WESTERN SEMINARY SAN JOSE

Practicing Evangelism and Apologetics

PTS 503 S; 2 Credit Hours

Rev. Charles E. Self, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor

408-246-6790 x227; charles.self@bethel.org

Fall Term, 2004

Class Dates: Saturdays, Sept. 11, 25; Oct 9, 23; Nov. 6, 20

Meeting time: 1:15-5:55 PM

Course Description

Strategies and programs for biblically-based evangelism are explained in this course. You will develop your own skills in personal evangelism as well as how to do evangelism through the local church. You will develop ability to explain the believability and truthfulness of Christianity that often arise in evangelistic moments through a biblically-based, culturally-relevant apologetic strategy.

Course Goal

Our aim is measurable Kingdom impact through effective evangelism that is personal, centered in the local church and grounded in a biblical apologetic. Evangelism and apologetics are inseparable and the impact of truth presented in a relevant fashion transforms the heads, hearts and hands of the hearers.

Course Objectives (outcomes)

Cognitive

  1. The student will understand the biblical foundations of evangelism, including the OT community promises, the NT commissions and the particular strategies presented by the biblical writers.
  2. The student will gain a solid understanding of the discipline of history of evangelism
  3. The student will learn the philosophical foundations for apologetics, with special emphasis placed upon meeting the objections of unbelievers.
  4. The student will learn the current world-views that oppose the gospel and how to communicate the gospel to 21st century global audiences and individuals.
  5. The student will learn about the power of spiritual unity among believers and the challenges of opposing spiritual forces.
  6. The student will learn the connection between intellectual, psychological, sociological and spiritual influences that move people away from or toward faith in Jesus Christ.

Affective:

  1. The student will be called to make a personal commitment to evangelism, with the understanding that all believers are "compelled’ to share Christ in some way to some one (II Corinthians 5:14-6:2).
  2. The student will be called to recommit to the local church as the primary agency of evangelism.

    3.  

    PTS 503 S Practicing Evangelism and Apologetics

    Rev. Charles E. Self, Ph.D.

    Fall 2004

    Page 2 of 5

    Affective objectives, continued:

  3. The student will appreciate the power of the gospel to transform thinking and compel life-changes in persons previously hostile to Christ.
  4. The student will be moved to systematic intercessory prayer for the lost.

Behavioral:

  1. The student will demonstrate an ability to correctly and wisely use Scripture in oral and written communication.
  2. The student will be able to write papers that unveil new insights, prayers for unbelievers and real life contacts and conversations with unbelievers.
  3. The students reflective papers and in class essays will demonstrate excellent familiarity with the assigned readings.
  4. The research project will demonstrate a capacity for graduate research, honest use of evidence and the ability to present various aspects of an issue while cogently arguing a particular position.

Textbooks

Required (all available through CBD or Amazon—links are to Amazon.com) Texts

  1. Eddie Gibbs. Church Next. IVP.
  2. Os Guinness. The Journey. NavPress
  3. Rebecca Pippert. Out of the Salt Shaker. IVP
  4. James Sire. The Universe Next Door. IVP Revised Edition.

Recommended

  1. Peter Kreeft, Between Heaven and Hell; Jesus Meet Socrates. Ignatius
  2. Lee Stroebel. The Case for Christ. Zondervan.
  3. Ed Silvoso. That None Should Perish. Gospel Light

Course Requirements

Reading

Assigned reading is listed in the course outline. It is imperative that the reading be completed prior to the class session in order to facilitate excellent discussion and learning.

Western Seminary expectations for reading consist of two levels

Familiarity level. This level assumes knowledge of the material assigned and leads to accountability in class (45 pages per hour)

 

Practicing Evangelism and Apologetics

Rev. Charles E. Self, Ph.D.

Fall, 2004

Page 3 of 5

Mastery level. Reading at this level will average about 20 pages per hour and assume careful interaction with the ideas, note taking and will lead to accountability in class and papers at a mastery level.

Library Research

Students will be expected to make use of the library in two ways:

  1. Weekly reading of a journal or magazine article on evangelism and/or apologetics that will be noted in the student’s essays.
  2. Use of at least 7 sources in the preparation of their research paper/project on a current evangelistic issue.

Written Work

Papers must be written to a near-thesis standard. That is, minimum format standards must be met, as defined below. English grammar, idiom and spelling must be up to graduate level. Always include a strong introduction paragraph – declare what you intend to show the reader – and conclusion paragraph. Qualities valued include clarity, succinctness and precision. [Instructor’s note – creative thought is welcome! Just make sure your ideas and intuitions are substantiated!] Here are the details:

Form expectations, continued:

10% of the grades on all papers will be Form.

All work must reflect Master’s Level use of the English language. Plagiarism will result in the failure of the first assignment discovered; a second instance will result in failure on the course.

Practicing Evangelism and Apologetics

Rev. Charles E. Self, Ph.D.

Fall, 2004

Page 4 of 5

Attendance

Prompt arrival and full participation are essential. With such long classes and concentrated learning, absences will only be excused for illness or unforeseen crisis. If a student must miss a class, he or she must email or call in advance and turn in the assigned work within 72 hours of the due date. Please respect the class and arrive on time ready to learn. More than one unexcused absence may result in the forfeiture of a week’s assignment points. Two or more unexcused absences may result in failure of the course.

Grading Scale

99-100% = A+ 95-98% = A 93-94% = A-

91-92% = B+ 88-90% = B 86-87% = B-

84-85% = C+ 81-83% = C 79-80% = C-

77-78% = D+ 74-76% = D 70-73% = D-

Course Outline and Assignments

Each class session will consist of the following:

Schedule and Assignments (Descriptions of written work given below)

Class #1 on September 11, 2004:

 

 

Practicing Evangelism and Apologetics

Rev. Charles E. Self

Fall, 2004

Page 5 0f 5

Class # 2 on September 25

Reading completed on the mastery level: Sire (8 hours)

Class # 3 on October 9

Class # 4 on October 23

Class # 5 on November 6

Class # 6: November 20

Assignments and points