Analysis and critique of positions of divergent worldviews as they relate to topics in the philosophical study of religion. Topics to be covered include: the nature of religion, the nature of the divine, arguments for the existence of a theistic conception of God, the relationship between faith and reason and responses to the problem of evil.
This course enables the student to critically examine key issues in philosophy of religion, to question the false assumptions inherent in the opposing views against the Christian faith and equips the student to defend one’s faith in matters of origin, morality, purpose and destiny in any missional context.
The Christian worldview and faith are arguably the most viable religious views a person could ever have on key questions of origin, morality, purpose and destiny in deference to its secular and non-Christian counterparts. A reasoned Christian religious view is internally and externally reliable, valid and essential for the student to effectively engage in one’s missional context.
In Genesis 1, Isaiah 55, John 1, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we learn of the divine attributes of God who reveals His truths through the person and work of Jesus Christ and the inspired Scriptures and invites humanity to grow into His image and participate in His mission. God’s truths are timeless, given to all peoples for all times and addresses the questions of origin, morality, purpose and destiny. This course addresses God’s truths, appropriates them and applies them into human experiences.
Understanding the existence and nature of God and the relationship between faith and reason are key to missional activity. The knowledge and understanding of the mission of God engage people in transformative ways and help Christ followers to spread the Gospel message to the world.
The current religious and spiritual climate in culture, communities and society are oppositional to the Christian views, especially about the nature of God, the role of faith and reason, morality and destiny and therefore the course provides a platform for the Christian to engage the non-believer.
This course is especially intercultural, as it formulates a Christian stance on truth claims, values and spiritual practices and equips one to enter cross-culturally into the secular and non-believing world and engage them interculturally.
Through group discussion, student presentations, listening to lectures and observing debates from across the philosophical spectrum, students understand how to practically engage in religious philosophy and cross cultures with its own views about the nature of God.
Through the discussions, debates and analysis of scholarly material, students complete the course transformed and inspired to engage effectively in a Christian philosophy of religion.
