When the opportunity arose to review The Unbreakable Faith Course from Pilgrim's Rock, LLC, I was quite interested. Even though my children aren't old enough for this course yet, I decided to go through it myself. I thought taking the course would help strengthen my faith, plus help me to be able to share and defend it.
The Unbreakable Faith Course is an online course that we received two years of access to. Additionally there are two textbooks that are to be read alongside the video lessons. I received physical copies, because I prefer having a physical book in my hand; however, PDF versions are available if you prefer.
The Box by Craig Biehl is to be read during Part 1 of the course, and God the Reason, also by Craig Biehl, is to be read throughout the study.
The Box: Answering the Faith of Unbelief is a great little book that shares a dialogue between two men, Mr. A and Mr. C. In the first section of the book, Mr. A is Mr. Atheist. However, after his conversations with Mr. C, or Mr. Christian, he "sees the errors of his ways" and becomes Mr. Agnostic. Of course, this really isn't any better. I admit, I appreciated the author's explanation that being an agnostic is just as bad as being an atheist, because I always felt that being an agnostic was at least a step in the right direction.
I really enjoyed reading the dialogue between the two neighbors and appreciated how cordial they were to each other, though of course, in real life, that might not be the case. But Mr. C shows true Christian humility and love. He helps Mr. A to see an important truth. If a person can't know what is inside someone's locked box or garage, how can they say that they know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God does not exist.
And the conversation goes on from there to include such things as miracles, and the Trinity, and evil. For some reason my thoughts stayed focused on the miracles section. I think it is important to realize, that if God is the one who is in charge of the universe, who is to say he can't change the "laws" of nature (or Divine laws) if he so desires in order to make miracles happen.
I found the conversation sections to be quite interesting, informative, and even entertaining at times. Though, I admit, I struggled to read through the parts of the book between the dialogue sections and found parts to be a bit repetitive and the thoughts hard to follow. However, all-in-all, I did enjoy the book and was thankful to have been able to have read it as a part of this course.
God the Reason: How Infinite Excellence Gives Unbreakable Faith is the second book that we are to be reading alongside the videos in the course. This book is longer and definitely meatier. After the introduction, it is divided into 15 chapters, all of which discuss the "Implications for Living and Defending the Faith."
The course is divided into six parts, five of which are the lessons with the videos and reading assignments, the sixth is the final exam.
When I click on "Part 1," it lists the videos that are to be watched, the assigned readings, and the quiz. Then there are links (in blue) to the actual video lesson. You have to go in order with this course. When I first started, only the first video was unlocked. As you watch the videos, the box to the right becomes checked and the next video unlocks.
You can also view the course calendar in the syllabus to see the topics in each part and a listing of the readings, videos, and quizzes. This screenshot shows half of the course:
I appreciated the section that discussed why we want to learn how to answer attacks to our faith.
In the past I had learned about the importance of focusing on the foundation of worldviews. So, when Mr. Biehl showed a series of slides that demonstrated the futility of having an answer for a question, and answers for more specific questions, and so on and so forth, I knew what he was going to be getting at.
We can't fight the specific arguments, we have to focus on the faith assumptions at the foundations.
I also appreciated how he focused on the fact that randomness (as in evolution) can not bring about order. All of the things in the following image can not work in a random world.
There is such a plethora of information in this course. I needed to go through the information more than once in order to feel ready to take the quiz. Just a warning, you can only have one attempt at the quiz, so make sure you are ready. I guess I was ready:
The Box: Answering the Faith of Unbelief is a great little book that shares a dialogue between two men, Mr. A and Mr. C. In the first section of the book, Mr. A is Mr. Atheist. However, after his conversations with Mr. C, or Mr. Christian, he "sees the errors of his ways" and becomes Mr. Agnostic. Of course, this really isn't any better. I admit, I appreciated the author's explanation that being an agnostic is just as bad as being an atheist, because I always felt that being an agnostic was at least a step in the right direction.
I really enjoyed reading the dialogue between the two neighbors and appreciated how cordial they were to each other, though of course, in real life, that might not be the case. But Mr. C shows true Christian humility and love. He helps Mr. A to see an important truth. If a person can't know what is inside someone's locked box or garage, how can they say that they know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God does not exist.
And the conversation goes on from there to include such things as miracles, and the Trinity, and evil. For some reason my thoughts stayed focused on the miracles section. I think it is important to realize, that if God is the one who is in charge of the universe, who is to say he can't change the "laws" of nature (or Divine laws) if he so desires in order to make miracles happen.
I found the conversation sections to be quite interesting, informative, and even entertaining at times. Though, I admit, I struggled to read through the parts of the book between the dialogue sections and found parts to be a bit repetitive and the thoughts hard to follow. However, all-in-all, I did enjoy the book and was thankful to have been able to have read it as a part of this course.
- Chapter 1: God is Eternal
- Chapter 2: God Needs Nothing
- Chapter 3: God Cannot Be Known Unless He Reveals Himself.
- Chapter 4: God is Boundless Perfection
- Chapter 5: God Does Not Change
- Chapter 6: God is Undivided
- Chapter 7: God is Spirit
- Chapter 8: God Knows Everything
- Chapter 9: God is Wise
- Chapter 10: God is True and Truthful
- Chapter 11: God is Good and Love
- Chapter 12: God is Holy
- Chapter 13: God is Righteous
- Chapter 14: God is Infinitely Powerful
- Chapter 15: God Rules Over All
The chapters are divided into several sub-sections, and the author helps us look at different aspects of God that show that there is no excuse for unbelief. For instance, in the first chapter, the author discusses how God created and sustains everything, and how everything depends on God and we owe Him everything. And then in chapter two, the author discusses how we are not and never will be God, God exists regardless of what we perceive or believe, God's creation exists regardless of what we perceive or believe, God must exist, he does not probably exist, and because God needs nothing He can give us everything.
The book ends with a Conclusion, two Appendices, Acknowledgments, Works Cited, General Index, Scripture Index, and information about the Unbreakable Faith course that we are taking.
Now, let's take a look at the video part of the Unbreakable Faith course.
When I log into the site I come to the home page where the course materials are listed. There is a downloadable syllabus, and the books we received are listed.
The course is divided into six parts, five of which are the lessons with the videos and reading assignments, the sixth is the final exam.
When I click on "Part 1," it lists the videos that are to be watched, the assigned readings, and the quiz. Then there are links (in blue) to the actual video lesson. You have to go in order with this course. When I first started, only the first video was unlocked. As you watch the videos, the box to the right becomes checked and the next video unlocks.
You can also view the course calendar in the syllabus to see the topics in each part and a listing of the readings, videos, and quizzes. This screenshot shows half of the course:
I wanted to mention, at first I thought I was supposed to completely read The Box before starting the video lessons, as the syllabus states we are to read it, but doesn't state exactly when. I admit, I wish the course schedule was a bit clearer on this point, because all it says is that The Box should be read during Part 1. When I realized it was taking me awhile to get through the book, I decided I better get into the videos and the first two chapters of the second book in order to stay on track for this review. So, I started watching the videos in the evening, while continuing to read The Box when we went somewhere in the van. Unfortunately, I had gotten through several of the videos before I had a chance to pick up God the Reason. It was then that I became aware of the fact that the chapters in the book correspond to the video sections.
However, while some of the information follows the same thoughts, and some is actually word for word, there is unique information in both the book and the videos. Which of course is why both are assigned. I just wish it was listed out in more detail. For instance, because I did take and figure this out, "read pages 1-9 then watch video segment 1, read pages 9-17, then watch video segment 2, etc."
I'm still debating how I'm going to schedule my time going forward. I would like to make sure I am reading the same information that I will be learning about in the video section.
Even though I had some confusion with the proper way to schedule the course, I am really appreciating what I am learning. The videos are very well done. Craig Biehl does a wonderful job teaching in the videos. The slides and videos shared are well done and eye-catching.
The course starts with a look at why we should study theology and a definition of theology. He also looks at the wrong approaches to theology and the problems it brings. The importance of a changed life showing God's character in us, and having the right attitude, humility and not arrogance (like Mr. C) are brought up. And here is the proper approach to theology.
I appreciated the section that discussed why we want to learn how to answer attacks to our faith.
In the past I had learned about the importance of focusing on the foundation of worldviews. So, when Mr. Biehl showed a series of slides that demonstrated the futility of having an answer for a question, and answers for more specific questions, and so on and so forth, I knew what he was going to be getting at.
We can't fight the specific arguments, we have to focus on the faith assumptions at the foundations.
I also appreciated how he focused on the fact that randomness (as in evolution) can not bring about order. All of the things in the following image can not work in a random world.
There is such a plethora of information in this course. I needed to go through the information more than once in order to feel ready to take the quiz. Just a warning, you can only have one attempt at the quiz, so make sure you are ready. I guess I was ready:
The quiz had both True/False and Multiple Choice questions. It was timed (for 25 minutes), and the program makes sure you are definitely ready before you click and it starts the countdown.
With all of the information in the reading and the videos, I was a bit concerned I wouldn't do well in the quiz. However, thankfully, most of the questions focused more on the general knowledge gleaned from the information, not specific details.
Here are some points that have stuck with me from taking the course so far:
- If you can't know the details of the contents in a locked box, you can't know all the knowledge in the vast universe, so you can't say that there is no God.
- When you take out the faith assumptions of unbelief those questions are resting on thin air.
- Truth is whatever God says it is!
- God MUST exist.
- God gives assurance.
I can't wait to move forward and learn more from this course. I think it is a very informative course and very helpful in building up an arsenal toward battles against unbelievers. Because we are in a battle. I prefer watching the videos because I have always struggled with reading non-fiction. And it is especially hard these days with constant distractions of four children. Though I do realize I have to read the book as well to get the full benefit.
Don't forget to click on the banner below to see what my fellow Crew Mates had to say about The Unbreakable Faith Course from Pilgrim's Rock.
