Syllabus (BWVW 101 MWF - updated August 12, 2015) 1

Liberty UniversityBWVW 101: Affirming A Biblical Worldview

(Fall Semester 2015 -- 1 Credit Hour)Professor: Dr. Lew A. Weider Phone: 434-582-2325Office: Green Hall (GH) room 1880 Hours: 8:00am-4:30pm

E-mail: laweider@liberty.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is designed to aid the student in the development of a biblical worldview. This will involve an introduction to critical thinking, an evaluation of contemporary moral philosophies, and an affirmation of absolute truth. Students will be challenged to integrate a biblical worldview into their Christian/Community Service.

RATIONALE Since each student has been influenced by various cultural, religious and family values and morals, and often holds to personal opinions regarding these matters that have never been seriously considered, they must be challenged to articulate and validate their personal worldview. Students must clearly define what they believe and defend why they believe it, rather than just mimic what they have heard from parents, teachers, pastors and peers. Further, students must learn to critically reflect on the many viewpoints society offers, learn how to effectively communicate the Christian worldview in a multicultural society, and develop a consistently biblical approach to viewing and living their lives.

PREREQUISITES Because BWVW 101 is required for all incoming students, there are no prerequisites.

MATERIALS LIST A printed workbook is required for this class and will need to be purchased from the bookstore ( Biblical

Worldview 1: Affirming a Biblical Worldview – Dr. Lew A. Weider). All reading assignments will be web-based or posted on Blackboard.

ResponseCard NXT Clickers (purchased directly from the Liberty University Bookstore) Computer with Internet access. Students will be expected to keep up with the schedule via this site (i.e.,

Blackboard). Also, some assignments may involve direct use of the Internet outside of class. Every Liberty University student has a computer account and if needed may use the available computers located in the Jerry Falwell Library.

The Bible should be brought to class regularly as it will be frequently referenced and serve as the basis for in-class discussions.

3x5 index cards to be used for various purposes throughout the semester. #2 pencils for tests and other evaluation purposes.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES 1.The student will be able to identify logical fallacies commonly used in argumentation.2.The student will be able to articulate a biblical worldview.3.The student will be able to identity a biblical approach to ethics.4.The student will be able to recognize key people and principles of major contemporary moral philosophies and

religious worldviews that have shaped modern society.

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GENERAL EDUCATION CORE COMPETENCY LEARNING OUTCOMES Worldview Core Competency1.The student will be able to define worldview as a concept.2.The student will be able to identify the components of a biblical/Christian worldview.3.The student will be able to know the difference between biblical and non-biblical worldviews.

Reasoning-Critical Thinking Core Competency4.The student will be able to recognize flaws and logical inconsistencies in an argument.This will be accomplished by:

a. Lectures & class discussions.b. Quizzes. Questions may be taken from class lectures, discussions and/or assigned readings.c. Special assignments.d. Three tests (exams).

ASSIGNMENTS 1. Worldview Assignment Part 1 – (Instructions will be posted under “assignments” in Blackboard).2. Worldview Assignment Part 2 – Students will type and submit a written assignment which

includes an articulation of a biblical worldview (instructions will be posted under “assignments” in Blackboard).

GRADING POLICY The final grade will be computed as follows based on a 1000 point scale:

Quizzes450 points (15 quizzes worth 30 points each)

*Quizzes – May include: Syllabus Content, Reading Assignments, Course Notes, Unannounced Attendance Quizzes, In-Class Assignments

AssignmentsWorldview Assignment Part 1 30 pointsWorldview Assignment Part 2 70 points

Tests#1 100 points#2 150 points#3 200 points

All Grades will be posted on Blackboard.

As per the University policy, points will be deducted from the final points for excessive unexcused absences (see Attendance and Unexcused absence policies below).

Extra-credit opportunities and guidelines will be listed under “Course Documents” on Blackboard. Each student may complete no more than 2 extra credits. Each extra-credit assignment that is correctly completed will result in 30 points (3.0%) being added to your final grade.

Grading Scale:A = 900-1000 pointsB = 800-899 pointsC = 700-799 pointsD = 600-699 pointsF = 0-599 points

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ATTENDANCE, MISSED QUIZZES/TESTS & LATE WORK ATTENDANCE:

For the good of the Liberty University student body, a consistent attendance policy is needed so that all students in all majors will understand the expectations of faculty in all their courses. In general, regular and punctual attendance in all classes is expected of all students. At times, students will miss classes. These absences will be identified as either excused or unexcused and will be handled per the policy below.1. Excused Absences

Excused absences include all Liberty University sponsored events, to include athletic competition or other provost-approved event.

Absences due to medical illness that are accompanied by a doctor’s note will be excused. Absences due to family situations such as a death in the family or a severe medical condition will be

excused. Students will not be penalized for excused absences and will be permitted to make arrangements to

complete missed work.

2. Unexcused Absences Classes that meet:

· Three times per week will permit four unexcused absences per semester.· Twice per week will permit three unexcused absences per semester.· Once per week will permit one unexcused absence per semester.

Questions regarding unexcused absences must be resolved by the student with the professor within one week of the absence. Students may appeal these decisions to the respective dean within one week.

Extraordinary circumstances regarding excessive absences will be addressed by the student with the faculty member, department chair, and dean as required.

Penalties for each unexcused absence over the permitted number per semester will be as follows:50 points for classes that meet 3 times per week75 points for classes that meet 2 times per week150 points for classes that meet once per week

Students who are late for class 10 minutes or less are considered tardy but present for the class. If a student misses in-class work due to tardiness, the faculty member may choose not to allow the student to make up this work. Three class tardies will be counted as one unexcused absence.

Students who are more than 10 minutes late for class are considered absent.

In order for an absence to be excused the student must print the “Request for Excused Absence” form found in Blackboard. The form is to be filled out completely. The form is to be given to the professor on the first day the student returns to class (or sooner, if possible).

Please note that the following guidelines are for making up missed quizzes and tests. If you fail to follow the procedure as described immediately following the absence you will be given a “0” whether the absence would have been excused or not. Therefore, it is imperative that you complete the “Request for Excused Absence” form immediately upon your return.

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MISSED QUIZZES & TESTS:1. Missed Quizzes

a. No unexcused quizzes will be made up.b. Any quiz missed due to an unexcused absence will be entered as a “0” on the student’s record.c. Any quiz missed due to an excused absence will need to be made up. Students will have up to two days

(not including weekends, holidays, or school breaks) to make up the quiz from the day the Request for Excused Absence form is signed by the professor (see above). Students must bring the signed form to The Center for Christian/Community Service located in Green Hall 1880 to make up the quiz.

2. Missed Testsa. The student will have up to five days (not including weekends, holidays, or school breaks) from the

date the test was issued to make it up. Extenuating circumstances may be considered at the instructor’s discretion.

b. Missed tests will be made up in the Tutoring & Testing Center located in the Bruckner Learning Center in the Religion Hall. The student will need a “Request for Excused Absence” form signed by the professor in order to take the test. To take the Test in the Testing Center students will need to go online and make an appointment to take the test.

c. For students who missed the test due to an excused absence (see above) there will be no penalty. For students who miss the test due to an unexcused absence, there will be an automatic 11% reduction from the grade of the test.

LATE WORK:1. Written assignments are due at the time that they are collected in class. Any assignment not submitted on

time will receive a 20% grade reduction for each day that it is late (not including weekends, holidays, or school breaks). After five school days no writing assignment will be accepted.

2. If a student is absent from class the day that an assignment is due, to avoid the late penalty he/she must either have a fellow student turn his/her work in to the instructor, or email the assignment to the instructor BEFORE the class. If the student emails the work, a hard copy must be brought to the professor as soon as the student is able. Emailed documents only inform the professor that the work was done on time, but there will be a grade of ‘0’ until the professor receives a hard copy.

3. If a student is absent on the date that an assignment is announced, the student is still responsible to complete the work by the due date.

NOTE: Upon returning to class following an absence, students must be prepared for any assignment, quiz, or test that might be due or given. Any absence, whether excused or not, does not exempt any student from being responsible for the material covered in the class they missed.

OTHER POLICIES Dress Code

Students are expected to come to class dressed in a manner consistent with The Liberty Way.Honor Code

We, the students, faculty, and staff of Liberty University, have a responsibility to uphold the moral and ethical standards of this institution and personally confront those who do not.

Academic MisconductAcademic misconduct includes: academic dishonesty, plagiarism, and falsification. See The Liberty Way or Graduate Catalog for specific definitions, penalties, and processes for reporting.

Disability StatementStudents with a documented disability may contact the Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) in Religion Hall 126 to make arrangements for academic accommodations. For all disability testing

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accommodation requests (i.e. quieter environment, extended time, oral testing, etc.) the Testing Center in Religion Hall 117 is the officially designated place for all tests administered outside of the regular classroom.

Drop /Add PolicyA Fall/Spring course may be dropped without a grade, tuition, and fee charges within the first five days of the semester. From the sixth day until the last day of class, a Fall/Spring course may be withdrawn with a grade of W.

Classroom PoliciesThe inappropriate use of technology*, such as cell phones, iPods, laptops, calculators, etc. in the classroom is not tolerated. Other disruptive behavior in the classroom is not tolerated. Students who engage in this misconduct will be subject the penalties and processes as written in the Liberty Way or Liberty University Student Honor Code.* Laptops, Cell phones, other electronic devices are not needed in BWVW and may not be used in class.

Each student is expected to remain in class until dismissed by the instructor. Exceptions can be made if the student asks permission to leave early and has a legitimate reason to do so. Leaving early without permission will be counted as an unexcused absence.

Courtesy and respect are expected from all people toward others in class. BWVW has a tendency to surface controversy. As adults, we should be able to respect the viewpoints and ideas that differ from our own, while offering reasonable arguments for our own positions and graciously challenge others to do the same.

The ResponseCard NXT Clicker is required for ALL class periods. Students who come to class without their clicker (or a clicker in working order) will be assessed a tardy (See tardy policy – 3 tardies equals an unexcused absence). To register their attendance or to take a quiz, the student without a clicker will submit their answers on a 3x5 card. Students who enter class late and miss the “clicker” attendance should turn in a 3x5 card with their name clearly printed on it (If accepted by the professor, the student will be noted as having attended class but a tardy will be assessed. See explanation of a tardy under Attendance > Unexcused Absences).

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MONDAY / WEDNESDAY / FRIDAY Schedule

Week ONE 8/24 Class Introduction 8/26 Critical Thinking 8/28 Critical Thinking – Read: “Becoming a Critical Thinker” – by Lew Weider

Week TWO 8/31 Critical Thinking 9/02 A Biblical/Christian Worldview – Worldview Assignment Part 1 Due 9/04 A Biblical/Christian Worldview

Week THREE 9/07 A Biblical/Christian Worldview 9/09 A Biblical/Christian Worldview – Read: “The Grand Story: A Worldview Framework” – by Rob Van Engen 9/11 A Biblical/Christian Worldview

Week FOUR 9/14 Salvation 9/16 Salvation – Read: “Why A Moral Life Won’t Get Us To Heaven” – by James Williams 9/18 Salvation (CFAW)

Week FIVE 9/21 Developing a Biblical Ethic – Read: “Morality Apart From God” – by Ray Cotton 9/23 TEST #1 9/25 Developing a Biblical Ethic

Week SIX 9/28 Developing a Biblical Ethic 9/30 Absolutism – Read: “Why we Need Absolutes?” – by Willie Honeycutt10/02 Christian Liberty – Worldview Assignment Part 2 Due

Week SEVEN10/05 Christian Liberty – Read: “Christian Liberty” – by Troy Matthews10/07 Contemporary Religious Worldviews 10/09 (Fall Break – No Class)

Week EIGHT10/12 Contemporary Religious Worldviews – Read: “World Religions Overview” – by Dean Halverson10/14 Contemporary Religious Worldviews10/16 Contemporary Religious Worldviews

Week NINE10/19 Contemporary Religious Worldviews10/21 TEST #210/23 Contemporary Moral Philosophies – Read: “What is Moral Relativism?” – by Greg Koukl

Week TEN10/26 Contemporary Moral Philosophies10/28 Contemporary Moral Philosophies – Read: “Measuring Morality” – by Lou Whitworth10/30 Contemporary Moral Philosophies

NOTE: Reading assignments are to be read in preparation for the class in which they are listed.Reading assignments may be found in Blackboard under Reading Assignments.

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Week ELEVEN11/02 Contemporary Moral Philosophies11/04 Contemporary Moral Philosophies – Read: “Determinism: How Free Are We?” – by Willie Honeycutt11/06 Contemporary Moral Philosophies (CFAW)

Week TWELVE11/09 Contemporary Moral Philosophies – Read: “Nihilism: From Nietzsche to Now” – by Steve Putney11/11 Contemporary Moral Philosophies11/13 Tolerance – Read: “When Tolerance is Intolerant” – by Greg Koukl

Week THIRTEEN11/16 Tolerance11/18 TEST # 3 (This is the final exam and the final class day for BWVW 101)

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BIBLIOGRAPHY/SUGGESTED READINGS

Beckwith, Francis J., and Gregory Koukl. Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air. Grand Rapids: Baker Press, 2001.

Beckwith, Francis J., William Lane Craig, and J. P. Moreland, eds. To Everyone An Answer: A Case for the Christian Worldview. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2004.

Beilby, James K. Thinking About Christian Apologetics. Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Academic, 2011.

Benedict, Ruth. Patterns of Culture. 1934. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1989.

Bertrand, J. Mark. (Re)Thinking Worldview: Learning to Think, Live, and Speak in This World. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2007.

Bruce, Tammy. The Death of Right and Wrong. Roseville, California: Prima Publishing, 2003.

Budziszewski, J. Written On The Heart: The Case For Natural Law. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1997.

Chaffee, John. Thinking Critically. 6th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000.

Colson, Charles., and Nancy Pearcey. How Shall We Then Live. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999.

Copan, Paul and William Lane Craig, eds. Contending With Christianity’s Critics. Nashville: B&H Academic, 2009.

Copan, Paul. That’s Just Your Interpretation: Responding To Skeptics Who Challenge Your Faith. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2001.

____________. When God Goes To Starbucks: A Guide To Everyday Apologetics. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2008.

Coppenger, Mark. Moral Apologetics for Contemporary Christians. Nashville, Tennessee: B&H Publishing Group, 2011.

Corduan, Winfried. Pocket Guide to World Religions. Downers Grove, Illinois: Inter-Varsity Press, 2006.

Craig, William Lane and Chad Meister. God is Good God is Great: Why Believing in God is Reasonable and Responsible. Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Books, 2009.

Craig, William Lane. Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 2008.

Dawkins, Richard. The God Delusion. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006.

Dembski, William A. The End of Christianity: Finding A Good God in an Evil World. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2009.

Dembski, William A. and Michael R. Licona, eds. Evidence for God. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2010.

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Dockery, David S., ed. Faith and Learning: A Handbook for Christian Higher Education. Nashville, Tennessee: B&H Academic, 2012.

Dockery, David S and Timothy George, eds. The Great Tradition of Christian Thinking: A Student’s Guide. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2012.

Fletcher, Joseph. Situation Ethics. Philadelphia: Westminister Press, 1966.

Gilbert, Greg. What Is The Gospel?. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2010.

Goheen, Michael, W. and Craig G. Bartholomew. Living At The Crossroads: An Introduction to Christian Worldview. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2008.

Groothuis, Douglas. Truth Decay: Defending Christianity Against the Challenges of Postmodernism. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2000.

__________. Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith. Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Academic, 2011.

Harris, Sam. Letter to a Christian Nation. New York: Vintage Books 2006.

Haught, John F. God and the New Atheism: A Critical Response to Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2008.

Hexham, Irving. Understanding World Religions. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011.

Hibbs, Thomas S. Shows About Nothing: Nihilism in Popular Culture from the Exorcist to Seinfeld. Dallas: Spence Publishing Company, 1999.

Hiebert, Paul G. Transforming Worldviews: An Anthropological Understanding of How People Change. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2008.

Hindson, Ed and Ergun Caner, eds. The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics. Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 2008.

Hoffecker, W. Andrew, ed. Revolutions in Worldview: Understanding the Flow of Western Thought. Phillipsburg, New Jersey: P&R Publishing, 2007.

Holmes, Arthur F. Ethics: Approaching Moral Decisions. Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Academic, 2007.

Horner, David A. Mind Your Faith. Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Academic, 2011.

House, H. Wayne and Dennis W. Jowers. Reasons for Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics. Nashville, Tennessee: B&H Academic, 2011.

Huffman, Douglas S., ed. Christian Contours: How a Biblical Worldview Shapes the Mind and Heart. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2011.

Keller, Timothy. The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. New York: Dutton, 2008.

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Luther, Martin. Harold Grimm, ed. Christian Liberty. Philadelphia, PA: Fortress Press, 1957.

MacArthur, John. Think Biblically: Recovering a Christian Worldview. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 2003.

Markos, Louis. Apologetics for the 21st Century. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2010.

McDowell, Josh. The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1999.

McDowell, Josh and Bob Hostetler. The New Tolerance: How a Cultural Movement Threatens to Destroy You, Your Faith, and Your Children. Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, 1998.

Mohler, R. Albert Jr. Atheism Remix: A Christian Confronts the New Atheists. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 2008.

____________. Culture Shift, Engaging Current Issues with Timeless Truth. Colorado Springs, Colorado, Multnomah Books, 2008.

Moreland, J. P. Love Your God with All Your Mind: The Role of Reason in the Life of the Soul. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1997.

Moreland, J. P. and William Lane Craig. Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2003.

Morrow, Jonathan. Think Christianly: Looking at the Intersection of Faith and Culture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2011.

Noebel, David, A. Understanding The Times. Manitou Springs, Colorado: Summit Press, 2008.

Paul, Richard W. and Linda Elder. Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge of Your Professional and Personal Life. Upper Saddle, New Jersey: Financial Times Prentice Hall, 2002.

Pearcey, Nancy. Saving Leonardo: A Call to Resist the Secular Assault on Mind, Morals, and Meaning. Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2010.

____________. Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 2004.

Piper, John and David Mathis, eds. Thinking, Loving, Doing: A Call to Glorify God with Heart and Mind. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2011.

Samples, Kenneth Richard. A World of Difference: Putting Christian Truth-Claims to the Worldview Test. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2007.

Sire, James W. The Universe Next Door. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 5th edition, 2009.

Sproul, R. C. The Consequences of Ideas: Understanding the Concepts That Shaped Our World. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 2000.

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Stetson, Brad and Joseph G. Conti. The Truth About Tolerance: Pluralism, Diversity and the Culture Wars. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2005.

Walsh, Brian J. & J. Richard Middleton. The Transforming Vision: Shaping a Christian Worldview. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1984.

Waxman, Trevin. Counterfeit Gospels: Rediscovering the Good News in a World of False Hope. Chicago, Illinois: Moody Publishers, 2011.

Weider, Lew and Ben Gutierrez. Consider. Virginia Beach, Virginia: Academx Publishing Services, 2011.

Wells, David F. The Courage to be Protestant: Truth-lovers, Marketers, and Emergents in the Postmodern World. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans, 2008.

Zacharias, Ravi and Norman Geisler, eds. Who Made God? Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.