{"permissions":{},"commerce":{"user_subscriptions":null,"subscription_plans":[],"global_tracking_code":"","conversion_tracking_code":"","payment_requires_zip_code":false,"currency_code":"usd"},"media":{"image":"https://pathwright.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.filestackcontent.com%2Fapi%2Ffile%2FYcftMQlrQ42FsZbOiHKV%3Fsignature%3D888b9ea3eb997a4d59215bfbe2983c636df3c7da0ff8c6f85811ff74c8982e34%26policy%3DeyJjYWxsIjogWyJyZWFkIiwgInN0YXQiLCAiY29udmVydCJdLCAiZXhwaXJ5IjogNDYyMDM3NzAzMX0%253D?fit=crop&ixlib=python-1.1.0&w=500&s=f09ff3a5951042ff67cc3aa2ebc976d7","thumb":"https://pathwright.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.filestackcontent.com%2Fapi%2Ffile%2FYcftMQlrQ42FsZbOiHKV%3Fsignature%3D888b9ea3eb997a4d59215bfbe2983c636df3c7da0ff8c6f85811ff74c8982e34%26policy%3DeyJjYWxsIjogWyJyZWFkIiwgInN0YXQiLCAiY29udmVydCJdLCAiZXhwaXJ5IjogNDYyMDM3NzAzMX0%253D?fit=crop&h=250&ixlib=python-1.1.0&w=250&s=c9cf9acccb11d57f9116d18a7c8cd127","logo":null,"url":"//d1do9mm1n6degf.cloudfront.net/","theme":{"name":"","description":"","primary_color":"","background_image":"","heading_font":"","typekit_id":"","custom_css":"","processed_custom_css":"","background_overlay":"","background_type":null,"theme_type":null},"pages":[]},"school":{"id":828,"name":"BALM Institute","platform_version":2.2,"url":"https://balm.pathwright.com/","is_ssl_disabled":false,"is_curriculum_licensor":false,"is_curriculum_subscriber":false,"is_activated":true,"is_activated_via_override":false,"resource_licensing_enabled":false,"trial_has_expired":false,"trial_days_remaining":null,"is_curriculum_enabled":true,"has_public_resources":true,"billing_model_display":"Pay as you go","billing_model":0,"website":"","has_certificate":false,"subdomain":"balm","ietf_language_tag":"en-US","short_description":"","has_consent_description":false},"support":{"has_faqs":false,"support_email":"BALMInstitute@gmail.com","support_phone":"408-730-8130","support_link":"","support_policy":"

If you are in a course, please ask a question in the week and assignment where it applies.

The best way to get help for general online issues: send an email to BALMInstitute@gmail.com. Explain your challenge, include a screen shot if at all possible, and include a contact phone number. We will make every effort to get back to you within 24 hours.

","support_faqs":null},"security":{"terms_of_service":"https://balm.pathwright.com/pages/terms-of-use.html","privacy_policy":"https://balm.pathwright.com/pages/privacy-policy.html","csrf_token":"LhsMXnmME8dcW0D9AknIVtjvBxM8jFlDmCed1rQ6Tup8IickF20FqeMR4MVdG8Oi","terms_agreement_prompt_override":""},"social":{"twitter_username":"","facebook_username":"","google_plus_username":"","pinterest_username":""},"integrations":{"facebook":null,"filepicker":{"read_policy":"eyJjYWxsIjogWyJyZWFkIiwgInN0YXQiLCAiY29udmVydCJdLCAiZXhwaXJ5IjogNDYyMDM3NzAzMX0=","read_signature":"888b9ea3eb997a4d59215bfbe2983c636df3c7da0ff8c6f85811ff74c8982e34"},"algolia":false,"intercom":{"user_hash":null,"app_id":null,"school_app_id":null,"school_staff_app_id":null,"pathwright_app_id":"5txzvi2k","school_profile":null},"stripe":{"publishable_key":null},"firebase":null,"google_analytics":{"account_id":null,"domain_name":"pathwright.com"},"sso":{"pathwright_login_enabled":true,"providers":[],"current_provider":null}},"customizations":{"head_markup":[],"script_markup":[],"global_tracking_code":""},"pathwright_account":{"is_on_legacy_plan":true,"is_activated":true,"payment_key":"pk_live_1EFaBZz7SRVXYhX7V70P4dhCC2tOEVWu0f6r3WNUvnxmc3lGpxhOlp3CIPzgfFjihpeAG08yyda1lpRhIINEScEPn00qXGNBhT6"},"user":null,"session":{"user":null,"school_membership":null,"csrf_token":"eznFTD62mYMr5GPqHPDHtCW052rMoVeHPU96XHAmBkYnRYoBMxgEYnpmyhARLoHm","is_authenticated":false},"DEBUG":false,"resource":{"id":1266,"name":"Apologetics and Introduction to Philosophy","description":"

When our students graduate from high school they are often leaving behind their families, their friends, and their church communities, for a culture with different responsibilities, expectations and perspectives. Many leave their faith behind as well. Even those going to Christian colleges often experience challenges to their faith which they would never have imagined. How can they hold on to their faith in the face of academic, cultural and even personal bias and persuasion? How can they be a light in the darkness for others? \n

By understanding the ideas they are facing, learning how to respond effectively, and by practicing the critical thinking and rhetorical skills that will enable them to be ready to give an answer, with gentleness and respect. A melding of the study of the philosophical underpinnings of our culture with the practical application of apologetic discourse accomplishes this. This is the structure of Apologetics and Intro to Philosophy. This course is a practical preparation for every student who is facing this challenge at college or elsewhere in the culture.

Considerable experiential learning activities and analysis help students develop a real understanding of each philosophy and its effect on personal interactions and cultural decisions. They also provide students with opportunities to practice answering the deep underlying questions we all face, from a Biblical perspective. Students will develop proficiency in thorough and critical observation, analysis and decision making, as well as winsome and persuasive response. Students will be encouraged to develop a deep understanding and Biblical insight into philosophical issues, and a strong foundation to be “always ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within them, with gentleness and respect”.

Philosophical debate has merit, and philosophical thought can significantly contribute to theological understanding. But the errors of philosophy must be recognized and refuted, to confirm the validity of Christianity. Apologetics and Introduction to Philosophy will focus on application of critical thinking skills and effective Biblical discourse to the ongoing intellectual and cultural struggle currently raging through universities and scholarly journals, professional societies and the corner coffee shop.

This course will present students with a clear understanding of historical and modern philosophies and help them to think Biblically about the concepts and underlying assumptions in each school of thought. They will develop or improve skills in responding to various philosophies (obvious or invisible), their underlying assumptions and their consequences both in college classes and the real world. A clear history of the development of philosophical thought will be incorporated into discussion and applied to analysis of current ideas. Students are also encouraged to develop strong patterns of seeking Godly counsel from parents through topic discussion. If your student is not yet in the Upper Academy, this class might still be appropriate, since this class is reading, thinking, and discussion based, with very little writing required. Also, if your student does high school work, you can award high school credit to younger students. Contact Jeffrey Efting for more information.

Reading and discussion provide instruction in the history and development of various philosophies. Students will also be given opportunities to create their own apologetics and apply them with others. They will grow the confidence to speak what they believe and learn how to stand firm, “speaking the Truth in love”, developing presentation skills, critical thinking skills, rhetorical skills (both in groups and one-on-one) and discernment. Apologetic debate activities develop and maintain proficiency in thorough and critical listening, analysis and extemporaneous response. Students experience extensive practice in logic and persuasion. Many students develop strong research skills, as well as a clear understanding of applicable Biblical and philosophical issues. Apologetic speech activities help students to become adept at private or public persuasion. Students are encouraged to begin just where they are and expand their skills in a safe environment.

","short_description":"Apologetics and Introduction to Philosophy will focus on application of critical thinking skills and effective Biblical discourse to the ongoing intellectual and cultural struggle currently raging through universities and scholarly journals, professional societies and the corner coffee shop.","categories":[{"id":303,"name":"Bible - Life Skills","slug":"bible-life-skills","description":null,"order":0,"resources_count":null}],"image":"","cover_image":"https://cdn.filestackcontent.com/XR0zkjpoQtaHsqeurx3Y","thumb":"https://pathwright.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.filestackcontent.com%2Fapi%2Ffile%2FXR0zkjpoQtaHsqeurx3Y%3Fsignature%3D888b9ea3eb997a4d59215bfbe2983c636df3c7da0ff8c6f85811ff74c8982e34%26policy%3DeyJjYWxsIjogWyJyZWFkIiwgInN0YXQiLCAiY29udmVydCJdLCAiZXhwaXJ5IjogNDYyMDM3NzAzMX0%253D?dpr=1&fit=crop&h=232&ixlib=python-1.1.0&w=310&s=9dddaac59fc65794b8b13d1dbea40c7a","thumb_2x":"https://pathwright.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.filestackcontent.com%2Fapi%2Ffile%2FXR0zkjpoQtaHsqeurx3Y%3Fsignature%3D888b9ea3eb997a4d59215bfbe2983c636df3c7da0ff8c6f85811ff74c8982e34%26policy%3DeyJjYWxsIjogWyJyZWFkIiwgInN0YXQiLCAiY29udmVydCJdLCAiZXhwaXJ5IjogNDYyMDM3NzAzMX0%253D?dpr=2&fit=crop&h=232&ixlib=python-1.1.0&w=310&s=8473b0967d77372ec23bfb43c796aa32","icon":"https://pathwright.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.filestackcontent.com%2Fapi%2Ffile%2FXR0zkjpoQtaHsqeurx3Y%3Fsignature%3D888b9ea3eb997a4d59215bfbe2983c636df3c7da0ff8c6f85811ff74c8982e34%26policy%3DeyJjYWxsIjogWyJyZWFkIiwgInN0YXQiLCAiY29udmVydCJdLCAiZXhwaXJ5IjogNDYyMDM3NzAzMX0%253D?fit=crop&h=35&ixlib=python-1.1.0&w=35&s=408b50fdc04a9d4307f94138413efdd5","background_image":"https://pathwright.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.filestackcontent.com%2Fapi%2Ffile%2FY9hVo3bQdeiHFNpbUhKG%3Fsignature%3D888b9ea3eb997a4d59215bfbe2983c636df3c7da0ff8c6f85811ff74c8982e34%26policy%3DeyJjYWxsIjogWyJyZWFkIiwgInN0YXQiLCAiY29udmVydCJdLCAiZXhwaXJ5IjogNDYyMDM3NzAzMX0%253D?fit=max&ixlib=python-1.1.0&w=1400&s=852e5a111e0a9c1aa006487d10ed98e5","background_overlay":"22,160,133,0.04","background_image_blurred_cdn":"https://pathwright.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.filestackcontent.com%2Fapi%2Ffile%2FY9hVo3bQdeiHFNpbUhKG%3Fsignature%3D888b9ea3eb997a4d59215bfbe2983c636df3c7da0ff8c6f85811ff74c8982e34%26policy%3DeyJjYWxsIjogWyJyZWFkIiwgInN0YXQiLCAiY29udmVydCJdLCAiZXhwaXJ5IjogNDYyMDM3NzAzMX0%253D?balph=40&blend=666666&blur=500&bm=screen&fit=max&fm=jpg&h=250&high=-80&ixlib=python-1.1.0&q=100&w=250&s=8617a6b86929fa9586a9f7f5b3b7dd1a","background_type":1,"authors":[{"id":3004,"display_name":"GAIL K EFTING","first_name":"GAIL K","last_name":"EFTING","bio":"","image":null,"resources_count":null,"salutation":"","title":"","slug":"gail-k-efting","order":0,"avatar":""}],"created":"2012-09-27T14:03:28.099374-04:00","url":"https://balm.pathwright.com/library/apologetics-and-introduction-to-philosophy-1266/","offering_counts":{},"resource_type":10,"resource_type_display":"Course","slug":"apologetics-and-introduction-to-philosophy-1266","trailer_embed_code":"","list_order":null,"total_registration_count":null,"sum_registration_count":8,"lowest_public_offering_price":590.0,"highest_public_offering_price":590.0,"curriculum_offering":null,"num_offerings":3,"visibility_level_override":15,"licensing_enabled":false,"license_offerings":[],"licensed_from_resource":null,"certificate_generator_class":"","lowest_price_currency_display":"$590","highest_price_currency_display":"$590","discussion_enabled":true,"licensed_from_school":null,"highest_visibility_level":15,"certificate_json":{}},"offering":{"id":14609,"name":"General","access_starts":null,"access_ends":null,"enrollment_starts":null,"enrollment_ends":null,"description":"

high school

Cost: tuition $1,580 payable at registration. Materials fee $140 (one time fee) payable at registration

","visibility":15,"price":590.0,"seats":null,"seats_filled":1,"seats_available":-1,"currency_display":"$590","include_in_subscription_plans":[],"include_with_products":[],"is_subscription_only":false,"resource_id":1266,"path_id":914129,"permissions":{"can_participate":false,"can_access":false,"can_edit":false,"can_edit_resource":false,"can_facilitate":false,"can_view_analytics":false,"can_invite_editor":false,"can_invite_teacher":false,"can_invite_moderator":false,"can_invite_student":false,"can_invite_observer":false},"due_dates_enabled":true,"is_group_offering":false,"step_counts":{},"is_curriculum":false,"url":"/library/apologetics-and-introduction-to-philosophy-1266/14609/","invite_urls":{},"access":{"is_full":false,"has_registration_ended":false,"has_registration_started":true,"has_access_started":true,"has_access_ended":false},"analytics_visibility":10,"resource_license":null,"discussion_enabled":true,"parent_offering_id":null,"created_by_id":7482,"status":1,"analytics_disabled":false}}

Loading Apologetics and Introduction to Philosophy...