Reasons Institute is an innovative distance-learning program from Reasons To Believe dedicated to demonstrating that science and faith are, and always will be, allies, not enemies.

Under the leadership of our co-founder and President, Dr. Hugh Ross, Reasons Institute has been established to provide Christians with practical, Bible-based, and scientifically testable evidences to support the accuracy of the Scriptures within an online learning environment.

Fall 2008 Courses begin September 29th.— Register Now!

Looking for homeschool courses?

Enroll now! Or call1-800-482-7836, x116 or email for more information!

Course Descriptions

The following courses are currently being offered by Reasons Institute:

Origin of Life--Advanced Seminar [I-0801]

(This course is currently available only for audit. Additional accreditation is under review)

Prerequisites: This course may be taken after the completion of both Creation and the Bible and Creation vs. Evolution, or with the permission of the instructor. This course explores the integration of the biblical account for the origin of life with the latest scientific research. The most prominent biblical and scientific models for the origin of life will be surveyed, including old-earth creationism, theistic evolutionism, and secular evolutionism. (NOTE: Although many sides of the origin-of-life issue will be studied, the lecturer holds to an old-earth-creation position and does not believe the scientific record supports biological evolution.) This course was originally taught as part of the M.A. in Science and Religion program at Biola University. 3 UNITS.

Course Outlines

Textbooks

Additional Resources Needed

Creation and the Bible [I-0401]

(College and Graduate credit available)

This 12-week course is broken into two 6-week divisions. The first half examines the various Christian approaches to interpreting Genesis 1, the relationship between general and special revelation, and the historical alliance between science and Christianity. Students will also be exposed to an overview of RTB's testable creation model. The second half of the course explores questions concerning the age of the earth. This course examines both the scientific and biblical data (general and special revelation) on the age of Earth and encourages students to form an integrated, coherent interpretation of that data. Topics of discussion include animal death before the Fall, the reliability of radiometric dating techniques, and problems with the global flood theory. Creation and the Bible is the first of two required courses in RTB’s Volunteer Apologist training program. 3 UNITS.

Course Outlines

Textbooks

Audio Tapes/CDs and Lectures

Creation vs. Evolution [I-0404]

(College and Graduate credit available)

Prerequisite: This course may be taken after the completion of Creation and the Bible, or with the permission of the instructor.

This 12-week course helps Christians integrate the words of the Bible with the abundant information coming from the world of science. Students will learn how to use RTB's testable creation model approach to challenge the evolutionary paradigm and resolve debates about the origin of the universe, the origin of life, and the origin of humanity. Students will also explore the extra-dimensional characteristics of the Creator God of the Bible. Creation vs. Evolution is the second required course in RTB’s Volunteer Apologist training program. 3 UNITS.

Course Outlines

Textbooks

Audio Tapes/CDs and Lectures

Critical Thinking Skills [I-0501]

(College and Graduate credit available)

In this 12-week course, Kenneth Samples, RTB's senior theologian, teaches what it means to love God with all your mind. The ability of Christians to effectively address the many arguments skeptics present is an ongoing challenge. This course deals with the various aspects of deductive, inductive, and abductive reasoning as they are applied to different forms of argumentation. Different ways of testing arguments and truth-claims are evaluated for validity, cogency, and strength. Students will learn to assess how arguments break down, how to recognize and categorize fallacies, and how to recognize when areas of logic are violated. 3 UNITS.

Course Outlines

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Audio Tapes/CDs and Videos

World Religions and Science [I-0502]

(College and Graduate credit available)

This 12-week course taught by senior theologian, Kenneth Samples, lays out the foundational beliefs of the world's major religions, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Mormonism, and Eastern religions. Students will explore the ways proponents of these religions use modern science to justify their particular worldviews. Students will learn the biblical basis for the exclusive truth-claims of the Christian faith, while investigating the philosophical implications of religious pluralism. This course was originally taught as part of the M.A. in Science and Religion program at Biola University. 3 UNITS.

Course Outlines

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Audio Tapes/CDs and Videos

Advanced Seminar on Human Origins [THE-5640]

(College and Graduate credit available)

Prerequisites: This course may be taken after the completion of both Creation and the Bible and Creation vs. Evolution, or with the permission of the instructor.

This course explores the integration of the biblical account of humanity’s origin with the scientific record. The most prominent biblical and scientific models for human origins will be surveyed, including young-earth creationism, old-earth creationism, theistic evolutionism, and secular evolutionism. (NOTE: Although many sides of the human origins issue will be studied, the professor holds to an old-earth-creation position and does not believe that the scientific record supports biological descent from a common ape-like ancestor.). This course was originally taught as part of the M.A. in Science and Religion program at Biola University. 3 UNITS.

Course Outlines

 

Textbooks

Audio Tapes/CDs and Lectures

Instructors

All of the instructors and course facilitators involved with Reasons Institute are accomplished scholars. They also share a common conviction that the Bible is the error-free word of God, adhere to the doctrinal statements of Reasons To Believe and believe in Jesus Christ as their Creator and Savior.

RTB Staff Scholars:

Adjunct Instructors:

  • Krista Bontrager, M.A. in Theology, M.A. in Bible Exposition, Talbot School of Theology
  • Erica Carlson, Ph.D. in Physics, University of California, Los Angeles
  • Patrick McGuire, M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of New Mexico
  • Marj Harman, M.A. in Apologetics, Simon Greenleaf
  • Mark Ritter, M.S. in Chemistry, Cal Poly Pomona

Online Instructors:

  • Stan Lennard, M.D.
    • Dr. Lennard is a general surgeon, with a subspecialty in surgical infectious disease (retired January, 2001).
  • Tom Maddux, M.A.
    • Mr. Maddux is a retired history teacher (2003) and has an M.A. in Apologetics from Biola University.
  • Mark Perez, M.A.
    • Mark has an M.A. in Philosophy (emphasis Philosophy of Science) from California State University, Los Angeles. He also received a California State University Certificate in Teaching Critical Thinking and taught one quarter of Critical Thinking at CSULA under the direct supervision of the Critical Thinking Certificate Supervisor.
  • Bob Stuart, D.C.
    • Dr. Stuart is retired from the U.S. Air Force, where he was trained in military intelligence. A change in occupational direction led to a career in chiropractic, where he headed up the physical therapy department at a medical group in Southern California. Bob is the online course coordinator for Reasons Institute and oversees training and management of an ever-expanding worldwide team of volunteer apologists.

Academic Calendar

Reasons Institute courses are generally comprised of 12-week sessions. Each course could potentially be offered up to four times per year, depending on adequate enrollment.

  • Fall Term — begins at the end of September or early October
  • Winter Term — begins in early January
  • Sprint Term — begins in early April
  • Summer Term — begins in late June or early July

For specific start dates, please call our office at (800) 482-7836 extension 116, or e-mail .

Audit & Credit

Reasons Institute is proud to offer university-level courses for audit, Christian college credit, and undergraduate and graduate credit.

Audit

Students who desire to audit a course through Reasons Institute for personal development are welcome to do so. However, they should be aware that these are university-level courses, and as such contain a high level of instruction.

Students who audit a course, including those training to become RTB Volunteer Apologists, are asked to do the following:

  • Listen to all required lectures and videos
  • Read all required textbooks and articles
  • Participate in weekly threaded discussions with other students

No research papers, video reports, or reading logs are required for audit students.

Audit courses offer no college credit and cannot be upgraded for college credit at a later time. There are no prerequisites for an audit course.

Students must register at least 10 days prior to the starting date for any course.

Christian College Credit

Undergraduate and graduate credit for Reasons Institute courses is granted through Northern California Bible College (NCBC). NCBC has been accredited by the California Council for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education to offer both Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Biblical Studies. Reasons Institute course credits are transferable to many Christian colleges. Students should check with their college registrar office in order to verify eligibility requirements.

To receive Christian college credit through NCBC, download an application for admission.

For more information, contact David Sell, Dean of Students, at (925) 846-6557 or visit NCBC's website.

College and Graduate Credit

Undergraduate and graduate credit for Reasons Institute courses is granted through Hope International University (HIU). HIU has been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). These credits are transferable to all colleges and universities, both Christian and secular. Students should check with their college registrar office in order to verify eligibility requirements.

Students who wish to receive credit for Reasons Institute courses must complete a short Non-Degree Application with HIU (no application fee is required).

For information regarding undergraduate credit, contact Chris Davis, Dean, School of Professional Studies, at (800) 762-1294 extension 2609, or cadavis@hiu.edu.

For information regarding graduate credit, contact Peter Galbraith, Graduate Admissions Coordinator, at (800) 762-1294 extension 2634, or pcgalbraith@hiu.edu.

Read a complete list and descriptions of Hope International University's Master of Arts courses.

Other Credit-Related Guidelines

  • Students taking courses for credit are required to log in weekly in order to meet attendance regulations.
  • Each student must complete weekly reading and written assignments and a final exam.
  • Students must register at least 10 days prior to the course start date.
  • Prerequisites for courses taken for credit are established by their credit-granting institutions.

For further details regarding obtaining college credit through Reasons Institute, contact Bob Stuart at (800) 482-7836 x 116, or .

Tuition

Audit: $110 + materials

Christian College Credit through Northern California Bible College: $240 per course + materials

Undergraduate or Graduate Credit through Hope International University: $984 per course + materials

Please note: Tuition costs are determined by the individual educational institution awarding college credit.

Register Now! Call (800) 482-7836 x 116, or use our secure online registration form.

How to Register

To register for any Reasons Institute course(s), please complete the appropriate application form(s):

  • Reasons Institute registration form (must be completed by all students).
  • To receive Christian college credit through Northern California Bible College, download and fill out an Application for Admission, then...
    • FAX — (626) 852-0178 (Attn: Reasons Institute)
    • MAIL — Reasons Institute, 731 E. Arrow Hwy., Glendora, CA 91740
  • To receive college or graduate credit through Hope International University, request a Non-Degree Application (no application fees apply) by contacting Dan Gonzaga, Graduate Ministry Program Coordinator at HIU, at (800) 762-1294 x 2244, or dcgonzaga@hiu.edu.

Upon enrollment, each student receives a special ID and password that allows access to course materials.

For further information about Reasons Institute, please contact Bob Stuart at (800) 482-7836 x 116, or

Who Should Consider Enrolling in Reasons Institute?

Reasons Institute courses are designed for all Christians who are interested in equipping themselves with the powerful tools developed by Reasons To Believe that will enable them to share the fact-based message of the Gospel with others, or to strengthen their own faith or the faith of others.

This program has particular application for Christians who work as

  • Professional scientists,
  • Engineers,
  • Science educators,
  • Health professionals.

Others who have also benefited from Reasons Institute courses include pastors, college students, college and seminary faculty, missionaries, evangelists, and school board members.

No additional scientific knowledge beyond high school is necessary for success. Anyone with an interest in exploring the harmony between the Bible and the discoveries of modern science will benefit from these classes!

For further information about Reasons Institute, please contact Bob Stuart at (800) 482-7836, x116 or

Frequently Asked Questions

The following are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Reasons Institute.

For further information about Reasons Institute, please contact Bob Stuart at (800) 482-7836, x116 or Learning@Reasons.org.

What are the academic standards for Reasons Institute courses?

All Reasons Institute courses have been designed to meet the academic standards set by Hope International University (HIU). To ensure that our courses provide the same rigor and breadth as those of the degree-granting institutions that have partnered with us, Reasons Institute courses conform to the following criteria:

  • Instruction by qualified professors and recognized industry experts,
  • Approximately 3 hours of student work per week (e.g. one hour of lecture and two hours of study) for undergraduate students and more than 3 hours of student work per week for graduate students,
  • 8-12 hours of lecture per credit hour,
  • ~300 pages of reading per credit hour (undergraduate); ~400 pages of reading per credit hour (graduate),
  • ~7 pages of written content per credit hour (undergraduate); ~10 pages of written content per credit hour (graduate),
  • Use of appropriate demonstrations of competency (such as exams, research papers, reading reports, etc.),
  • Promotion of critical thinking skills,
  • Completion within one quarter (12 weeks, including at least 10 full weeks worth of academic work).

Back to FAQ

What are the technical requirements for taking a Reasons Institute course?

Reasons Institute makes use of the latest technology in its distance-learning opportunities. Students can access the lesson materials from the comfort of their own home computer any time of the day or night. There are no specific times students must be “in class,” thus students can adapt these courses to fit comfortably into their schedule.

The user-friendly e-learning platform, allows students to listen online to lectures by RTB scholars in Real Media format. Reading assignments and questions to answer for each week can be uploaded as Rich Text Format (RTF) documents. Students can also interact with instructors and other students through online message boards.

All students must have the following in order to participate in an online course:

  • a high-speed internet connection (such as DSL or cable)
  • regular access to a private email account.
  • the ability to play Real Media audio and video files on a computer.
  • the ability to open and print PDF documents.
  • the ability to create RTF files using word processing software.
  • the ability to view DVDs.
  • the ability to listen to CDs.

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What are the rules for dropping a course?

Once a class has started, NO refunds will be given. However, in the event you must cancel, you may request to have your fees transferred to the semester immediately following provided your cancellation is within the first two weeks of the class. Requests must be made in writing.

If you decide to cancel before the class begins you will be given a full refund minus a $5 handling fee.

Courses taken in the RTB Online Education program for audit cannot be given academic credit at a later date.

Back to FAQ

Can I earn a formal degree through Reasons Institute?

Reasons Institute is not a degree-granting institution. However, through our partnership with Hope International University, students can earn undergraduate or graduate credit that is transferable to all colleges and universities, both Christian and secular. Students should check with their college registrar office in order to verify eligibility requirements, however.

Biola's Master of Arts in Science & Religion graphicStudents wishing to pursue a formal degree in science apologetics might want to consider the Master of Arts in Science and Religion program available through Biola University. Some of RTB’s scholars are adjunct faculty in the program. Additionally, some courses offered through Reasons Institute can be transferred to Biola, giving students a jump-start on their degree.

For further information about how Reasons Institute courses can be applied toward Biola University’s M.A. in Science and Religion, please contact Bob Stuart at (800) 482-7836 x 116, or

Back to FAQ

Testimonials

The following comments from Reasons Institute students are representative of many who have expressed gratitude and have enhanced their abilities to address the challenges of effectively sharing their faith.

I have little scientific background and I have always basically left creation to my very limited knowledge and been OK with it… Well in this week's lecture something clicked and I started getting it, like really getting it… It totally enthused me and opened another window that I never had a desire to see before. I actually feel like I know something about stars and planets, and why they are stars and planets. And what they mean and do in the grand scheme of things.
—Brandon

[Even though I am] not the science type, I too am having fun in this class. When I read the cell membrane thing in one of the handouts, the Holy Spirit quickened my heart… Suddenly there is a fire in me that can't wait to find the next piece of the gigantic creation puzzle. It's like discovering a clue to our existence and getting to know the heart of our Creator too. Science is now my friend!
—Marylou

This class has far exceeded my expectations. As I’m preparing for the final, I can actually understand most of what we learned over the past weeks which have gone incredibly fast. Although it has been a fire hydrant experience, the amount of information has been relevant and appropriate.  
1) Like most of us, I didn’t realize that there was such a huge division between YE & OE. But I can now understand both schools and even dialogue and discuss key points of the age of the earth, global vs. universal flood…
2) My “fear factor” in engaging in creationism topics has gone down considerably. There is no apprehension in discussing this issue. I have no desire to debate, but I am open to dialogue.
3) Some have mentioned that the paradigms of YE & OE aren’t even a significant issue within the church. Agreed. But outside the church, this can be an important issue. Society is keen on keeping this on the forefront. Time Magazine’s November 13, 2006 issue is entitled “God vs. Science.” Its March 13, 2006 is entitled “The Untold Saga of Early Man in America.” I hold classes on apologetics and this topic has come up in discussions because members of the church are engaging with non-Christians.
4) This class has opened my eyes biblically. It has brought to light key passages such as Gen. 3:16 regarding pain, Gen. 3:17-19 regarding work, and 2 Pet. 3:6 “the world at that time.” The Word of God is inerrant but it’s our interpretations that can be faulty and may need correction.
5) I have learned new principles philosophically. The Word of God is true but what nature and science tells us is also true. The definitions of Sola Scriptura and Biblicism are extremely helpful. Rom. 1:20 tells us we can know about God by what has been made.
Thank you to Dr. Lennard and to my fellow students in making this a wonderful learning experience.
—Gary

I once thought that science was voodoo and it held no viable answers. However, I know that it does have its place in my faith. Thank you for a wonderful class.
—Joshua

I am currently watching a TV show about the creation of the Universe and the source of life on earth. It is amazing all that I now understand after what I learned with you in my classes. With programs like that [TV show], it is just more difficult to talk about Christ unless you have the correct understanding, like we get through your class. I just want to thank you for RTB.
—Peter

I think that for me the most important thing was being able to look at science and discover that the evidence that science is uncovering is actually making a stronger and stronger case for the correctness of the biblical creation model. I have been amazed by the design features of the universe, the anthropic principle that points to such great care on the part of the Lord to fashion a just-right place for us to live.
—Jerry

Just wanted to share a great experience I had last week sharing the RTB creation model with about 100 Chinese college students (mostly believers). This is having a great impact here encouraging these young students.
—John, completing the volunteer apologist training

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