Apologetics and World Religions (CT3007L)

Undergraduate, 18.0 points

Content

The purpose of this unit is to introduce students to the foundations, history and functions of Christian apologetics, and then, with an apologetic focus, to study major world religions and a variety of other non-Christian movements.

Unit code: CT3007L

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: Systematic Theology

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Australian Lutheran College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Describe and discuss the necessity and importance of apologetics as a discipline of theology and the church’s apologetic task
2.

Use apologetic skills in responding to the beliefs and practices of other movements influential in Australian society, in a theological and pastoral manner
3.

Demonstrate in-depth, critical knowledge of one major world religion and the nature of Christian dialogue with that religion
4.

Provide an overview of the world’s major religions and an understanding of where the points of contact and contrast are for Christian apologetics

Unit sequence

Course relationship: A level 3 unit in undergraduate theology and ministry courses

Pedagogy

This unit draws on tutorial discussion, lecturing, and student presentations and discussion. Excursions to relevant religious sites are an optional component.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Braaten, Carl E. No other gospel: Christianity among the world's religions. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1992.
  • Dulles, Avery. A history of apologetics. Rev. ed. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 2005.
  • Frame, Tom. Losing my religion: unbelief in Australia. Sydney, NSW: UNSW Press, 2009.
  • Keller, Timothy. The reason for God: belief in an age of skepticism. New York: Riverhead Books, 2008.
  • Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. Revised and amplified edition. London, UK: HarperCollinsPublishers, 2001.
  • ————. The abolition of man. New York: HarperCollins, 2001 [1944].
  • McGrath, Alister E. Bridge-building: effective Christian apologetics. Leicester, UK: Inter-Varsity Press, 1992.
  • ————. Mere apologetics: how to help seekers and skeptics find faith. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2011.
  • Markham, Ian, ed. A world religions reader. 3rd ed. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell, 2009.
  • Partridge, Christopher H., and Tim Dowley, eds. Introduction to world religions. 4th ed. Oxford, UK: Lion, 2014.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Forum

Weekly reflection on the assigned readings

1000 25.0
Oral Presentation

Contemporary worldview presentation

 1500 25.0
Essay

World religion and Christian engagement

 2500 50.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Maggie Kappelhoff on 5 Oct, 2020

Unit record last updated: 2021-06-07 08:43:48 +1000