Our Idea of God (Paperback)

~ Thomas V. Morris (Author), Thomas, V. Morris (Author)

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Product Description

Many people, even within the ranks of devout religious believers, have only the haziest conception of God. A significant number of such people admit that this vagueness about God bothers them deeply, but that they don't know how to go about getting clearer on this important idea. "Our Idea Of God" assists in dealing with this problem. Thomas V.Morris provides an example of how simple, straightforward philosophical methods of thinking can shed some light on theological matters that might otherwise remain obscure. Morris challenges his reader, stimulating deeper thinking about matters of religious conviction. He offers a basic introduction to philosophical theology. The philosophical issues that can arise concerning the concept of God can become very complex. Recent treatments of these issues by philosophers have been as technical and demanding as pioneering work in any other field of serious human intellectual inquiry. In contrast, Morris's discussions, while containing much original material, are streamlined, and as accessible as possible to non-philosophers. There are many more technical treatises available for those readers who want to pursue these topics further, but "Our Idea Of God" provides a place to begin. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Regent College Publishing (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573831018
• ISBN-13: 978-1573831017
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #585,288 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb introduction to Philosophical Theology!!!, September 7, 2000

By	Simon Ko (Grand Rapids, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Our Idea of God: An Introduction to Philosophical Theology (Hardcover)

Highly recommedable to people interested in philosophy and theology. Its strength lies in clarity and depth, a good combination for a philosophy book. Morris' articulation of many basic philosophical issues in theology is as clear as it can get, (speaking from a theology/philosophy student's point of view). At the same time, its content exceeds way beyond simplistic explanations that fall so short of our expectations. I think that if you have some aquaintance with philosophy (ex, having taken some introductory level classes), you will, with a reasonable amount of effort, find this book immensely satisfying and rewarding. Morris' "Our Idea of God" deals with such topics as (1) compatibility between God's foreknowledge and human freedom, (2) the relationship between biblical theology and philosophy, (3) God's omnipotence and challenges posed against it, (4) Incarnation and Trinity, and many more. Written from a Christian perspective, I believe it can greatly strengthen and further one's thinking of God - which is, to say the least, very very exciting!! I wish I could have read it sooner.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Morris on Philosophical Theology, September 26, 2007

By	D. C. Perkins (New Orleans, LA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a very good book. While Morris is not entirely balanced on all parts of the book--e.g. his chapter on God's relationship to time--this is a wonderful work as an introduction to philosophical theology. It's a shame to me that he is not currently writing more on the subject. dp

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Our Idea of God, March 10, 2009

By	Gerard Reed - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Several recent studies remind us of the perennial importance of "our idea of God," the title of Thomas V. Morris's recent work: Our Idea of God: An Introduction to Philosophical Theology (Downer's Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, c. 1991). Designed "as an elementary introduction to philosophical theology," this treatise seeks "to provide an example of how some simple, straightforward philosophical methods of thinking can shed light on theological matters which might otherwise remain obscure" (p. 11). And while the "simplicity" of the presentation might be questioned by those lacking some proficiency in philosophy, Morris's stated intent works itself out in this clear and cogent case for theism.
First, one must believe God-talk has merit. Morris examines the claims of those who declare that if God's really an infinite Being we finite beings can never understand Him. Certainly the task must be approached humbly; but the use of analogies and symbols, carefully employed by persons created in God's image, offer us hope as we strive to craft a suitable idea of God. "If God is infinite Mind and has brought into existence minded creatures in his image, then it might be expected that those creatures' minds could grasp something of his existence and nature" (p. 25). Not everything, mind you, but something!
While Morris acknowledges the value of various ways of thinking about God (e.g. biblical theology or creation theology) he favors "perfect being theology," settling into the tradition of Anselm, who judged God an infinite Being--"that than which no greater can be conceived." At the heart of this theology is this thesis: "God is a being with the greatest possible array of compossible great-making properties" (p. 35). By careful reasoning, one can move from this core conviction to the conclusion that God is "a thoroughly benevolent conscious agent with unlimited knowledge and power who is the necessarily existent, ontologically independent creative source of all else" (p. 40).
Given this concept, Morris first explores God's Goodness. In Boethius' judgment, "'The substance of God consists in nothing but in goodness'" (p. 47), and when we think seriously about it we discover "that beneath the surface of this apparently simple affirmation about God lies a surprising wealth of conceptual commitments" (p. 48). After exploring several of them, Morris then turns, in successive chapters, to questions concerning God's Power, Knowledge, Being, and Eternity, offering insights and clarifications in the process. For example, in his chapter on God's Knowledge, he delves into the ancient argument that omniscience effaces free will. After considering some of the philosophical options, Morris suggests that Luis de Molina's notion of "middle knowledge" pro¬vides a clue for thinkers concerned with preserving both divine foreknowledge and human freedom. (Interested in the resolution? Buy the book and study pp. 92-102!)
In chapter eight Morris turns to "The Creation." In Genesis 1:1--"In the beginning, God created"--we find "the key to a distinctively theistic perspective on reality. This one statement captures the heart of a theistic world-view." Still more: "it is no exaggeration to add that it is one of the most important truths about God" (p. 138), a truth concisely worded by Aquinas: "'Anything that exists in any way must necessarily have its origin from God'" (p. 139). The metaphysical doctrine of creation must not be reduced to or confused with scientific hypotheses--physics is not metaphysics! "We are seeking a level of understanding distinct from that promised by any application of the methods of the natural sciences" (p. 140). We seek to discern a divine creativity which is at once free, rational, and good--characteristics of a true Creator. Rightly pursued, "the theist can subsume all things distinct from God under the umbrella of divine creation. The greatest possible being will be the most thorough source of reality imaginable. Everything will testify to his greatness" (p. 158).
Our Idea of God is one of those books which makes sense the first time you read it--but you know you must re-read and ponder it to fully appropriate the author's treasures. An associate professor at Notre Dame, Morris writes within the context of modern thought. But he is steeped in the ancient Christian tradition as well. In this treatise he nicely illustrates the worth of philosophical thinking within the context of the Christian faith.