MASTER OF THEOLOGY IN CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS
The degree of Master of Theology (M.Th.) in Christian Apologetics is a post-graduate degree offered by Central India Theological Seminary. The primary purpose of this program is to train Christian leaders to biblically face the growing challenges of the modern pluralistic world. The degree is also a preparatory program for advanced study and research at the doctoral level.
Objectives
The main purpose of the M.Th. Degree program is:
- To train theological graduates in philosophical reflection on the Christian Faith.
- To equip the candidates with tools and skills for active and creative confrontation of challenges related to the confession and profession of faith.
- To help Christian leaders in the right process of the Cause of Unity of Faith in the Body of Christ.
Admission Requirements
- M.Div. or B.D. (II class) or its equivalent degree from a recognized institution.
- Proficiency in the English language for critical study and reflection.
- A ministerial experience of not less than the aggregate of 12 months over a period of 1-3 years.
- A valid medical certificate of fitness for higher studies.
- An indication of financial support for undertaking the program.
- Duly filled application form with copies of mark sheets, photographs, and recommendation letters from Christian leaders as required (the original mark sheet has to be submitted on admission).
Duration of Study
The M.Th. degree requires two years of full time study as an internal (residential) student in the Seminary. Any exception to this rule should have the prior permission of the Academic Committee failing which the candidate’s registration will be terminated.
Mode of Study
The mode of study shall be modular. Each module is a package of class lectures, discussions, tests, examination, and research work related to the module course.
Course Requirements
- A candidate shall be required to pass 10 required courses.
- He will also be required to submit a thesis of 30,000 words on a subject approved by the Dean of Academic Studies.
Thesis
All M.Th. candidates are expected to take a common research methodology course on thesis writing.
The following rules must be observed regarding the preparation of the submission of the thesis:
- A candidate shall submit his or her thesis proposal to the Dean for approval immediately after the completion of the sixth module.
- A candidate writing the M.Th. thesis is expected to work under the supervision of a qualified member of the staff of Seminary.
- The thesis must be printed on one side of an A4 sized paper and bound in stiff covers.
- Three copies of the thesis must be submitted to the Dean of Academic Studies not later than March 31st of the Second year of M.Th. studies.
- The length of the thesis shall be about 30,000 words.
- The thesis should be written in the English language.
- The thesis should be the original work of the candidate and must be free of typographical and grammatical errors.
- Quotations and references should be acknowledged in footnotes or endnotes and a bibliography of books consulted should be appended to the thesis.
- In awarding grades for the thesis, examiners will take into consideration the following points:
- Accuracy and range of knowledge of the subject as demonstrated by the subject-matter of the thesis.
- Coherence of the argument.
- Originality of thought.
- Presentation (format, printing, etc.).
- Abstracts: A candidate shall also submit with the thesis three copies of an abstract of approximately 300 words. The abstract shall be a brief summary of the problem, the methodology followed in the research and the main findings. When a thesis is re-submitted following revision, three copies of a revised abstract shall also be submitted.
- Prior permission from the Seminary must be obtained before a writer publishes his/her thesis. When published, the author will be expected to deposit five printed copies to the Seminary with due acknowledgement.
Examination and Evaluation
A student is expected to read assigned books and write reviews, as well as write and pass a written examination (or do a research paper on an approved topic) to prove his accuracy and range of knowledge of the particular course in order to complete it.
- Grading and Marks
50% points in each course will be required to pass the examination. The final grading shall be as follows:
| First Class | Second Class | Third Class | Failure |
| A+ (80% and above) | B+ (65%) | C+ (50%) | D (30%) |
| A (75%) | B (60%) | C (45%) | E (20%) |
| A- (70%) | B- (55%) | C- (40%) | F (10%) |
- Withdrawal or Absence from Examinations:
A candidate who withdraws from the examinations or who fails to take the examinations for which he/she has been entered shall forfeit the examination fees.
Fees
The total fees for the MTh course will be Rs. 32,000/-. It can be paid in four installments. For day scholars, there will be a rebate of the fees, depending on the facilities they choose to avail of in the campus.
Graduation
The Convocation of the Seminary is held every year during the FPCGI Annual Convention at Itarsi. Every student who has qualified to receive the M.Th. Degree is expected to attend the Convocation held after the year in which he/she qualified to receive his/her degree in person.
Orientation
Research Methodology
Faith and Philosophy
Required Courses for the Master of Theology Degree in Christian Apologetics
CAPO01 History of Christian Apologetics
CAPO02 Historical Apologetics
CAPO03 Philosophy of Religion
CAPO04 Epistemological Foundations of Christian
CAPO05 Biblical Apologetics
CAPO06 Christian Identity in a Pluralistic World
CAPO07 Apologetical Theology
CAPO08 Scientific Apologetics
CAPO09 Contextual Apologetics
CAPO10 Apologetics Communication
Course Descriptions
Research Methodology
This is an introductory course to research and writing in the area of apologetics. The course aims to develop and improve skills necessary for advanced research and effective writing. It introduces the student to historical, philosophical, contextual, theological, and literary research methods.
CAPO01 History of Christian Apologetics
The course is an historical introduction to apologetics beginning from the New Testament accounts to the Church Fathers and the various significant works and lives of Christian apologists throughout various periods in the history of Christianity.
Ken Boa, Faith Has its Reasons, Ch.2
Mark Edward, et al. Apologetics is the Roman Empire
James McGregor, Studies in the History of Christian Apologetics
Samir Khalil, et al (Ed), Christian Arab Apologetics during the Abbasid Period
Bernard Ramm, The Apologetic of the Old Testament
Alister McGrath, The Making of Modern German Christology
CAPO02 Historical Apologetics
The course investigates the historical accuracy of the Bible and the historical validity of faith.
CAPO03 Philosophy of Religion
This course is an introduction to the general philosophy of religion and aims at helping the student evaluate the various different views in the areas of epistemology, metaphysics, and ethics of religion. It explores subject areas like the concept of God, religious language, religious experience, near-death experiences, conversion, theodicy, and secularism.
Basil Mitchell, The Philosophy of Religion
Blackwell Guide to Philosophy of Religion
- Stephen Evans, R. Zachary Manis, Philosophy of Religion
John Hick, Philosophy of Religion, Readings
Michael J. Murray, et.al, An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion
Stuart Brown, Philosophy of Religion: An Introduction
CAPO04 Epistemological Foundations of Christian Apologetics
This course aims to introduce the learner to epistemic foundations of various apologetic approaches. Some of the foundations surveyed are rationalist apologetics, empirical apologetics, evidentialism, fideism, foundationalism, Reformed epistemology, and rational fideism.
Ken Boa, Faith Has its Reasons.
Colin Brown, Philosophy & The Christian Faith
Emil Brunner, Revelation and Reason
Norman L. Geisler, Christian Apologetics
Domenic Marbaniang, Epistemics of Divine Reality
Daniel L. Migliore, Faith Seeking Understanding
Ronal H. Nash, Faith and Reason
Timothy Philips et al, Christian Apoologetics in the Postmodern World, IVP.
Francis A. Schaeffer, Escape From Reason
R.C. Sproul, et.al. Classical Apologetics.
Mark B. Woodhouse, A Preface to Philosophy, 5th edn
Diogenes Allen, et al., Philosophy for Understanding Theology
CAPO05 Biblical Apologetics
This course is an introduction to various methods of biblical criticism, theories of scripture, theology of revelation, philosophical hermeneutics, biblical difficulties, and the doctrines of inspiration, infallibility, and inerrancy.
Domenic Marbaniang,Theology of Revelation
Richard N. Soulen, et al. Handbook of Biblical Criticism
Immanuel Tov, Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible
Eldon J. Epp, et al. Studies in the Theory and Method of New Testament Criticism.
Norman Geisler, et al. Defending Inerrancy
Norman Geisler (ed), Inerrancy
Gleason D. Archer, Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties
Norman L. Geisler, et al, Making Sense of Bible Difficulties
CAPO06 Christian Identity in a Pluralistic World
This course examines the essential identity of the Christian in a growingly pluralistic world. It looks at the various approaches in the theology of religions and aims to help the student evaluate Christian missions in the midst of a pluralistic society.
Karl Barth and Emil Brunner, Natural Theology
- Allie Frazier, (ed.). Issues in Religion: A Book of Readings.
Ken Gnanakan, Proclaiming Christ in a Pluralistic Context.
Ken Gnanakan, The Pluralistic Predicament
- Stanley Jones, Christ at the Round Table.
Kuncheria Pathil, (ed.). Religious Pluralism, Delhi: ISPCK, 1999.
Ebe Sundar Raj, The Confusion Called Conversion.
Domenic Marbaniang, Secularism in India
Don Richardson, Eternity in Their Hearts, California: Regal Books, 1981.
Narendra Singh, A Christian Theology of Religions
CAPO07 Apologetical Theology
This is an apologetical introduction to the various doctrines of Christianity. It surveys major approaches in the area of natural theology and philosophical theology.
Peter Kreeft, et.al, Handbook of Christian Apologetics
Kelly James Clark, Our Knowledge of God
- R. Tenant, Philosophical Theology
Marbaniang, The Logic of Faith
Marbaniang, A Dialogue on Trinity
Oxford, The Oxford Handbook of Philosophical Theology
Leo Elders, The Philosophical Theology of St. Thomas Aquinas
Brian Hebblethwaite, The Philosophical Theology of Austin Farer
Cambridge, The Cambridge Companion to Christian Philosophical Theology
CAPO08 Scientific Apologetics
This course is an introduction to the issue of the conflict between science and faith. It deals with topics such as evolutionism and creationism, Genesis flood accounts, and aims to help the learner look at the various questions raised by science regarding Christian beliefs.
Alister McGrath, Dawkin’s Delusion
John Collins, Science and Faith
Henry Morris, Biblical Creationism
Domenic Marbaniang, Philosophy of Science
Bertrand Russel, ABCs of Relativity
Stephen Hawking, Brief History of Time
Richard Dawkins, The Selfish Gene
None of these Diseases
CAPO09 Contextual Apologetics
This course surveys approaches in apologetical theology in the specific contexts of India, Asia, South America, Africa and other places where contextual meaning plays important role in the manner of communication. It looks at theories of culture and of religion.
Stephen B. Bevans, Models of Contextual Theology
Robin Boyd, Indian Christian Theology
Neal Robinson, Christ in Islam and Christianity
H.M. Vroom, No Other Gods
H.L. Richard, Following Jesus in the Hindu Context
- Christopher Earley, et al, Cultural Intelligence
- Christopher Earley, et al, CQ: Developing Cultural Intelligence at Work
CAPO10 Apologetics Communication
This course introduces the learner to theories, models, and practice of communication. It aims to develop verbal, non-verbal, and global communication skills in the learner. It looks at the use and limits of media, social media, and other means of communication in modern times. It focuses on subjects like mass communication, public speaking, persuasion, intercultural communication, trans-generational communication, and visual apologetics.
Karl Erik Rosergren, Communication: An Introduction
Karl Barth, Homiletics
Vir Aggarwal, et al, Handbook on Journalism and Mass Communication
Keval J. Kumar, Mass Communication in India
James Louis Lucaites, et al, Contemporary Rhetorical Theory
Michael R. Real, Exploring Media Culture
Michelle Lafevre, Communicating with Children and Young People
Pat Petrie, Communication Skills for Working with Children and Young People
Kenneth L. Smith, et al, Handbook of Visual Communication
Resource Persons:
Dr. Domenic Marbaniang (Religion & Cross-Cultural Studies)
Dr. Beilsy Isaac (Historical Apologetics, Apologetical Theology)
Dr. Paul Valle (Theology of Revival and Conviction)
Prof. Chris Ullman (Creationism and Evolutionism)
Dr. Siga Arles (Theology of Missions, Religious Pluralism, Evangelicalism and Ecumenism, Communication)
Dr. Abey Thomas (Communication, Body Language, Conflict Management)
Prof. Babu V. (Religious Pluralism)
