A necessary read for the Truth-seeking Christian

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	• Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview J. P. Moreland, William Lane Craig InterVarsity Press, 2003 - 653 pages average customer review:based on 27 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Use this book as a reference, but do buy it

This fine book by JP Moreland gets 4 stars simply because it is, paradoxically, a bit too excellent. Every topic is plumbed to a depth that all but the most serious student would find taxing. This is especially true in the sections on ethics and logic. For this reason, it is best thought of as a reference book or a text for a course of fairly rigorous study. I would not describe this book as "introductory" although it is possible for the uninitiated to read (albeit slowly).

The topics are well organized, and there is a wealth of relevant quotations from primary sources. Important terms are defined, and chapters are recapped at the end. The layout is inviting, and it is easy to skim through and find specific information that you want to know. The writing style is very readable, which is not often the case in philosophy texts. Arguments are strong and well-supported, as one might expect.

This is an important book, and may even be the definitive text on the subject. It should be required study for clergy and anyone who claims to be a Christian intellectual. It is not "armchair reading", although I did read it in my recliner. I think I would have been very intimidated if I had approached this book with zero background in the subject, even though I have multiple letters after my name. I would love to see a condensed version that would be a bit more accessable to students and the general Christian reader.

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Very very good

Just finished this book a couple of days ago. It is really an absolutely amazing read. Here are my comments:

1 - As others have said, it's not particularly easy to read; however, I don't think anyone should be intimidated by it. It's well done and clearly written. I don't think a background in philosophy is needed at all. What's needed is patience and a real desire to understand this material.

2 - You can't skip any sections of the book. The earlier sections, including Chapter Two about Logic, are referred to repeatedly through the rest of the text. So, be patient and be sure to understand what you read right from the beginning.

3 - The chapters on Ethics, The Existence of God, and Science, really stand out as brilliant essays. This is some of the best thinking I've ever read, from a Christian perspective, on these subjects.

Finally - Let me suggest that Reasonable Faith, by William Lane Craig, is much easier to digest, and much shorter. If you're scared of this, the larger, book I'd suggest reading that one. However, again, my honest opinion is that this, the more difficult book, is much better and completely worth the effort. Also, just about every concept covered in Reasonable Faith is also covered here and in much more depth.

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A necessary read for the Truth-seeking Christian

I recommend every Christian read this book...especially young, college bound Christians. It will help solidify your faith and prepare you for the liberal bias of academic life.

Philosophy is a wonderful and rich subject. No Christian should shy away from its beauty, nor be afraid of it. In this book, Dr. Moreland survey's many wonderful philosophical components such as: Argumentation, Logic, Knowledge, Rationality, Metaphysics...the list goes on. I cannot think of a better foundational body of work than this to stimulate Christian intellectual growth. It encourages you to study deeper, think for yourself, not be afraid of "Philosophy or Logic": as formerly taught by many mainline Church denominations...it even blows away the myth that Christianity is for the weak-minded fool who has been brainwashed and cannot reason for him/herself. Perhaps a better title for this book would be, "The Independence Day of the Christian Mind: Believers are Deep Thinkers Too!"

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Just Brilliant!

In Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview, Moreland and Craig present a comprehensive introduction to philosophy from a Christian point of view. Both Craig and Moreland maintain that the study of philosophy can aid Christians in understanding the world and answering critical questions about God, evil, life, evil, humanity; more pointedly the authors stress that philosophy assists Christians in the disciplines of apologetics, polemics, and systematic theology.

J.P. Moreland is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology of Biola University in La Mirada, California. His Phd (Philosophy) is from the University of Southern California. William Lane Craig studied theology and Philosophy and obtained doctoral degrees in both disciplines. Craig is also a Research Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology. Moreland and Craig are Christian apologists and prolific writers.

Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview is divided in six parts. Each part, integradingly, is sustained by looking at various areas of philosophy and Christian Theology (i.e. epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of science, ethics, philosophy of religion and philosophical theology). Notably in most introductory text to philosophy, the discussion of philosophical theology is often omitted. Here Craig and Moreland take a different approach by incorporating theological discourse into the discipline of philosophy. On the other hand, in the Christian circle, we must say that there's a tendency to reject philosophy and philosophical discussion all together. For many see no legitimate use or relevance of philosophy in theological discussion. Such conclusion is basically flaw and unfortunate. Taking a different perspective on the matter, we must then ask the following questions: Why does philosophy matter? Or what can the Christian learn from philosophy or vice versa? More pertinently why should Christians study philosophy? Is philosophy useful for Christian evangelism? At this Craig and Moreland focus our attention to a statement made by the academic and statesman, Charles Malik. At the inaugural address at the dedication of the new Billy Graham Center on the Campus of Wheaton College, Malik, announcing his topic: "The Two Tasks of Evangelism," observes that the two tasks of evangelism is "saving soul and saving the mind" (1). That is, "converting people not only spiritually but intellectually as well--and the church, Malik observes, is lagging dangerously behind with respect to this second task" (ibid). Then we must make another query, appropriating to one of the paramount tasks of the Christian philosopher? Craig and Moreland sustain that "is to help turn the contemporary intellectual tide in such a way as to foster a sociocultural milieu in which Christian faith can be regarded as an intellectually credible option for thinking men and women." What is the most predicting result in making this suggestion? By consequence, the Christian worldview will be restored to a place of prominence and respect such as at the university, it will have a leavening effect throughout society, the authors suggest (ibid). Craig and Moreland also contend that if we as Christians can change the university setting, then, we would change our culture through those (professors and others) who shape culture (ibid).

Part I of the book discusses the importance of studying philosophy and its usefulness for Christian theology. It also evaluates the four arguments reacted against philosophy and explains the process by which various models of integration is possible. Five philosophical principles were suggested in the integrating program. Moreover, it is noteworthy to outline that "Philosophy can help to extend biblical teaching to areas not explicitly mentioned in Scripture, it can enhance the self-image of the believing community, and it can aid in the task of integrating theology with other disciplines in forming a Christian worldview," said the authors (26).

Part II explores the subject of Epistemology (i.e. the process of knowing, the question of knowledge, what is truth? How do we know what we know? Can we know anything for certain?). In this particular dialogue, knowledge and rationality are examined in light of various theoretical models considered by various schools of thought. Subsequently, two theory of knowledge are discussed: The Causal Theory and The Reliability Theory, and both were subject of substantial analysis. Next, Reason and Rationality are examined by exploring the three prominent notions of reason and rationality (i.e. rationality and truth, rationality and epistemic values, and degrees of rationality). In summary both authors argue forcefully that "the correspondence theory of truth seems to be an important part of a biblical understanding of truth." They contend, by contrary to the popular notion of relativism, that there's indeed absolute truth. Truth is not relativist as frequently advocated by postmodern theorists. In taking this stand, Craig and Moreland defined the three key entities relevant to the subject matter: the truth-bearer, the truth-maker and the correspondence relation and assess each proposition respectively.

In Part III. Craig and Moreland take a look at the topic of Metaphysics (traditionally means "after the physics," or the philosophical branch concerning with the study of "nature of being or reality and the ultimate categories or kinds of things that are real,' 173) -the notion of "essence" or "being." Metaphysics is one of the most important branches in philosophy. This particular session is given seven chapters into a detailed discussion of the topic; for the authors engaged with various theoretical concepts and methods and evaluated a wide range of literature written on the topic (from Plato-to the present). Chapter eight looks at Metaphysics both as a definition and taking various branches ascribed to it. Chapter nine and ten offers and overview of Ontology including discussion revolved around its cognates: existence, identity and reductionism, and property and substance. The remaining chapters (11, 12, 13, and 14) address such topics as Dualism, Free Will and Determinism, and Personal Identity and Life After Death (pp. 187-308).

Part IV observes Philosophy of Science, while Ethics is examined in Part V. Finally, the book concludes by taking close loot at Philosophy of Religion and Philosophical Theology respectively (Part VI). This is perhaps the bulk of the book containing the most valuable information, hence include penetrating defense for a Christian worldview. It is the most thorough conversational engagement in the book--where the integration of theology and philosophy and other cognate disciples is clearly demonstrated. The topics tackled in Part VI include substantial dialogue on the existence of God (chapters 23 and 24), the coherence of theism (chapters 25 and 26), the problem of evil (chapter 27), creation, providence and miracle (chapter 28), the trinity (chapter 29), the incarnation (chapter 30), and finally Christian particularism concludes the book (31).

The existence of God is argued from the perspective of four substantial and sustained argumentation comprising the cosmological argument, the teleological argument, the axiological argument and the ontological argument. Each presented apologetic outlook is evaluated and ultimately the authors demonstrate effectively points of strengths and shortcomings. Next, the Coherence of Theism and arguments against it is explored in chapters twenty-five and twenty-six respectively. Discussions revolved around what Christian theologians and philosophers traditionally coin "incommunicable" and "communicable" attributes of God. Emphasis is given toward the former, thus contains the topics of divine necessity, aseity, incorporeality, omnipresence, eternity, omniscience, simplicity, omnipotence, and divine goodness. Moreover, the problem of evil is treated in chapter 27; the most debatable topic in any disciplinary study, particularly in philosophy and theology. The topic is approached triangularly hoping that a plausible account could be offered. (And of course many will find this kind of approach adequately unsatisfactory). This includes the intellectual problem of evil (acknowledges the existence of an omnipotent and omnibenovelent God, and the evident existence of evil. In other words, a God who is both loving and all powerful exists and Evil exists concurrently), the external problem of evil (proposes that an omnipotent and omnibevolent God exists, and gratuitous evil exists), and the emotional problem of evil (pertains to the hurt and pain one has to face and undergo in the inside). At the end, Moreland and Craig observe "... some theists maintain that theism is not incompatible with gratuitous evil in the first place, that God, in order to achieve his ends, may have to permit evils which in themselves are gratuitous. Finally, Christian theism in its doctrine of Christ's vicarious suffering and death has the resources to meet the emotional problem occasioned by evil (552). So the emphasis is on God's providence by means of the cross of Christ that served functionally and actively as the remedy to the problem of evil in the world. One day evil and pain will be no more. For "...He [God] will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will be no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away" (Rev. 21:4).

Philosophical Foundation for a Christian Worldview is both theologically and philosophically engaging and stimulating, giving its preeminence to aid Christians seeing philosophy from a Christian perspective. The basic thesis of the book was successfully achieved. Moreover, the book is structured in such a way that prior knowledge in philosophy is not required to understand it . However, there are other introductory texts to philosophy that one might find also helpful such as Robert Paul Wolff's "About Philosophy" or even ED. L. Miller's "Questions That Matters: An Invitation to Philosophy" written from a more fundamental perspective. I used Miller's text in college. It is a good read. Nonetheless, what is outstanding and distinctive about "Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview" is that Craig and Moreland take a rigorous/serious study at the subject matter and thus evaluated it from a Christian perspective? That is, studying philosophy from a faith based approach. It is rare today to find an introductory text taking such route. Craig and Moreland did it very well. The basic thesis of the book was successfully achieved. Philosophical Foundations for A Christian Worlview should be read by every thoughtful and engaging Christian, and not only by those whose interest is in philosophy. If I were to teach an introductory course on Christian philosophy or Philosophical theology I would definitely require this text. I highly recommend it.

Also posted on my blog: Christ, My Righteousness (http://lou9587.blogspot.com/)

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Philosophy textbook

I recommend this text for the hungry student who wants to understand the basics of philosophy from some Christian professors.

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Winner of a 2004 ECPA Gold Medallion Award! Winner of an Award of Excellence in the 2003 Chicago Book Clinic!

* What is real?

* What is truth?

* What can we know?

* What should we believe?

* What should we do and why?

* Is there a God?

* Can we know him?

* Do Christian doctrines make sense?

* Can we believe in God in the face of evil? These are fundamental questions that any thinking person wants answers to. These are questions that philosophy addresses. And the answers we give to these kinds of questions serve as the the foundation stones for consrtucting any kind of worldview. In Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview J.P. Moreland and William Lane Craig offer a comprehensive introduction to philosophy from a Christian perspective. In their broad sweep they seek to introduce readers to the principal subdisciplines of philosophy, including epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of science, ethics and philosophy of religion. They do so with characteristic clarity and incisiveness. Arguments are clearly outlined, and rival theories are presented with fairness and accuracy. Philosophy, they contend, aids Christians in the tasks of apologetics, polemics and systematic theology. It reflects our having been made in the image of God, helps us to extend biblical teaching into areas not expressly addressed in Scripture, facilitates the spiritual discipline of study, enhances the boldness and self-image of the Christian community, and is requisite to the essential task of integrating faith and learning. Here is a lively and thorough introduction to philosophy for all who want to know reality. Features & Benefits

* Provides a Christian orientation to the study of philosophy

* Comprehensive

* Introduces all the major areas of philosophical study

* Answers key questions to help readers construct a Christian worldview

* Arguments are clearly outlined; rival theories are presented with fairness and accuracy

* Lively

* Up to date

* Accessibly written

* Shows how philosophy aids apologetics, polemics and systematic theology

* Shows how philosophy helps extend biblical teaching into areas not expressly addressed in Scripture

* Shows how philosophy enhances the boldness and self-image of the Christian community

* Shows how philosophy is necessary for integrating faith and learning

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