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True Gospel Institute
Scripture Alone · Christ Alone
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Institute

Apologetics

This course equips students to give a reasoned, biblically grounded defense of the Christian faith. Students will study the major approaches to apologetics, arguments for God's existence, the reliability of Scripture, the historical case for the resurrection, the problem of evil, the relationship between science and faith, and how to engage other worldviews and religions with both truth and grace.

True Gospel Canada 13 weeks Text
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Learning Objectives

  • Understand the biblical basis and purpose of apologetics
  • Understand the major approaches to apologetics: classical, evidential, and presuppositional
  • Understand the classic arguments for God's existence
  • Understand the manuscript and archaeological evidence for Scripture's reliability
  • Understand the historical case for the resurrection of Jesus
  • Understand how to address the problem of evil and suffering
  • Understand the relationship between science and Christian faith
  • Understand how to engage other worldviews and world religions with grace and truth

Syllabus

Overview

Apologetics equips students to give a reasoned, biblically grounded defense of the Christian faith, covering approaches to apologetics, arguments for God's existence, the reliability of Scripture, the historical case for the resurrection, the problem of evil, science and faith, and engaging other worldviews and religions with grace and truth.

Reading Plan

Week 1: introduction to apologetics. Week 2: approaches to apologetics. Weeks 3-4: arguments for God's existence. Weeks 5-6: the reliability of Scripture. Week 7: the historical reliability of the Gospels. Week 8: the case for the resurrection. Week 9: the problem of evil. Week 10: science and faith. Weeks 11-12: answering other worldviews and religions. Week 13: practical apologetics.

Required Materials

A personal Bible in one of the following standard translations: ESV, NIV, NASB 1995, CSB, LSB, or NLT; a notebook or journal for reading notes and reflection.

Grading & Completion

Assessment focuses on engagement with the material and demonstration of comprehension. Students complete weekly reading assignments and a short weekly quiz covering that week's material. A final exam covering the entire course is available once every week has been passed.

Course Outcomes

  • Upon completion, students will be able to explain and evaluate the major approaches to apologetics
  • Upon completion, students will be able to present the historical case for Scripture's reliability and Christ's resurrection
  • Upon completion, students will be able to engage skeptics and other worldviews thoughtfully, graciously, and with sound reasoning

Weekly Lessons

  1. Wk 1 Introduction to Apologetics: The Biblical Basis for Defending the Faith
  2. Wk 2 Approaches to Apologetics: Classical, Evidential, and Presuppositional
  3. Wk 3 The Existence of God: Cosmological and Teleological Arguments
  4. Wk 4 The Existence of God: Moral and Ontological Arguments
  5. Wk 5 The Reliability of Scripture: Manuscript Evidence
  6. Wk 6 The Reliability of Scripture: Archaeological Confirmation
  7. Wk 7 The Historical Reliability of the Gospels
  8. Wk 8 The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus
  9. Wk 9 The Problem of Evil and Suffering
  10. Wk 10 Science and Faith: Are They in Conflict?
  11. Wk 11 Answering Other Worldviews: Naturalism and Postmodernism
  12. Wk 12 Answering Other Religions: A Biblical Approach
  13. Wk 13 Practical Apologetics: Engaging Skeptics with Grace and Truth