Apologetics and the New Testament – NBST 640
CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 02/01/2024
Course Description
An investigation of key issues in the study of the New Testament with a focus upon defending the truthfulness of the New Testament. Focused attention will be given to the Synoptic Problem, historical Jesus studies, the historicity of Acts, as well as theories of the development of New Testament Christology and claims of early, competing Christianities.
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.
Rationale
The study of the accuracy and historical reliability of the New Testament is vital to the defense of Christianity. This course will explore current, key issues related to the truth-claims of the New Testament in order to defend the core of Christianity. In doing so, it will equip the student to defend the veracity of the New Testament against recent criticisms of its claims.
Course Assignment
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 is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. Each thread must be at least 400 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 200 words. Where appropriate, major points should be supported by lecture material, Scripture, examples and/or thoughtful analysis in the current Turabian format. The student must include a word count at the end of each thread and reply.
The student will submit the topic for his or her Research Paper along with 10 scholarly sources other than the course textbooks and the Bible cited in current Turabian format. The student will also write 1–2 paragraphs about their topic.
For each Critical Evaluation, the student will write a 1,000–1,200-word paper in current Turabian format that focuses on the selected portions of the Ehrman and Kruger textbooks. Approximately half of each Critical Evaluation (500–600 words) must be a summary of the applicable textbook, while the other half must be a critique of the textbook’s strengths and weaknesses. Each Critical Evaluation must include citations from the course textbooks and the Bible.
The student will write a 2,000–2,500-word, research-based paper in current Turabian format that focuses on the subject of New Testament reliability or the defense of high Christology. The paper must reference at least 10 scholarly sources in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible and include a bibliography.
Each quiz covers the Learn material for the assigned module: week and the immediately preceding module: week. The first and third quizzes will contain 17 multiple-choice and true/false questions, 1 matching question, and 1 short essay question. The second and fourth quizzes will contain 21 multiple-choice and true/false questions and 1 short essay question. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes and have a 30-minute time limit.
