Christian Philosophy

Course Descriptions

Courses are listed and briefly described below.

Please understand that it is impossible to list all of the various texts that might be used in these courses

Therefore, we have not attempted to list the required texts per each course. These are simply some suggested texts for the courses in question. In nearly all cases, there will be other texts also required. These other texts will be determined between the professor and the student.

Click here for Reading and Writing Requirements.

Also, sometimes a text is listed for more than one course—this, however, does not mean that one can simply read a single text for several courses. If a student has read a particular text for a class, he/she cannot use that same text again for another course.

Next, some of the suggested texts may no longer be in print. If this is the case, the students and their mentors will simply select other, newer texts dealing with the same topic.

It is important to make clear that though we offer studies in a variety of theological and philosophical perspectives, CES does not necessarily endorse all of the positions listed in the course descriptions. However, rather than simply telling students what to think, it is our belief that an institution of education should allow an open atmosphere of learning, and that includes reading, studying, and critiquing various perspectives within Christianity. We believe that students deserve the right to read, critique, and decide for themselves which perspectives they believe to be correct. To this end, some courses are set up to see both sides of a debate: for example see courses TH-603/803 Eschatology, TH-206/406 Sanctification, and TH-615/815 Perpetuity of Spiritual Gifts.

(Number Name Hours Description)

CP-101/301 Introduction to Philosophy 4SH Covers in a reference-survey the field of philosophy, subjects such as epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of religion, and ethics are discussed. (Introduction to Philosophy, by Norman Geisler and Paul Feinberg)

CP-102/302 Introduction to Philosophies and Philosophers 4SH This course presents a broad overview of the various important Christian philosophers and philosophies. (Chronological and Thematic Charts of Philosophies and Philosophers, by Milton Hunnex)

CP-103/303 World Views 4SH This course examines and discusses Theism, Atheism, Pantheism, Panentheism, Deism, Finite Godism, and Polytheism.

CP-201/401 Logic 4SH Defines logic, discusses deductive and inductive reasoning, lists formal and informal fallacies, and examines the scientific method. (Come Let Us Reason, Norman Geisler and Ronald Brooks)

CP-202/402 Ethics 4SH Examines and critiques moral relativism, proposes and defends a Christian view of right and wrong, and deals with particular ethical issues. (Ethics, Approaching Moral Decision, Arthur F. Holmes)

CP-203/403 History of Philosophy I 4SH An historical study of Greek philosophers from Thales to the Neoplatonists. (Thales to Dewey, Gordon H. Clark)

CP-204/404 History of Philosophy II 4SH Philosophies of the Middle Ages from Philo to William of Occam. (Thales to Dewey, Gordon H. Clark)

CP-205/405 History of Philosophy III 4SH Examines the history of philosophy from René Descartes to today. (Thales to Dewey, by Gordon H. Clark)

CP-406/606 Philosophy of Religion 4SH An examination questions that deal with religious experience, religious language, the existence of God, and the problem of evil. (Philosophy of Religion, by Norman Geisler and Winfried Corduan)

CP-490 Bachelor's Senior Paper 8SH The student selects, with the approval of the mentor, a topic in Christian philosophy.

CP-501/701 Philosophy 4SH An examination of epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of religion, and ethics. (Introduction to Philosophy, by Norman Geisler, and Paul Feinberg)

CP-502/702 Ethics 4SH Reviews options in ethics, then examines contemporary ethical issues as abortion, euthanasia, war, divorce and remarriage, and capital punishment. (Christian Ethics, by Norman Geisler)

CP-503/703 Faith and Reason 4SH Explores philosophical questions having implications for the rationality of religious beliefs. (Faith and Reason, by Ronald Nash)

CP-504/704 Miracles 4SH Examines philosophically if miracles are possible. Emphasis is placed on providing evidences for Christ's resurrection from the dead. (Miracles, by C. S. Lewis, and The Resurrection of Jesus, by Gary Habermas)

CP-505/705 World Views 4SH Reviews and refutes Theism, Atheism, Pantheism, Panentheism, Deism, Finite Godism, and Polytheism, and gives a defense of a theistic world view. (Worlds Apart, by Norman Geisler and William Watkins, and Christian Apologetics, by Norman Geisler)

CP-506/706 The Philosophy of Thomas Aquinas 4SH A study of the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas. (Thomas Aquinas: An Evangelical Appraisal, by Norman Geisler)

CP-690 Master's Thesis 8 SH The student selects, with the approval of the mentor, a topic in in philosophy.

CP-601/801 Philosophy of Religion 4SH An examination of religious experience, religious language, the existence of God, and the problem of evil. (Philosophy of Religion, by Norman Geisler and Winfried Corduan)

CP-602/802 The Concept of God 4SH Explores philosophical theology. It specifically focuses on historic and contemporary discussions on the attributes of God. (The Concept of God, by Ronald Nash)

CP-603/803 The Existence of God 4SH Examines many arguments for and against the existence of God. (Philosophy of Religion, by Norman Geisler and Winfried Corduan)

CP-604/804 History of Philosophy (advanced) 4SH Advanced course requiring the student to engage in extensive research in the history of philosophy: ancient Greek philosophers, the philosophers of the middle ages, and modern philosophers. (Thales to Dewey, by Gordon Clark, and A History of Philosophy, nine volumes by Frederick Copleston)

CP-605/805 The Problem of Evil 4SH Deals with the enduring problem of how an all-good and all-powerful God could allow evil and human suffering. (Problem of Pain, by C. S. Lewis, and Philosophy of Religion, by Norman Geisler and Winfried Corduan)

CP-606/806 Philosophical Debate 4SH Beginning with the study of several major debates, this class culminates in the student engaging in a public debate in defense of the Christian faith. (Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? by Gary Habermas and Anthony Flew; and Does God Exist? by J. P. Moreland and Kai Nielsen)

CP-607/807 Philosophy of Divine Revelation 4SH Explores man's ability to receive and understand divine revelation. (The Word of God and the Mind of Man, by Ronald Nash)

CP-890 Doctoral Dissertation 8 SH The student selects, with the approval of the mentor, a topic in philosophy.

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