B221 Apologetics

Text Books:

1. The Bible. (Preferably a modern translation such as the NIV.)
2. Norman L. Geisler. Christian Apologetics. Grand Rapids: Baker
       Also recommended: Norman L. Geisler and Thomas Howe. When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties. Wheaton: Victor Books
       Books may be purchased through Amazon.com.

Course Description:

       The course is designed to explain how to present a reasoned defense of the gospel; the student will be exposed to the various attacks that have been leveled at the Bible and Christianity, whether religious, historical, or scientific. Rebuttals to the challenges, and the evangelistic opportunities they present will be deomonstrated.

Course Overview:

I. Introduction
II. Theistic Evidence
III. Basic Presuppositions
IV. The Gospel
V. Jesus

Procedure:

       Read Geisler's Book, Christian Apologetics and the lectures below. Then answer the following questions (minimum of two paragraphs per question.)

1. Give a definition of apologetics.
2. Give scriptural justification for apologetics.
3. Discuss four evidences for the existence of God.
4. What did Hume say regarding miracles? How would you respond to Hume?
5. What is Occam's Razor?
6. What is meant by "God-of-the-gaps?"
7. What is Philo's response to the teleological argument? How would you respond to Philo?
8. What are presuppositions?
9. If there is a God, how can we know anything about him?
10. What is a major fallacy in thinking about God that one needs to beware of?
11. What is culture shock?
12. What are eight basic guiding principles for Bible Study? Discuss them in some detail.
13. Discuss the principle of noncontradiction.
14. What is doublethink?
15. What is the problem with tradition? Explain.
16. What is grammatical and historical interpretation of the Bible?
17. What is the value of knowledge?
18. What are the two revelations of God? Explain.
19. Can the universe be separated into the natural and supernatural? Why or why not?
20. What is the gospel?
21. Using the Bible, demonstrate salvation by grace through faith.
22. Reconcile salvation by grace through faith and good works.
23. Define the doctrine of the Trinity.
24. Demonstrate that Jesus is God, using scripture.

All Lectures Below Must Be Completed:

Introduction
Mystical Experience Argument
First Cause Argument
Teleological (Design) Argument
Moral Argument
Basic Presuppositions
Theological Method
What of Knowledge?
The Gospel
The Trinity
The Genealogy of Jesus
Specific Objections and Responses