Apologetics and World Religions (CT3207L)

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: CT3207L

Unit status: Archived (Major revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: Systematic Theology

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Australian Lutheran College

Show when this unit is running

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 developing apologetic skills to dialogue respectfully and meaningfully with people of other faiths and other world-views from a Christian perspective
3.

Outline the central beliefs and practices 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
5.

Critically evaluate the beliefs and practices of one major world religion and the nature of Christian dialogue with that religion
6.

Critique the beliefs and practices of other movements influential in Australian society, from a theological and pastoral perspective.

Unit sequence

At least 30 credit points in Field C—Systematic Theology (CT) is desirable

Pedagogy

Lectures, tutorials

Indicative Bibliography

  • Beilby, James K. 2011. Thinking about Christian apologetics: what it is and why we do it. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic.
  • Braaten, Carl E. 1992. No other gospel!: Christianity among the world's religions. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress.
  • Burke, T Patrick. 2004. The major religions: an introduction with texts. 2nd edition. Cambridge, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.
  • Corduan, Winfried. 2012. Neighboring faiths: a Christian introduction to world religions. 2nd edition. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic.
  • Dulles, Avery. 2005. A history of apologetics. Revised edition. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press.
  • Limburg, James, trans. and ed. 1987. Judaism: an introduction for Christians. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg.
  • McGrath, Alister E. 1992. Bridge-building: effective Christian apologetics. Leicester, UK: Inter-Varsity Press.
  • ———. 2011. Mere apologetics: how to help seekers and skeptics find faith. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker.
  • Markham, Ian, ed. 2009. A world religions reader. 3rd edition. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.
  • Martinson, Paul Varo. 1999. Families of faith: an introduction to world religions for Christians. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress.
  • Partridge, Christopher H., ed. 2005. The new Lion handbook: the world’s religions. 3rd edition. Oxford, UK: Lion.
  • Saeed, Abdullah. 2003. Islam in Australia. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

World religion essay 2500 words

0 50.0
Essay

Contemporary worldview presentation 1500 word essay or PowerPoint equivalent

 0 30.0
Oral Presentation

World religion presentation 1000 word equivalent

 0 20.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 19 Oct, 2017

Unit record last updated: 2021-06-07 08:43:51 +1000