17 courses with the subject AP, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
AP 101Introduction to Apologetics
Purpose: · To introduce students to Christian apologetics · To learn the art of Christian persuasion · To learn how to lift up Christ and give reasons for the hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15) · To develop tools to understand the surrounding culture Topics covered include the biblical basis for apologetics, developing a world-and-life view, the issue of meaning, covenantal apologetics, engaging contemporary culture, and highlights in the history of apologetics. We will give special attention to the problem of meaning, the problem of evil, world religions (including Islam), science and faith, reason and revelation, and aesthetics. Residential (Fall term) and Online (January, March, June, Fall terms), Three hours.
Purpose: · To build on the principles established in AP 101 · To establish the Scriptural warrant for the Christian faith · To understand the place and importance of evidences in apologetics · To establish biblical principles necessary for a defense of Christianity Topics covered include the nature and structure of arguments, an in-depth analysis and critique of some of the traditional proofs for the existence of God, and the necessity of a Reformed doctrine of revelation for apologetics. Residential (Spring term) and Online (Fall term), three hours.
Purpose: · To define culture and articulate the various aspects that make up culture and why it is a significant topic for believers to study · To outline the biblical foundations and insights for culture and cultural engagement, giving special attention to the cultural mandate and its reiteration throughout Scripture and culmination in the Great Commission · To describe various models for cultural engagement held by the church throughout the centuries and articulate one’s own understanding of cultural engagement and the various ways God has called them to engage with culture · To demonstrate the importance of wisdom and some general guidelines to consider when approaching current trends, issues, and the toughest questions presented to believers in the modern age The course will begin by introducing students to the topic of culture, providing a preliminary definition and some examples of the way we engage with culture on a daily basis. From here, the course will lay out the biblical foundations for cultural engagement using the cultural mandate as the basis for our 100
Purpose: · Articulate a framework for understanding and evaluating science within a biblically-based worldview, utilizing resources from systematic theology, presuppositional apologetics, and biblical theology. · Interpret Genesis 1-3 as it has bearing on modern science. · Interact critically with modern approaches to the relation of science and Christianity · Analyze particular issues related to Christianity and science including the age of the earth, evolutionary theories, intelligent design, the origin of man, and the flood. Science & Faith examines a framework for understanding and evaluating science within a biblically-based worldview, utilizing resources from systematic theology, presuppositional apologetics, and biblical theology. The course gives special attention to interpretations of Genesis 1-3, evolution, and how the doctrines of the Trinity, Revelation, and the creation of Man inform our understanding of science. Online (January term), three hours.
Purpose: · To study in-depth the principles, method, and content of Van Til’s apologetic · To develop and critique Van Til’s apologetic approach · To apply the insights of Van Til’s apologetic to current challenges to the Christian faith Topics covered include the impact of Van Til’s apologetic in the context of its development. There will be some attention given to critical analyses of Van Til’s position. Seminar discussions will focus on the content of Van Til’s thought. Spring term. 101
Purpose: · To understand the dynamics of art · To arrive at a Reformed view of aesthetics · To learn how Scripture speaks about the arts · To develop convictions about the proper role of the arts in daily life · To explore the role of the arts in worship Topics covered include the present state of the arts, the character of beauty, art as a vocation, the arts in the Bible, and the special dynamic of evil and redemption in the arts. Sessions will integrate guest artists; a museum visit; and discussions of music, poems, novels, and paintings.
Purpose: · To become familiar with the theological and apologetic writings of C. S. Lewis · To understand Lewis in the context of his time · To understand and critically evaluate the major features of Lewis’s theology and apologetic strategies Topics covered include the context of C. S. Lewis; his idea of pre-evangelism; and his understanding of the key theological themes, religious psychology, and literary imagination. Spring term.
This course seeks to develop a theological account of religious consciousness, religious behavior, and the religious impulse of culture. We will examine several themes of Reformed thought—including Christian-theistic worldview, the nature of theological reason, and apologetic method—leading to a theology of religions, or a view of ‘religions’ in its theological relations, and an accompanying biblical theological approach to culture. Advanced reflection upon the biblical and theological foundations of worldview, religions, and culture are key components of the course. Summer term.
This course explores the theology and praxis of engagement with Asian traditions for ministry and missions. Students will reflect upon theological principles for religious encounter and then examine traditions of the Indian subcontinent and East Asia. Attention is given to origins and primary texts, contemporary iterations, avenues for dialogue, and the challenges of different ministry contexts. Fall term.
Purpose: · To develop a framework for understanding and evaluating science within a biblically-based worldview, utilizing resources from systematic theology, presuppositional apologetics, and biblical theology · To interpret Genesis 1-3, weigh rival views of its meaning and implications, and consider its bearing on modern science · To interact critically with modern approaches to the relation of science and Christianity, and with treatments of particular issues such as the age of the earth, uniformitarianism, evolutionary theories, intelligent design, the origin of man, and Noah’s flood 102
This is a directed readings course required for PhD students in Historical & Theological Studies. As a directed readings course, it has no regularly scheduled class meetings. Fall term. Courses listed for other concentrations which may be counted as concentration courses in Apologetics: CH 733, OT 903, NT 931, NT 951, ST 701, ST 733, ST 761, ST 773, ST 791, ST 803, ST 901, ST 944. 103
