Study Programme - Christian Apologetics

When faith is challenged this should lead to a faith more fully understood. Hostility to belief may come for many reasons, so a Christian response must be sensitive, honest and clear. This unit provides an opportunity to think through hard questions and to engage constructively with other faiths.

This unit is split into two modules.

APOLOGETICS 1

1. Faith & Reason
   A contemporary articulation of the notion of faith seeking understanding
2. The Existence of God
   Re-examining classical arguments for the existence of God
3. Scripture & Truth
   Developing a coherent doctrine of scripture sensitive to issues of error and rival truth claims
4. The Problem of Evil
   Developing a robust theodicy
5. Science & Belief 1
   Exploring specific scientific topics which challenge Christian faith
6. Science & Belief 2
   Exploring specific scientific topics which challenge Christian faith
7. Psychology & Experience
   Exploring psychological explanations for religious experience
8. Sociology of Religion
   Exploring sociological explanations for religious experience
9. Jesus as God?
   An examination of objections to the ideas of incarnation and resurrection
10. Jesus as Saviour?
    An examination of objections to the idea of atonement

APOLOGETICS 2

1. Judaism
   A dialogue with a leading Jewish scholar
2. Islam
   A dialogue with a leading Islamic scholar
3. Buddhism
   A dialogue with a leading Buddhist scholar
4. Hinduism
   A dialogue with a leading Hindu scholar
5. New Age Spirituality
   A dialogue with a leading exponent of New Age spirituality

Sessions with leading scholars from alternative religious traditions will be double sessions.