Religion, Reason and Revelation [Paperback]

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Trinity Foundation; 3rd edition
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0940931869
• ISBN-13: 978-0940931862
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,349,764 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece of Christian philosophy!, December 9, 2002

By 

Brian Douglas (Brighton, England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Religion, Reason and Revelation (Paperback)

The back cover of this book has the following quotes from book critics:

"...the literary style is a model of English clarity...."
"...the logic is beautiful...."
"...refreshing honesty pervades the entire book...."

These critics are not exaggerating! This book is one of the great masterpieces of Christian philosophy and apologetics. The flagship of Clark's thought, it is brilliantly written and reasoned from beginning to end.

Religion, Reason, and Revelation is made up of five chapters. The first answers the question, Is Christianity a religion? Here Clark lays the groundwork from which he reasons. He covers the issues of what religion is, emotion v. intellect, the description v. presupposition, meaningful words, and what constitutes Christianity.

The second chapter deals with the relationship between faith and reason. Clark argues that the only true relationship between the two is a reason that is founded on faith. In his usual manner, Clark critiques natural theology, the cosmological argument, impiricism, irrationalism, and everyone from Hume to Hodge.

The third chapter covers inspiration and language, what the Bible claims, objections to inspiration, problems with linguistics, logical positivism, and the like.

The fourth chapter is Clark's thought on revelation and morality. How can men know what is right and wrong? Is there a universal standard for ethical decision-making? What roles do experience and reason play in determining morality?

The final chapter is God and Evil, the perennial objection to Christianity. After explaining what he believes to be the biblical view of the problem of evil, Clark forcefully asserts, "Let it be unequivocally said that this view certainly makes God the cause of sin." He further explains the law's relation to both God and man, causality v. authorship, etc.

As one can see, Clark dives into each topic and discusses them great breadth and depth. Religion, Reason, and Revelation is a very thorough philosophical text.

While those unfamiliar with Clark's thinking will find this book a most unusual read, I believe that those who think through his arguments will find them intriguing. He was certainly one of the most original thinkers of any era, and those who thoughtfully read this book will enjoy having their minds stretched and their beliefs challenged.

5.0 out of 5 stars Read to the very last chapter!, June 14, 2011

By 

Theodore Zachariades "Lover of Christ" (TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Religion, Reason and Revelation (Paperback)

A great place to start reading Clark if you have never encountered him. This book includes Clark's famous definitive answer to the problem of evil in the chapter, "God and Evil," which is alone worth any price you may have to pay for this volume. Precise in its definitions, tightly argued, and to the point in its articulation of Biblical Christianity. A true treasure! Clark must be the most untapped resource in modern evangelicalism, and the one who can help it most. Do not miss this!