PE006-712 - Christian Critical Thinking

  • 2,784 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 12
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 7
    AQF level
  • Category developing unit
    B
  • philosophy ethicsUnit Discipline

Corequisites

96cps of study, including 36 cps at AQF level 6

Exclusions

Prior to 2020, this unit content was delivered under the unit code PE406.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Functional knowledge and understanding of Christian Critical thinking.

B. Be able to

1. Discuss the nature and importance of Critical thinking in Christian life and thought

2. Demonstrate skills in Christian Critical thinking

3. Present Critical evidence-based perspectives on Christian Critical thinking

C. Be in a position to

1. Applying perspectives from ‘Christian Critical Thinking’ to contemporary Christian life and ministry practice as a reflective practitioner

Content

Section A: The nature and importance of critical thinking

  • The nature of critical thinking: understanding, evaluating, and making a case.
  • Arguments and logic: different types of argument; the strength of various arguments; identifying and avoiding logical fallacies.
  • Epistemology: understanding how people come to their beliefs; theories of truth; the epistemic duties of the Christian in evaluating/justifying their beliefs.
  • Disposition and critical thinking: cognitive biases; epistemic virtues and vices.
  • The art of critical thinking: the skills involved in speaking and persuading well.
  • The Bible and critical thinking: Jesus as philosopher and the type of arguments offered for faith in the Bible
  • The history of Christian critical thinking: the scholastics & classical critical thinking; the rise of scepticism and modern apologetics.
  • Failures in Christian critical thinking: the exegesis and arguments of cults and heretics.

Section B: Utilizing critical thinking in Christian life and ministry

  • Critical thinking in Biblical theology: exegesis, hermeneutics and homiletics; recognizing exegetical fallacies
  • Critical thinking in theological discussion: developing a well thought out hermeneutic; discussing theological issues virtuously; theologizing well in the public arena and social media.
  • Critical thinking in preaching/teaching: crafting the sermon/bible study as an argument.
  • Critical thinking in apologetics: evaluating and developing apologetic arguments.
  • Critical thinking in evangelism: arguing persuasively for the Christian faith.
  • Critical thinking in pastoral care: recognizing the barriers to proper theological discussion in the Christian community.

Set Readings

Prescribed:

Virkler, Henry. A Christian’s Guide to Critical Thinking, Eugene: Wipf and Stock, 2005.

Weston, Anthony. A Rulebook for Arguments. Indianapolis: Hackett, 2000.

Carson, D.A., Exegetical Fallacies, Baker Academic: Grand Rapids, 1996.

 

Recommended:

 

Allen, Diogenes. Philosophy for Understanding Theology. Atlanta: John Knox, 1985.

Baggini, Julian and Peter S. Fosl. The Philosopher’s Toolkit: A Compendium of Philosophical Concepts and Methods. Malden: Blackwell, 2003.

Baggini, Julian and Jeremy Stangroom, eds. What Philosophers Think. London: Continuum, 2003.

Brown, Colin. Philosophy and the Christian Faith. Downers Grove: IVP, 1968.

DeWeese, Garrett J. and J. P. Moreland. Philosophy Made Slightly Less Difficult: A Beginner’s Guide to Life’s Big Questions. Downers Grove: IVP, 2005.

Geisler, Norman L. and Ronald M. Brooks. An Introduction to Logical Thinking. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000.

Geisler, Norman L. and Paul D. Feinberg. Introduction to Philosophy: A Christian Perspective. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1980.

Kreeft, Peter and Tacelli, Ronald K. Handbook of Christian Apologetics, Downers Grove: IVP, 1994.

Margolis, Joseph. Introduction to Philosophical Problems. London: Continuum, 2006.

Moreland, J. P. and William Lane Craig. Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview. Downers Grove: IVP, 2003.

Moser, Paul. The Evidence for God, Cambridge University Press, 2010.  

Pirie, Madsen. How to Win Every Argument: The Use and Abuse of Logic. London: Continuum, 2006.

Plantinga, Alvin. Warranted Christian Belief, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999.

Roberts & Wood, Intellectual Virtues: An Essay in Regulative Epistemology, Clarendon: Oxford, 2007.

Sire, James W. Scripture Twisting: 20 Ways the Cults Misread the Bible, Downers Grove: IVP, 1980.

Swinburne, Richard. The Existence of God, Clarendon Press, 2004.

Tavris, Carol and Elliot Aronson, Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions and Hurtful Acts Harcourt Books: Orlando, 2007.

Warburton, N., Thinking from A to Z, Routledge: New York, 2007.

Willard, Dallas. “Jesus, the Logician,” Christian Scholars Review 28, 4 (1999): 607

Zacharias, Ravi. Can Man Live Without God, Thomas Nelson, 2004.

 

Classics:

Aquinas, Thomas, Summa Theologia.

Lewis, C.S., Mere Christianity.

Sayers, Dorothy. The Lost Tools of Learning.

Schaeffer, Francis. The God Who is There.