OM1033 Basic Christian Thought

Winter Semester 2024

Professor: Dr. Robert Knowles

E-mail: Robert.knowles@crandallu.ca
Office Hours: by appointment only

Course Description:

This course introduces students to the basic beliefs of Christianity, to their basis in the Bible, and to their
historical development. It also considers their relevance to contemporary worldviews.

Course Objectives:

Each student will be expected to achieve the following objectives:

To have given thought to the basic beliefs of the Christian faith;

To have discussed and understood the central beliefs of historic Christianity and their relevance for
today;

To have understood the connection between belief and practice;

Course Texts:

1. The Holy Bible. New International Version.

2. Grudem, Wayne. Christian Beliefs. Zondervan Publishing House: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2005.

3. Keller, Timothy. The Reason for God. Riverhead Books: New York, 2008.

5. Ortberg, John. Who is this man? Zondervan Publishing House: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2012.
Course Evaluation:

1. Attendance and Participation (20%) (8 lectures, discussions)

Class attendance is required to complete the course. This course relies heavily on the dynamics of
interaction and group processes to integrate and apply the learning of academic content. The students
will be graded on the participation in class discussions on the theological topics for that day. These
discussions will be based on questions which are relevant to the topic of the day and at the end of each
assigned chapter in Grudem, Christian Beliefs (See discussion question section in handbook). Since the
discussion will play a significant part in your grade, your participation in the group will be required. It is
not necessary to hand your answers in ahead of time to the professor. Making notes ahead is advisable
but not necessary. Each student will get an opportunity to act as facilitator and secretary for the group.
It is essential to your grade that your reading be done in advance of the lecture and discussion sessions
for each day. Note: Laptops, phones and other technology can be used for course purposes. Should
personal use interfere with class participation, a deduction will be made to the class mark.

2. Reflection papers (Total: 20%)

Paper #1 - This 4 page typewritten double spaced paper will require you to reflect on your formative
experiences of God and faith journey to the present. These experiences may be related to church, a
godly person who has influenced you, crisis situations which have shaped your life or experiences of a
spiritual nature which you have difficulty exploring. Since these will be your experiences you will receive
a full grade for your work, however, there must be evidence that you have thought through what you
have written. While your paper will be evaluated from non-judgmental stand point it must include some
evidence of reflective thinking and of practical application. “ie. How did your experiences influence your
behavior or understanding of God?” Such responses on your part to these circumstances could be
negative or positive or neutral. The written assignment is to be emailed to Dr. Knowles no later than
the second day of class (February 24).

Paper #2 – This 6-8 page typewritten double spaced paper will require you to consider how you have
grown personally throughout the course. How have your thoughts/positions been affirmed or
challenged? What did you learn about God, the Bible, humanity etc? How has your worldview been
affected having taken this course? This written assignment is to be emailed to Dr. Knowles no later
than 8:00 am on April 20.

3. Book reports (20%) (2 books – 10% each)

#1 – Report on Reason for God – this four page typewritten double spaced paper is not a summary of
the book but an opportunity for you to reflect and interact with what Timothy Keller presents. What did
you learn? How did it challenge your beliefs about God? What are you still wrestling with? Did you
disagree with any of the content? The written assignment is to be emailed to Dr. Knowles by March 9.
#2 – Report on Who is this Man? – this four page typewritten double spaced paper is not a summary of
the book but an opportunity for you to reflect and interact with what John Ortberg presents, What did
you learn? Has your view of Jesus changed? If so, how? Would you agree that he is the central figure of
human history – why or why not? The written assignment is to be emailed to Dr. Knowles by March
23.

4. Class presentation (20%)

This individual oral 15 minute presentation will be assigned during the first class (see class presentation
topics section of this handbook). There will be time for questions, however the questions will be more
directed to what you learned in your preparation, rather than assuming you are the expert on the topic.
This is strictly an oral presentation, handouts or other visuals are not required.

5. Church service (not your own denomination) (10%)

Visit a church (online is an option) that is not part of your background. Please pass in a two page
typewritten double spaced reflection report about your experience (what did you see/feel? How did it
stretch you? What did you learn?) The written assignment is to be emailed to Dr. Knowles by April 6.

6. Read one of the gospels (10%)

Please read Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John and journal some of your reflections/questions. Pass in a two
page typewritten double spaced summary of what you learned/felt through the process. The written
assignment is to be emailed to Dr. Knowles by March 16.

*There will be no Mid-Term or Final Exam and you will not be required to write a Term Paper.

Academic integrity: Students must familiarize themselves with policies on plagiarism and other
forms of academic dishonesty as outlined in the current Academic Calendar of the University.

Writing and Student Success Services (SH 253): Crandall University offers academic tutoring,
accessibility services, and career counselling to all Crandall University students. Book an
appointment, sign up for a workshop, or drop in for help with writing, managing course
demands, or career planning. We provide learning accommodations for those with documented
learning disabilities. Find more information on the Crandall website or email
Jennifer.maillet@crandallu.ca for more details.

Health & Wellness Support: Crandall University encourages students with a mental health crisis
to contact wellnesstogether.ca for 24/7 support. Text WELLNESS to 741741 or call 1-866-585-
0445. Those wishing to meet with one of our on-campus mental health counsellors can make
an appointment at https://www.crandallu.ca/counselling-services/.
COURSE OUTLINE:
February 17

Introduction

Review of Course Outline

Lecture: Christian Worldview

Discussion Group Questions:

1. Think about your personal worldview. What has been the primary influence upon it? How have
you seen it change? What elements of a Christian worldview are easy/hard for you to believe/live
out?
2. Which of the four questions have you found yourself asking the most often? What has been
helpful in coming to answers?

February 24

Review

Lecture – God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)

March 2

Review

Class presentations - God

Reading: Chapters 2, 3, 6, 9, 11, 18, 19 – Grudem

Discussion questions: P. 36 – 1,3. P. 42 – 2. P. 57 – 2,3. P. 78 – 1. P. 133 – 1,2.

March 9

Review

Lecture – Scripture

March 16

Review

Class presentations - Scripture

Reading: Chapters 1, 4 - Grudem

Discussion questions: P. 20 – 1, 2. P. 47 – 1, 3.
March 23

Review

Lecture – Sin/Salvation

Class presentations – Sin/Salvation

Reading: Chapters 7, 8, 10, 12, 14 – Grudem

Discussion questions: P. 61 – 1. P. 66 – 1. P. 75 – 1,2. P. 98 – 1.

April 6

Review

Lecture: Church

Class Presentations – Church

Reading: Chapter 17 – Grudem

Discussion questions: P. 119 – 1, 2, 3

April 13

Review

Lecture: Christian life

Class Presentations – Christian life

Reading: Chapters 5, 13, 15, 16 – Grudem

Discussion questions: P. 52 – 1, 2, P. 94 – 2, 3, P. 112 – 1, 2, 3

Discussion Questions:
March 2

Grudem - “Christian Beliefs”

P. 36

Question 1 – What are some attributes that God most clearly shares with us? What are some attributes
he doesn’t share very much with us? Name one attribute of God that you would like to imitate more
fully in your daily life and tell why.

Question 3 – Which of God’s attributes seem most amazing to you? What have you learned about God
through this attribute?

P. 42

Question 2 – Why do all analogies fail in their ability to fully explain the Trinity? Does this mean we
should try to come up with an analogy that works? Why or why not?

P. 57

Question 2 – What is the primary role of angels in the world today?

Question 3 – What are some of the things that the Bible tells us about Satan? How do these things put
you on guard against Satan? How do these things remove some fears you may have about Satan?

P. 78

Question 1 – Why is it important that Jesus rose from the dead? What would your life be like if he had
not risen from the dead?

P. 133

Question 1 – What happens to Christians at the final judgement? What will happen to those who have
rejected Jesus’ claims?

Question 2 – How does your understanding of the final judgement affect your life today? How does it
affect the way you relate to others?

March 16

Grudem – “Christian Beliefs”

P. 20

Question 1 – Why is it important that the Bible be the basis for our beliefs?
Question 2 – Will the Bible definitively answer every question we bring to it? Why or why not?

P. 47

Question 1 – In what ways do God’s acts of creation give us great humility? How do they give us great
dignity?

Question 3 – What does God think about all of his creation? How did his view of the creation change
after Adam and Eve sinned? How is God’s view of all his creation different from your view of specific
aspects of his creation?

March 23

Grudem – “Christian Beliefs”

P. 61

Question 1 – Why were we created? What are some specific examples of ways we can fulfill the
purpose we were created for?

P. 66

Question 1 – What is sin? How does it affect our lives and the world we live in?

P. 75

Question 1 – Why was it necessary for Jesus to come and live a perfect life on earth?

Question 2 – Why was it necessary that Jesus died?

P. 98

Question 1 – What does it mean to be justified?

April 6

Grudem – “Christian Beliefs”

P. 119

Question 1 – *How is a church different from a Bible Study or Christian retreat?

Question 2 – Why should Christians become members of a church? What are some of the dangers of
not becoming a member of a local church?

Question 3 – Can you list some of the things a church is supposed to do? Can you name some specific
examples of the Holy Spirit’s work empowering and blessing some of those things in your own church?
April 13

Grudem – “Christian Beliefs”

P. 52

Question 1 – Why does God want us to pray?

Question 2 – Is God required to give us what we ask for in prayer? Why or why not?

P. 94

Question 2 – Can you explain what it means to truly believe in Jesus?

Question 3 – In what ways can Christians give evidence of their belief in Jesus?

P. 112

Question 1 – Why do Christians die?

Question 2 – What happens to the bodies and what happens to the souls of Christians when they die

Question 3 – What will happen to the bodies of Christians when Jesus returns to earth?
Class presentation topics:
These will be assigned on a first come first served basis on the first day of class.

God

- Proofs for existence of God – most compelling

- Positive difference it makes in society to hold to belief in God
- Proofs for the resurrection of Jesus
- Proofs for humanity or deity of Jesus
- Role of the Holy Spirit in the Christian’s life

Scripture

- How did we get our Bible?

- Compare and contrast various versions of the Bible
- Provide and answer to the comment – the Bible is just a human book
- Use the life of a Biblical character to illustrate a modern day reality – greed, failure, forgiveness,
etc.

Sin/Salvation

- Discuss the concept of sinners by nature/sinners by choice. Can we keep from sinning? Do we
stop?
- Compare Christianity’s views of attaining afterlife (Heaven) with those of other major religions

Church

- Present on two or three different forms of church governance

- Present on healthy forms of conflict resolution within a church
- How can the church more effectively reach out to the poor of Moncton/the world?
- Interview of church leader – reflections
- How would you answer someone who says the church is full of hypocrites?

Christian Life

- Outline the various gifts of the Spirit

- Compare and contrast various forms of Bible Study
- Discuss the importance of prayer in the life of a Christian
- What is the role of fasting in the life of a Christian?
- What are Biblical implications for Christians with regard to finances?
- What principles does the Bible offer to guide parents?
- How can a person deal with doubts concerning their faith?
Some Course Expectations:
- You are expected to participate in class. Although discussion is encouraged, please do not
dominate and give everyone a chance to give their input. You may gain as much or more by
listening as by speaking. If you must miss a class for a justifiable reason, please discuss this with
the professor.
- You are expected to be respectful of others. Though this goes without saying, the nature of this
this particular course presupposes that we will come from different (or no) faith background(s).
It is okay to be a beginner and okay to be well versed in the Christian faith. You will not be
judged or graded by what you don’t know. You will be evaluated on how you interact with the
material. I believe everyone will be able to learn something. Please approach the course from
the vantage point of openness.
- Assignments must be submitted when they are due. Late assignments will receive a penalty.