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MA (Philosophy and Apologetics)

The "greatest commandment" in Scripture is to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:28-31).

Christians are called to have a renewed mind (Romans 12:2) that is not taken captive by mere worldly philosophy (Colossians 2:8) but able to take every thought captive for Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). We should always be ready to give a reasoned answer for the hope we have (1 Peter 3:15). But Christians are also directed to be “kind to everyone” and not quarrelsome (2 Tim. 2:24), to exhibit “gentleness and respect” (1 Pet. 3:15), and to “be merciful to those who doubt” (Jude 22).

These verses characterize what is distinctive about a Christian mind and disposition. Here at LCU, we’ve designed our MA (Philosophy and Apologetics) to interact with and apply these passages. We lead our students to understand and defend a Christian worldview in the context of classical philosophical problems and contemporary philosophical, religious, and cultural challenges. The program offers a balanced approach to the nature of philosophy and to the various methods of Christian apologetics. It also allows considerable latitude in choosing courses in philosophy, apologetics, theology, and historical theology.

In addition to the academic program, students can pursue service opportunities as section leaders in an undergraduate class or as volunteers with Room For Doubt, a grant-funded apologetics initiative that is housed at Lincoln.

Scholarship assistance may be available from the Loftis Foundation for a limited number of highly qualified candidates. A scholarship application is required. For more information, contact Dr. Rich Knopp, the program director.

Potential Careers

Pursue doctoral work in philosophy or in Christian apologetics
Teach philosophy or apologetics at the college or high school level
Serve in a campus ministry at a college or university
Develop an apologetics ministry in a church or parachurch organization
Do mission work in a predominantly secular setting

Course List

Some of the classes you'll take while pursuing your...
CH 600 OR CH 602
Christianity Through the Ages OR Early Christian Centuries
A comprehensive overview of Christianity from its beginning to the present day. The course, which includes discussion of the theological implications of the philosophy of history, introduces students to the church’s history and theology, preparing them to face contemporary concerns in preaching, teaching, and evangelism.
OR
A study of the history and development of Christianity from the beginning of the church to the period immediately following the fall of the Roman Empire in the West. Special consideration is given to the variety of early Christianity as it grows in Latin, Greek, and Syriac lands. Studies will include major persons, events, documents, controversies, and developments of the early church.
PH 604
Christianity and the Philosophy of Religion
An examination of the truth-claims of Christianity in the context of religious skepticism and competing worldviews. Topics include the rationality of Christian faith; classical arguments for God’s existence; the impact of science; the problem of evil; the identity of Christ; miracles and the resurrection of Christ; and the nature of Scripture.
PH 605
Science, Philosophy, and Theology
An analysis of the connections between science, theology, and philosophy. Consideration is given to the philosophy of science, the relationship between science and religion, different paradigms of biblical interpretation, and various mega-issues of cosmology (e.g. big bang cosmology, the anthropic principle, the age of the universe) and biology (e.g. chemical and biological evolution). Attention is also given to historical and conceptual issues involving creationism, Darwinism, and Intelligent Design.
TH 701
Modern Theology I
A study of the unfolding trajectory of theological reflection in the modern world- specifically covering the period of the emerging modern world through the nineteenth century. Examined are such thinkers and movements as: the Enlightenment, Kant, Schleiermacher, Hegel, Newman, Romanticism, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Neo-Thomism, and Classical Liberalism.
TH 710
Understanding Contemporary Mindsets
An analysis of the development, nature and spiritual disposition of contemporary mindsets, whether they be more philosophical in nature (e.g., Modernism or Postmodernism) or more cultural in nature (e.g., Pluralism, Secularism, and different mindsets influence by historical era, geographical location, subcultural affiliation, age, education, science, technology, gender, race, politics, economic status). Providing historical context since the 17th century, this class involves an extensive “audience-analysis” of today’s world as foundational to communicating effectively the basic truths of the Christian faith.
Choose five of the following:
AP 500
Contemporary Religious Movements
An examination of some of the most important “new” religious movements that have come to dominate the contemporary religious landscape, including “established” traditions such as Jehovah’s Witnesses and Latter Day Saints (Mormons), as well as religions that owe their origins to Eastern belief systems. Attention will also be given to the recent development and growth of so-called “aberrant” Christian groups.
AP 603
Types of Apologetics
A critical examination of various types of apologetics and their theological foundations. Representative apologists and prominent apologetic methodologies are assessed in light of key philosophical and theological issues. Apologetic systems covered include classical, evidential, existential, pre-suppositional, Reformed, postmodern, and cumulative case.
AP 606
Ethics
A survey and critical analysis of various theological and philosophical approaches to ethics. Attention is given to the nature of ethics, relativism, egoism, utilitarianism, situation ethics, natural law ethics, virtue ethics, Kantian ethics, divine command ethics, and different versions of theological absolutism (e.g., unqualified absolutism, qualified absolutism, and graded absolutism). Representative contemporary moral issues are also examined in light of these ethical systems.
AP 720
Bioethical Issues
A theological orientation to and examination of some of the diverse issues addressed in the contemporary field of bioethics, including beginning and end of life issues, quality of life concerns, as well as recent developments in science, justice, public policy, and healthcare. A clinical experience is also a part of this course.
AP 899
Special Issues in Apologetics
Advanced study of one or more topics in the area of Christian apologetics.
AP 900
Research in Apologetics
Individual research under faculty supervision.
CH 600
Christianity Through the Ages
A comprehensive overview of Christianity from its beginning to the present day. The course, which includes discussion of the theological implications of the philosophy of history, introduces students to the church’s history and theology, preparing them to face contemporary concerns in preaching, teaching, and evangelism.
CH 602
Early Christian Centuries
A study of the history and development of Christianity from the beginning of the church to the period immediately following the fall of the Roman Empire in the West. Special consideration is given to the variety of early Christianity as it grows in Latin, Greek, and Syriac lands. Studies will include major persons, events, documents, controversies, and developments of the early church.
CH 603
Medieval Christianity
An investigation of the history of the church from the period immediately following the fall of Rome in the West to the rise of the Reformers, including careful consideration of the background, persons, events, institutions, theology, and movements of the period.
NT 754
Text and Canon of the Bible
An examination of the historical, theological, and textual factors involved in the development of the biblical canon, covering both what became the Old and New Testaments and what did not.
OT 605
Advanced Old Testament Introduction
An advanced treatment of the date, authorship, unity, historical context, literary characteristics, history of interpretation, theology, and canonical context of each of the books of the Old Testament. Some consideration will also be given to matters of general introduction such as text, canon, and historicity of the Old Testament in general.
PH 602
Ancient Philosophy
A tutorial-style course in which the student will read and come to understand the primary texts and the central questions in the ancient western (largely Greek) philosophical tradition. Readings will include (but are not limited to) selected works of Plato and Aristotle.
PH 603
Medieval Philosophy
A tutorial-style course in which the student will read and come to understand the primary texts and the central questions in the medieval western (largely Christian) philosophical tradition. Readings will include (but are not limited to) selected works of Augustine and Thomas Aquinas.
PH 610
Kierkegaard
An examination of the life, thought and writings of the nineteenth century Danish philosopher/theologian/ author Soren Kierkegaard within the philosophical, theological, social and literary contexts of nineteenth century Europe and Golden Age Denmark with an eye toward his impact and relevance for Christians today.
PH 701
Modern Philosophy
A tutorial-style course in which the student will read and come to understand the primary texts and the central questions in the modern philosophical tradition. Readings may include the works of Descartes, Spinoza, Locke, Hume, Kant, Hegel, and Nietzsche.
PH 702
Contemporary Philosophy
A tutorial-style course in which the student will read and come to understand the primary texts and the central questions in philosophy in the 20th century. Readings may include (but are not limited to) works by Peirce, Husserl, Heidegger, Sartre, Wittgenstein, Searle, Levinas, Derrida, and Deleuze.
PH 899
Special Issues in Philosophy
Specialized study of an area of philosophy not covered in existing courses.
PH 900
Research in Philosophy
Individual research under faculty supervision in a particular area of philosophy.
TH 600
Systematic Theology
A graduate study of systematic theology, seeking to understand the bases, meanings, and relations of Christian doctrines, with attention to the controversies about and inner unity of the Christian faith.
TH 607
Doctrine of Christ
An examination of the biblical, historical, and cultural issues that have contributed to the Church’s past and present understandings of the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit. Special attention will be given to recent approaches to historical Jesus study.
TH 717
Cultural Hermeneutics
An introduction to the theory and practice of reading “cultural texts” from a theological point of view, noting the strengths and weaknesses of past and current models of Christian engagement with culture.
TH 787
Theology and Postmodernity
This course examines some of the possible relationships that Christian theology can have with postmodern thought. While looking at some of the basics of postmodern thought and some basic interdisciplinary streams of post-modernity (such as literary and social theory), we will focus primarily on various attempts by contemporary theologians/philosophers to appropriate and interact with this kind of postmodern thought. This class is a more in-depth examination of the question of if (and if so, what kind of) postmodern thought can be responsibly appropriated for use in Christian theology. As such, it contributes toward addressing the perennial issue of the proper relation between secular thought or philosophy and Christian theology.
TH 833
The Trinity
A historical and systematic seminar on the central Christian doctrine of the Trinity.

Student Testimonials

Hear from students who've earned a MA (Philosophy and Apologetics)
  • Once I knew that God was calling me into a career of studying and teaching Christian apologetics, I set out to find a seminary that could equip me for this ministry.... I knew that LCU had what I was looking for.... I also have a strong interest in philosophy, and I found the philosophy classes I took with Dr. Knopp and other LCU philosophy professors enormously valuable.... God is truly using the knowledge I gained at LCU in a powerful way.
    — Zach Breitenbach is a former teacher of Bible, Ethics, and Apologetics at Northside Christian School in St. Petersburg, Florida. He has now completed his PhD in Theology & Apologetics at Liberty University, and he is an adjunct professor at LCU along with serving in LCU's Room For Doubt ministry.
  • As someone currently involved in bi-vocational ministry and college teaching, I have drawn heavily on [my course] material to address questions that students, ministers, and lay people ask me about science, cosmology, ethics, and the existence of evil in the world. This [degree] will give each student the necessary tools for a sound, informed faith that is capable of transforming lives and hearts with the truth of the Gospel.
    — Alan Phillips, PhD, Adjunct Instructor at Heartland Community College and Illinois Valley Community College
  • I would highly recommend Lincoln Christian University's apologetics program to anyone who wants to grow in their understanding of God's word, better understand other worldviews, and answer skeptical criticisms of Christianity.... I have seen God use my education time and time again while ministering to Christians who are struggling intellectually with their faith as well as preparing students to present and defend their beliefs.
    — Walter Harper, Professor of Bible and Ministry at Central Christian College in Moberly, Missouri and PhD student at Faulkner University
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