This 84-hour degree from Southern Evangelical Seminary will certainly give you a broad foundation for those pursuits, as well as open potential doors to advanced academic research or careers. However, something that is often overlooked by contemporary students is the vital need for thoughtful, nuanced training in apologetics within the traditional pastoral or church ministry role. We regularly think of apologetics only as a tool or equipment for contending with the falsehoods and often confrontational rejection of Jesus Christ and the Gospel by those outside our church congregations. It certainly is that, but ministers and teachers can make invaluable contributions to strengthening their fellow Christians in their congregations through applied apologetics. The Master of Divinity in Apologetics program would be a potent way to prepare for such work, and it can be completed via our immersive digital campus. Consider these thoughts from long-time SES professor, Dr. Doug Potter: Five Truths the Church Needs Today to Engage People’s Questions.
Read below for the details of this flexible program, and download your FREE ebook to see how such training relates to real-world Gospel issues.
You’ll be learning from faculty who have served as pastors and in other ministry roles. You’ll be able to go beyond textbook knowledge and gain wisdom and insight from their life experiences. Our faculty are also dedicated to getting to know students’ goals and helping them to understand the material in a way that applies to current or future callings.
Our courses integrate theology, philosophy, and apologetics in a way that helps you interact with today’s culture. You’ve likely encountered people who have questions about love, suffering, grief, and God’s plan. You will learn how to answer those questions, defend the truth of the Scriptures, and reach people from a wide variety of socioeconomic backgrounds.
Because of our integrated apologetics-focus, we teach the bedrock tenets of Classical Christian thinking like God’s simplicity, impassibility, and more. With the proper foundation for demonstrating the nature of the existence of God, we may confidently build new skills and understanding for cultural engagement and upholding the hope of the Gospel.
We aren’t catching up with the distance learning trend — SES has been breaking ground and pioneering an immersive digital campus experience for years. As a student, you'll enjoy a flexible, compelling, connected, environment for your studies. All of the easy-to-use technology you’ll need to thrive in seminary is housed in one place and accessed through a single, secure log-in.
This course includes an in-depth exploration of the major systems of Christian apologetics with an emphasis on contemporary developments and applications.
Any coherent Christian apologetics must understand and uphold the bodily resurrection of Christ. You will give exclusive attention to arguments for and against the resurrection in this advanced level apologetics class.
Sharpen your interpretation skills for various Biblical texts as you develop this essential ability for original scholarship, teaching, and engagement in the public sphere.
SM501 Writing & Research Skills (3)
AP501 Introduction to Christian Apologetics or APe (3)
AP503 Logic (3)
AP511 Christian Apologetic Systems (3)
AP512 Ethics (3)
AP518 Resurrection of Jesus (3)
PH501 Classical Philosophy (3)
PH601 Philosophy of Religion (3)
OT501 Old Testament Survey 1: Genesis–Esther (3)
OT502 Old Testament Survey 2: Job–Malachi (3)
NT501 New Testament Survey 1: Gospels and Acts (3)
NT502 New Testament Survey 2: The Epistles and Revelation (3)
OT/NT Elective (3)
BL501 Biblical Languages (3)
CE501 Educational Program of the Church (3)
HT510 Church History (3)
ME505 Practical Evangelism & Apologetics (3)
ME507, 508, or 510 History of Missions & World Christianity, Biblical Theology & Principles of Missions, or Culture & Worldview (3)
PT501 Homiletics (3)
PT503 Biblical Counseling (3)
PT504 Pastoral Leadership (3)
PT507 Expository Preaching (3)
ST501 Prolegomena and Bibliology (3)
ST502 Theology Proper and Creation (3)
ST503 Hamartiology and Soteriology (3)
ST504 Pneumatology, Ecclesiology and Eschatology (3)
ST505 Hermeneutics (3)
ME500 Ministry Practicum (3)
Any Elective (3)
If one does not meet the undergraduate GPA requirement, he may be granted a Provisional Admission. This requires
that the student maintain a 2.5 or higher GPA on the first semester of work at SES in order to be granted full admission.
Prospective students are almost always surprised to learn how affordable we keep our degree programs at Southern Evangelical Seminary.
You need effective training for ministry — not a crippling load of student loan debt. The value of a degree here pays off through your entire career and truly has an eternal value as well.
Read more about our current tuition rates, flexible payment plans, and financial aid opportunities.
Christians are called to be salt and light in our world, and leaders should be equipped to confidently engage the ideas shaping today’s culture. Apologetics training is essential for breaking down barriers and effectively leading others. As you pursue God’s calling on your life through ministry, a seminary education will maximize your impact.
If your personal study hasn’t yielded the growth you’re looking for, formal training can equip you to answer hard questions and present the truth in love. Being grounded in apologetics prepares you to be fruitful in all aspects of your personal ministry. Our apologetics program offers structured training you need to share the faith and defend truth in everyday life.
Start the admission process today. You can begin in just a few minutes by filling out our initial application and it will open the door for us to have an exploratory conversation about your educational priorities and hopes for ministry. We have an entire team at SES who is ready to help you in the process of discerning your gifts and calling to ministry so you can engage our culture in the conversations that matter the most.