Reasons (for Faith): Philosophy in the Service of Theology (Paperback)

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Key Phrases: cognitio acquisita, cognitio insita, transworld untrustworthiness, Son of God, Jesus Christ, Thomas Aquinas (more...)

Product Details

• Paperback: 363 pages
• Publisher: P & R Publishing (November 17, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875526454
• ISBN-13: 978-0875526454
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #818,769 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Standard in Christian Philosophy, December 28, 2007

By	Wayne Cantwell (Omaha, NE USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Scott Oliphint has taken Christian Reformed thought and philosophy to a new level, building upon the foundations laid by those who went before him, namely Cornelius Van Til. His knowledge and expertise are clearly demonstrated throughout the pages of this work. Anyone interested in a truly Christian philosophy and apologetic will need to read this volume from Scott Oliphint.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good but a bit cursory, January 3, 2007

By	Edward J. Hassertt - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As an introduction to philosophy and theology this book is good. The problem is the author's quick read and dismissiveness toward key philosophical figures he is attempting ot use in presentation of his thesis. Space may dictate such treatment, but it comes accross as a method of dismissing the ideas without refuting them, especially in his treatment of some of the work of Alvin Plantinga.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Reformed Philosophy, July 16, 2007

By	A. Blake White (Louisville, KY) - See all my reviews

K. Scott Oliphint's book 'Reasons (for Faith): Philosophy in the Service of Theology' (363 pp) is a difficult read. That and the fact that Scott is unaware that I don't know Latin, are my only two negatives.
--The book is broken up into 4 Parts and 16 chapters:
1. Introduction and Survey
2. Epistemology
3. Metaphysics
4. Implication and Application
--This is basically an addition to philosophy of religion. It serves as an 'offensive' apologetic, laying out the philosophy the Bible presents. This being the case, it is close to theology, but Oliphint is very conversant with the major philosophers. In the preface he writes, "Thus my goals are (1) to set forth a theological structure, for epistemology and metaphysics, that shows the relevance of Reformed thought, centrally set forth in Van Til's works, to current discussions in philosophy and philosophy of religion (natural theology); (2) to demonstrate that Reformed though has already broached virtually every discussion now in play in philosophy of religion; and (3) to interact with (at least some of) the main proponents in philosophy of religion.
--What was great about this book is that Oliphint is not your normal philosopher of religion. He is first and foremost a Reformed theologian. Scripture, not reason, is his ultimate commitment. Philosophy is the handmaid to Theology. Reason is ministerial, not magisterial (following Turretin). He argues for a dual metaphysic (creature/Creator), and a covenantal epistemology (Revelation). Parts of this book are tough to wade through. Maybe I should take some philosophy electives and come back to this one in a few years.