Apologetics (Audio)
by Mark R. Stevenson
To listen to an audio podcast, mouse over the title and click Play. Open iTunes to download and subscribe to iTunes U collections.
Description
An introduction to the task and methodology of Christian apologetics. This course will explore common objections to the Christian faith and prepare students to respond in reasonable and appropriate ways. Students are also introduced to the impact of postmodernism in our culture and the challenge it presents for the apologetic enterprise.
| Name | Description | Released | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
The Nature and Task of Apologetics | Mark Stevenson defines what the term "apologetics" means and discusses the importance for the believer to defend his/her faith. | 2/11/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
2 |
Overview of the History of Apologetics; Introduction to Apologetic Methodology | This lecture begins with a very broad overview of key figures involved historically in the area of apologetics. Mr. Stevenson briefly alludes to the methodology on how to do apologetics studies. | 2/11/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
3 |
Classical Apologetics (Part One- A Method) | Mr. Stevenson is looking in the next few classes at different methodologies on how to approach apologetics. This approach looks at historical methods. Time is spent on C.S. Lewis. Time is also spent on the "Proofs for God's Existence." | 2/11/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
4 |
Classical Apologetics (Part Two) | Mr. Stevenson begins by summarizing the material presented in the course up until this lecture. He continues to work through issues important to the classical apologists. The main issue for the classical apologist is the reason behind the Christian faith. Three main apologetic issues are developed in this lecture: scripture, miracles and Jesus. | 3/10/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
5 |
Evidentialism (Part One) | The class focuses on evidences that prove Christianity is the best form of theism. Mr. Stevenson highlights the differences between the classical model of apologetics and evidentialism. | 3/10/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
6 |
Evidentialism (Part Two) | Mr. Stevenson discusses Evidential Apologetics, showing their main tenets. He uses the example of manuscript and the resurrection of Jesus. | 2/11/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
7 |
Reformed Apologetics (Part One) | Mr. Stevenson works through material related to the broad topic of Reformed (Presuppositional) Apologetics, including the historical background pertaining to John Calvin and Cornelius Van Til. | 2/11/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
8 |
Reformed Apologetics (Part Two) | Mr. Stevenson continues to summarize Reformed Presuppositional Apologetics through the theology of Cornelius Van Til and John Frame. | 2/11/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
9 |
Fideism | Mr. Stevenson defines the term "fideism", and then he spends most of the lecture explaining its roots, supporters and tenets. He takes a good deal of time to interact with students on the positive and negative aspects of the apologetic categories discussed thus far in class. | 2/11/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
10 |
Integrative Apologetics | Mr. Stevenson looks in depth at the theology of Francis Schaeffer and his efforts to combine classical apologetics with other forms of apologetics. A discussion on Postmodernism follows the discussion on Francis Schaeffer. | 2/11/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
11 |
Postmodernism | Mr. Stevenson continues his discussion on the Postmodern worldview. He works through some of the challenges to evangelicalism that naturally arise from contact with a Postmodern culture. Part of the lecture discusses methods for conversation with a postmodernist, including laws on deductive reasoning. | 3/10/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
12 |
The Existence of God (Part One) | In this lecture, Mr. Stevenson discusses the existence of God and the approaches believers can take when leading skeptics, agnostics, atheists, etc. to the Gospel. The second half of the lecture deals with objections to the arguments for God’s existence. The effort is to get believers knowledgeable of the issues they will face in arguing for God’s existence. | 3/4/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
13 |
The Existence of God (Part Two) | In this lecture Mr. Stevenson continues to discuss issues related to the objections to God’s existence as argued by those who deny God. He spends time on the views of Richard Dawkins, a popular atheist. | 3/10/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
14 |
The Reliability of Scripture | Mr. Stevenson models an apologetic approach to help believers understand their faith better and to use as an evangelistic tool. The Da Vinci Code provides the substance for his material. | 3/4/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
15 |
The Indentity of Jesus Christ | Mr. Stevenson continues to work with a paradigm for strengthening faith and modeling evangelism by using the Da Vinci Code as a spring board. | 3/4/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
16 |
The Problem of Evil and Suffering (Part One) | Mr. Stevenson deals with the problem of evil and suffering on the theological/philosophical level. | 4/17/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
17 |
The Problem of Evil and Suffering (Part Two) | Mr. Stevenson deals with the problem of evil and suffering on a practical/applicable level. | 4/17/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
18 |
Miracles | The lecture starts with a clip from a movie, Inherit the Wind. It is a Hollywood drama on the Scopes Trial. It reveals contemporary culture's views towards miracles (see film for context). Mr. Stevenson discusses the fallacies involved in culture's approach to miracles. | 4/17/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
19 |
The Resurrection of Jesus | Mr. Stevenson works through issues regarding the truth of the resurrection of Jesus. | 4/17/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
20 |
Pluralism | Mr. Stevenson discusses a conversation of R.C. Sproul's on the topic of pluralism, the belief that all faiths are valid. | 4/17/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
21 |
The Problem of Hell | Mr. Stevenson moves through a discussion about the doctrine of Hell, a place God reserves for punishment for those who do not believe in Him. He discusses several positions on the doctrine. | 4/17/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
22 |
The Challenge of Ethics (homosexuality) | The ethical issue of homosexuality and culture's response to it is the substance of this lecture. | 4/17/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
23 |
The Problem of Christian Hypocrisy | Mr. Stevenson works through objections/statements concerning excuses unbelievers use to attack hypocritical Christians. | 4/17/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
24 |
Embracing Christianity | The substance of the lecture is a defense for why Christianity should be embraced. There are arguments for and against adopting Christianity with the final analysis being in favor of accepting it. Mr. Stevenson gives ten reasons for embracing Christianity. | 4/17/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| Total: 24 Episodes |
Customer Reviews
Is this the best Apologists can do?
I am a Christian and I was really intrested in finding the argue points used when debating Atheists and such... I can't believe this is a good representation of the movement or we have A LOT or work to do. One thing I found very intresting is that this teacher rarely quotes from the Bible. It seems his main source of inspirations are from philosophers from ancient times. When I'm arguing against an Atheist, how is quoting a 14th century religious philosopher going to convince anyone of anything? And his students are also quite annoying. Do they ask him questions contradicting his views or even following up on them? No, they all seem to be brown nosers who ask questions in order to impress the teacher with their specific interpertations. And the thing I found most irritating was his constant putting down of other Christians who just don't have this very specific orthodox view of the Bible. He speaks of other Christians being cults but I expect more people would consider the "Plymouth Brethren" faith to be one as well. Look it up.
Great overview
This is a nice overview of Apologetics. It will encourage you and strengthen your faith. The previous reviewer is mistaken in my opinion.
Unfair rating
This is actually a good introduction to apologetics course. The other written review was a bit harsh, in my opinion. He only said "kind of cult" to religious groups that are nearly unanimously considered cults. It's a private college, so it's natural that the backgrounds and views of the students are pretty much the same. I suggest listening to the whole course in order, otherwise you will miss out on some good information.
