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!
Course 4
If you're interested in earning credit toward the MA Christian Apologetics or MA Science and Religion, you can submit your Module 1-3 essays in Module 4.
Please note that the readings and essays are not required for completing the program and earning the certificate, but we recommend them for students who are interested in pursuing an M.A. in Christian Apologetics or an M.A. in Science and Religion or who just want to learn more!
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.
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
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.
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!
Course 4
If you're interested in earning credit toward the MA Christian Apologetics or MA Science and Religion, you can submit your Module 1-3 essays in Module 4.
Please note that the readings and essays are not required for completing the program and earning the certificate, but we recommend them for students who are interested in pursuing an M.A. in Christian Apologetics or an M.A. in Science and Religion or who just want to learn more!
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.
Certificate Courses
| Welcome to Module 1 in the Christian... Overview |
|---|
| Intro to Christian Apologetics Video |
| Lecture Notes - Arguments for the Existence of God Reading |
| JP Moreland - Arguments for the Existence of God Audio |
| Lesson 1 - Quiz Quiz |
| Lecture Notes - Christianity and Popular Culture Reading |
|---|
| John Mark Reynolds - Christianity and Popular Culture Audio |
| Lesson 2 - Quiz Quiz |
| Lecture Notes - Defending the Gospel Accounts of Jesus Reading |
|---|
| Joe Hellerman - Defending the Gospel Accounts of Jesus Audio |
| Lesson 3 - Quiz Quiz |
| Evidence for the Resurrection Lesson 4 |
|---|
| Lecture Notes - Evidence for the Resurrection Reading |
|---|
| Craig Hazen - Evidence for the Resurrection Audio |
| Lesson 4 - Quiz Quiz |
| Responding to Relativism Lesson 5 |
|---|
| Lecture Notes - Responding to Relativism Reading |
|---|
| Greg Koukl - Responding to Relativism Audio |
| Lesson 5 - Quiz Quiz |
| Solving the Problem of Evil Lesson 6 |
|---|
| Lecture Notes - Solving the Problem of Evil Reading |
|---|
| Garrett J. DeWeese - Solving the Problem of Evil Audio |
| Lesson 6 - Quiz Quiz |
| Lecture Notes - The Absurdity of Life without God Reading |
|---|
| William Lane Craig - The Absurdity of Life Without God Audio |
| Lesson 7 - Quiz Quiz |
| The Case for Faith Lesson 8 |
|---|
| The Case for Faith Reading |
|---|
| Lee Strobel - The Case for Faith Audio |
| Lesson 8 - Quiz Quiz |
| Course Evaluation Evaluation |
| Welcome to Module 2 in the Christian... Overview |
|---|
| Intro to Christian Apologetics Video |
| Lecture Notes - Christianity and World Religions Reading |
| Craig Hazen - Christianity and World Religions Audio |
| Lesson 1 - Quiz Quiz |
| Lecture Notes - Christianity and the Nature of Science Reading |
|---|
| JP Moreland - Christianity and the Nature of Science Audio |
| Lesson 2 - Quiz Quiz |
| Lecture Notes - Contending for the Christian Reading |
|---|
| John Mark Reynolds - Contending for the Christian Worldview Audio |
| Lesson 3 - Quiz Quiz |
| Miracles and the Modern Mind Lesson 4 |
|---|
| Lecture Notes - Miracles and the Modern Mind Reading |
|---|
| Doug Geivett - Miracles and the Modern Mind Audio |
| Lesson 4 - Quiz Quiz |
| Lecture Notes - Reading Scripture with all Your Mind Reading |
|---|
| Walt Russell - Reading Scripture with All Your Mind Audio |
| Lesson 5 - Quiz Quiz |
| Responding to the Cults Lesson 6 |
|---|
| Lecture Notes - Responding to Cults Reading |
|---|
| Kevin Lewis - Responding to Cults Audio |
| Lesson 6 - Quiz Quiz |
| The Historical Jesus Lesson 7 |
|---|
| Lecture Notes - The Historical Jesus Reading |
|---|
| Gary Habermas - The Historical Jesus Audio |
| Lesson 7 - Quiz Quiz |
| Lecture Notes - What about those Who've Never Heard? Reading |
|---|
| Greg Koukl - What about those Who've Never Heard? Audio |
| Lesson 8 - Quiz Quiz |
| Course Evaluation Evaluation |
| Answers to Bioethical Challenges Lesson 1 |
|---|
| Welcome to Module 3 in the Christian... Overview |
|---|
| Intro to Christian Apologetics Video |
| Lecture Notes - Answers to Bioethical Challenges Reading |
| Scott Rae - Answers to Bioethical Challenges Audio |
| Lesson 1 - Quiz Quiz |
| Lecture Notes - Apologetics and the Spiritual Life Reading |
|---|
| John Coe - Apologetics and the Spiritual Life Audio |
| Lesson 2 - Quiz Quiz |
| Darwinism in Crisis Lesson 3 |
|---|
| Lecture Notes - Darwinism in Crisis Reading |
|---|
| Phil Johnson - Darwinism in Crisis Audio |
| Lesson 3 - Quiz Quiz |
| In Defense of the Soul Lesson 4 |
|---|
| Lecture Notes - In Defense of the Soul Reading |
|---|
| JP Moreland - In Defense of the Soul Audio |
| Lesson 4 - Quiz Quiz |
| Lecture Notes - Jesus: The Smartest Man Who Ever Lived Reading |
|---|
| Dallas Willard - Jesus: The Smartest Man Who ever Lived Audio |
| Lesson 5 - Quiz Quiz |
| Lecture Notes - Key Issues in New Testament Criticism Reading |
|---|
| David Alan Black - Key Issues in New Testament Criticism Audio |
| Lesson 6 - Quiz Quiz |
| Tactics Lesson 7 |
|---|
| Lecture Notes - Tactics Reading |
|---|
| Tactics Audio |
| Lesson 7 - Quiz Quiz |
| The Case for Moral Absolutes Lesson 8 |
|---|
| Lecture Notes - The Case for Moral Absolutes Reading |
|---|
| Francis J. Beckwith - The Case for Moral Absolutes Audio |
| Lesson 8 - Quiz Quiz |
| 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
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.