2009 - 2010 Academic Catalog - Westminster Theological Seminary

{Course Descriptions}
Apologetics
AP 721 The Apologetics of Cornelius Van Til
Purpose:
• To study in-depth the principles, method,
and content of Van Til’s apologetic
• To develop and critique Van Til’s apologetic approach
• To apply the insights of Van Til’s apologetic to
current challenges to the Christian faith
Topics covered include the impact of Van Til’s apologetic in the
context of its development. There will be some attention given
to critical analyses of Van Til’s position. Seminar discussions will
focus on the content of Van Til’s thought.
Fall semester. Mr. Oliphint.
AP 733 Christianity and the Arts
Purpose:
• To understand the dynamics of art
• To arrive at a Reformed view of aesthetics
• To learn how Scripture speaks about the arts
• To develop convictions about the proper role of the arts in
daily life
• To explore the role of the arts in worship
Topics covered include the present state of the arts, the character
of beauty, art as a vocation, the arts in the Bible, and the special
dynamic of evil and redemption in the arts. Sessions will integrate
guest artists; a museum visit; discussions of music, poems, novels,
and paintings.
Spring semester. (Not given in 2009-2010.) Mr. Edgar.
AP 743 Christianity in Conflict II
Purpose:
• To study the major apologetics texts of
the church in the Medieval period
• To compare the methods and arguments used
• To assess those methods in relation to
the needs in apologetics today
Topics covered include texts by Anselm, Thomas Aquinas, Peter
Abelard, John Duns Scotus, Ockham, and Buridan. The approach
will generally be inductive, based on the actual texts. Some lectures
will be given.
Spring semester. (Not given in 2009-2010.) Mr. Edgar and
Mr. Oliphint.
AP 753 Christianity in Conflict III
Purpose:
• To study the major apologetics texts of the
church in the early modern period
• To compare the methods and arguments used
• To assess those methods in relation to
the needs in apologetics today
Topics covered include texts by Luther, Calvin, Descartes, Pascal,
Butler, Hume, Kant, Schleiermacher, Groen, and Kuyper. The
approach will generally be inductive, based on the actual texts.
Some lectures will be given.
Spring semester. (Not given in 2009-2010.) Mr. Edgar and
Mr. Oliphint.
AP 763 Christianity in Conflict IV
Purpose:
• To study the major apologetics texts of the
church in the last two centuries
• To compare the methods and arguments used
• To assess those methods in relation to
the needs in apologetics today
Topics covered include texts by Machen, Chesterton, Küng, von
Balthasar, Schaeffer, Carnell, the Talbot School, Tillich, Clark, and
Pannenberg. The approach will generally be inductive, based on the
actual texts. Some lectures will be given.
Spring semester. (Not given in 2009-2010.) Mr. Edgar and
Mr. Oliphint.
2009–2010
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