Introduction to Christian Apologetics
When: Monday evenings, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. September 13 – November 29
Where: Trinity Church, 300 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824
Instructors: Dr. John M. DeMassa, Dr. Ray Pennoyer, Rev. Chip Anderson, Rev. Henry Brehm
Textbooks: William Lane Craig, On Guard: Defending Your Faith with Reason and Precision (2010); Norman L. Geisler and Ronald M. Brooks, When Skeptics Ask: A Handbook on Christian Apologetics (1990; reprint 2008); Timothy Keller, The Reason for God: Faith in an Age of Skepticism (2008). Other materials may be assigned.
Course Objectives: This course is designed for anyone interested in learning more about apologetics. We will review fundamentals related to apologetics elaborating on essential questions challenging the modern church. The course will examine the nature of apologetics, comparative religions, God, Science and the Bible, the resurrection, the person of Jesus, interpretive issues, problems in Christian history and special contemporary topics. There will also be an emphasis on practical training of students to address their specific questions and challenges.
Schedule of Classes:
| Fall Semester | Fall 2010 |
| Session 1: Introduction to Christian Apologetics (and to the Course) Geisler, ch. 1: The Need to Answer Every Man Craig, ch. 1: What is Apologetics? Craig, ch. 2: What Difference Does It Make If God Exists? Keller, Introduction |
Sept. 13 |
| Session 2: Classic Arguments for the Existence of GodGeisler, ch. 2: Questions About God Craig, ch. 3: Why Does Anything at All Exist? Craig, ch. 4: Why Did the Universe Begin? Keller, ch. 8: The Clues of God |
Sept. 20 |
| Session 3: On Comparative Religions and Competing Truth ClaimsGeisler, ch. 3: Questions About Other Gods Geisler, ch. 12: Questions About Truth Keller, ch. 1: There Can’t Be Just One True Religion Keller, ch. 11: Religion and the Gospel (12 pages) |
Sept. 27 |
| Session 4: On God, Evil, and Human SufferingGeisler, ch. 4: Questions About Evil Craig, ch. 7: What About Suffering? Keller, ch. 2: How Could a Good God Allow Suffering? |
Oct. 4 |
| Session 5: Science and the Bible I – Friend or Foe? Geisler, ch. 5: Questions About Miracles Keller, ch. 6: Science has Disproved Christianity Keller, Intermission part 2, pp. 117-123 |
Oct. 11 |
| Session 6: On Jesus – His Existence, Ministry, Claims, and Purpose of His Death Geisler, ch. 6a: Questions About Jesus Christ, pp. 101-118 Craig, ch. 8: Who Was Jesus? Keller, ch. 7a: You Can’t Take the Bible Literally, pp. 97 – 109 Keller, ch. 12: The (True) Story of the Cross |
Oct. 18 |
| Session 7: On Jesus – His ResurrectionGeisler, ch. 6b: Questions About Jesus Christ, pp. 118-140 Craig, ch. 9: Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? Keller, ch. 13: The Reality of the Resurrection |
Oct. 25 |
| Session 8: On the Bible – Reliability, Text, and InterpretationGeisler, ch. 7: Questions About the Bible Keller, ch. 3: Christianity is a Straightjacket |
Nov. 1 |
| Session 9: On the Bible – Specific Moral and Historical DifficultiesGeisler, ch. 8: Questions About Bible Difficulties Geisler, ch. 9: Questions About Archaeology Craig, ch. 10: Is Jesus the Only Way to God? Keller, ch. 5: How Can a Loving God Send People to Hell? Keller, ch. 7b: You Can’t Take the Bible Literally, pp. 109-114 |
Nov. 8 |
| Session 10: Science and the Bible II – Questions of OriginsGeisler, ch. 10: Questions About Science and Evolution Craig, ch. 5: Why is the Universe Fine-Tuned for Life? (Probably supplemental reading) |
Nov. 15 |
| Session 11: On the Nature and Destiny of Human BeingsGeisler, ch. 11: Questions About the Afterlife Geisler, ch. 13: Questions About Morals Craig, ch. 6: Can We Be Good Without God? Keller, ch. 9: The Knowledge of God Keller, ch. 10: The Problem of Sin Keller, ch. 14: The Dance of God |
Nov. 22 |
| Session 12: The Challenge of Christian HistoryKeller, ch. 4: The Church is Responsible for So Much Injustice Keller, Intermission part 1, pp. 115-117 Keller, Epilogue: Where Do We Go from Here? |
Nov. 29 |
Attendance: Very important.
Homework: Projects or questions from each topic may be assigned for each session. These assignments are the responsibility of the student and should not be taken lightly. They will be collected, recorded and count toward your final grade.
Classes will meet in the Church sanctuary.
Details Subject to Change
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