Teaching Foundational Apologetics at Waurika Church of Christ in Waurika, Oklahoma

Abstract

The purpose of the project was to teach foundational apologetics in a cumulative case format to the saints at Waurika church of Christ to enhance their apologetic knowledge. To that end, chapter 1 established the context, rationale, and goals of the project. Chapter 2 established the scriptural foundation (Eph 4:1-16) for the thesis that the three mandates of the church—to worship God, to edify one another, and to evangelize the lost—are all strengthened and advanced through learning and application of Christian apologetics. Chapter 3 established that in light of the churches of Christ holding some degree of Campbellite traditionalism, a cumulative case approach to apologetics was necessary to enhance and broaden the tool set to engage in the three dynamics in a manner more consistent with church of Christ theology. Chapter 4 provided methodological justification and details of the cumulative case curriculum including theoretical teaching methodology. This project then culminates in an assessment of legacy Campbellite traditionalism, and of the increase in apologetic knowledge of the Waurika church of Christ adult Bible class in chapter 5.