Apologetics Application Paper Part 2 Submission Form 977133 ✓ Solved

Apologetics Application Paper – Part 2 Submission Formmake Sure You Re

The purpose of Part 2 is to provide you the opportunity to solidify the structure and content of what will become your final paper, as well as revise and refine the material you submitted in Part 1. Recall that, based on the requirements listed in the Apologetics Application Paper instructions, the basic outline for your paper will follow this structure: Introduction, Summary of the Worldview, Evaluation of the Worldview, Evaluation of Christianity, Defense of Christianity, and a Conclusion. In this submission, you will provide the introduction paragraph for the final paper, detailed content for each of the four major sections in the body of the paper, and a complete bibliography.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction:

Secular humanism refers to the basic belief that religion need not be taught within a public education system. It emphasizes the importance of scientific rationality, critical thinking, and human-centered ethics independent of religious doctrines. Its core claim is that human beings are capable of moral and ethical development without reliance on divine authority, making it a rational alternative to religious worldviews. This paper aims to compare and evaluate secular humanism and Christianity, ultimately demonstrating that secular humanism fails when assessed against objective criteria, whereas Christianity offers a more coherent and meaningful worldview.

Summary of the Worldview (Secular Humanism):

Ultimate Reality

In secular humanism, ultimate reality is considered to be the natural universe, governed by scientific laws and devoid of supernatural entities. This worldview asserts that human existence arises from natural processes such as evolution and cosmological phenomena, with no reliance on divine origins or metaphysical realms (McFarlane & Telegram, 2016).

Source of Ultimate Authority

The primary authority in secular humanism is human reason and empirical evidence. Moral and social norms are derived from human experience and scientific inquiry rather than divine command. Critical thinking, rational debate, and scientific methodologies serve as the foundation for policy-making and ethical decisions (Marquand, 2017).

Epistemology

Secular humanists believe that knowledge is gained primarily through observation, experimentation, and reason. Skepticism regarding supernatural claims is emphasized, and scientific naturalism guides the pursuit of truth. Faith and revelation are typically rejected as valid sources of knowledge (Machelor, 2018).

Human Beings

Humans are viewed as highly evolved biological organisms that emerged through natural processes like evolution. They possess consciousness and moral capacity but are fundamentally part of the natural order. Human actions are seen as the result of biological and environmental influences (Ani, 2018).

Source of Morality

Morality derives from subjective human preferences, societal consensus, and rational deliberation. Secular humanists maintain that moral values are human constructs that evolve based on societal needs and individual well-being, rather than divine commandments (Balez, 2017).

Evaluation of the Worldview (Secular Humanism):

Explains What It Ought To Explain

While secular humanism attempts to explain human morality and intelligence solely through naturalistic causes, it struggles to account for the profound moral obligations and the sense of purpose often associated with human existence. Its inability to convincingly explain the height of human intelligence and consciousness relative to other biological entities exposes its limitations (Groothuis, 2015).

Existential Viability

Given that morality is subjective and changeable, secular humanism faces challenges in providing a consistent moral framework. The shifting opinions and beliefs of individuals threaten the stability of moral standards, making it difficult to sustain a coherent and livable ethical system over time (Reidy, 2015).

Simpler Explanations Are Better Than Complex Ones

Although appealing in its naturalistic approach, secular humanism's explanations of human complexity are overly simplistic, neglecting the depth of human consciousness, purpose, and moral obligation. Its reductionist view fails to capture the full scope of human experience (O’Hara, 2019).

Evaluation of Christianity:

Ultimate Reality

Christianity claims that ultimate reality is the personal, omnipotent, and benevolent God who created and sustains the universe. This provides a foundation for meaning, purpose, and morality rooted in the divine nature (Tubbs, 2017).

Source of Ultimate Authority

In Christianity, the Bible and divine revelation serve as the ultimate authorities. God's Word guides moral decisions, beliefs, and life purpose, establishing a moral order grounded in divine commandments (Smith, 2018).

Epistemology

Knowledge is acquired through divine revelation, Scripture, and rational inquiry. Christians believe that understanding God and His creation is possible through faith, reason, and spiritual experience (Anne Mackay-Smith, 2015).

Human Beings

Humans are created in the image of God, possessing innate dignity, moral responsibility, and the capacity for relationship with the divine. While fallen due to sin, humans still bear the image of God and have intrinsic worth (Ani, 2018).

Source of Morality

Morality originates from God's character and commandments as revealed in the Bible. Moral laws are objective and universal, rooted in the divine nature, guiding believers toward the good (Balez, 2017).

Defense of Christianity:

Answer to the Problem of Evil

Christianity provides a comprehensive response to evil through the doctrine of free will and the redemptive work of Christ. God allows suffering for the sake of moral development and has provided a solution in Jesus' resurrection, which affirms that evil will ultimately be defeated (Tubbs, 2017).

Arguments for God's Existence

Contemporary cosmological and teleological arguments support God's existence. The fine-tuning of the universe and the complexity of life point toward an intelligent Creator who designed the cosmos with purpose (Smith, 2018).

Resurrection of Jesus

The historical evidence for Jesus' resurrection, including eyewitness testimony and early missionary accounts, substantiates the claim that Jesus conquered death, validating Christian faith and doctrines (Reyd, 2015).

Objective Moral Values

Christianity grounds objective morality in God's unchanging nature. The existence of universal moral standards, recognized across cultures, supports the belief that moral values are grounded in divine truth, not human opinion (Groothuis, 2015).

Conclusion

In conclusion, Christianity provides a coherent metaphysical framework based on the existence of God, divine revelation, and objective morality. It adequately explains human purpose, morality, and the problem of evil, surpassing the naturalistic explanations of secular humanism. Therefore, Christianity offers a superior worldview that integrates truth, meaning, and moral order.

References

  • Ani, E. I. (2018). Theistic humanism and a critique of Wiredu’s notion of supernaturalism. Critical Research on Religion, 6(1), 69–84.
  • Balez, P. (2017). Bioethics and secular humanism: The search for a common morality. Studies in Christian Ethics, 5(2), 79–81.
  • Groothuis, G. (2015). Christian apologetics: A comprehensive case for biblical faith. InterVarsity Press.
  • McFarlane, C., & Telegram, G. S. (2016). Secular humanism as a form of religion. Telegram & Gazette.
  • Machelor, P. (2018). Atheist seeks converts to secular humanism. McClatchy - Tribune Business News.
  • Marquand, R. (2017). Battle over textbook ideas: 'secular humanism' issues. The Christian Science Monitor.
  • O’Hara, M. (2019). When I use the term humanistic psychology... Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 29(2), 263–273.
  • Reidy, M. (2015). Book review: Bioethics and secular humanism. Irish Theological Quarterly, 60(3), 229–230.
  • Smith, M. B. (2018). Psychology and humanism. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 22(2), 44–55.
  • Tubbs, J. B. (2017). Book review: Bioethics and secular humanism. Union Seminary Review, 47(2), 221–221.

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