APOL 520 History of Christian Apologetics

Studies of how Christians have explained and defended their beliefs and behavior in various historical and cultural contexts will help prepare modern Christians to do the same in their own religiously diverse world. These studies will analyze how Christians have responded to accusations and heretical ideas within specific contexts with a view toward effectively sharing the truth of the gospel throughout the modern world.

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After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will complete three Discussions in this course. The student will post one thread of at least 400 words in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. In addition to the thread, the student must reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 200 words. For each thread, students must support their assertions with at least two scholarly citations in Turabian format. Each reply must incorporate at least one scholarly citation in Turabian format. Any sources cited must have been published within the last five years. Acceptable sources include the course materials. (CLO: A, B, C, D)

Research Paper: Topic and Focus Selection Assignment

The student will prepare a document which includes the following: the focused area of the paper, a starting bibliography of 5 titles (2 primary sources and 3 secondary sources) in current Turabian format, and a list of issues to be addressed.

Research Paper: Crafting the Argument Assignment

The student will prepare a document which includes the following: a working thesis for the paper, a description of the argument of the paper, a final outline for the paper, and a final bibliography containing at least 12 sources in current Turabian format.

Research Paper: Final Paper Assignment

The student will write a 3,600-word research-based paper in current Turabian format that focuses on one of the following topics: the ontological argument; God, evil, and suffering; or the reality of hell. The paper must include at least 12 sources in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E)

An adequate understanding of the effectiveness of Pascal’s Wager is available only through testing it. While the specific 17^th century context in which Pascal wrote cannot be replicated, the “Wager” appeals to basic human sentiments and intuitions. The purpose of this assignment is to assess the apologetic significance of Pascal’s Wager. The student must read chapter 6 of Edgar and Oliphint (2011) as a preparation for this assignment. Then the student will have a conversation in which he/she presents the argument to another person and discusses it. This assignment will be submitted utilizing a provided template and must be at least 2 pages. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E)

For this assignment, the student will be reviewing G.K. Chesterton’s “Orthodoxy.” This review must be at least 1,000 words and in current Turabian format. Published in 1908, “Orthodoxy” is a classic work of Christian apologetics that articulates Chesterton’s personal journey towards faith and his defense of traditional Christian beliefs. This book offers profound insights into the nature of faith, reason, and the human condition, making it a fitting subject for scholarly analysis in this course.