ATP 304: Apologetics II

Subtitle: Engaging Contemporary Challenges to Christianity

Course Description

Welcome to ATP 304! This course builds directly upon the foundations laid in Apologetics I, moving from a general defense of the faith to engaging specific, contemporary challenges. If the first course equipped you with the what and why of Christian belief, this course will equip you with the how—how to thoughtfully and winsomely apply timeless biblical truths to the pressing questions of our time. We will address modern objections to the Christian faith that arise from the fields of science, philosophy, religious pluralism, and postmodern thought. Our goal is not simply to win arguments, but to provide credible answers and build bridges for the Gospel in a skeptical world.

Course Structure

This course is composed of five chapters, each focusing on a major contemporary challenge to the Christian faith. Each chapter includes a detailed summary, five in-depth lessons, a chapter test, and an optional “Deep Dive” for further study. The course culminates in a final course test.

• Course: Syllabus + Interactive Syllabus + 5 Chapters + Course Test
• Chapter: Summary + 5 Lessons + Chapter Test + Deep Dive

Course Objectives

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

• Analyze Modern Objections: Identify and articulate the primary arguments against Christianity from scientism, secular philosophy, religious pluralism, and postmodernism.
• Formulate Biblical Responses: Construct coherent, biblically-grounded, and intellectually sound responses to these contemporary challenges.
• Engage Competing Worldviews: Understand and charitably critique the underlying assumptions of competing worldviews.
• Articulate a Theology of Science: Develop a framework for understanding the relationship between science and faith, affirming God as the author of both creation and Scripture.
• Defend Truth and Morality: Make a compelling case for objective truth and moral values in a relativistic culture.
• Communicate with Confidence and Grace: Grow in the ability to discuss complex and sensitive topics with a spirit of gentleness, respect, and intellectual honesty, following the model of 1 Peter 3:15.

Course Outline

Chapter 1: The Challenge of Science and Faith

• Lesson 1: Defining the Terms: Science, Scientism, and Faith
• Lesson 2: The New Atheism: Responding to Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens
• Lesson 3: The Origins Debate: Creation, Evolution, and Intelligent Design
• Lesson 4: Miracles and the Laws of Nature
• Lesson 5: Bioethics: A Christian Perspective on Modern Medical Questions

Chapter 2: The Challenge of Philosophy and Truth

• Lesson 1: The Problem of Evil and Suffering Revisited
• Lesson 2: The Challenge of Materialism and Naturalism
• Lesson 3: Is There a Soul? The Mind-Body Problem
• Lesson 4: Free Will, Determinism, and Moral Responsibility
• Lesson 5: Arguing for Objective Truth in a “My Truth” World

Chapter 3: The Challenge of Religious Pluralism

• Lesson 1: Are All Religions the Same? The Mountain Analogy
• Lesson 2: The Uniqueness of Christ: Why Jesus is the Only Way
• Lesson 3: Engaging Islam
• Lesson 4: Engaging Eastern Religions (Hinduism & Buddhism)
• Lesson 5: Engaging New Age and Secular Spirituality

Chapter 4: The Challenge of Postmodernism and Culture

• Lesson 1: What is Postmodernism? Deconstruction, Relativism, and the Loss of Meaning
• Lesson 2: The Reliability of the Biblical Text in a Skeptical Age
• Lesson 3: Engaging Critical Theory and Identity Politics
• Lesson 4: A Christian View of Sex, Gender, and Identity
• Lesson 5: Redeeming Art, Media, and Culture

Chapter 5: The Apologetic Life: Character and Conduct

• Lesson 1: The Intellectual Virtues: Humility, Honesty, and Courage
• Lesson 2: The Role of the Holy Spirit in Apologetics
• Lesson 3: Moving from Argument to Conversation
• Lesson 4: The Power of a Story: Using Testimony Effectively
• Lesson 5: For Such a Time as This: Becoming a Faithful Ambassador for Christ

Assessments & Grading

• Chapter Quizzes: Short quizzes will follow each lesson to assess comprehension.
• Chapter Tests: A test at the end of each of the five chapters will review the material covered.
• Final Course Test: A comprehensive final exam will cover the key ideas from all five chapters.
• Passing Requirement: To successfully complete this course, you must achieve a score of 80% or higher on each of the five Chapter Tests and the Final Course Test.