DESCRIPTION:

A number of intellectual challenges confront the Christian believer. Three of the most pressing challenges are: (1) How can God's goodness be reconciled with the evil in the world? (2) Does science pose a threat to Christian belief? (3) How can we claim Christian belief is true when we recognize many different religions and worldviews? The course aims at providing resources and skills for reflecting on these three issues.

The questions addressed in this course are often raised both by church members and by those outside the church. It is hoped that students in this class will begin to resolve these issues for themselves, and will therefore be in a position to offer guidance for others seeking answers.

The class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions. The professor will lecture on relevant topics, and part of class time will be reserved for small-group discussion.

Hick, John. Evil and the God of Love. Harper & Row, 1977.

Murphy, Nancey. Reconciling Theology and Science: A Radical Reformation Perspective. Pandora Press, 1997.

Newbigin, Lesslie. The Gospel in a Pluralist Society. Eerdmans, 1989.

Placher, William C. Unapologetic Theology: A Christian Voice in a Pluralistic Conversation. Westminster/John Knox Press, 1989.

Ward, Keith. Religion and Human Nature. Clarendon Press, 1998.

Course Readings.

Seech, Zachary. Writing Philosophy Papers. Wadsworth, 1993.

It is essential that students do assigned reading before class, and come prepared to discuss it. In addition, three (8 page) papers will be required in the which students will be expected to show competence in thinking about the issues dealt with in class and in texts.

None. (This is a good course for beginning students.)

Meets M. Div. Core requirement in Philosophical Theology (PHIL).

None.