Introduction to Cultural Apologetics
Taught by:
About the course
Introduction to Cultural Apologetics is a course designed to introduce an integrated approach of both imagination and reason in demonstrating the truth of Christianity. A cultural apologist seeks to recover the truth of Christianity within the culture in light of the messages communicated throughout popular cultural institutions - film, novels, art, music, and mass media. While the overall goal of the cultural apologist is on par with that of the traditional apologist, the difference between cultural and traditional apologetics is in the kinds of evidence used to advocate for Christianity. While the traditional apologist may appeal to academic sources, philosophy, science, or history, the cultural apologist tends to engage with cultural artifacts such as music, art, film, and literature. Thus, while this course will cover many fundamental apologetic tools, we will use those fundamentals to engage with the dominant cultural mediums. The course will largely focus on the art of storytelling and literature to communicate the truth of Christianity.
Introduction to Cultural Apologetics is a 16 week course in which students will complete weekly assigned readings, weekly discussion forums, and develop a portfolio. The student portfolio will consist of one essay (approximately 2,000-2,500 words), a short story assignment (approximately 1,000 words), and a cultural engagement assignment (500 words). The purpose of this portfolio is to give students a well-rounded experience of communicating the truth of Christianity through cultural engagement.
(This course will be available to grades 10-12)
Course Objectives:
- Utilize many of the fundamental Christian apologies developed within philosophy of religion.
- Understand the value and appeal of cultural messages.
- Develop well-articulated responses to the cultural messages which challenge Christian values.
- Engage with and critique apologetic literature.
- Develop and utilize your own creative apologetic work to demonstrate the truth of Christianity.
Texts:
- Paul M. Gould, Cultural Apologetics: Renewing the Christian Voice, Conscience, and Imagination in a Disenchanted World (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2019), ISBN: 978-0-310-53049-7.
- Madeleine L’Engle, A Wrinkle in Time (New York, NY: Square Fish, 2007), ISBN: 978-0-312-36754-1.
- C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (New York, NY: Harper Collins, 2001), ISBN: 978-0-06-065293-7.
- Alister E. McGrath, Narrative Apologetics: Sharing the Relevance, Joy, and Wonder of the Christian Faith (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2019), ISBN: 978-0-8010-7577-3.
- Nancy Pearcey, Saving Leonardo: A Call to Resist the Secular Assault on Mind, Morals, and Meaning (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing, 2017), ISBN: 978-1-4627-8772-2.
- Leland Ryken ed., The Christian Imagination (New York, NY: Waterbrook Press, 2002), ISBN: 978-0-087788-123-0.
Supplementary Texts (Not Required):
- Holly Ordway, Apologetics and the Christian Imagination: An Integrated Approach to Defending the Faith (Steubenville, OH: Emmaus Road Publishing, 2017), ISBN: 978-1-945125-38-6.