
T. Keller, Chapter 14, “The Dance of God,” from The Reason for God.
I completed ___________ % of the required readings on or before Thursday 1/28
Signature _______________________________________________________________
7