Christian Apologetics

Section A: Apologetics and the Nature of Truth

1. How do people come to knowledge and belief? An exploration of the epistemological context and presuppositions that underpin the task of Christian apologetics.

2. The definition of apologetics; its relation to theology, study of religion, mission and the relationship of the church to culture

Section B: Critiques of Christian Faith in Historical Context and Christian Responses

Major critiques of the Christian faith and corresponding apologetic models are treated in tandem according to historical emphases

Pre-modern: the reliability of the Scriptures; the historicity of Christ and his Resurrection, the Apologists, Augustine, Aquinas

Modern: atheism, pantheism, monism, deism, divine providence and miracles; scientific method; evil and suffering, the Enlightenment, Darwinism

Postmodern: relativism, non-realism, religious pluralism, distrust of the church, secular humanism

Section C: Contemporary Alternatives to Christian Belief

May include, but is not limited to: agnostic humanism, New Atheism, scientism, materialism, transhumanism, other world religions and the “spiritual but not religious” designation.

This unit expects 150 hours of work from you in total, or around 10-12 hours each week over the semester. This volume of learning includes working through the learning materials and required learning tasks, additional reading and self-directed study, and working on assessment items, and for online units this includes participation in any online forums.