AP601 APPLIED APOLOGETICS

• Offered: Summer 2008 
• Two hours of credit for degree students.
• Prerequisite: AP101/501 for degree students.

Instructor: Eric D. Bristley 

The practical application of the presuppositional method of apologetics. Readings will focus on specific challenges to the Christian faith by various non-Christian worldviews. We will study the practical aspects of defending the gospel in the midst of a secular and often hostile culture. The student will learn to sharpen his apologetic skills and answer opposing worldviews and false religions. Special attention will be given to the work of Francis Schaeffer.

Reading:

• K. Scott Oliphint. The Battle Belongs to the Lord: The Power of Scripture for Defending Our Faith. Presbyterian and Reformed, 2003. Pp. 193.
• Francis Schaeffer, The God Who is There. InterVarsity Press, 1968. Pp. 191.
• James W. Sire. The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog. InterVarsity Press, 1997. Pp. 200.

Lectures: 

A. PREPARING FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE IN APOLOGETICS

1. Biblical Examples of How to Defend the Faith. The various apologetic encounters in the Ministry of Christ (Gospel of John), and in the Book of Acts (Paul at Athens, Corinth, etc.)

2. Being Prepared by a Godly Lifestyle. Implications of 1 Pet. 3:13-16; spiritual preparation for apologetics through setting Christ apart as Lord (Lordship of Jesus Christ) and cultivating a lifestyle of godliness.

3. Being Prepared for Spiritual Warfare. Apologetics as part of spiritual warfare (Eph 6); discerning spiritual forces of darkness, taking up spiritual armor and weapons, necessity of prayer for apologetic effectiveness.

B. DEVELOPING ESSENTIAL SKILLS TO DEFEND THE FAITH

4. Using the Bible Effectively. The necessity of intellectual preparation in knowing how to reason from Scripture, developing skills in using the Scriptures in apologetics (Eph 6:17, 2 Tim 2:15).

5. Defending the Faith Persuasively. Understanding the relationship between evangelism and apologetics, communicating the gospel clearly, the art of asking questions, increasing persuasiveness, demonstrating the power of the Spirit, and the corporate witness of the church

6. Answering Unbelievers with Love and Respect. Developing biblical wisdom in understanding different types of people, their backgrounds and psychological differences, understanding sin and its effects, ministering to them in love and humility

C. TAKING EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE TO CHRIST

7. The Intellectual Challenge of the Gospel. Implications of 2 Cor 10:3-5, learning to employ formal and informal logic, valid and invalid questions (the example of Christ), consistency and inconsistency, the point of contact, the point of tension, danger of compromise with false presuppositions.

8. The Cultural and Social Challenge of the Gospel. Understanding our society and times, encountering and engaging secular modern culture. Special focus on the work of Francis Schaeffer

9. Encountering False Worldviews-Secular: Understanding and unmasking various non-Christian worldviews: Deism, Naturalism, Evolution, Atheism, Agnosticism

10. Encountering False Worldviews-Post Modern: Nihilism, Existentialism, Post-Modernism (skepticism) Responding to scoffers and skeptics

11. Encountering False Worldviews-Religious:  Encountering various religions, destroying modern idols, Eastern religions, New Age, Islam

12. Encountering False Worldviews-Pseudo-Christian: Understanding and answering various forms of Modern Liberalism, Roman Catholicism, Greek ‘Orthodoxy' and ‘Christian' Cults (Mormons, etc).