COURSE SYLLABUS Christian Apologetics, 0ST530, 2 hours Dr. John M. Frame Reformed Theological Seminary, Virtual Professor Dr. Frame is professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy. He has his A.B. degree from Princeton University, a B.D. from Westminster Theological Seminary, an M.Phil. from Yale University, and a D.D. from Belhaven College. An outstanding theologian, John Frame distinguished himself during 31 years on the faculty of Westminster Theological Seminary, and was a founding faculty member of WTS California. He is best known for his prolific writings including ten volumes, a contributor to many books and reference volumes, as well as scholarly articles and magazines. Dr. Frame is a talented musician and discerning media critic who is deeply committed to the work of ministry and training pastors. Course Description The course will seek to formulate the rational basis for believing in Christian theism, with responses to objections and critiques of competing worldviews. Apologetics is the study of how to give reasons for our Christian hope (1 Pet 3:15). The course has three parts: I. Christian Theory of Knowledge, II. Historic and Contemporary Views of Apologetic Method, III. Topics in Apologetics. In the first part, we shall ask what Scripture says about human knowledge, particularly the process by which a non-Christian comes to know Christ. The second part will deal with the controversy over how to do apologetics, discussing representatives of different apologetic schools. The third part will discuss issues under debate between Christians and non-Christians: the existence of God, the truth of Scripture, the problem of evil, the currents of modern and postmodern thought. Required Textbooks AGG: Frame, John. Apologetics to the Glory of God. Phillipsburg: P&R, 1994. DKG: Frame, John. Doctrine of the Knowledge of God. Phillipsburg: P&R, 1987. FV: Cowan, Steven B., ed. Five Views of Apologetics. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000. RG: Keller, Timothy. The Reason for God. New York: Dutton, 2008. RS: Poythress, Vern. Redeeming Science. Wheaton: Crossway, 2006 (also available at the Frame- Poythress website: http://www.frame-poythress.org/poythress_books.htm). Bahnsen, "The Great Debate: Does God Exist?" (transcript is available at http://www. bellevuechristian.org/faculty/dribera/htdocs/PDFs/Apol_Bahnsen_Stein_Debate_ Transcript.pdf; video is also available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1hSx2evTGM &feature=related). Supplementary Documents (available online in the Virtual classroom): Week 1: Frame, "Unregenerate Knowledge of God," "Certainty." Week 2: Frame, "A Van Til Glossary," "Van Til: A Reassessment." Week 3: Frame, "Ontological Argument," "Infinite Series." Week 5: Frame, "Do We Need God to Be Moral," "Self-Refuting Statements." Week 6: Frame, "Transcendental Argument." Week 7: Frame, "Greeks Bearing Gifts," "Christianity and Culture," Edgar, "No News Is v Christian Apologetics - Frame © 2012 Reformed Theological Seminary, Virtual Good News." All required books are available through the RTS Online Bookstore at www.mindandheart.com. vi Christian Apologetics - Frame © 2012 Reformed Theological Seminary, Virtual COURSE REQUIREMENTS Christian Apologetics, 0ST530, 2 hours Dr. John M. Frame Reformed Theological Seminary, Virtual Online Student Handbook The Online Student Handbook has been designed to assist you in successfully navigating the online Virtual campus experience, whether you are taking a single course or pursuing a certificate or degree program. In it you will find valuable information, step-by-step instructions, study helps, and essential forms to guide you through every aspect of your distance education opportunity from registration to graduation. Please use this resource as your first-stop reference manual. You will find it located at the RTS/Virtual website (http://virtual.rts.edu) under the Student Services tab. Requirements in Brief Complete all Reading Assignments Listen to all Recorded Lectures Participate in Immersive Learning Simulations Participate in Forum Discussions (with other students and Professor) Midterm Exam Final Exam Course Paper Mentor Report Simulations (20%) There are three immersive learning simulations in this course. Each simulation will cover a topic relevant to the topics covered in the readings and lectures for the appropriate weeks. Course Paper (25%) Each student is required to submit a methods paper at the completion of the course. See notes below for a specific description of this paper, and the specific requirements for it. Examinations (Midterm: 20%, Final: 20%) There are two examinations for this course. The Midterm examination will cover the lectures and readings from Lesson One through Lesson Four. The Final examination will cover the lectures and readings from Lesson Five through Lesson Seven. All exams are proctored. For this course, you will take your exams within the Virtual classroom. Under Week 4 you will see links to instructions for the Midterm examination and a link to the examination itself. Under week 8, you will see links to instructions for the Final examination and to the examination itself. Your Midterm examination will be in two sections and your Final examination will be in two sections. In order to take your examinations, you must email student services ([email protected]) and request that the appropriate examination password be sent to your proctor, who will then open the exam for you. vii Christian Apologetics - Frame © 2012 Reformed Theological Seminary, Virtual Forum Discussions (10%) The student is to participate in forum discussions online throughout the course (see the descriptions for each of these forums in the Virtual classroom). * Student to Professor Forum Discussion (5%). You must have a minimum of five posts in this forum to earn the full five percent of your course grade for this forum. This includes posting your student introduction as well as your responses to the four Topical Discussion Questions located throughout the course. * Student to Student Forum Discussion (5%). You must have a minimum of five posts in this forum to earn the full five percent of your course grade for this forum. Mentor Report/Course Application Paper (5%) Each MA Distance student is required to have his mentor submit a report at the end of the course. This report will contribute to 5% of the student's grade. For students who are not registered in the MA program, you are asked to write a 200 word summary of how you perceive what you have learned in this course will fit into the objectives you have for your ministry, your educational goals, or other objectives you wish to achieve in life. Assignments All assignments are due the last day of the course unless specifically noted in this syllabus (See start letter). Any student who needs an extension must get approval from the Virtual Campus before the deadline. Only one extension is allowed for this version of the course. Submit all assignments to the RTS Virtual Classroom via upload http://virtualclassroom.rts.edu. Contact Information Reformed Theological Seminary, Virtual 2101 Carmel Road Charlotte, NC 28226 (704) 366-4853 1-800-227-2013 FAX: (704) 366-9295 - E-mail: [email protected] - Web site: http://virtual.rts.edu viii Christian Apologetics - Frame © 2012 Reformed Theological Seminary, Virtual COURSE METHODS PAPER Christian Apologetics, 0ST530, 2 hours Dr. John M. Frame Reformed Theological Seminary, Virtual Write a paper of approximately 2000 words describing and arguing your own view of apologetic method. This should show interaction with the course lectures and readings and should present a biblical basis for your view. Some research beyond assigned readings required. The paper should interact with Van Til and with some of the other alternative apologetic methods discussed (both in the historical lectures and in the book Five Views of Apologetics). This paper will be 25% of your final grade. For details of the mechanics of writing a course paper, visit the RTS Virtual Campus Opening Page to review the Course Paper immersive learning simulation at any time. When you are required to submit a course topic, follow this format: "My Personal View of Apologetic Method: (with a brief description of what that is)". Then go ahead and complete the "Big Four": Topic, Paragraph, Outline and Bibliography. Grading of Papers Abbreviations for Comments on Papers A - awkward Amb - ambiguous Arg - more argument needed C - compress Circle (drawn around some text) - usually refers to misspelling or other obvious mistake D - define E - expand, elaborate, explain EA - emphasis argument F - too figurative for context G - grammatical error Ill - illegible Illus - illustrate, give example Int - interesting L1 - lateness penalty for one day (similarly L2, etc.) M - misleading in context O - overstated, overgeneralized R - redundant Ref- reference (of pronoun, etc.) Rel- irrelevant Rep - repetitious ix Christian Apologetics - Frame © 2012 Reformed Theological Seminary, Virtual Resp - not responsive (In a dialogue: one party raises a good question to which the other does not respond.) S - summary needed Scr - needs more scripture support Simp - oversimplified SM - straw man (a view nobody holds) SS - problem in sentence structure St - style inappropriate T - transition needed U - unclear V - vague W - questionable word-choice Wk - weak writing (too many passives, King James English, etc.) WO - word order WV - whose view? yours? another author? Letter Grades A: Good grasp of basic issues, plus something really extraordinary, worthy of publication in either a technical or popular publication. That special excellence may be of various kinds: formulation, illustration, comprehensiveness, subtlety/nuance, creativity, argument, insight, correlations with other issues, historical perspective, philosophical sophistication, research beyond the requirements of the assignment. One of these will be enough! A-: An A paper, except that it requires some minor improvement before an editor would finally accept it for publication. B+: Good grasp of basic issues but without the special excellences noted above. A few minor glitches. B: The average grade for graduate study. Good grasp of basic issues, but can be significantly improved. B-: Shows an understanding of the issues, but marred by significant errors, unclarities (conceptual or linguistic), unpersuasive arguments, and/or shallow thinking. C+: Raises suspicions that to some extent the student is merely manipulating terms and concepts without adequately understanding them, even though to a large extent these terms and concepts are used appropriately. Does show serious study and preparation. C: Uses ideas with some accuracy, but without mastery or insight; thus the paper is often confused. x Christian Apologetics - Frame © 2012 Reformed Theological Seminary, Virtual C-: Problems are such that the student evidently does not understand adequately the issues he/she is writing about, but the work may nevertheless be described as barely competent. D: I do not give D's on papers. F: Failure to complete the assignment satisfactorily. Such performance would disqualify a candidate for ministry if it were part of a presbytery exam. Most of my students get B's. I try to keep A's and C's to a relatively small number. F's are extremely rare, but I have given a few. xi Christian Apologetics - Frame © 2012 Reformed Theological Seminary, Virtual COURSE OUTLINE Christian Apologetics, 0ST530, 2 hours Dr. John M. Frame Reformed Theological Seminary, Virtual Part I: Doctrine of the Knowledge of God/Biblical Theory of Knowledge Lesson 1 Section 1: Objects of Knowledge I. The Biblical World-view as a Christian Philosophy II. God and the World (Metaphysics, Ontology) III. God as an Object of Human Knowledge IV. Knowing God's World Lesson 2 Section 2: Justification of Knowledge I. The Question of Justification II. Forms of Justification III. Secular Epistemologies IV. Normative Justification V. Situational Justification VI. Existential Justification Section 3: Method in Apologetics I. Normative II. Situational III. Existential Part II: Apologetic Method Lesson 3 Section 1: History and Current Discussion I. The Nature of Apologetics: giving a reason of our hope (1 Pet 3:15) II. Original Opponents of Christianity III. The Second Century Apologists: "Preaching of Peter," Quadratus, Aristides, "The Letter to Diognetus," Justin Martyr, Tatian, Melito, Theophilus, Athenagoras. IV. Irenaeus (d. around 200) V. Tertullian (Carthage: 160-220) VI. Clement of Alexandria (155-220) VII. Augustine (354-430) VIII. Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109) IX. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Lesson 4 I. John Calvin (1505-1564) II. XI. Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) III. Joseph Butler (1692-1752) xii Christian Apologetics - Frame © 2012 Reformed Theological Seminary, Virtual IV. William Paley (1743-1805): "Evidentialism" V. Thomas Reid (1710-1796) VI. Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) Lesson 5 I. Alvin Plantinga (1932-), "Reformed epistemology" (Cf. Kelly James Clark) II. Gordon H. Clark (1902-1985) III. Cornelius Van Til Part III: Topics in Apologetics Lesson 6 Section 1: Apologetics as Proof I. Apologetics is evangelism, counseling, preaching. II. Toward an Ideal Argument III. The Existence of God IV. Proving the Gospel Section 2: Apologetics as Defense V. Apologetics as Defense: The Problem of Evil Lesson 7 VI. Apologetics as Offense: Challenging Unbelieving Thought xiii Christian Apologetics - Frame © 2012 Reformed Theological Seminary, Virtual COURSE BIBLIOGRAPHY Christian Apologetics, 0ST530, 2 hours Dr. John M. Frame Reformed Theological Seminary, Virtual Religious Knowledge See also books listed in the Apologetics section below. Calvin, John. Institutes, I, i-ii, various editions. Clouser, Roy. Knowing With the Heart. Downers Grove: IVP, 1999. Clouser is doctrinally Reformed, Dooyeweerdian in background. Always stimulating. Frame, John. Doctrine of the Knowledge of God. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., 1987. Geivett, R. Douglas, and Brendan Sweetman, ed. Contemporary Perspectives on Religious Epistemology. New York: Oxford University Press, 1992. Discusses atheism, Wittgensteinian fideism, Reformed epistemology (Plantinga), natural theology, Prudential Arguments, Religious Experience. Articles by well-known philosophers survey the contemporary issues. Mavrodes, George. Belief in God. New York: Random House, 1970. A very important philosophical work. Plantinga, Alvin, and Nicholas Wolterstorff., ed. Faith and Rationality. Notre Dame: Univ. of Notre Dame Press, 1983. Plantinga is greatly respected even in secular philosophical circles. His work is original, much discussed, and not easily classified. Requires some philosophical background. See Frame's review of this volume in an appendix to Doctrine of the Knowledge of God. Plantinga is of Christian Reformed background and taught at Calvin College for some years. Now teaches at Notre Dame. Poythress, Vern. Philosophy, Science and the Sovereignty of God. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., 1976. Reymond, Robert L. The Justification of Knowledge. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., 1976. Van Tillian, but veers toward Clark at points. Van Til, Cornelius. A Christian Theory of Knowledge. Nutley, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., 1969. ______. An Introduction to Systematic Theology. Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., 1975. ______. Survey of Christian Epistemology. Phila.: Den Dulk Christian Foundation, 1969; Reprint, Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., n.d., (early work). Wolterstorff, Nicholas. Reason Within the Bounds of Revelation. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1976. Also, see under Plantinga. Wolterstorff also taught at Calvin for many years. He recently moved on to Yale. Apologetics (General works) Bahnsen, Greg. Always Ready. Phillipsburg: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., 1996. Includes many biblical references supporting presuppositional apologetics. ______. Van Til's Apologetic: Readings and Analysis. Phillipsburg: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., 1998). xiv Christian Apologetics - Frame © 2012 Reformed Theological Seminary, Virtual