Christian philosophers and theologians need each other. Christian philosophers who are poorly versed in biblically based systematic theology tend to reinvent old Christian heresies. Christian theologians who lack philosophical training often present the faith’s great truths less clearly and cogently than they should. Vigorous orthodoxy benefits when the line between philosophy and theology is blurred.
This book contends that seminary apologetics courses would profit from incorporating more contemporary Christian philosophy. The past thirty years have seen a remarkable recrudescence of Christian philosophy, much of it touching the questions of traditional apologetics. Yet it is done at a much higher intellectual level and in a remarkably different intellectual key. In fact, since most apologetics books presuppose no particular theological or philosophical training, the seminary courses using them are often aimed so low that many of the best and most illuminating defenses of Christian faith are excluded from the start.
As Murray states, the “gap between the work being done in Christian philosophy and in seminary apologetics is totally inexcusable.” These sixteen essays by younger Christian philosophers attempt to bridge the gap by presenting the fruits of technical Christian philosophizing at a level accessible to those untrained in the technicalities. All the standard apologetic topics-proofs of God’s existence, the problem of evil, faith and reason, other religions, hell, religion and science, the authority of Scripture, and more-are covered, some by past contributors to MR. The aim throughout is to defend orthodox Christian faith in ways that will, first and foremostly, edify believers by helping them “to understand the deep, puzzling, seemingly paradoxical riches of the Christian faith” so that they thus come “to appreciate in more profound fashion the glory of the Creator they love and serve;” and then, secondly, to show believers how this deeper understanding and appreciation can help them to share their faith.
This excellent book could aid many to start to obey our Lord’s command to love the Lord our God with all of our minds.
