The Case for the Christian Faith

The Case for the Christian Faith

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
APOL 101 | 3 credits | 12 weeks | Classic book-club rhythm


Course Description

During the darkest nights of the Battle of Britain, C.S. Lewis delivered a series of BBC radio talks that became “Mere Christianity”—one of the most influential defenses of the Christian faith ever written. In this course students read one chapter per week, discuss it together, and wrestle personally with Lewis’s arguments for the existence of God, the deity of Christ, and the necessity of Christian morality. By the end, students will be able to articulate and defend the core truths of “mere” Christianity with clarity, charity, and confidence.

Required Text

Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis | Amazon

HarperCollins edition with the 1952 Preface.
Any printing is fine.
ISBN 978-0060652920

MERE CHRISTIANITY
Copyright ©1952, C.S.Lewis Pte, Ltd.
Copyright renewed ©1980. All rights reserved.
Printed by HarperCollins Publishers, NY.

Mere Christianity

Course Objectives

  • Understand and explain Lewis’s moral argument for God’s existence
  • Grasp Lewis’s responses to pantheism, dualism, and the problem of evil
  • Articulate the Christian doctrine of the Trinity and the Incarnation in Lewis’s terms
  • Evaluate Lewis’s vision of Christian ethics and the “New Man”
  • Apply Lewis’s reasoning to contemporary conversations

Weekly Rhythm

  1. Read the assigned chapter(s).
  2. Complete each weekly reading quiz (multiple choice / true-false).
  3. Write a 300–400 word personal reflection (see weekly prompt below).
  4. Post one discussion thread (200–300 words) + reply to two classmates.
  5. Participate in live or asynchronous group discussions.
  6. Write a final paper (1,200-1,500 words).

Grading

Weekly Quizzes12 × 5 points60 points
Weekly Reflections12 × 10 points120 points
Discussions12 × 5 points60 points
Final Paper1 x 60 points60 points
Total300 points

A = 270+, B = 240+, C = 210+, etc.


Course Content

Lesson 1: Preface, Book 1, Ch. 1–2
2 Quizzes
Lesson 1: Quiz
Lesson 1: Reflection
Lesson 2: Book 1, Ch. 3–5
2 Quizzes
Lesson 2: Quiz
Lesson 2: Reflection
Lesson 3: Book 2, Ch. 1–2
2 Quizzes
Lesson 3: Quiz
Lesson 3: Reflection
Lesson 4: Book 2, Ch. 3–5
2 Quizzes
Lesson 4: Quiz
Lesson 4: Reflection
Lesson 5: Book 3, Ch. 1–3
2 Quizzes
Lesson 5: Quiz
Lesson 5: Reflection
Lesson 6: Book 3, Ch. 4–6
2 Quizzes
Lesson 6: Quiz
Lesson 6: Reflection
Lesson 7: Book 3, Ch. 7–9
2 Quizzes
Lesson 7: Quiz
Lesson 7: Reflection
Lesson 8: Book 3, Ch. 10–12
2 Quizzes
Lesson 8: Quiz
Lesson 8: Reflection
Lesson 9: Book 4, Ch. 1–3
2 Quizzes
Lesson 9: Quiz
Lesson 9: Reflection
Lesson 10: Book 4, Ch. 4–8
2 Quizzes
Lesson 10: Quiz
Lesson 10: Reflection
Lesson 11: Book 4, Ch. 9–11
2 Quizzes
Lesson 11: Quiz
Lesson 11: Reflection
Lesson 12: Final Session
2 Quizzes
Lesson 12: Quiz
Lesson 12: Final Reflection