APOL 320 Apologetics and the Gospel

This course examines key questions related to the identity and ministry of Jesus, particularly as it relates to the historicity of the New Testament’s portrayal of Jesus. Primary attention is given to examining historical evidence related to Jesus’ existence, his ministry, miracles, deity, death, and resurrection as well as understanding Jesus as a part of the larger biblical story.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Apologetics covers a wide range of disciplines because there are many areas in which people doubt and are skeptical. One such discipline in which Christians will encounter skeptical claims and/or arguments centers on the birth, life, ministry, death, deity, and resurrection of Jesus. In order to engage faithfully and efficiently with such claims and/or arguments, Christian apologists must be well versed in the historicity of the life of Christ as well as have a sound understanding of how the Gospel writers and the Apostle Paul tell the story of Jesus.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

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

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each Discussion. Each thread must be at least 300 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 1 other classmate’s thread. Each reply must be at least 200 words. For each thread, the student must support his/her assertions with at least 2 scholarly citations in Turabian format. For each reply, the student must incorporate at least 1 scholarly citation in Turabian format. (CLO: A, B)

Reading Reflection Assignments (3)

The three Reading Reflection assignments form a coordinated sequence that guides the student from personal theological reflection to deeper analytical engagement with the course’s themes. Together they ask the student to compare modern methods of verifying historical claims with those used to assess the reliability of the Gospel accounts, to examine how the Cross and Kingdom mutually shape Christian witness and apologetics, to reflect on how their understanding of the gospel is developing. Each of these assignments should be between 250-500 words in length. Where applicable, the assignment should follow current Turabian formatting. The reflection needs to demonstrate specific interaction, analysis and application of the course materials. (CLO: A, C, D)

Messianic Complex and AI Assignment

This mini‑project introduces the student to responsible AI use in biblical studies by pairing close Gospel analysis with critical evaluation of an AI‑generated comparison. The student will first examine how two Gospel writers present a selected messianic title, event, or passage differently and what those differences reveal about each author’s intent in a response at least 150 words in length. The student will then generate an AI comparison using Microsoft Copilot and assess its theological accuracy, attention to context, and usefulness for interpretation in an evaluation at least 250 words in length. The student will submit the analysis, the AI response, and evaluation to Canvas. The assignment must be between 400-500 words (the analysis & evaluation sections. Where applicable, the assignment should follow Turabian formatting. (CLO: A)

Assessing Resurrection Theories Assignments (3)

Assessing Resurrection Theories: Topic and Bibliography Assignment

This assignment begins a multi‑stage research project in which the student evaluates a naturalistic alternative to the resurrection of Jesus by selecting one theory, reviewing the key historical claims often discussed in resurrection studies, and compiling a focused bibliography of seven academically credible, non‑web sources—including one that supports the chosen hypothesis. The student may choose from options such as the Swoon Theory, Hallucination Theory, or Resurrection Myth Theory, and he/she must follow Turabian formatting and include a title page. This initial stage establishes the scholarly foundation for later phases of the project by ensuring the student engages high‑quality research as he/she assesses how well his/her selected naturalistic explanation accounts for the historical evidence surrounding Jesus’ resurrection. (CLO: A, C)

Assessing Resurrection Theories: Outline Assignment

This assignment asks students to prepare a detailed outline for a paper responding to a contemporary objection that accepts the key historical facts surrounding Jesus’ death and early resurrection proclamation but rejects the resurrection as too extraordinary to believe. The outline must show how the paper will explain this objection, present the historical grounding for the resurrection, evaluate the plausibility concern that shapes modern skepticism, and offer a reasoned response that highlights the resurrection’s historical and life‑shaping significance. The outline must provide a summary paragraph, a thesis statement, detailed outline content in four parts, and an annotated bibliography of 7 academic, outside sources. The outline must make use of current Turabian format. (CLO: A, C)

Assessing Resurrection Theories: Final Paper Assignment

This final paper requires students to develop a formal, evidence‑based essay that advances a clear argument evaluating a selected naturalistic theory in light of the historical evidence for Jesus’ resurrection. The assignment calls for a polished academic paper written in third person, supported by at least seven scholarly outside sources—including one that advocates for the chosen naturalistic theory—and formatted according to Turabian guidelines. The project synthesizes prior stages of research into a coherent, persuasive analysis that demonstrates both historical engagement and critical evaluation of competing explanations for the resurrection. The essay needs to be 1,800-2,000 words in length. The student must follow the prompt and structure requirements as established within the outline from the previous Assessing Resurrection Theories: Outline Assignment. (CLO: A, B, C, D)