Christian Apologetics Department
Christian Apologetics Certificate
An introduction to the field of Christian apologetics
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$195.003 CoursesCertificate
Overview

Welcome to the Biola Certificate in Christian Apologetics! These courses are designed to prepare you to defend your faith and introduce you to the field of apologetics.

Our self-paced, fully online platform contains three in-depth modules packed with eight unique audio lectures from top apologists in their respective fields of specialty. Each audio lecture is accompanied by a downloadable notes page to help you retain the concepts and a short quiz to test you on what you have heard from the convenience of your home. Students who complete all three courses successfully, earn a Certificate of Study in Christian Apologetics. For further learning, each course comes with recommended reading and writing assignments

Here are a few key points about the Certificate program structure: 

  • The program consists of three courses (modules)
  • Each course of the program includes eight unique audio lectures, course notes, and a quiz
  • The certificate can be earned by completing all three courses, at your own pace

Course 1

Learn about topics such as: 

  • Arguments for the existence of God 
  • Evidence for the resurrection 
  • Solving the problem of evil 
  • And more!

Course 2

Learn about topics such as:

  • Christianity and the challenge of world religions 
  • Miracles and the modern mind 
  • Responding to the cults 
  • And more!

Course 3

Learn about topics such as: 

  • Darwinism in crisis 
  • Apologetics and the spiritual life 
  • Successful tactics in defending the faith
  • And more!

Certificate Program

Our certificate programs are composed of various courses created by Biola faculty. This certificate program includes 3 courses.

By enrolling in this certificate, the courses offered will be displayed for you to complete in "My Courses" in your homeroom.

What You Earn
Christian Apologetics Department

Biola's Christian apologetics programs at Talbot School of Theology are led by some of the most respected thinkers and scholars in the field — individuals who seek to honor God with their minds and engage the world with a rationally grounded, intellectually sound case for faith. Talbot’s Christian apologetics programs seek to train Christ followers to defend the faith, present the gospel and impact the world.

Both of Talbot's Christian apologetics degree programs will stretch you as you explore a faith-based perspective on topics such as evolution, the reliability of Scripture and the problem of pain. You'll have the opportunity to wrestle with challenging questions, both in the community of your classes and independently as you reflect on course material. You'll come away with a secure foundation of faith, a compassionate heart and a mind that's been prepared to answer questions with confidence and authenticity.

Learn more about Biola's Christian Apologetics programs today!

Certificate Courses

Course Syllabus
Welcome to Module 1 in the Christian...
Overview
Intro to Christian Apologetics
Video
Lecture Notes - Arguments for the Existence of God
Article
JP Moreland - Arguments for the Existence of God
Audio
Lesson 1 - Quiz
Quiz
Lecture Notes - Christianity and Popular Culture
Article
John Mark Reynolds - Christianity and Popular Culture
Audio
Lesson 2 - Quiz
Quiz
Lecture Notes - Defending the Gospel Accounts of Jesus
Article
Joe Hellerman - Defending the Gospel Accounts of Jesus
Audio
Lesson 3 - Quiz
Quiz
Lecture Notes - Evidence for the Resurrection
Article
Craig Hazen - Evidence for the Resurrection
Audio
Lesson 4 - Quiz
Quiz
Lecture Notes - Responding to Relativism
Article
Greg Koukl - Responding to Relativism
Audio
Lesson 5 - Quiz
Quiz
Lecture Notes - Solving the Problem of Evil
Article
Garrett J. DeWeese - Solving the Problem of Evil
Audio
Lesson 6 - Quiz
Quiz
Lecture Notes - The Absurdity of Life without God
Article
William Lane Craig - The Absurdity of Life Without God
Audio
Lesson 7 - Quiz
Quiz
The Case for Faith
Article
Lee Strobel - The Case for Faith
Audio
Lesson 8 - Quiz
Quiz
Essay #1
Essay
Essay #2
Essay
Course Evaluation
Evaluation
Course Syllabus
Welcome to Module 2 in the Christian...
Overview
Lecture Notes - Christianity and World Religions
Article
Craig Hazen - Christianity and World Religions
Audio
Lesson 1 - Quiz
Quiz
Lecture Notes - Christianity and the Nature of Science
Article
JP Moreland - Christianity and the Nature of Science
Audio
Lesson 2 - Quiz
Quiz
Lecture Notes - Contending for the Christian
Article
John Mark Reynolds - Contending for the Christian Worldview
Audio
Lesson 3 - Quiz
Quiz
Lecture Notes - Miracles and the Modern Mind
Article
Doug Geivett - Miracles and the Modern Mind
Audio
Lesson 4 - Quiz
Quiz
Lecture Notes - Reading Scripture with all Your Mind
Article
Walt Russell - Reading Scripture with All Your Mind
Audio
Lesson 5 - Quiz
Quiz
Lecture Notes - Responding to Cults
Article
Kevin Lewis - Responding to Cults
Audio
Lesson 6 - Quiz
Quiz
Lecture Notes - The Historical Jesus
Article
Gary Habermas - The Historical Jesus
Audio
Lesson 7 - Quiz
Quiz
Lecture Notes - What about those Who've Never Heard?
Article
Greg Koukl - What about those Who've Never Heard?
Audio
Lesson 8 - Quiz
Quiz
Essay #1
Essay
Essay #2
Essay
Course Evaluation
Evaluation
Course Syllabus
Welcome to Module 3 in the Christian...
Overview
Intro to Christian Apologetics
Video
Lecture Notes - Answers to Bioethical Challenges
Article
Scott Rae - Answers to Bioethical Challenges
Audio
Lesson 1 - Quiz
Quiz
Lecture Notes - Apologetics and the Spiritual Life
Article
John Coe - Apologetics and the Spiritual Life
Audio
Lesson 2 - Quiz
Quiz
Lecture Notes - Darwinism in Crisis
Article
Phil Johnson - Darwinism in Crisis
Audio
Lesson 3 - Quiz
Quiz
Lecture Notes - In Defense of the Soul
Article
JP Moreland - In Defense of the Soul
Audio
Lesson 4 - Quiz
Quiz
Lecture Notes - Jesus: The Smartest Man Who Ever Lived
Article
Dallas Willard - Jesus: The Smartest Man Who ever Lived
Audio
Lesson 5 - Quiz
Quiz
Lecture Notes - Key Issues in New Testament Criticism
Article
David Alan Black - Key Issues in New Testament Criticism
Audio
Lesson 6 - Quiz
Quiz
Lecture Notes - Tactics
Article
Tactics
Audio
Lesson 7 - Quiz
Quiz
Lecture Notes - The Case for Moral Absolutes
Article
Francis J. Beckwith - The Case for Moral Absolutes
Audio
Lesson 8 - Quiz
Quiz
Essay #1
Essay
Essay #2
Essay
Course Evaluation
Evaluation

Certificate FAQ

The Certificate Program is completely self-paced, so completion time varies by student. Each lecture is approximately 2 hours.

The program consists of three modules, which each consist of the following:

  • 8 lectures per module 
  • 10 true or false or multiple choice questions per lecture 
  • Lecture notes outline

Depending on the amount of time students dedicate to the Certificate Program per week and whether they are completing the reading and essays, they can take anywhere from one month to one year or longer to complete it. The good news is there’s no time limit or expiration date so you can go as fast or slow as you would like!


Both the mandatory and optional components of the Certificate Program can be applied for 1 unit each for each module to the M.A. program, for up to 6 credits if students apply both parts for all three modules. 

The Certificate Program consists of three modules, which each consist of two parts: 

  • 8 lectures and 10 true or false questions per lecture
  • 2 books and 2 essays
  • two to four pages each (optional) 

Please note: The reading and essays are not required to earn the certificate but are a great option for students who are interested in our Master’s program or want to dive deeper into the concepts.

There are three steps necessary to apply the Certificate Program for M.A. credit: 

Step 1: Apply to Biola University and be accepted into one of our M.A. programs 

Step 2: Enroll in CSAP 604: Defending the Faith – Continued Study When registering for courses, you will have the option to enroll in CSAP 604 for as few as 1 unit and as many as 6 units. Enroll in the corresponding number of units based on what coursework you wish to apply. You can apply any combination of the Certificate Program coursework, but each portion of coursework can only be applied for credit once. 

For example: If you only want to apply the three quizzes from the Certificate Program, enroll for 3 units. If you only want to apply one quiz, enroll for 1 unit. If you want to apply the quiz from one module and the textbook reading/essays for three modules, enroll in 4 units. 

Step 3: Once you’ve added this to your schedule, you will need to complete the necessary steps for enrollment in Talbot School of Theology, including paying the full tuition rate for the units you are enrolled in (including CSAP 604).

The Certificate Program is asynchronous and uses pre-recorded audio lectures to make for an independent learning experience that offers flexibility to all of our students. There are no professors facilitating the course, but if you need support or have questions, you can always reach out to apologetics@biola.edu. You may also receive personalized feedback if you choose to complete the optional essays, which will be reviewed, graded with feedback from one of our graduate assistants, and returned to you.