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Christian Apologetics at Westminster |
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What is Christian Apologetics?
Christian apologetics is the theological discipline that seeks to defend and build up the Christian faith. The Christian apologetic tradition at Westminster Theological Seminary attempts to apply Reformed Theology to the challenges that come against Christianity and the church. Christian apologetics is essential for effective and God honoring gospel ministry and evangelism.
Christian Apologetics and the Tradition of Knowledge
The Christian apologetics curriculum at Westminster Theological Seminary enables students:
- To understand the Bible and it's relation to real-life including current culture and ideas, instead of just a set of isolated or outdated truths
- To construct arguments which address the innermost issues associated with various worldviews
- To clearly learn biblical principles and how to apply them for the defense and justification of the gospel of Jesus Christ in evangelism
- To understand the culture and trends present today
- To have answers in response to the most common challenges and questions raised against the Christian faith
- To know and understand the history of thought
- To be mindful of some of the most respected and knowledgeable apologists throughout history
- To clearly identify the relationship between faith and reason
Highlights of a Few of the Christian Apologetics Courses at Westminster Theological Seminary
At Westminster Theological Seminary, students are prepared for ministry in the present day culture through many traditional and cutting-edge courses related to Christian apologetics.
Christianity and Film - This course prepares students by instructing them on how to "read" or analyze a film. This skill allows students to determine the cultural values, ideas, and point of view being communicated in the film. Films are viewed through Christian "goggles" which allows students to prepare a biblical response to films, television programs, and other forms of media being produces by the secular culture. This is a film analysis course with an emphasis on the film's story, the human condition, the human heart and it's relation to God. When viewed through the Spirit filled life of a believer, practical references can be pulled from films and applied to ministry opportunities that exist in society.
The Apologetics of Cornelius Van Til - Cornelius Van Til was a professor of Christian apologetics at Westminster where he taught for 43 years of his life. This course studies the principles, method, and content of Van Til's apologetic. Students are encouraged to develop and critique Van Til's apologetic approach throughout this course. Furthermore, students apply the insights gained to the current challenges in the Christian faith. The impact of Van Til's apologetic, along with critical analysis of his position are explored and examined in detail.
Christianity and the Arts - This course helps students understand the dynamics of art and its influence on culture. Students learn what Scripture speaks about the arts and develop convictions about the proper use of art in daily life and the culture. The role of arts in worship is also examined and discussed. Arts in the Bible are discussed including the special dynamic of evil and redemption in the arts. Guest artists are an essential part of this course as are a museum visit, discussions of poems, paintings, novels, and music.
Christianity in Conflict: I, II, III, IV - This course studies the major apologetics texts of the church from the first thousand years through today. Comparisons between the methods and arguments used are explored. Practical applications are studied for use in Christian apologetics within the current culture. Some of the texts studied are from renowned teachers including: Tertullian, Iranaeus, Augustine, Anselm, Thomas Aquinas, Peter Abelard, Ockham, Luther, Calvin, Pascal, Hume, Kant, Machen, Schaeffer, Carnell, and Clark.
Intercultural Apologetics - Students learn to understand the ways of communicating Christian apologetics within different cultural situations and environments where cultural differences abound. Students learn how to understand the differences between a Christian world and the life-views, understanding and theological perceptions of the culture in which they are trying to function as a Christian apologist. Students also learn strategies to deal with other religions in an intercultural setting which may or may not pose a challenge to Christianity. Students are encouraged to become sensitized and familiar with other cultures and the ways in which the Christian faith is expressed and experienced within those cultures, especially since much of the world experiences expressions of Christian faith very differently than the Western world.
The Apologetics of C.S. Lewis - The theological and apologetic writings of C.S. Lewis are examined in this course. An understanding of Lewis in relationship to the time he was alive is learned to better relate to his points of view. Students take a critical look at the theology and apologetic of Lewis and evaluate his strategies for use in today's world. Lewis's idea of pre-evangelism, his understanding of key theological themes, religious psychology, and literary imagination are all examined and explored.
Christian Apologetics used in Relating to a Culture in Transition
Westminster Theological Seminary is on the forefront of Christian apologetics. Through detailed and in-depth study of the past theologians and apologists since the churches creation, students receive knowledge that prepares them to address the cultural concerns and challenges of today. By a solid understanding of the past and the apologists that have come before, students are prepared to embrace the future and the apologetic issues and challenges that lie ahead. WTS offers many courses that address current issues surrounding our world. Find out more about the Christian Apologetics program at Westminster.
Contact Westminster Theological Seminary today to get more information about the Christian Apologetics program or any of the other disciplines available at the seminary.
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