PE007-612 - Christian Apologetics

  • 2,784 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 12
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 6
    AQF level
  • Category developing unit
    B
  • philosophy ethicsUnit Discipline

Exclusions

Prior to 2020, this unit content was delivered under the unit code PE420.

Exclusions: EM071, PC057

At the time of publication of this statement, ACT permits students to include up to 24cps from the following PE units as contributing towards the Ministry & Practice requirement of ACT awards, provided any unit(s) in question are not also counted towards Christian Thought requirements: PE001-512/712/812 Christian Ethics, PE002-612/712/812 Theological Ethics, PE003-612/712/812 Christian Social Ethics, PE007-612/712/812 Christian Apologetics.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Developing knowledge and understanding of Christian apologetics.

B. Be able to

1. Analyse the nature of Christian apologetics

2. Comment Critically on Critiques of Christianity from a Christian perspective

3. Present Analytical evidence-based perspectives on Christian apologetics

C. Be in a position to

1. Applying perspectives from ‘Christian Apologetics’ to contemporary Christian living and ministry contexts

Content

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.

Set Readings

Bailey, Justin Ariel, Reimagining Apologetics: The Beauty of Faith in A Secular Age (IVP Academic, 2020)

Beattie, Tina. The New Atheists: The Twilight of Reason and the War on Religion (Orbis Books, 2008)

Bentley Hart, David. Atheist Delusions: The Christian Revolution and its Fashionable Enemies (Yale University Press, 2009).

Chatraw, Joshua D. Telling A Better Story: How To Talk About God In A Skeptical Age (HarperCollins, 2021)

Gould, Paul M. Cultural Apologetics: Renewing The Christian Voice, Conscience, And Imagination In A Disenchanted World (HarperCollins, 2019)

Groothuis, Douglas. Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith (IVP, 2011)

Dawkins, Richard. The God Delusion (Black Swan, 2016) 

Dulles, Avery Robert. A History of Apologetics (Ignatius Press, 2nd Ed., 2005)

Edgar, William. Christian Apologetics Past and Present: A Primary Source Reader Vols 1 & 2 (Crossway Books, 2009)

Gundry, Stanley, Ed. Five Views on Apologetics (Zondervan, 2000).

McDowell, Sean. Apologetics for a New Generation (Harvest House Publishers, 2009)

McGrath, Alister. Mere Apologetics: How to Help Seekers and Skeptics Find Faith (Baker Books, 2012)

McGrath, Alister. Narrative Apologetics: Sharing the Relevance, Joy, and Wonder of the Christian Faith (Baker Books, 2019)

McGrath, Alister, Joshua D. Chatraw, and Benjamin K Forrest, Eds. The History of Apologetics: A Biographical and Methodological Introduction (HarperCollins, 2020)

McGrath, Gavin, and W. C. Campbell-Jack, Eds. New Dictionary of Christian Apologetics (IVP, 2006)

McLaughlin, Rebecca.  Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion (Crossway Books, 2019)

Moreland, J. P. And William Lane Craig, Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview; 2nd Ed.  (IVP, 2017)

Spufford, Francis, Unapologetic: Why, Despite Everything, Christianity Can Still Make Surprising Emotional Sense (HarperOne, 2014) 

Stackhouse, John G. Jr., Humble Apologetics: Defending the Faith Today (OUP, 2006)

Taylor, Charles.  A Secular Age (Cambridge MA, Harvard University Press, 2007)

Wainwright, William, Ed. The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Religion (Oxford University Press, 2007)

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