Syllabus - Apologetics
Instructor: Russ Earl
PURPOSE:
• To answer three propositions:
1. The existence of God
2. Authority and Inspiration of the Bible
3. The Deity of Jesus
• To help prepare the student to teach and answer questions concerning the three stated
propositions and from a generalized overview in Apologetics/Evidences.
TEXTBOOKS:
The King James Version Bible (Required)
"Out With Doubt" by Kyle Butt (Required Reading, free PDF book)
"Behold The Lamb of God" by Eric Lyons & Kyle Butt (Recommended)
"Behold The Word of God" by Kyle Butt (Recommended, free PDF book)
"General Introduction To the Bible" by Geisler & Nix (Recommended)
"Surveying the Evidence" by Jackson, Lyons, & Butt (free PDF book)
For info about book orders, please visit our book orders page.
TEST & ASSIGNMENTS:
Three tests will be given.
Test 1 (Class 1-6); Test 2 (Class 7-12); Test 3 (Class 13-18)
Summary of the class is required on a weekly basis
COURSE SCHEDULE:
Class is a 50 minute session that begins at 4pm CTZ.
Fall Classes Begin – First Saturday in August
First Break – 3rd Week of September
Second Break – Thanksgiving Break (Week of Thanksgiving)
End of Classes – 2nd Saturday in December
Instructor: Russ Earl
PURPOSE:
• To answer three propositions:
1. The existence of God
2. Authority and Inspiration of the Bible
3. The Deity of Jesus
• To help prepare the student to teach and answer questions concerning the three stated
propositions and from a generalized overview in Apologetics/Evidences.
TEXTBOOKS:
The King James Version Bible (Required)
"Out With Doubt" by Kyle Butt (Required Reading, free PDF book)
"Behold The Lamb of God" by Eric Lyons & Kyle Butt (Recommended)
"Behold The Word of God" by Kyle Butt (Recommended, free PDF book)
"General Introduction To the Bible" by Geisler & Nix (Recommended)
"Surveying the Evidence" by Jackson, Lyons, & Butt (free PDF book)
For info about book orders, please visit our book orders page.
TEST & ASSIGNMENTS:
Three tests will be given.
Test 1 (Class 1-6); Test 2 (Class 7-12); Test 3 (Class 13-18)
Summary of the class is required on a weekly basis
COURSE SCHEDULE:
Class is a 50 minute session that begins at 4pm CTZ.
Fall Classes Begin – First Saturday in August
First Break – 3rd Week of September
Second Break – Thanksgiving Break (Week of Thanksgiving)
End of Classes – 2nd Saturday in December
1 Introduction to Apologetics Definition and purpose of apologetics; defending the faith; 1 Peter 3:15; Jude 3; the proper attitude of the defender
2 Truth and the Christian Worldview What is truth? Objective versus subjective truth; the law of noncontradiction; why truth matters
3 Does God Exist? — Introduction The importance of God’s existence; evidence, reason, and faith; understanding atheism, agnosticism, and skepticism
4 The Cosmological Argument The universe had a beginning; cause and effect; the need for a First Cause; Genesis 1:1
5 The Design Argument Order, purpose, and complexity in the universe; design in nature and the human body; evidence of an intelligent Designer
6 The Moral Argument Objective morality; conscience; right and wrong; why moral law points to a moral Lawgiver
7 Creation and Evolution Biblical creation; basic claims of evolution; distinctions between adaptation and molecules-to-man evolution; problems with naturalism
8 The Age of the Earth and the Flood Major views of earth’s age; Genesis chronology; the worldwide Flood; geological and historical considerations
9 Can We Trust the Bible? — Inspiration What inspiration means; verbal and plenary inspiration; internal claims of Scripture; 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 1:20-21
10 Can We Trust the Bible? — Transmission Manuscripts, copying, textual variations, preservation, and why modern readers can trust the biblical text
11 The Bible and Archaeology Archaeological discoveries related to biblical people, places, customs, and events; proper and improper uses of archaeology
12 The Bible and Science The Bible’s relationship to genuine science; common alleged conflicts; scientific foreknowledge claims should be treated carefully
13 Alleged Bible Contradictions How to examine supposed contradictions; context, language, chronology, perspective, and complementary accounts
14 Who Is Jesus Christ? Historical evidence for Jesus; His claims; His character; fulfilled prophecy; His deity and humanity
15 The Resurrection of Christ The empty tomb; eyewitness testimony; transformation of the disciples; alternative explanations; 1 Corinthians 15
16 The Problem of Evil and Suffering Why a good God permits suffering; free will; consequences of sin; growth through suffering; God’s final justice
17 Answering Other Worldviews and Religions Atheism, agnosticism, humanism, relativism, pluralism, and basic comparisons with major world religions
18 Practical Apologetics and Review How to answer questions respectfully; identifying assumptions; knowing when to say “I do not know”; class review and student presentations
2 Truth and the Christian Worldview What is truth? Objective versus subjective truth; the law of noncontradiction; why truth matters
3 Does God Exist? — Introduction The importance of God’s existence; evidence, reason, and faith; understanding atheism, agnosticism, and skepticism
4 The Cosmological Argument The universe had a beginning; cause and effect; the need for a First Cause; Genesis 1:1
5 The Design Argument Order, purpose, and complexity in the universe; design in nature and the human body; evidence of an intelligent Designer
6 The Moral Argument Objective morality; conscience; right and wrong; why moral law points to a moral Lawgiver
7 Creation and Evolution Biblical creation; basic claims of evolution; distinctions between adaptation and molecules-to-man evolution; problems with naturalism
8 The Age of the Earth and the Flood Major views of earth’s age; Genesis chronology; the worldwide Flood; geological and historical considerations
9 Can We Trust the Bible? — Inspiration What inspiration means; verbal and plenary inspiration; internal claims of Scripture; 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 1:20-21
10 Can We Trust the Bible? — Transmission Manuscripts, copying, textual variations, preservation, and why modern readers can trust the biblical text
11 The Bible and Archaeology Archaeological discoveries related to biblical people, places, customs, and events; proper and improper uses of archaeology
12 The Bible and Science The Bible’s relationship to genuine science; common alleged conflicts; scientific foreknowledge claims should be treated carefully
13 Alleged Bible Contradictions How to examine supposed contradictions; context, language, chronology, perspective, and complementary accounts
14 Who Is Jesus Christ? Historical evidence for Jesus; His claims; His character; fulfilled prophecy; His deity and humanity
15 The Resurrection of Christ The empty tomb; eyewitness testimony; transformation of the disciples; alternative explanations; 1 Corinthians 15
16 The Problem of Evil and Suffering Why a good God permits suffering; free will; consequences of sin; growth through suffering; God’s final justice
17 Answering Other Worldviews and Religions Atheism, agnosticism, humanism, relativism, pluralism, and basic comparisons with major world religions
18 Practical Apologetics and Review How to answer questions respectfully; identifying assumptions; knowing when to say “I do not know”; class review and student presentations