Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview (Hardcover)

~ J. P. Moreland (Author), (Author) "You are about to embark on an exciting and fascinating journey-the philosophical exploration of some of life's most important ideas, ideas about reality, God, the..." (more)
Key Phrases: impure realists, justificational skepticism, pain type state, Holy Spirit, New Testament, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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

From the Author

IVP: At well over six hundred pages, this is a monumental book. What led you to take on such a task?

J. P. Moreland: There are two reasons. First, the ascendancy of Christian philosophy in the last fifteen years is nothing short of miraculous. As Mark Noll notes, Christians in other academic disciplines would do well to note how philosophers have made strides to recapture their field for Christ. Bill and I wanted to make the fruits of this resurgence available to others. Second, philosophy is so crucial to developing and defending a Christian worldview that we believed it was essential to make available to the evangelical community solid Christian philosophy in a wide variety of philosophical disciplines. IVP: What do you see as the role of philosophy in shaping a Christian worldview?

Moreland: Combined with biblical exegesis and biblical theology, philosophy is the most important field--historically and conceptually--for developing a Christian worldview. As we make clear in the text, systematic theology itself, as well as attempts to integrate one's field with biblical teaching, essentially depends on philosophy being done with excellence. Our book seeks to remain faithful to central figures in the history of philosophy, especially those consistent with the faith, while at the same time drawing insights from the explosion of Christian philosophy in the last fifteen years to make a genuine synthesis available to a broad readership.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 653 pages
• Publisher: InterVarsity Press (April 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830826947
• ISBN-13: 978-0830826940
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.2 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #11,057 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Compelling Presentation of Christian Philosophy, June 18, 2003

By	Francis J. Beckwith (Woodway, TX) - See all my reviews

I highly recommend this outstanding book. Moreland and Craig are two intellectual leaders in a growing movement of Christian philosophers who have offered to both the general public and the academic world sophisticated and compelling arguments for why it is rational, and sometimes obligatory, to embrace the beliefs that are central to the Christian worldview--e.g., the existence of God, the existence of the soul, the reasonableness of miracles, the coherence of the Incarnation, the possibility of theological knowledge, etc. If you have an interest in philosophy and its relationship to the rationality of Christian belief, do yourself a favor and buy this book...

101 of 110 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Definitive Introduction, July 17, 2003

By	Kevin (Illinois) - See all my reviews

We live in a modern culture that is not interested in the cultivation of the mind. This is true inside the church as well as outside. In "Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview", authors Moreland and Craig, who are among the best in Christian scholars, place all of the fundamental concepts needed to provide a strong foundation for intellectual growth in one volume. The book is primarily written for the Christian but is very accessible for the non-Christian who is interested in the debate.

The book begins by laying down a philosophical groundwork concerning concepts such as logic & rationality, epistemological issues such as truth and knowledge, and various important issues in metaphysics. Gradually, as the concepts build, the book covers areas in philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, ethics, concepts of God, arguments for the existence of God, Christian doctrines, etc.

This book is a philosophical text and should be treated as such. That is, it should be rigorously studied and not just read. Most people who have not contended with weighty concepts in philosophy and religion may find some sections tedious and difficult to grapple with-hence the need to study. Fear not however, for the book is intended for the beginner and intermediate levels of understanding. Bold face text will alert readers to key definitions and concepts, and the chapters end with summary and list of concepts that should be mastered. Footnotes are placed at the end of book so as to not clutter the text.

Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview is an indispensable scholarly work that combines classical apologetics with fundaments philosophical concepts. It is sure to provide a solid platform by which the Christian can conduct his or her intellectual life. It also exemplifies the intellectual rigor that we have come to know in J.P. Moreland and William Lane Craig.

Aristotle once said that the unexamined life is not worthy to be lived. With this book, one is well on their way to an examined life. It is high quality indeed

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Six stars, a one of a kind masterpiece, August 9, 2006

By	John D. Lentz Jr. - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is an excellent introduction to philosophy from a Christian perspective by two of the world's leading evangelical philosophers. This textbook covers everything from epistemology to metaphysics to philosophy of science to ethics to philosophy of religion. Craig and Moreland divide it up according to their specialties: Craig does most of the epistemology and philosophy of religion (and philosophy of space/time), while Moreland writes about metaphysics and philosophy of science. The book is written for those with no expereince in the field, though by no means is it a light fireside books.

This comprehensive and thorough book acts partly as an introduction to philosophy and partly as an apologetic for the Christian worldview (this is evident in the chapters on God's existence, the coherence of theism, and substance dualism). Keywords are bolded, and each chapter has a useful summary at the end. There is also a helpful bibliography for further, more in depth, reading.

If I was forced to say anything less than bubbly about it, I would say that at times, Craig and Moreland act like their specific view (for Moreland, substance dualism, for Craig, Molinism and God's omnitemporality) are the Christian view, when, in fact, there is dissent among Christian thinkers. Even though I agree with Craig and Moreland, I still think they should have been more up front about that. (Though, in all fairness, Moreland does make that point in his chapter on free will.) However, this is fairly minor and does not prevent the book from getting an A+ from me.

If you can only have one book on Christian philosophy, this is definitely the one to get.