Christian Apologetics (MA)
Credential: Master of Arts
Location: Online, Lancaster (hybrid)
Program Director: Mark Farnham, PhD
Program Mission Statement: The Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics (MACA) program is designed to equip students with the biblical, theological, and philosophical foundation for effectively engaging any form of unbelief with the Christian faith and biblical worldview. The program provides a thorough understanding of a faithful Christian apologetic with the goal of integrating academic and practical aspects of defending the faith.
Program Learning Outcomes: As a result of this program, the student will:
1. Develop an apologetic approach consistent with the Scriptures and systematic theology.
2. Construct an intellectual framework that integrates epistemology, metaphysics and ethics into a coherent and consistent Christian faith and biblical worldview.
3. Evaluate and critique the current theological, philosophical, and cultural issues facing the church and society.
4. Practice the skills critical to answering objections to the Christian faith with confidence and persuasiveness.
5. Cultivate effective rhetorical techniques and tactics for cultural engagement grounded in a Christian apologetic.
Additional Program Information: The Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics equips students to effectively commend the Christian faith and defend it from unbelief of any kind. Specialized study in apologetics is combined with focused theology classes that serve as the intellectual and spiritual starting point for a robust biblical defense of the Christian faith. Students learn the basics of metaphysics and epistemology to gain the ability to critique any worldview or religion. A practical focus enables students to effectively engage unbelievers in real life gospel conversations. Highlights of the degree:
- Accessible to students with little or no formal background in apologetics.
- Ideal for students who desire serious preparation for academic and practical engagement with unbelieving philosophy, religion, science, and culture.
- Offers a wide variety of course options and electives to equip students for a variety of ministry scenarios.
Program Philosophy: The Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics program seeks to develop an approach to apologetics that is consistent with systematic theology and that utilizes the Scriptures to give an answer to all forms of unbelief. Classes interact with the evidences and objections from a number of disciplines, including philosophy, history, theology, textual criticism, religion, and culture.
Educational Philosophy: The Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics program grounds students in an approach to apologetics that is consistent with systematic theology and then demonstrates how that approach can answer any legitimate objection to the Christian faith. Students are exposed to the challenges to the Christian faith from all sides and taught how to provide an answer to those challenges. Students are encouraged to become teachers of apologetics in their own spheres of church, school, and denomination.
The Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics program seeks to provide a well-rounded foundation of graduate-level apologetics training. Because there are so many challenges to the Christian faith, a master’s degree cannot address every objection. This program seeks to equip students with the necessary tools to survey the ever-changing landscape of unbelief and build upon their knowledge throughout their lives.
Curricular Structure and Degree Requirements
| Curricular Structure |
Credits |
| ORI 500 Orientation |
0 |
| Biblical and Theological Foundations Courses |
12 |
| Apologetics Core Courses |
12 |
| Apologetics Elective Courses |
9 |
| Capstone Course |
3 |
| Program Total |
36 |
Biblical & Theological Foundations Courses (12 credits)
Biblical and Theological Foundations Courses may be met through Advanced Standing. See the section below for more information.
| BIB 505 | Introduction to Biblical & Theological Research | 3 |
| BTC 563 | Biblical Interpretation | 3 |
| THE 501 | Christian Doctrine I: Revelation, God, Humanity, and Sin | 3 |
| THE 502 | Christian Doctrine II: Christ, Salvation, Church, and the Future | 3 |
Apologetics Core Courses (12 credits)
| APO 505 | Christian Apologetics | 3 |
| APO 510 | Philosophy for Apologetics | 3 |
| APO 512 | New Testament Issues in Apologetics | 3 |
| APO 515 | Old Testament Issues in Apologetics | 3 |
Apologetics Elective Courses (9 credits)
Students select
three courses from the following list:
| APO 520 | Atheism, Skepticism, and Humanism | 3 |
| APO 525 | Science, Creation, and Evolution | 3 |
| APO 545 | Logic and Critical Thinking | 3 |
| APO 555 | Ethics and Cultural Engagement | 3 |
| THE 518 | History of Christian Doctrine | 3 |
| THE 531 | Theological Classics | 3 |
| THE 520 | Selected Topics in Systematic Theology | 3 |
Capstone Course (3 credits)
Students select
one course from the following list:
Admission, Retention, and Graduation Information
Admission Requirements
Admission into a master's degree program at Capital Seminary is consistent with the general admissions policy and practice of LBC|Capital. Admission criteria is located in the Admissions Information section of the catalog.
Transfer Credit
Transfer credit is awarded in accordance with the general transfer policy in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the catalog. Transfer credits are reviewed and approved by the Program Director. This program has the following program specific transfer credit information. Transfer credit must be from an institution other than LBC|Capital.
| Seminary Program |
Program Credits |
# of Transfer Credits |
Age of Transfer Credit |
Min. Grade of Transfer Credit |
| Christian Apologetics (MA) |
36 cr. |
up to 50% |
10 yrs. biblical languages
15 yrs. all other courses
|
C |
Advanced Standing
Students, who through evaluation demonstrate competency or coursework in biblical hermeneutics, may select an alternate Bible or theological course to replace BTC 563 Biblical Interpretation.
Program Retention
Academic progress in this program is monitored after each term. The Academic Probation policy and Academic Dismissal policy found in this catalog are applied to all LBC|Capital students.
Graduation
The following requirements must be successfully completed in order to receive a Seminary degree or certificate:
- Satisfactory completion of all course work
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
- Fulfillment of all financial obligations
- Adherence to biblical standards and ethics in living one’s lifestyle
Program Faculty
Program Director: Mark Farnham, PhD (Westminster)
Dr. Mark Farnham has been teaching apologetics since 2007 at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. He has engaged unbelievers in gospel conversations in a multitude of settings and teaches apologetics with the end goal of actual engagement with those who don’t know Christ. He has published books on apologetics (Every Believer Confident: Apologetics for the Ordinary Christian) and ethics (Talking About Ethics: A Conversational Approach to Moral Dilemmas). In addition to twenty years of teaching he has served in pastoral roles in churches in Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
Faculty:
Andrew Keenan, PhD (ABD)
Jeff Mindler, MA
Jared Oliphint, PhD
Rodney Pearce, MDiv
Nathan Shannon, PhD
Jesse Skaggs, MEd