Thoughts as we begin

The content of this course arises out of Dr. Clouser's long study of the so called "problem of God." Philosophers have pondered the possibility of the reality of God for millennia.  Over this time, the discussions among philosophers have become more arcane and, at times, nothing more than pure speculation. One of the more common approaches to "proving" God's existence has been to logically deduce that there has to be a God given various propositions.  Dr. Clouser, however, makes the assertion that we can know God personally, not just as an abstract theory. He has developed this thought philosophically as an integral element in how each of us understands the world around us and how we live in faith.

The textbook for this course is Dr. Clouser's book, Knowing with the Heart: Religious Experience and Belief in God.  There will be chapters from the book included in the various lessons. Dr. Clouser's advice to you as students is that you read the chapter before you watch the videos and then return to the chapter to re-read it.  He is confident that if you first read the chapter, then listen to the lectures, and then read the chapter again, you will be thoroughly prepared for the quiz in each section.