Dr. Barry Whitney

Class Notes for 07-221
Justifying Religious Beliefs
University of Windsor
Dr. B. L. Whitney, B.A., Ph.D.
Email: whitney@uwindsor.ca

This course is being revised for when it is next offered
JUSTIFYING RELIGIOUS BELIEFS examines evidences offered by Christian theologians for the justification of religious beliefs. The course discusses the need for 'reasonable faith,' challenging both skepticism and faithism (blind faith). Test cases for the justification of specific Christian beliefs vary but may include God's existence, miracles, life after death, the trustworthiness of the Bible, religion and science, etc.

TOPICS AND ASSIGNED READINGS:

Week 1:
Week 2:
Week 3:
Week 4:
Week 5:
Week 6:
Week 7:
Week 8:
Week 9:
Week 10:
Week 11:
Week 12:
Week 13:
Week 14:
Week 15:

DETAILED OUTLINE of TOPICS and READINGS

SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION

[A] THE NEED TO JUSTIFY BELIEFS

[B] WHY SHOULD ANYONE BELIEVE ANYTHING AT ALL?

[C] APOLOGETICS [PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION]

SECTION 2: DEFENDING BELIEF in GOD'S EXISTENCE

[A] GOD'S EXISTENCE

[B] GOD'S NATURE/ATTRIBUTES

SECTION 3: DEFENDING BELIEF in MIRACLES and the BIBLE

[A] MIRACLES

[B] BIBLICAL AUTHENTICITY

[C] JESUS AS DIVINE

[D] BIBLICAL PROPHESIES

[E] JESUS' RESURRECTION

SECTION 3: DEFENDING BELIEF in LIFE AFTER DEATH, HEAVEN, HELL, SALVATION

[A] LIFE AFTER DEATH

[B] HEAVEN

[C] HELL

[D] SALVATION

December 15, 2006