ANSWERING THE TOUGH ONES:

HOW TO RESPOND TO SKEPTICS

EQUIPPING ONLINE COURSE SYLLABUS - EC 107

Course Description:
During this six-week online course (completed in 8 weeks), you will be equipped to give an accurate, measured,
biblical response to issues like the exclusivity of Christianity, the problem of evil, the reliability of Scripture, and
other commonly raised objections.

Course Objectives:
As a result of this class, you should:
• Deepen your love for Christ as you appreciate in greater ways the reality that Christianity is a
reasonable faith.
• Grow in your understanding of the issues and nuances regarding hot-button topics frequently raised
as objections to Christianity.
• Gain the ability to answer tough questions in a way that both addresses the major issues and invites
further respectful dialogue with skeptics and seekers.
• Integrate your knowledge of each biblical response with loving interaction as you engage skeptics and
seekers God has placed in your sphere of influence, understanding that the greatest apologetic is love.
Textbooks:
(Suggested, but not required)
Koukl, Greg. Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009.

Course Requirements:
It is fair to expect 2–3 hours of work for each week’s worth of content. This time will vary if you choose to read
the suggested book Tactics and complete other optional resources in addition to the required coursework. This
time will include the following activities:
• READING ASSIGNMENTS
Each week you should read the required reading. You are NOT required to read the optional reading,
but it is highly encouraged and will maximize your learning during each class session. If you choose to
read Tactics, it is suggested that you read the selected chapters prior to listening to the audio for each
week. An additional recommended reading list is found at the end of this syllabus.
• AUDIO AND POWERPOINTS
Each week you should listen to two parts of the audio recorded from the previous live Answering the
Tough Ones classes. It is suggested that you print out the PowerPoint slides in order to take notes as
you listen along.
• DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
You should answer each discussion question and respond to at least one other student’s answer by the
following week of class.
 • QUIZZES AND FINAL EXAM
The quizzes are for your benefit only, and the questions are taken from the PowerPoint slides in
addition to the required class readings. The final exam is comprehensive and is an opportunity to see
how much you learned during this class!

Course Policies:
You are expected to complete the work for each week by the beginning of the next week’s class. Each week’s
class will open at 12:00 am on Thursday, and run until 11:59 pm the following Wednesday.

Course Schedule:
DATE TOPIC ASSIGNMENTS

Introduction Read: Syllabus

Lesson 1: Optional Podcast: “Principles of Apologetics”
WEEK 1 Is Jesus the Only Listen: Jesus’ Claims, Between the Resurrection and the Gospels, The Historical
Way to God? Reliability of the Gospels, Q&A
Due: Quiz #1

Lesson 2: Optional Reading: Tactics, Chs. 1, 2

Is Scripture Listen: Old Testament Textual Transmission, New Testament Textual
WEEK 2 Trustworthy? Transmission, Q&A
Read: “5 Ps Handout”
Optional Podcast: “Reliability of Scripture” with Dr. Dan Wallace
Due: Discussion Question #1

Lesson 3: Optional Reading: Tactics, Chs. 3, 4, 5

What About Listen: Worldview, Judaism, Christianity; Islam, Mormonism, Jehovah’s
WEEK 3 Other Religions? Witnesses; Christian Response; Q&A
Read: Religion Comparison Chart
Due: Quiz #2

Lesson 4: Optional Reading: Tactics, Chs. 6, 7, 8

WEEK 4 Does Science Listen: What Does Genesis Say?, Young Earth Creation, Old Earth Creation, Q&A
Contradict the Read: Science Handout
Creation Account? Due: Discussion Question #2

Lesson 5: Optional Reading: Tactics, Ch. 9, 10, 11

If God Is Good, Listen: The Problem with the Problem of Evil, A Christian Response to the
WEEK 5 Why Is There Evil? Problem of Evil, What About Hell?, Q&A
What About Hell? Watch: “Is God Good?”
Due: Quiz #3

Lesson 6: Optional Reading: Tactics, Chs. 12, 13, 14

Is “Gay- Affirming” Listen: A Biblical Theology of Sexuality Parts 1 & 2, Understanding and
a Christian Responding to the Gay-Affirming View, Q&A
WEEK 6
Position? Read: Response to the “Gay-Affirming” View
Optional Podcast: “Responding to Same-Sex Issues” with Hope Harris
Due: Discussion Question #3

Conclusion Due: Final Exam; Final Discussion Question

WEEK 8 Optional Podcast: “Tactics and the Story of Reality” with Greg Koukl Due: Final
ALL WORK Survey
DUE
Optional: Register for next Equipping Course
Recommended Reading:
BEGINNER
Greg Koukl, Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions
Josh McDowell, More Than a Carpenter
Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ: A Journalists Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus

INTERMEDIATE
Norman Geisler and Frank Turek, I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist
Tim Keller, Making Sense of God: An Invitation to the Skeptical
Tim Keller, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism
C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Josh and Sean McDowell, Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World

ADVANCED
Paul Copan, Is God a Moral Monster? Making Sense of the Old Testament God
William Lane Craig, On Guard: Defending Your Faith with Reason and Precision
Alvin Plantinga, God, Freedom, and Evil

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