The question of whether Christian faith remains tenable in the modern world is a subject of ongoing debate. In recent years, increased criticism of religion and Christianity has led some to question its rationality and relevance. By offering an overview of Orthodox Christian apologetics, this unit introduces students to the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to examine how Christianity responds to contemporary challenges. This unit also serves as a basis for further study into associated contemporary aspects, such as logic, theology, and philosophy.
Unit code: CT8300A
Unit status: Approved (New unit)
Points: 24.0
Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational
Unit discipline: Systematic Theology
Delivery Mode: Online - Synchronous
Proposing College: St Athanasius College
Show when this unit is running| 1. | Evaluate the distinctions between Orthodox and non-Orthodox approaches to apologetics. |
| 2. | Articulate and substantiate classical and modern perspectives and rationales supporting Christian life and faith. |
| 3. | Exhibit a critical understanding of the nature of Christian apologetics and outline the different approaches that are available. |
| 4. | Demonstrate critical and innovative application of acquired knowledge to address contemporary issues identified in societal contexts and academic literature. |
| 5. | Demonstrate the capacity to research a specific topic in a critically rigorous, sustained and self-directed manner |
Synchronous and asynchronous. Flipped classrooms. Online tutorials with guided reading and group discussion.
Adams, M. M. Horrendous Evils and the Goodness of God. Melbourne: Melbourne University Press, 1999.
Andreyev, I. M. Orthodox Apologetic Theology. Platina, CA: St Herman Press, 1995.
Bouteneff, P. C. Sweeter than Honey: Orthodox Thinking on Dogma and Truth. Yonkers, NY: St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2006.
Bradshaw, D., & Swinburne, R. (eds.). Natural Theology in the Eastern Orthodox Tradition. IOTA Publications, 2021.
Cottingham, J. Philosophy of Religion: Towards A More Humane Approach. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2014.
Farrington, P. Orthodox Christianity: A Reasonable Faith. Lulu.com, 2018.
Knight, C. C. “Analytic” Natural Theology: Orthodox or Otherwise? St. Vladimir’s Theological Quarterly, 65.1–2 (2021): 57–85.
Knight, C. C. Eastern Orthodoxy and the Science-Theology Dialogue. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2022.
Nesteruk, A. v. The Universe in the Image of Imago Dei: The Dialogue between Theology and Science as a Hermeneutics of the Human Condition. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2022.
Nesteruk, A. v. Humanity, and the Universe: At the Crossroads of Christian Theology, Modern Cosmology, and Astrobiology. Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications, 2023.
Sweis, K. A., & Meister, C. V (eds.). Christian Apologetics: An Anthology of Primary Sources. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012.
Swinburne, R. The Existence of God (2nd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.
| Type | Description | Word count | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forum | 1000 | 20.0 | |
| Oral Presentation | 2000 | 30.0 | |
| Essay | Essay and oral defense. |
3000 | 50.0 |
Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 7 Oct, 2025
Unit record last updated: 2025-10-07 08:34:51 +1100