Online · School of Divinity · Theological Studies

History of Christian Apologetics

APOL-520

CG Section 8WK 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 Modified 12/12/2022  Course Description

A survey of the history of Christian apologetics. The course will offer a contextualized study of key apologists in the history of Christianity, including Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Origen, Augustine, Anselm, Thomas Aquinas, John Calvin, Blaise Pascal, William Paley, B. B. Warfield, and C. S. Lewis. The study will focus upon the contribution of each apologist to Christian thought.

Requisites

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog (https://catalog.liberty.edu/).

 Rationale

Studies of how Christians have explained and defended their beliefs and behavior in various historical and cultural contexts will help prepare modern Christians to do the same in their own religiously diverse world. These studies will analyze how Christians have responded to accusations and heretical ideas within specific contexts with a view toward effectively sharing the truth of the gospel throughout the modern world.

 Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

A. Analyze key Christian apologetic writings throughout the history of the church.

B. Explain the historical and cultural contexts in which each key writing originated.

C. Recognize logical fallacies within the key writings as well as the accusations and heresies to which the writings were responding. D. Propose helpful points of discussion for modern Christians based on the key writings.

E. Identify timeless principles of biblically-based Christian faith, which are present in both historical and modern contexts.

 Course Resources

Click on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are registered: Liberty University Online Bookstore (https://bncvirtual.com/liberty)

Additional Materials for Learning

A. Computer with basic audio/video output equipment

B. Internet access (broadband recommended)

C. Canvas recommended browsers (https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Basics-Guide/What-are-the-browser-and-

computer-requirements-for-Canvas/ta-p/66)

D. Microsoft Word

E. School of Divinity Writing Guide: https://www.liberty.edu/divinity/writing-guide/ (https://www.liberty.edu/divinity/writing-

guide/)

    Course Assignments

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Textbook readings and lecture presentations Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations (https://www.liberty.edu/institutional-effectiveness/student- expectations/), the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (3)

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 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 200 words. (CLOs: A, B, C, D)

Research Paper Assignments Research Paper: Topic and Focus Selection Assignment

The student will prepare a 300-word document which includes the following: the focused area of the paper, a starting bibliography of 5 titles, and a list of issues to be addressed.

Research Paper: Crafting the Argument Assignment

The student will prepare a 400-word document which includes the following: a working thesis for the paper; a description of the argument of the paper; a final outline for the paper; and a final bibliography containing at least 12 sources.

Research Paper: Final Paper Assignment

The student will write a 3,600-word research-based paper in current Turabian format that focuses on one of the following topics: the ontological argument; God, evil, and suffering; or the reality of hell. The paper must include at least 12 sources in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible. (CLOs: A, B, C, D, E)

Quizzes (4)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the modules: weeks in which it is assigned. Each exam will be open-book/open-notes; contain 25–27 multiple-choice, true/false, and short answer questions; and have a 60-minute time limit. (CLOs: A, B, C)

 Course Grading

   Course Requirements Checklist 10

Discussions (3 worth 125 points)

375

Research Paper Assignments: Topic and Focus Selection Crafting the Argument

Final Paper

25 50 250

Quizzes (4 worth 75 points)

300

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 Policies

Total 1010

Late Assignment Policy

Course Assignments, including discussions, exams, and other graded assignments, should be submitted on time.

If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor immediately by email. Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions:

1. Late assignments submitted within one week after the due date will receive up to a 10% deduction.

2. Assignments submitted more than one week and less than 2 weeks late will receive up to a 20% deduction.

3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted outside of special

circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by

the instructor.

4. Group projects, including group discussion threads and/or replies, and assignments will not be accepted after the due date

outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.

Disability Assistance

Students with a disability and those with medical conditions associated with pregnancy may contact Liberty University’s Online Office of Disability Accommodation Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu for accommodations. Such accommodations require appropriate documentation of your condition. For more information about ODAS and the accommodations process, including how to request an accommodation, please visit https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation- support/ (https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation-support/). Requests for accommodations not related to disabilities or pregnancy must be directed to the Registrar’s Office, which generally handles medical needs support.

If you have a complaint related to disability discrimination or an accommodation that was not provided, you may contact ODAS or the Office of Equity and Compliance by phone at (434) 592-4999 or by email at equityandcompliance@liberty.edu. Click to see a full copy of Liberty’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Liberty+University+Discrimination,+Harassment,+and+Sexual+Misconduct+Policy) or

the Student Disability Grievance Policy and Procedures (https://www.liberty.edu/disability-support/wp- content/uploads/sites/106/2022/01/Disability-Grievance-Procedures.pdf).

Course Attendance

In an effort to comply with U.S. Department of Education policies, attendance is measured by physical class attendance or any submission of a required assignment within the enrollment dates of the course (such as examinations, written papers or projects, any discussion posts, etc.) or initiating any communication with one’s professor regarding an academic subject. More information regarding the attendance policy (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Online+Attendance+and+Non-Attendance) can be found in the Academic Course Catalogs (https://www.liberty.edu/academics/course-catalogs/). Regular attendance in online courses is expected throughout the length of the term. Students who do not attend within the first week of a sub-term by submitting a required academic assignment (such as the Course Requirements Checklist, an examination, written paper or project, discussion post, or other academic activity) will be dropped from the course. Students who wish to re-engage in the course are encouraged to contact Academic Advising to discuss their enrollment options. Students who begin an online course, but at some point in the semester cease attending, and do not provide official notification to withdraw, will be assigned a grade of “FN” (Failure for Non- Attendance (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Unofficial+Withdrawals)). Students wishing to withdraw from courses after the official start date should familiarize themselves with the withdrawal policy.

Grading Scale

A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D- F

                                     3 of 5

                  940- 1010

920- 939

900- 919

860- 899

840- 859

820- 839

780- 819

760- 779

679 and below

For courses with a Pass/NP final grade, please refer to the Course Grading section of this syllabus for the assignment requirements and/or point value required to earn a Passing final grade.

Add/Drop Policy

The full policy statement and procedures are published in the Policy Directory

(https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Dropping+and+Adding+Online+Classes). Honor Code

Liberty University comprises a network of students, Alumni, faculty, staff and supporters that together form a Christian community based upon the truth of the Bible. This truth defines our foundational principles, from our Doctrinal Statement to the Code of Honor. These principles irrevocably align Liberty University’s operational procedures with the long tradition of university culture, which remains distinctively Christian, designed to preserve and advance truth. Our desire is to create a safe, comfortable environment within our community of learning, and we extend our academic and spiritual resources to all of our students with the goal of fostering academic maturity, spiritual growth and character development.

Communities are predicated on shared values and goals. The Code of Honor, an expression of the values from which our Doctrinal Statement was born, defines the fundamental principles by which our community exists. At the core of this code lie two essential concepts: a belief in the significance of all individuals, and a reliance on the existence of objective truth.

While we acknowledge that some may disagree with various elements of the Code of Honor, we maintain the expectation that our students will commit to respect and uphold the Code while enrolled at Liberty University.

Adherence to the principles and concepts established within facilitates the success of our students and strengthens the Liberty community.

The Code of Honor can be viewed in its entirety at https://www.liberty.edu/students/honor-code/ (https://www.liberty.edu/students/honor-code/).

 Additional Items

740- 759

700- 739

680- 699

          Program Learning Outcomes for APOL 520

APOL 520 supports the following academic programs in the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity: Master of Arts (Christian Apologetics)

The program learning outcomes for this program are listed with the program in the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity Graduate Catalog. This course is related to at least one of the program learning outcomes listed for each of these programs and contributes to your success in acquiring the knowledge and skills that are described. Here is the link to the catalog page where this information can be found:

John W. Rawlings School of Divinity Graduate Catalog ( https://catalog.liberty.edu/graduate/colleges-schools/rawlings-divinity/ (https://catalog.liberty.edu/graduate/colleges-schools/rawlings-divinity/))

 Schedule

  When Topic Notes

   Course Overview Student Acknowledgements Course Requirements Checklist

4 of 5

 When Topic Notes

 Module 1: Week 1

Learn

Read: 3 items Watch: 1 item

 Apply Discussion: Pauline Apologetics

   Module 2: Week 2

Learn

Read: 4 items Watch: 1 item

    Apply

Quiz: New Testament and Patristics

Research Paper: Topic and Focus Selection Assignment

 Module 3: Week 3

Learn

Read: 3 items Watch: 1 item

 Apply Discussion: The Relevance of Anselm

   Module 4: Week 4

Learn

Read: 3 items Watch: 2 items

    Apply

Quiz: Medieval Apologetics

Research Paper: Crafting the Argument Assignment

 Module 5: Week 5

Learn

Read: 3 items Watch: 1 item

 Apply Discussion: Paley and Pascal

 Module 6: Week 6

Learn

Read: 4 items Watch: 2 items

 Apply Quiz: Reformation and Enlightenment

 Module 7: Week 7

Learn

Read: 3 items Watch: 1 item

 Apply Research Paper: Final Assignment

 Module 8: Week 8

Learn

Read: 4 items Watch: 1 item

  Apply Quiz: Twentieth Century Apologetics

5 of 5