Oppy G. - Four Views on Christianity and Philosophy

Gould and Davis have put together a grand-slam home run! I predict that this will be one of the very best in the Counterpoints series. The introduction and conclusion by Gould and Davis are helpful, informative, and very interesting. And, wow, did they pick great representatives of each view or what? Oppy is, in my view, the top philosophical atheist writing today. And McGrew and Moser are not only household names in the field but top representatives of very important and distinctive views. And Oliphint is among a very small handful of top Reformed apologists. But what is really shocking about this treasure is that these high-level thinkers have managed to write chapters that are understandable to a nonspecialist. Christian philosophy is on the rise, and believers need to think through its role in Christianity. This book is the place to start that journey.

J. P. Moreland, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and author of Love Your God with All Your Mind, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University

Drs. Paul Gould and Richard Davis have put together a must-have book on a topic of critical importance to the Christian community. Far from little-known scholars, their lineup of participants includes some of the most well-known and well-respected philosophers in the field. Four Views on Christianity and Philosophy will serve as an engaging text for courses at the college, university, or seminary levels. It is smoothly written, easily understood, and features a spectacular clash of ideas from philosophers of diverse perspectives. Students will love it. This volume ranks among the very best of Zondervans wide array of Counterpoints books.

Gary Habermas, Distinguished Research Professor; Chair of Philosophy, Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary

Gould and Davis have performed a great service. They have orchestrated an important and much-needed conversation on the relationship between the Christian faith and philosophy, and they have selected as dialogue partners truly excellent representatives of the respective four views. This volume will serve as a superb resource for years to come.

Paul Copan, author of A Little Book for New Philosophers, and Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics, Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida

Despite the resurgence of Christian philosophy during the past several decades, many Christians, as well as others, are dubious that there is any sort of positive relationship between Christianity and philosophy. In this volume, four accomplished practitioners of philosophy with very different views of how it relates to Christianity debate this fundamental question. This is a valuable resource for persons on all sides of this fascinating and vital issue.

Jerry L. Walls, Scholar in Residence and Professor of Philosophy, Houston Baptist University

In addition to learning about different views relating philosophy to Christianity, readers will see how these distinctive approaches are put into practice with the dynamic interaction from the four principal contributors. Both newcomers and seasoned scholars will find many ideas in this book worthy of serious thought and reflection.

John M. DePoe, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Marywood University

What has Jerusalem to do with Athens? Tertullians famous question about the relationship between Christianity and philosophy has been variously answered by thinkers throughout the centuries. Some, like Tertullian, have believed that philosophy is incompatible with Christian faith. Others, like Augustine and Aquinas, have seen them as compatible yet in different ways and to varying degrees. Four Views on Christianity and Philosophy explores this topic of perennial concern, utilizing the skill of some of the best philosophers in the field. Each contributor addresses the nature and methods of philosophy, the nature of Christian commitment, the relationship between faith and reason, and the value and extent of evidence for and against the Christian worldview. Ideal for classroom use or personal study, for anyone interested in answering Tertullians famous question, this book is the place to start.

Steven B. Cowan, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Lincoln Memorial University

Im a big fan of the Counterpoints series by Zondervan. And this is one of my favorites. The expert will find insight and clarification, and the novice will learn the scope of the debate. All will walk away with an appreciation of how important it is to wrestle with the relationship between philosophy and Christianity.

Sean McDowell, Assistant Professor of Apologetics, Biola University, and author of A New Kind of Apologist.

Books in the Counterpoints Series

Church Life

Evaluating the Church Growth Movement

Exploring the Worship Spectrum

Remarriage after Divorce in Todays Church

Understanding Four Views on Baptism

Understanding Four Views on the Lords Supper

Who Runs the Church?

Bible and Theology

Are Miraculous Gifts for Today?

Five Views on Apologetics

Five Views on Biblical Inerrancy

Five Views on Law and Gospel

Five Views on Sanctification

Five Views on the Church and Politics

Four Views on Christian Spirituality

Four Views on Divine Providence

Four Views on Eternal Security

Four Views on Hell

Four Views on Moving Beyond the Bible to Theology

Four Views on Salvation in a Pluralistic World

Four Views on the Apostle Paul

Four Views on the Book of Revelation

Four Views on the Historical Adam

Four Views on the Role of Works at the Final Judgment

Four Views on the Spectrum of Evangelicalism

Genesis: History, Fiction, or Neither?

How Jewish Is Christianity?

Show Them No Mercy

Three Views on Creation and Evolution

Three Views on Eastern Orthodoxy and Evangelicalism

Three Views on the Millennium and Beyond

Three Views on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament

Three Views on the Rapture

Three Views on the Doctrine of the Trinity

Two Views on Women in Ministry

ZONDERVAN

Four Views on Christianity and Philosophy

Copyright 2016 by Paul K. Moser, K. Scott Oliphint, Timothy McGrew, Graham Oppy, Richard Brian Davis, Paul M. Gould

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

ePub Edition July 2016: ISBN 978-0-3105-2115-0

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Oppy, Graham, 1960- author.

Title: Four views on Christianity and philosophy / Graham Oppy, K. Scott Oliphint, Timothy McGrew, Paul K. Moser ; Paul M. Gould and Richard Brian Davis, general editors.

Description: Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 2016. | Series: Counterpoints: Bible and theology | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016015701 | ISBN 9780310521143 (softcover)

Subjects: LCSH: Philosophy and religion. | Christian philosophy.

Classification: LCC BR100 .F6717 2016 | DDC 261.5/1dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016015701

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.