HILLSDALE FREE WILL BAPTIST COLLEGE Phil 1122: Christian Apologetics Course Syllabus INSTRUCTOR: Mr. Denny R. Kuhn Tel. (405) 912-9064 (Home) (405) 990-5805 (Cell) COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is a study of the case for Christianity and a critical evaluation of common objections to Christian claims. Attention will be given to ways in which apologetic considerations affect ministry and personal evangelism. This course is designed to prepare the student to share the Christian faith with another person in a responsible manner. REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS: Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 2001. (ISBN 0-06-065292-6) Little, Paul. Know Why You Believe. Colorado Springs, CO: Cook Communications Ministries. 5 th ed., 2003. (ISBN 1-56476-754-X) Strobel, Lee. The Case for Christ. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1998. (ISBN 0-310-20990-7) Holy Bible (Version of your preference) COURSE OBJECTIVES: 1.) Clearly explain and demonstrate man s need of salvation. 2.) Clearly explain and demonstrate God s plan for the salvation of man. 3.) Explain why and what Christian s ought to believe concerning orthodox Christianity. 4.) Develop an understanding of the Christian faith as a worldview. 5.) Defend the Christian faith against competing worldview claims. 6.) Develop an understanding of the Christian faith as the true philosophy for our world and life views. LEARNING ACTIVITIES: The methods of learning employed during the course include lecture, discussion, small group work, reading assignments and writing, testing, and other activities that seem relevant to the topics as the course develops. COURSE REQUIREMENTS: 1. Class participation is required of all students. This involves consistent daily attendance,
making verbal contributions to class discussion, and demonstrating mental connection to the topics of discussion. You will receive 100 attendance points and for each class meeting you miss you will lose 5 points. If you miss class because of school-sponsored activities, you will be given an opportunity to make up any attendance points lost. 2. Reading assignments must be completed as assigned. In order to participate in class discussions the student needs to read the assigned reading before class sessions. Quizzes will be given periodically in order to help students be responsible for completion of these reading assignments. 3. Short writing assignments will be given which will enable the student to engage the course material and develop his/her ideas and critical thinking skills. These will consist of critical analyses, response, and/or summary papers. 3. Three section tests will be given throughout the course (including the final exam). Makeup tests will be permitted only if there is a legitimate reason for missing class on test day (sickness, with a doctor s statement, or an official college activity, in which case an activity form was provided prior to the stated activity). The student who needs to makeup a test must request permission to do so and must complete the test within 2 class days of returning to class. 4. Each student will write a research paper (page length required=5-8 pages) on an apologetic issue approved by the course instructor. This will be due two weeks prior to the final exam (unless otherwise noted by the instructor). MODELING RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY: GRADING: 1. The instructor will model respect for God, students, and Hillsdale College by guarding his actions and words both inside and outside the classroom. 2. The instructor will show respect and responsibility toward students by fulfilling his duties as instructor with care, punctuality, and integrity. 3. The student will show respect for God, fellow students, instructor, and the College by guarding his or her actions and words both inside and outside the classroom. 4. The student will demonstrate responsibility by fulfilling all course requirements with care, punctuality, and integrity. 5. Each class participant will follow Paul s admonition in 1 Cor. 10:31, Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Class Participation 100 points A = 651-700 (93%) Reading Quizzes 100 points B = 616-650 (88%) Short Writ. Assigns. 100 points C = 539-615 (77%) Examinations 300 points D = 490-538 (70%) Research Paper 100 points F = 0-489 Total 700 points
CLASS CANCELLATION: In cases of inclement weather or natural disasters Hillsdale FWB College will follow the decision of the Moore Public Schools for class delays or cancellations. Students should consult local radio and television stations for the announcements. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Any student in this course who has a verifiable disability that may prevent him or her from fully demonstrating his or her learning should contact the instructor personally, as soon as possible, to discuss accommodations necessary to ensure full participation and facilitate equal educational opportunities. SUPPORT SERVICES: Any student in this course who needs special assistance should engage in study groups, tutoring, or academic intervention. Appointments with the instructor can be arranged for occasional tutoring. The LRC and computer lab provide opportunities for research and in-depth learning beyond that which is available in the textbook. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Primary Bibliography Ankerberg, John and John Weldon. Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 1999. (ISBN 0-7369-0074-8) Behe, Michael. Darwin s Black Box. New York, NY: Free Press, 1996. Brown, Michael L. Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000. (BV4922.B76) Chesterton, G.K. The Everlasting Man. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 1993. (ISBN: 0-89870-444-8) Corduan, Winfried. No Doubt About It: The Case for Christianity. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Pub., 1997. (ISBN 0-8054-1647-1) Cowan, Steven B. and Stanley N. Gundry. Five Views on Apologetics. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2000. (BT1102.F465) Craig, William Lane and J.P. Moreland. Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003. (BR100.M68) Dembski, William A. Intelligent Design. Madison, WI: InterVarsity Press, 1999. (BL240.2.D46)
Geisler, Norman L. Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999. (BT1102.G42). Ed. Inerrancy. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1980. (BS480.I42) Geivett, R. Douglas and Gary R. Habermas. In Defense of Miracles. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997. (BT97.2.I5) Honderich, Ted. Ed. The Oxford Companion to Philosophy. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1995. (B51.094 1995) Johnson, Luke Timothy. The Real Jesus. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 1996. (BT301.9.J64) Johnson, Phillip E. Reason in the Balance. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1995. (BT1200.J64) Kelly, Douglas F. Creation and Change. London: Christian Focus Publications, 2002. Kreeft, Peter. Between Heaven & Hell. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1982. (PS3561.R3817B4 1982). Christianity for Modern Pagans. San Francisco, IL: Ignatius Press, 1993. (ISBN:0-89870-452-9). C.S. Lewis for the Third Millennium. San Francisco, IL: Ignatius Press, 1994. (ISBN: 0-89870-523-1). Handbook of Christian Apologetics. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994. (BT1102.K724 1994) Lewis, C.S. The Abolition of Man. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 2000. (LB41.L665). Christian Reflections. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1995. (ISBN 0-8028-0869-7). God in the Dock. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2002. (ISBN 0-8028-0868-9). Miracles. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers, 2000. (BT97.2.L49). The Problem of Pain. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 2000. (BT732.7.L48) Martin, Walter. The Kingdom of the Cults. Hank Hanegraaff. Ed. Minneapolis, MN: Bethany
House Publishers, 1997. (ISBN 1-55661-714-3) McDowell, Josh. Evidence That Demands a Verdict. Vol. 1. San Bernardino, CA: Here s Life Publishers, 1979. (ISBN 0-918956-46-3). Evidence That Demands a Verdict. Vol. 2. San Bernardino, CA: Here s Life Publishers, 1993. (ISBN 0-8407-4379-3) McDowell, Josh and Bob Hostetler. Beyond Belief to Conviction. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2002. (BT1103.M33) Nash, Ronald H. Faith & Reason: Searching for a Rational Faith. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1988. (BT50.N36). Christian Faith & Historical Understanding. Dallas, TX: Probe Ministries International, 1984. (BR115.H5N37). The Concept of God. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1983. (BT130.N37). Life s Ultimate Questions: An Introduction to Philosophy. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1999. (BR100.N27 1999) Pascal, Blaise. Pensees. Trans. A.J. Krailsheimer. London: Penguin Books Ltd., 1995. Reppert, Victor. C.S. Lewis s Dangerous Idea. Downer s Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003. (BX5199.L53R47) Sire, James W. The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997. (B823.3.S56) Strobel, Lee. The Case for a Creator. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2004. (BT103.S77 2004). The Case for Faith. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2000. (BT1102.S77) Zacharias, Ravi. Can Man Live Without God? Dallas, TX: Word Publishing, 1994. (BR128.A8Z33). Jesus Among Other Gods. Nashville, TN: Word Publishing, 2000. (ISBN 0-8499- 4263-2). The Lotus and the Cross. Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, 2001. (ISBN 1-57673-854-X)