Spring 2012/Pasadena

PH508

Rhee

PH508: PHILOSOPHICAL ISSUES IN APOLOGETICS (Taught in Korean). Edmund Rhee.

DESCRIPTION: This course explores how both evangelical and liberal apologetic strategies have been influenced by modern philosophy, and also how new major developments in philosophy since the 1950s could be used in developing a more helpful apologetic framework. It covers evangelical, liberal, and postmodern approaches to four central apologetic issues: Christian belief and science, divine action and the laws of nature, religious pluralism, and God’s goodness and the evil in the world.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Students will be able to understand and critically evaluate different apologetic strategies, and will begin to formulate, both for themselves and for others, answers to the central questions addressed in this course.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of the course students will be able to understand (1) foundationalism and its impact on modern apologetic strategies, (2) a holistic approach to apologetics, (3) a new view of science and of its relationship to Christian belief, (4) recent attempts to address the problem of evil, and (5) issues relating to religious pluralism.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will combine lectures and discussions. The class will meet weekly for three-and-a-half-hour sessions for ten weeks.

REQUIRED READING:

Guinness, Os. Gotong Appe Seoda [고통 앞에 서다]. Translated by Kye Kwang Cho. Seoul: Word of Life, 2008 (translation of Unspeakable [New York: Harper One, 2006]). ISBN: 9788904157662. Pub. Price: $18.

Moreland, J. P., and John Mark Reynolds, eds. Changjowa Jinhwae Daehan Segaji Gyunhae [창조와 진화에 대한 세가지 견해]. Translated by Park Hee Joo. Seoul: Korean IVP, 2001 (translation of Three Views on Creation and Evolution [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999]). ISBN: 9788932845272. Pub. Price: $14.

Okholm, Dennis L., and Timothy R. Phillips, eds. Dawonjueui Nonjaeng [다원주의 논쟁]. Translated by Lee Seung Goo. Seoul: Christian Literature Crusade, 2001 (translation of Four Views on Salvation in a Pluralistic World [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996]). ISBN: 9788934107064. Pub. Price: $13.

Willard, Dallas. Grisdorul Anun Jisik [그리스도를 아는 지식]. Translated by Byung Ryong Hong. Seoul: Blessed People, 2009 (translation of Knowing Christ Today [New York: Harper One, 2009]). ISBN: 9788963600116. Pub. Price: $15.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. A mid-term exam (Monday, April 23; 20% of the final grade).

2. One 20-page paper on a relevant topic (due Friday, June 8; 50%).

3. A take-home final exam (due Friday, June 8; 30%).

PREREQUISITES: Korean.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Philosophical Theology (PHIL).

FINAL EXAMINATION: Take-home final exam.