BIB355 Worldview, Apologetics, Evangelism

19 Pages·2015·0.52 MB·English

by  John D. Street

BIB355 Worldview,
Apologetics, Evangelism

For quick access to your syllabus online, click here—BIB355 Worldview, Apologetics,
Evangelism

***Throughout this syllabus, content written in underlined blue are websites or emails that have been linked here for
the student’s quick access.
***Content written in underlined red are websites or resource documents that cannot be linked in this document and
must be accessed by the student in its respective section of the syllabus on the course home page in Canvas.
***Content written in bolded blue designate Student Handbook section markers that delineate where in the Student
Handbook the preceding information can be found or explained further. In the near future, these will be linked in the
PDF syllabi for the student’s online reference.
Table of Contents
Overview ...................................................................................... 3
Meet Your Professor ................................................................... 3
Course Description & Objectives ................................................ 3
Textbooks ................................................................................... 4
Grading ....................................................................................... 6
Course Work ................................................................................ 9
Module Schedule ........................................................................ 9
Assignments ............................................................................. 11
Discussions ............................................................................... 12
Resources & Policies ................................................................ 14
Research Resources ................................................................ 14
TMC Online Policies ................................................................. 15
TMC Policies ............................................................................. 17
Help & Support ......................................................................... 18
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Overview
Meet Your Professor
Jay Wegter (facilitator)
Jay Wegter is an experienced pastor, Bible teacher, and author. He has a B.A.
degree from Christian Heritage College and a Master of Divinity degree from The
Master’s Seminary. He is adjunct professor of Theology, Christian worldview
(Apologetics and Evangelism), and Grace-Driven Sanctification at The Master’s
College. He also teaches Introduction to Christian Theology for biblical counseling majors.
Jay is the founder and Executive Director of Gospel for Life established in 2005. GFL is a training
ministry which assists local churches in fulfilling The Great Commission through evangelistic outreach and
through curriculum designed to keep the Gospel central in discipleship. GFL provides equipping in
leadership development, evangelism, apologetics and discipleship, and in grace-driven sanctification
(www.gospelforlife.org (Links to an external site.)). Jay’s week is typically occupied with men’s ministry,
worldview mentoring and discipleship. He is a traveling speaker, providing workshops on Men’s Ministry;
Evangelism and Discipleship Training; and Christian Worldview. He regularly presents his course on
Worldview Evangelism at churches and Bible institutes.
Some of his publications include - 30 Days of Transforming Grace, Christ’s Pattern for His Church:
Disciples making Disciples,The Purity Workbook for Men, How to Share the Gospel in a Post-Christian
World, and A Man and His Convictions.
Contact Information
Home: 661-254-2105
Email: [email protected]
Course Description & Objectives
Course Description
The class will examine why biblical worldview is about Total Reality; not just about religious truth.
Christian worldview lays out God’s design for every aspect of life—whether for economics, history,
politics, law, ethics, family, or church. God’s ‘blueprint’ for us is governed by His character and truth. We
are to follow this design in order to discern what is good and right and holy.
The class will equip the student to critique erroneous worldviews for the purpose of becoming effective in
evangelism; thus the student will be trained to reach this generation in a ‘cross-cultural’ manner. This
necessitates that the student gain a general understanding of the humanistic and pantheistic philosophies
that have shaped Western thought.
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Students will be introduced to the work of Nancy Pearcey (Total Truth), the work of Greg Bahnsen
(Always Ready), and the work of Vishal Mangalwadi (The Book that made your World).
Commitment to biblical/Christian worldview is ideal training for effective evangelism. One of the reasons
why is because it produces a pervasive confidence that there are biblical answers to every important life
question. Biblical worldview is dynamic in all its purity and power; it has the power bring unified truth to all
of life; and to transform the world today.
The class will also examine the need for, and the methodology used in, presuppositional apologetics.
Close attention will be given to the darkening effect of sin upon the human heart and mind. We will
examine the need and use of Christian evidences, and their proper place in the apologetic presentation.
Course Objectives
 Understand and become aware that all communication is guided and conditioned by a person’s
worldview commitment.
 Apply the four (4) worldview questions to discussions with nonbelievers so as to demonstrate
practical application of presuppositional apologetic.
 Express a gospel presentation to nonbelievers in response to the answers provided from the four
(4) worldview questions. Demonstrate a unified worldview and move from a fragmented view of
the meaning and purpose of life.
Textbooks
It is the student's responsibility to ensure that all course materials, including textbooks are obtained by the
first week of the course. Students are responsible for completing assigned reading and submitting
assignments according to the syllabus. Extensions are not granted for reasons which include not
having access to course textbooks. Texts may be purchased through online retailers such as Amazon,
Barnes and Noble, etc.
The Master's College students trust The Master's College Book Store for new and used textbooks. At The
Master's College Book Store you'll get the exact textbooks selected by your instructors at the most
competitive prices guaranteed. Visit The Master’s College Online Bookstore to buy or rent your textbooks
online.
For more information, see Student Handbook § 3.03
Required Textbooks
 Nancy Pearcey, Total Truth - ISBN 978-1-4335-0220-8
 Greg Bahsen, Always Ready - ISBN 978-0-915815272
 Vishal Mangalwadi, The Book That Made Your World - ISBN 0-316-31696-2
 Knowing Right from Wrong.doc
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Recommended Reading
 W. Andrew Hoffecker, Building a Christian Worldview
 Abraham Kuyper, Lectures on Calvinism
 Joshua McDowell, Right from Wrong
 J. P. Moreland, Love Your God with all Your Mind
 Francis Schaeffer, How should we then Live?
 Herbert Schlossberg, Turning Point; A Christian Worldview Declaration
 James Sire, The Universe Next Door
 R. C. Sproul, The Consequence of Ideas
 Robert Reymond, The Justification of Knowledge
 Greg Bahnsen, Van Til’s Apologetic
 Thom Notaro, Van Til and the Use of Evidence
 Tom Wells, The Moral Basis of Faith
 John Frame, Apologetics to the Glory of God
 Cornelius Van Til, The Defense of the Faith
 John MacArthur, Nothing but the Truth, and, Why One Way?
 John Blanchard, Right with God
 Will Metzger, Tell the Truth
 Peter Jones, God of Sex
 Peter Jones, One or Two?
Course Resources
D’Souza –What’s so great about Christianity.pdf
Horner-Meaning at the movies.pdf
Myers-All God’s Children.pdf
MacArthur-Think Biblically.pdf
Piper-The supremacy of Christ in a postmodern world.pdf
Schaeffer-Escape from reason.pdf
Sproul-Lifeviews.pdf
Williams-The moral premise.pdf
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Grading
Course Grading Scale
Graded Assignment Point Value % of Total Grade
Discussions 30 (3) 9%
Survey Questions 75 7.5%
Right from Wrong Paper 135 13.5%
Worldview Paper Outline 70 7%
Worldview Paper Draft 90 9%
Worldview Paper 200 20%
Movie Critique Paper 135 13.5%
Group Discussion 30 3%
Video Evangelism Report 175 17.5%
Total 1000 points 100%

Grade Scale
A 94-100%
A- 90-93%
B+ 87-89%
B 84-86%
B- 80-83%
C+ 77-79%
C 74-76%
C- 70-73%
D+ 67-69%
D 64-66%
D- 60-63%
F 0-59%
Discussion Rubric
Online courses at The Masters College utilize discussion boards as a form of learning and assessment.
Discussions provide online students with opportunities often not available in the classroom environment.
Within module discussions, instructors provide thought provoking questions. Discussions afford the online
student sufficient time to research and construct a critical thinking and reflective response to the initial
thought provoking questions. It also affords online students time to practice writing skills and to ensure
written participation is free from spelling and grammatical errors. The time to research, develop a
thoughtful critical thinking response, validate the response with supportive research evidence and practice
writing skills are not typical discussion opportunities in the classroom environment.
With instructors as skilled facilitators of learning and dialogue, the online discussions can be used to build
connections among students and to build a community of learning where diversity of opinion is valued and
encouraged. Instructors can provide deeper level of learning by sharing videos, informative urls and other
supportive information that drives the online learner to deeper exploration of the course theories and
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concepts. Because of the nature of online discussions, students are afforded time during the module
week to examine and reflect upon the information shared within a discussion.
In addition to creating a learning environment, an opportunity for reflection and the development of
deeper learning, discussions provide a solid form of student learning assessment. The Masters College
students have the responsibility to maximize their learning opportunities and producing quality course
work. Online students can take proactive steps to ensure the formulation of well-constructed critical
thinking responses that are effectively supported with properly cited research evidence.
Student focused tips for successful participation in online discussion are provided below. Also provided
below is the Discussion Rubric used by instructors to evaluate and grade discussion assignments.
Students should use the same rubric to align their course work with the baseline quality participation level
of Proficient or leverage the rubric to align with requirements of Exemplary postings.

Tips for Successful Participation in an Online Discussion
1. Early in the week, read the discussion board questions and develop a research plan.
2. Conduct research and develop an initial posting that reflects critical analysis.
3. Validate your analysis with supportive evidence from your research.
4. Be sure to answer the discussion questions completely and to show different perspectives or
contrasting points of view.
5. Develop a well-though out initial posting that is 75 to 150 words in length.
6. Take time to read the responses of your classmates and instructor.
7. Develop responsive posting(s) with the same level of quality as your initial posting. Include
supportive evidence in your responsive postings.
8. Proof read your work and ensure that all postings are free from spelling and grammatical errors.
9. Be sure that research evidence is properly cited with the format required by your instructor.
a. MLA style and formatting guide: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
b. Turabian style and formatting guide:
http://www.press.uchicago.edu/books/turabian/manual/index.html (see the navigational
bar for Turabian Quick Guide)
10. Be respectful of your classmates’ opinions and convey disagreement in a manner that builds a
collaborative and open discussion.
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Criteria Exemplary Proficient Satisfactory Needs Value
Improvement
(9-10 POINTS) (6-8 POINTS) (3- 5 POINTS) (0-2 POINTS)
Analysis is Most analysis is Some analysis is Postings lack
effectively effectively effectively validated supportive
validated with validated with with supportive evidence.
Supportive 10
supportive supportive evidence. Minimum
Evidence
evidence. More evidence. of one
than one Minimum of one research source cit
research source research source ed.
cited. cited.
(12-15 POINTS) (8-11 POINTS) (7 POINTS) (0-3 POINTS)
Responsive Responsive Responsive Responsive
postings reflect postings reflect postings reflect postings are
thorough significant connect some connection missing or the
connection and ion and and engagement responsive
engagement engagement with with other postings lack
with other other classmates’ classmates’ connection or
Level of 15
classmates’ postings and postings; however, engagement
Participation
postings and further the the postings do not with other
take the discussion while further the classmates &
discussion building a discussion and postings.
deeper while community of build a community
building a learning. of learning.
community of
learning.
(5 POINTS) (4 POINTS) (3 POINTS) (0-2 POINTS)
Submitted Submitted Submitted postings Submitted
postings are free postings have a have a notable postings have a
from one or two amount of significant
grammatical grammatical grammatical and/or amount of
Spelling,
and/or spelling and/or spelling spelling errors. grammatical 5
Grammar
errors. Citation errors. Citation Citation style and and/or spelling
and Citation
style and style and formatting is errors. Citation
formatting is formatting is somewhat style and
correct. correct or has incorrect. formatting is
minor errors. incorrect or
lacking.
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Course Work
Module Schedule
Module = Week (e.g. Module 1 = Week 1; Module 2 = Week 2, etc.)
MODULE 1: PERSPECTIVALISM
 Syllabus
 Canvas Orientation
Overview
 Tech Check!
 Pearcey, Total Truth, pp. 31-121
 Naugle, Clashing Civilizations
 Bahsen, Always Ready, pages: 37 - 40 (Chapter 9); 67 - 75
Reading
(Chapter 17); 163 - 175 (Chapter 30
 Spirituality Questionnaire
 Escaping the Sacred & Secular Traps
 Developing a Christian Worldview
Lectures
 Humanism
 Nongraded Discussion: Student Introduction
Discussions
 Survey Questions
Assignments
MODULE 2: OUR PURPOSE - IMAGE OF GOD
 Pearcey, Total Truth, pp. 123-178
Reading
 Living Out Our Created Purpose
 The Trinity & Social Relations
Lectures
 Darwinism - Part 1 & 2
Discussions
 Right from Wrong paper
Assignments
MODULE 3: BATTLING FOR ORIGINS
Reading  Pearcey, Total Truth, pp. 207-247; 295-323
 The Poverty of Determinism
Lectures  Logos Doctrine
 Nongraded Discussion: Discovery Point
Discussions
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 Milestone 1: Worldview Paper - Outline
Assignments
Exams
MODULE 4: EPISTEMOLOGICAL CERTAINTY
 Mangalwadi, The Book that Made Your World, xiii-xxi; pp. 3-76
Reading
 Being Precedes Knowing
Lectures  The Lie in Eden
 Graded Discussion: Reflections about the Movie Critique paper
Discussions
 Movie Critique paper
Assignments
MODULE 5: OUR APPOLOGETIC METHODOLOGY
 Bahnsen, Always Ready, pp. 3-85
 Mangalwadi, The Book that Made Your World, pp. 77-136
Reading  The article: 11 Ways the Bible is the Soul of Western
Civilization
 Big Picture Unifiers of Christian Worldview
 Guest Lecture: Peter Malakar - Biblical Cosmology & The Bible
Lectures
 Interview with Peter Malakar
 Graded Discussion: The Book that Made Your World
Discussions
Assignments
MODULE 6: THE SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE
 Bahnsen, Always Ready, pp. 86-149
Reading  Mangalwadi, The Book that Made Your World, pp. 137-219
 The Sufficiency of Scripture - Part 2
Lectures
 Graded Discussion: Romans One
Discussions
 Milestone 2: Draft version of the Worldview Paper (Pages 1 –
Assignments 4)
MODULE 7: ESSENTIALS OF THE GOSPEL
 Bahnsen, Always Ready, pp. 151-191
Reading  Mangalwadi, The Book that Made Your World, pp. 220-273
 Gospel Essentials: Part -1, 2, 3
Lectures