In August,
2012, Denver Seminary launched a new Master of Arts degree in Christian
Apologetics and Ethics. The purpose and mission of this degree is to train
students to ably defend the faith and wisely engage culture, thus advancing the
mission of God through Christian apologetics and ethics. There are many good reasons
to study this subject in Denver
as opposed to elsewhere similar degrees are offered. Here are nine of those
reasons.
(1) The Christian Apologetics and
Ethics degree is broad in scope yet focused in mission. Students will be able
to immerse themselves deeply in the field of apologetics and ethics, while
being taught by a faculty acutely aware of our purpose to go and make disciples
of all nations (Matt. 28:19). Moreover, students will have the opportunity to grow
in their understanding of philosophy, theology, and cultural criticism
in order to deepen apologetics skills and become knowledgeable, discerning
ministers of the Gospel.
(2) Students will be able to sit in classes sized
appropriately for the development of relationships with each other and with
their professors. Douglas Groothuis, a top-notch Christian philosopher,
experienced apologist, and the author of a leading apologetics textbook on the
market (in addition to ten other books), is the primary professor. Dr.
Groothuis is not only a gifted thinker, but he is an outstanding teacher committed
to personally attending to his students’ intellectual and spiritual growth.
(3) Students will have the opportunity to take core classes
from Craig Blomberg, a world-renowned New Testament scholar and apologist. Dr.
Blomberg is a prolific author, who has written, among other books, The Historical Reliability of the Gospels,
Jesus and the Gospels, and The Historical
Reliability of John’s Gospel. Blomberg is also a leading and respected authority
in the field of New Testament studies and historical Jesus studies.
Furthermore, Dr. Blomberg is extremely accessible and loves to meet with and
get to know his students.
(4) One of the leading Old Testament and ancient Near East scholars
in the world, Richard Hess, is a full-time faculty member, and teaches part of
the core curriculum in the Old Testament department. In his classes, he ably addresses
important apologetic issues such as violence in the Bible, and the reliability
of the Old Testament documents.
(5) Along with Craig Blomberg and Richard Hess, Denver
Seminary’s biblical studies and Christian thought faculty will help the Apologetics
and Ethics student gain a robust biblical studies and theological education,
which will serve to bolster their apologetics skills.
(6) Students in this program will become well-versed in ethics,
apologetic methodology, natural theology, arguments for the reliability of the Bible,
comparative religion, thus being carefully groomed and equipped for wise
cultural engagement and leadership.
(7) While being academically rigorous, this program serves
to prepare students for a life of ministry. Having a background in Christian apologetics
and ethics is beneficial to campus ministry, youth ministry, or work in para-church
organizations. The ethics, philosophy, and critical thinking elements of this
degree will help equip those who want to go on to law school, or become
involved in politics. The degree will also help pastors to better answer
difficult questions of their congregants, as well as to train those in their
care to do the same. Furthermore, writing skills are an important component of
this degree, and those who go through the program will be well-equipped to
write for newspapers and magazines, and to publish articles or even books.
(8) Denver Seminary has cultivated an atmosphere of study
and fellowship. The campus boasts an expansive library, with many conference
rooms and study areas. Additionally, the seminary recently completed a new
student center, complete with comfortable seating, a stone fireplace, and a full-service
coffee and snack bar.
(9) Denver Seminary is a short drive from the Rocky
Mountains, and students can enjoy the beautiful mountain view and sunny weather most days of
the year.
The Christian Apologetics and Ethics program is
intellectually deep, personally intimate, and set within a respected
educational institution. For those individuals interested in learning how to
defend historic Christianity, think more carefully, write more persuasively,
speak more clearly, and be mentored by some of the sharpest minds in the field,
this new program is worth your attention, and perhaps a visit.
For more information:
Official
website: http://www.denverseminary.edu/apologetics/
“Like” us
on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DenverSeminaryApologetics
Follow us
on Twitter: @DSApologetics
Written by Sarah C. Geis, M.A., graduate of Denver
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