Master’s In Apologetics Online Makes High-Level Program Accessible

The News Magazine of HCU

A Passion for the Subject

On the heels of releasing her latest book, “Apologetics and the Christian Imagination: An Integrated Approach to Defending the Faith,” Ordway said that germane connections to people in modern culture are more pertinent than ever.

“I’m passionate about apologetics because I know firsthand how important it is. As a convert from atheism as an adult, I have experienced life on both sides of the Kingdom,” she said. “The biggest problem in apologetics today is not that we don’t have good arguments — it’s that people either don’t care about our arguments or they don’t understand them because we have lost shared cultural meaning for our Christian words.”

Tallon agrees that basic biblical literacy or even commonly accepted ideals are not culturally shared as they once were.

“Not that long ago in the West, Christians would not be called upon to defend and explain their beliefs,” he said. “There has been a decline of cultural Christianity in America and the surrounding world. We are seeing a rise in skepticism and even in hostility to Christian values. It’s just not the case anymore that Christianity is given deference to answer the questions of what it means to be human, what the nature of the world is and what morality consists of. There are no more free rides for Christian beliefs. We need to be prepared to encounter and face these questions.”

Even cynicism is important, however, because it leads to tested and meaningful answers. And while the deterioration of widespread regard for scriptural truths is disappointing, there are fresh ways to share timeless truths, Tallon notes.

For Ordway, engaging her mind’s eye through motifs found in literature and the arts has been important in her conversion and faith experience. The HBU Apologetics program incorporates the work of ancient through modern philosophers, theologians, writers, thinkers, artisans and musicians.

“As human beings, we have intellect, imagination, emotions and will,” she said. “Thus, a truly effective apologetics program will reflect that.”

Author Leigh McLeroy graduated from the program in May 2017. Throughout her career, McLeroy has written five books, contributed to many more and taught the Bible for 25 years. She enrolled in the Apologetics cultural track to become even more effective.

“I have always teased the edges of the Gospel in most of my published writing,” she said. “Over time, I’ve come to see that times change and people change. The Gospel is timeless, but the way you present it has to change. You can’t presuppose anymore that people have any vague inclination about things like original sin.”

McLeroy describes her approach to sharing truth with people as “taking the side door.” Rather than an in-your-face tactic, appealing to things that are common needs, such as security and identity, can be an apologist’s best tool, she said.

“My guiding principal has been Emily Dickinson’s words,” she said.

Tell all the truth but tell it slant —

Success in Circuit lies

Too bright for our infirm Delight

The Truth’s superb surprise

As Lightning to the Children eased

With explanation kind

The Truth must dazzle gradually

Or every man be blind — (1)

“I’ve learned through the program that there are other ways to approach the Gospel than only quoting Scripture, even though there is a place for that direct approach,” McLeroy said. “It’s hard to see things full-on at times, and easier to see them at a slant. For example, Jesus told stories that are powerful. For someone like me who writes and likes to tell stories, it’s moving. I feel like the program has given me a broader set of tools to work with in order to merge Scripture and the Gospel with real life.”

References in this section:

  1. Dickinson, Emily. “The Poems of Emily Dickinson: Reading Edition, Poem, 1263.” The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. 1998.

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