Introduction to Ethics, Expository Communication, and Apologetics

Course Updates and Logistics

  • Reflection on the course will occur within one to two weeks.
  • Visuals feature a snow theme in anticipation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe following Mere Christianity.
  • Participation and class note submissions can be located in Modules or under the Syllabus view.

Audience Interaction and Discussion

  • Three Truths and a Lie Activity:
    • Options: Broke nose in high school, drives a truck, likes salt in coffee, and Crime and Punishment is on favorite books list.
    • Discussion note: Lucas commented that salt in coffee was too specific to be a lie.
  • Class Two Icebreaker Responses:
    • Highlights include picture day for a high school volleyball team, kayaking on calm water, tanning and reading with friends prior to college applications, reorganizing a room, completing homework, and visiting Disneyland.

Class Assignments and Guidelines

  • General Requirements:
    • State thoughts on the word "ethics".
    • Provide at least two takeaways, reflections, or questions.
  • Through Lines (2.17):
    • Focuses on recognizing correlating ideologies, metaphors, anecdotes, analogies, matching tones, character arcs, settings, and thematic cohesion across multiple works.
  • 2.22 Evaluating Exposition Assignment:
    • Evaluate C.S. Lewis's expository communication in "Practical Conclusion" and "The Three-Personal God" from Mere Christianity.
    • Submit a cited online rubric for expository writing and justify its selection.
    • Modify the rubric with at least five clearly distinguished changes (e.g., highlighted in green or bold).
    • Score Lewis's work and provide evidence-based explanations for each scored section.
  • 2.23 Apologetics in Mere Christianity Discussion:
    • Identify the most apologetically persuasive part of any Mere Christianity episode using evidence and proper citations.
    • Respond to two or more classmates, determining whether their argument relied on logos, ethos, or pathos.
  • 02.24 Music, Liar, or Lord Project:
    • Due Dates: Part 1 is due September 11; Parts 2 and 3 are due September 18.
    • Video Requirements: Create a narrated video (under 4 minutes) suitable for a hypothetical social media post.
    • Audio: Use own voice (no AI voice tools) to read the designated blue text segment from Mere Christianity ("One part of the claim…" to "…he did not intend to.").
    • Visuals: Use visuals (AI, hand-drawn, or online) to aid understanding. Canva for Education is accessible for creation.

Apologetics and Expository Communication

  • Definitions:
    • Apologetics: Explaining complex concepts in simple terms; reasoned arguments or writings in justification of a theory or doctrine.
    • Christian Apologetics: A branch of theology providing systematic arguments for fundamental Christian beliefs.
  • C.S. Lewis Insights:
    • In God in the Dock, C.S. Lewis emphasizes that defending faith in debate can make doctrine seem unreal or dependent on oneself.
    • Apologists must continually step back from their intellectual arguments and rely directly on Christ Himself.
    • Additional reference resources are available at cslouisinstitute.org.