The Evidences for God (Diocesan Apologetics Course)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Many of our non-Christian friends face intellectual obstacles when encountering the Christian faith. These obstacles include common assumptions that faith is irrational, that the universe can be explained by natural processes without God, or questions regarding the presence of evil and suffering in the world. This course equips students with the knowledge and skills to articulate compelling responses to these obstacles in practical settings.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Confidently engage in conversations with their friends about the evidences for God.
2. Critically evaluate their objections and formulate clear, logical, systematic and precise responses to them.
3. Apply what they have learnt in various ministry settings.

TOPICS FOR 8 SESSIONS

Session 1 – The Importance of Apologetics and the Relationship between Faith and Reason

Session 2 – The Cosmological (First Cause) Argument for the existence of God

Session 3 – The Argument for a Designer of the Universe

Session 4 – The Moral Argument for the existence of God

Session 5 – The Creation and Evolution Controversy I

Session 6 – The Creation and Evolution Controversy I|

Session 7 – The Problem of Evil and Suffering |

Session 8 – The Problem of Evil and Suffering I|

INSTRUCTOR: DR ANDREW LOKE

Dr Andrew Loke, a Fellow of the International Society for Science and Religion, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Hong Kong Baptist University.

After graduating from the Faculty of Medicine, NUS, he worked as a medical doctor for seven years. Then he completed an MA in philosophy at Biola University and a PhD in Theology at King’s College London. He is the author of many books and articles relating to Apologetics and is actively engaging in debates and giving talks. He worships at St Andrew’s Cathedral.