What is Christianity? Why should we Study Atheism? Who cares how the Bible was Formed?
April 25, 2008 – 8:32 am by sntjohnny. Filed under Blog, General.Beginning on April 30th, 2008, Athanatos Online Academy’s course “Studies in Atheism” will begin. This three week course will give a brief history of atheism through the centuries and then leap to a discussion of more modern atheists such as Bertrand Russell, Antony Flew, and the so-called ‘New’ atheists: Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, and so on.
Why should anyone care? Why should Christians care? Trends in atheism are as discernible as trends in anything else and many agree (even ‘moderate’ atheists will sometimes agree) that the current trends are ominous. Moreover, if Christians want to reach out to their atheistic or agnostic friends, they will need to know what their friends are reading.
The “Studies in Atheism” course allows atheists to speak for themselves. Some response is given but it is primarily about understanding the forces and influences driving the ‘New Atheists’ along with systematically describing the views which atheists tend to have in common.
Beginning two days before the Atheism course, AOA will be offering courses on “Basic Christianity,” the “Reliability of the New Testament Documents,” and the “Formation of the New Testament.” These courses begin on April 28th.
If “Studies in Atheism” let’s atheists speak for themselves, Basic Christianity is offers an objective presentation on ‘mere Christianity,’ allowing Christians through the centuries to speak for themselves. What do the billions of Christians have in common in their beliefs? Why do they believe what they believe? How are those beliefs derived? This three week course is a broad overview and introduction to the foundations of the Christian faith and will help anyone who aims to understand what Christianity really is, rather than a caricature.
The “Reliability of the New Testament Documents” and “Formation of the New Testament” course make use of the books by the high powered Biblical scholar FF Bruce. For those who do not have the books, as much information from the Internet that can be used will be made available, as well. (this is true for all the courses). Anyone who wants to go beyond Sunday School explanations for why Christians worth their salt trust the Bible and the New Testament in particular will find these courses useful.
Many of the courses make use of Youtube presentations of important voices in Christian scholarship and in some cases video lessons by yours truly are used, as well.
To participate in the courses,
- Go to the Academy: www.academyofapologetics.com
- Enroll. (Don’t forget to confirm your email address before going on to the next step.)
- Sign up for a course.
Then get ready to learn!
One Response to “What is Christianity? Why should we Study Atheism? Who cares how the Bible was Formed?”
Onimous? What are you talking about? How Dawkins bombed a building recently or something? Or are you just being a panicky a hole?
Besides that, studies in atheism is a misnomer- it is more aptly called studies in secularism. Atheism is merely an absence of belief- something these people people don’t get. “Okay, these people don’t believe in God. That is about it- any questions- class dismissed”.
Yes, yes I know- morality, meaning and the like- those aren’t part of atheism. After all, there have been atheist nihlists. They are part of being an involved and good person.
By Samuel Skinner on Apr 25, 2008