2009 - 2010 Academic Catalog - Westminster Theological Seminary

{Course Descriptions}
Apologetics
Apologetics
Every form of intellectual argument rests, in the last analysis, upon
one or the other of two basic presuppositions. The non-Christian’s
process of reasoning rests upon the presupposition that man is
the final or ultimate reference point in human predication. The
Christian’s process of reasoning rests upon the presupposition that
God, speaking through Christ by his Spirit in the infallible Word, is
the final or ultimate reference point in human predication.
– Cornelius Van Til
Apologetics is a theological discipline that seeks to defend and commend
the Christian faith. The apologetic tradition of Westminster
attempts to apply Reformed theology to the challenges that confront
Christianity and the church. Apologetics is an indispensable
preparation for gospel ministry and for evangelism.
To that end, the Apologetics curriculum enables students:
• To understand biblical religion as a world-and-life
view, rather than a set of isolated truths
• To develop arguments which address the
deepest levels of various worldviews
• To articulate biblical principles for the defense and
commendation of the gospel of Jesus Christ in evangelism
• To understand the patterns and cultural trends of our times
• To develop answers to some of the most frequent
challenges raised against Christian faith
• To know something of the history of thought
• To be familiar with some of the most articulate
apologists throughout history
• To articulate the relationship between faith and reason
Apologetics faculty: Professor Edgar, Coordinator; Professor Oliphint;
Mr. Park and Mr. Ward.
Master’s level
AP 101 Introduction to Apologetics
Purpose:
• To introduce students to Christian apologetics
• To learn the art of Christian persuasion
• To learn how to lift up Christ and give reasons
for the hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15)
• To develop tools in order to understand the surrounding culture
Topics covered include the biblical basis for apologetics, developing
a world and life view, the issue of meaning, presuppositionalism,
engaging contemporary culture, and highlights in the history of
apologetics. We will give special attention to the problem of meaning,
the problem of evil, world religions (including Islam), science
and faith, reason and revelation, and aesthetics.
Fall semester, three hours. Mr. Edgar.
AP 213 Principles of Christian Apologetics
Purpose:
• To build on the principles established in AP 101
• To establish the Scriptural warrant for the Christian faith
• To understand the place and importance
of evidences in apologetics
• To establish biblical principles necessary
for a defense of Christianity
Topics covered include the nature and structure of arguments, an
in-depth analysis and critique of some of the traditional proofs for
the existence of God, and the necessity of a Reformed doctrine of
revelation for apologetics. Prerequisites, AP 101, and NT 013, or
equivalent, completed or in progress.
Spring semester, three hours. Mr. Oliphint.
AP 433 Christianity and the Arts
See AP 733 below. Spring semester, two hours. (Not given in
2009-2010.) Mr. Edgar.
AP 441 The Apologetics of Cornelius Van Til
See AP 721 below. Fall semester, two hours. Mr. Oliphint.
2009–2010
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