This course investigates fundamental issues raised by the philosophical study of religion. Topics to be addressed 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 examine key concepts in philosophy and distill and integrate one’s knowledge into a Christian worldview. It equips the student with a defense toward common objections to the Christian faith and helps develop critical thinking skills to undergird reasoned arguments in any missional context.
The Christian worldview and faith are arguably the most viable religious and spiritual encounters a person could ever have about the questions of origin, morality, purpose and destiny in deference to its secular and non-Christian counterparts’ views. A reasoned Christian view is necessary for Christians to effectively engage one’s missional context.
Genesis 1, Isaiah 55, John 1, Hebrews 1, Revelation 1 teach us that God exists, has created all things and whose ways are preeminent and sovereign. 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 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 is oppositional to the Christian views about the existence and nature of God, the role of faith and reason and theism and therefore provides a platform for the Christian to encounter and engage the non-believer.
This course is especially intercultural, as it formulates a Christian stance on truth claims, values and spiritual practices and as it enters cross-culturally into the secular and non-believing world and engages them interculturally.
Through group discussion, student presentations, and many examples from across the philosophical spectrum, students understand how to engage practically in religious philosophy, reaching the given culture with its own views about the existence and nature of God.
Through the discussions, research, and material analyzed, students complete the course transformed and inspired to engage effectively in a Christian philosophy of religion.
