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2024 Fall A Term Calendar view

APOL 101: Introduction to Apologetics


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Jason McLendon
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Enrollment for this course is currently closed.

This 3-semester hour course provides students with an introduction to the field of apologetics, including a basic understanding of theological principles and skills to persuasively respond to contemporary arguments against Christianity. Click "Purchase" and use "BILLTOACCOUNT" as the coupon code to have this billed to your Student Account per contract.

COURSE LEARNING LEVEL OUTCOMES

  1. The student will know and understand the important terminology, facts, concepts, principles, and theories of defending the Bible.
  2. The student will be able to understand and demonstrate the relationship between various biblical and secular arguments to properly apply the truth in defense of Christianity.
  3. The student will have an understanding of various challenges from historical approaches to apologetics and how they affect contemporary arguments.
  4. The student will be able to demonstrate the ability to research, write, and submit a logically organized writing project.  This project should demonstrate the ability to communicate at the undergraduate level. 

REQUIRED TEXTS:

(Textbooks can be purchased from http://iccsonline.net/textbooks/ or click on the title of each resource below)

McDowell, Josh and Sean McDowell. Evidence that Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2017.

Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 9th Ed. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press, 2018. (Use most recent edition)

 The Holy Bible. The required Bible for this program is the Ministry Essentials Bible published by Hendrickson Publishers. This is available in multiple translations (KJV, NIV, etc.); use the translation of your choice. Throughout the program, various assignments will be provided using essays and articles found in this particular Bible, and it will be required for many courses.  

 

RECOMMENDED TEXTS:

NIV Daily Bible, hardcover
By F. LaGard Smith / Harvest House Publishers

The Daily Bible, with commentary by F. LaGard Smith, is highly recommended for daily Bible reading. This resource provides a substantial amount of commentary throughout the text and keeps the reader engaged in reading the Bible throughout the entire year on a continuous basis.

It is highly recommended that students purchase and keep their textbooks as they may be used in more than one class. These textbooks also serve as an excellent reference source.

ADDITIONAL REQUIRED MATERIALS FOR LEARNING:

-           Computer with basic audio/video output equipment

-           Internet access (broadband recommended)

-           Microsoft Office, or suitable substitute (i.e., Office Libre) which can save into a document compatible with Microsoft Word.

-           Adobe Acrobat Reader

-           Media Player software

Here is the course outline:

1. Module 1

MODULE 1 Topics: • Introduction, Prologue, Chapters 1 – 3 (McDowell) • Readings and forum discussions/essay on A Theistic Universe, the Uniqueness of the Bible, and How We Got the Bible; Is the New Testament Historically Reliable?

2. Module 2

MODULE 2 Topics: • Chapters 4 – 7 (McDowell) • Readings and forum discussions/essay on Transmission of the Old Testament, Gnostic Gospels and Other Nonbiblical Texts; Historical Existence of Jesus and the Lofty Claims of Jesus

3. Module 3

MODULE 3 Topics: • Chapters 8 – 10 (McDowell) • Readings and forum discussions/essay on the Trilemma: Lord, Liar or Lunatic; Old Testament Prophecies Fulfilled in Christ; The Resurrection: Hoax or History?

4. Module 4

MODULE 4 Topics: • Chapters 11 – 13 (McDowell) • Readings and forum discussions/essay on Is Christianity a Copycat Religion, the Deity of Jesus: An Investigation, and the Martyrdom of the Apostles • EXAM #1 (Mid-Term)

5. Module 5

MODULE 5 Topics: • Chapters 14 – 19 (McDowell) • Readings and forum discussions/essay on the Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Influences; Biblically Faithful Approaches to Genesis; Archeology and the Old Testament; the Historical Adam; the Historicity of the Patriarchs; and the Historicity of the Exodus

6. Module 6

MODULE 6 Topics: • Chapters 20 – 24 (McDowell) • Readings and forum discussions/essay on the Historicity of the Conquest; the Historicity of the United Monarchy; the Historicity of the Divided Monarchy and Exilic Period; Composition of the Pentateuch; and the Composition of the Book of Isaiah

7. Module 7

MODULE 7 Topics: • Chapters 25 – 30 (McDowell) • Readings and forum discussions/essay on the Historicity of Daniel; Alleged Contradictions in the Old Testament; the Nature of Truth; the Knowability of Truth; Answering Postmodernism; and Answering Skepticism • APOLOGETIC INTERVIEWS PAPER DUE

8. Module 8

MODULE 8 Topics: • Chapters 31 - 32 (McDowell) • Readings and forum discussions/essay on Are Miracles Possible and Is History Knowable? And Epilogue and Appendix: Responding to the Challenges of Bart Ehrman (McDowell) • EXAM #2 (Final) • End of Course Survey
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