SYLLABUS
Birmingham Theological Seminary
2200 Briarwood Way
Birmingham, AL 35243
205-776-5650
Spring 2016
Work Phone: 205-552-5597
AP8553 Christianity and Competing Worldviews
Cell Phone: 205-532-4250
Professor: Rev. Clete Hux
Class Hours: 2
Email address: clete@arcapologetics.org
Time: Tuesday, 7:30-9:30 PM
Room: A209
COURSE PURPOSE
The purpose of this course is to compare and contrast the Biblical worldview of Christianity to other
competing worldviews. These worldviews will include Theism, Monotheism, Deism, Atheism,
Naturalism, Pantheism, Panentheism, Postmodernism, Process Theology and Polytheism. There will be
special emphasis given towards specific strategy to engage adherents of competing worldviews.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. The student will be able to understand Worldviews and their impact upon individuals and
society.
2. The student will be able to understand the differences between the Christian worldview and
competing worldviews
3. The student will be able to understand the foundation of Western culture and its survival.
4. The student will be able to understand how social networks are shaping cultural perspectives.
5. The student will be able to understand how a Christian is to live biblically in the midst of
competing worldviews.
COURSE TEXTS
Required Texts: (Masters Degree)
Myers, Jeff and David A. Noebel. Understanding the Times: A Survey of Competing Worldviews.
Publisher: David C. Cook, September 1, 2015. ISBN-10: 1434709582
Sire, James W. The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog, 5th Edition 2009
Publisher: IVP Academic; October 21, 2009. ISBN-10: 0830838503
Anderson, James N. What's Your Worldview? An Interactive Approach to Life's Big Questions
Publisher: Crossway January 31, 2014. ISBN-10: 143353892X
Geisler, Norman and William D. Watkins. Worlds Apart: A Handbook on World Views; Publisher:
Wipf & Stock Pub; 2 Reprint edition January 9, 2003. ISBN-10: 1592441262
Required Text: (Certificate)
Myers, Jeff and David A. Noebel. Understanding the Times: A Survey of Competing Worldviews.
Publisher: David C. Cook, September 1, 2015. ISBN-10: 1434709582
Geisler, Norman and William D. Watkins. Worlds Apart: A Handbook on World Views; Publisher:
Wipf & Stock Pub; 2 Reprint edition January 9, 2003. ISBN-10: 1592441262
Collateral Texts:
Huffman, Douglas S. and Philip E. Lueck. Christian Contours: How a Biblical Worldview Shapes
the Mind and Heart. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2011
Schaeffer, Francis A. How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and
Culture. Old Tappan, NJ, 1976
Beckwith, Francis and William Lane Craig and J. P Moreland. To Everyone an Answer: A Case for
the Christian Worldview. Downers Grove, IL. IVP, 2004.
Samples, Kenneth Richard. A World of Difference: Putting Christian Truth – Claims to the
Worldview Test. Grand Rapids, MI. Baker Books, 2007
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Class attendance: more than two unexcused absences drops final grade one letter grade.
2. Completion of reading assignment on time.
3. Masters Degree Requirement: Apologetic/Evangelistic Encounters Verbatim. Each
student will write two reports of an apologetic /evangelistic encounter on two different
topics/issues (discussed in class) with adherents of any competing worldview. Further
instruction will be provided. Certificate Requirement: Apologetic/Evangelistic
Encounters Verbatim. Each student will write one report of an apologetic /evangelistic
encounter on one topic/issue (discussed in class) with adherents of any competing
worldview. Further instruction will be provided.
APOLOGETIC VERBATIMS GUIDELINES*
Masters Degree Requirement You will be asked to do two apologetic
verbatims: A verbatim is an exact written report of an apologetic conversation.
You should follow these guidelines. Certificate: Required to do one verbatim.
1.
The conversation should be about apologetic topics, and they must be
with people with whom you disagree about the topic under discussion. The
apologetic portion of the conversation should be a minimum of 30 minutes in
length. You may have some get-acquainted time at the beginning. This should
be included in your written report (unless it is unduly long--in which case it can
be summarized), but you should not include the introductory part of the
conversation in counting the 30 minutes of apologetic conversation.
2.
The apologetic conversation should be more than an exchange of ideas.
You should listen to your friend's ideas, but you should do more than listen.
You should seek to defend your own views more than merely contrast your
friend's views with yours. You should seek to defend your own position in
some way so that your friend sees that you have reasons for your views. Or
alternatively, you should seek to show your friend why you believe his or her
view on some point is inadequate. But do not simply report your beliefs to each
other; tactfully try to make some progress in reaching agreement on some issue
or another.
3.
Afterward, you are to report word-for-word, to the best of your ability,
every line of conversation. Tape recorders are not allowed; this is also an
exercise in careful listening and recollection. Your reports should be a
minimum of 7 typed, double-spaced pages.
4.
After you report the conversation, summarize your reactions in 3-4
pages. At a minimum, discuss (1) any strong points you made that seemed
particularly helpful, (2) any puzzling questions you were unable to answer, (3)
some indication of how your friend responded (including body language), and
(4) your assessment of the conversation as a whole. It would be good to make
some judgments about where you need more study as well as where specific
areas you have studied seemed to be helpful.*Adapted from David K. Clark,
"How Should We Teach Apologetics?" Bulletin of the Evangelical
Philosophical Society 12 (1989): 1-11.
4. Masters Degree Requirement: Completion of two papers 2 to 3 pages long. Each will be a
book critique. Choose one of the collateral texts on the second page of this syllabus. The
other book critique is to be a book listed in the Selected Bibliography of this syllabus.
Certificate Requirement: Completion one paper 2 to 3 pages long. It will be a book
critique. Choose one of the collateral texts on the second page of this syllabus or a book
listed in the Selected Bibliography of this syllabus.
Each critique should observe the following:
Begin your critique with the bibliographic information (Title, author, publisher, place and
date of publication) of the book you have chosen to critique.
Write a brief summary of the main theme and any major secondary themes of the author.
I do not want a book review. I already know the content. Just give me enough to show you
have read and digested the material.
Include your analysis of the arguments the author sets forth. Your analysis should be
focused primarily upon how faithfully you think the author has interpreted and applied
the Scripture.
Evaluate how they have either succeeded or failed in taking into account all of Scripture
(in other words, is it a systematic argument or simply a use of some isolated proof texts?)
citing instances from the book to support your evaluation.
Tell me why you agree or disagree with their conclusion(s), using the Scriptures to
support any differing views you may hold.
Conclude with a paragraph that states what you have gained personally AND
professionally from reading this book.
5. Mid-term and/or final exam. A comprehensive exam (essay format) will be given at the end
of the course.
GRADING
1. Class attendance: more than two unexcused absences drops final grade one letter grade.
2. Completion of reading and ability to participate in discussion 10% of grade.
3. Two apologetic verbatim are worth 20% each for a total of 40% of grade.
4. Two short papers on assigned book critiques 25% of grade.
5. Final exam 25% of grade.
BTS FORMAT AND STYLE STANDARDS
BTS uses the Turabian style of formatting as a standard for papers. However, students should regard
individual professor preferences if they communicate any variance in outlining their requirements for
papers, as in this class (see below). Professors retain discretion in determining how “formal” a paper
must be. In this technological age, information is readily available; make sure that you understand
about giving reference sources the proper recognition.
COURSE OUTLINE
Reading Schedule for Masters Degree Students
January
Lecture
Reading
19
Lesson 1
Course Syllabus & Introduction
(Geisler & Watkins) Introduction.
(Sire) Chapter 1
(Anderson) Introduction: Part 1,
Questions 1-5
(Myers & Noebel) Chapter 1
26
Lesson 2
Theism
(Geisler & Watkins) Chapter 1
(Sire) Chapter 2
(Anderson) Part 1 Questions 6-10, Part 11,
Theist & Quasi-Theist Worldviews
(Myers & Noebel) Chapter 8
February
2
Lesson 3
Christian Monotheism
(Anderson) Questions 9-10;13-16; Part 3:
Worldview: Christianity
(Myers & Noebel) Chapter 2
9
Lesson 4
Islamic Theism
(Sire) Chapter 10
(Anderson) Part 1, Questions 17 & 18; Part
III, WV: Islam & Non-Mainstream
Monotheism
(Myers & Noebel) Chapter 3
16
Lesson 5
Atheism
(Geisler & Watkins) Chapter 2
(Anderson) Part II, Atheist WVs; Part III,
Dualism & Idealism
(Myers & Noebel), Chapters 4 & 5
23
Lesson 6
Deism
(Geisler & Watkins) Chapter 5
(Sire) Chapter 3
(Anderson) Part III, Worldview Deism
Lesson 7
Finite Godism
(Geisler & Watkins) Chapter 6
(Sire) Chapter 4
(Anderson) Part II, Finite Theist WVs;
Part III, WVs Finite Godism
(Myers & Noebel) Chapter 9
March
1
SPRING BREAK/ DON’T MEET
8
15
Lesson 8
Nihilism
(Sire) Chapters 5 & 6
(Anderson) Part III, WVs Nihilism
(Myers & Noebel), Chapters 9-11
22
Lesson 9
Pantheism
(Geisler & Walkins) Chapter 3
(Sire) Chapters 7 & 8
(Anderson) Part 1 Question 11; Part III,
WVs Monoism & Pantheism
(Myers & Noebel) Chapters 6, 12 & 13
29
Lesson 10
Panentheism
(Geisler & Watkins), Chapter 4
(Anderson) Part III, WVs Panentheism
(Myers & Noebel) Chapters 14 & 15
5
Lesson 11
Polytheism
(Geisler & Watkins) Chapter 7
(Anderson) Part III, WVs Polytheism
(Myers & Noebel) Chapters 16 & 17
12
Lesson 12
Pluralism
(Geisler & Watkins) Appendices A & B
(Anderson) Part III, WVs Pluralism
(Myers & Noebel) Chapter 18
19
Lesson13
Postmodernism
(Geisler & Watkins) Conclusion &
Glossary
(Size) Chapters 9 & 11
(Anderson) Part III, WVs Materialism,
Mysticism, Platonism, Relativism, and
Skepticism
April
FINAL EXAM/ BOOK CRITIQUES/ APOLOGETIC VERBATIMS
Reading Schedule for Certificate Students
January
Lecture
Reading
19
Lesson 1
Course Syllabus & Introduction
(Geisler & Watkins) Introduction.
(Myers & Noebel) Chapter 1
26
Lesson 2
Theism
(Geisler & Watkins) Chapter 1
(Myers & Noebel) Chapter 8
February
2
Lesson 3
Christian Monotheism
(Myers & Noebel) Chapter 2
9
Lesson 4
Islamic Theism
(Myers & Noebel) Chapter 3
16
Lesson 5
Atheism
(Geisler & Watkins) Chapter 2
(Myers & Noebel), Chapters 4 & 5
23
Lesson 6
Deism
(Geisler & Watkins) Chapter 5
March
1
Lesson 7
Finite Godism
(Geisler & Watkins) Chapter 6
(Myers & Noebel) Chapter 9
SPRING BREAK/ DON’T MEET
8
15
Lesson 8
Nihilism
(Myers & Noebel), Chapters 9-11
22
Lesson 9
Pantheism
(Geisler & Watkins) Chapter 3
(Myers & Noebel) Chapters 6, 12-13
29
Lesson 10
Panentheism
(Geisler & Watkins), Chapter 4
(Myers & Noebel) Chapters 14 & 15
5
Lesson 11
Polytheism
(Geisler & Watkins) Chapter 7
(Myers & Noebel) Chapters 16 & 17
12
Lesson 12
Pluralism
(Geisler & Watkins) Appendices A & B
(Myers & Noebel) Chapter 18
19
Lesson13
Postmodernism
(Geisler & Watkins) Conclusion & Glossary
April
FINAL EXAM/ BOOK CRITIQUES/ APOLOGETIC VERBATIMS
Bibliography
Bertreand, J. Mark. Thinking Worldview: Learning to Think, Live and Speak in this World.
Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2007
Cosgrove, Mark P. Foundations of Christian Thought: Faith, Learning, and the Christian
Worldview. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2006
Goheen, Michael W. and Craig G. Bartholomew. Living at the Crossroads: An Introduction to
Christian Worldview. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2008
Harris, Robert A. The Integration of Faith and Learning: A Worldview Approach. Eugene, OR:
Cascade Books, 2004
Burnett, David. Clash of Worlds: What Christians Can Do in a World of Cultures in Conflict.
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Copan, Paul. How Do You Know You’re Not Wrong: Responding to Objections that Leave
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Copan, Paul. That’s Just Your Interpretation: Responding to Skeptics Who Challenge Your Faith.
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Etue, Kate and Tim Baker. Why So Many Gods? Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2002.
Godawa, Brian. Worldviews: Watching Films with Wisdom & Discernment. Downers Grove:
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