AP 693 Topics in Science and Apologetics
by Vern S. Poythress, spring, 2011

I.	Introduction
	A.  Purpose
		1. The catalog description states the following purposes:
•  To introduce principles of apologetics of science
•  To enhance skills in analysis and research in apologetics and theology of science
•  To enhance skills in communicating issues in science and apologetics to a broader public
		2. More specifically:
			a.  To develop a framework for understanding and evaluating science within a biblically-based worldview, utilizing resources from systematic theology, presuppositional apologetics, and biblical theology
			b. To interact critically with modern approaches to the relation of science and Christianity, and (as interest leads) with treatments of particular issues such as the age of the earth, uniformitarianism, evolutionary theories, intelligent design, the origin of man, and Noah's flood.
			c. To develop critical skills in analyzing strengths and weaknesses of  modern approaches.
			d. To grow in appreciation of the role of presuppositions (basic commitments).
			e. To increase communications skills, moving towards the goal of producing papers and talks for the benefit of Christians and non-Christians in various areas of interest (possibly internet essays; academic papers; popular-level and semi-popular-level booklets; and bigger projects as the Lord leads).

	B. [Catalog description:] Topics may include both perennial issues (miracle, providence, "natural law," general revelation) and issues of current interest, such as cosmology, Darwinism, human origin, days of creation, Noah's flood, environmentalism, science education, and the "new atheism." Topics may vary depending on student interest. The course will be conducted mostly as a discussion and seminar, interacting with student research. This course may be taken more than once.

	C.  Readings
 Poythress, Redeeming Science., chapters 1-3, 12-13, 15. More, if needed for your special interest.
Frame, Doctrine of God, Chap. 13, "Miracle."
Van Til, “Nature and Scripture.” 
Kuhn, Thomas.  Structure of Scientific Revolutions. 
suggested reading:
	more of Poythress, Redeeming Science.
	Pearcey, Soul of Science (skim).
 	Van Til, The Defense of the Faith.
 	Van Til, Christian-Theistic Evidences, chapters 1-7.
	Van Til, Introduction to Systematic Theology, especially chapters 1-11.

	D. Course requirements
1.	Readings (see above)
2.	One paper on an exegetical, biblical-theological, systematic-theological, or apologetic topic that includes implications for physical science or mathematics.  Proposals that focus on human sciences or social sciences must have my explicit approval.  I am eager to see apologetic energy directed toward social sciences.  But this course is already very broad in some ways, so I need to make some restrictions.  Unless you are really interested in something in social science, let's have the focus on physical science.
	I encourage more popular-level papers that try to communicate to a broad audience. But specify what audience you have in mind.
	In accordance with the guidelines for the honor system at Westminster Theological Seminary, you are asked to write out and sign this pledge at the end of the paper: "I understand and have not violated the Seminary's position on plagiarism."
 	Papers are due at 10:00 a.m. on May 6, 2011. Late papers are accepted (up until the last day of finals--beyond that the student must petition the registrar's office for an incomplete) but penalized.
3.	 Students are expected to submit a preliminary draft of such a paper to the class, and then we will engage in discussion. There can be multiple such submissions, but students are required (unless I grant an exemption) to do so once during the term. Most of this discussion will take place during the last part of the term.
4.	No final.

II.	Theology of creation and providence
	A.  General revelation and special revelation
	B.  Creation
	C.  Doctrine of the word of God
		1.  Reveals attributes of God
		2.  Associated with decree of God
		3.  Multidimensional (antireductionistic)
		4.  Regularity and miraculous belong together
		5.  Unity and multiplicity belong together
		6.  Trinitarian
		7.  Use as a perspective

III.  Doctrine of man
	A.  Doctrine of man as created and fallen
	B.  Doctrine of Christ as last Adam

IV. Apologetics: antithesis and common grace.

V.  Imaging

VI.  Special problems
      Possible areas: age of the earth; the origin of death; evolution; origin of life; intelligent design; cosmology; Noah's flood; the progress of science; science and theology in dialogue; realism, idealism, positivism, and instrumentalism as influences in the philosophy of science; Christian pedagogy in science.