Contours of Christian Philosophy Series (5 vols.)

by Del Ratzsch; William Hasker; C. Stephen Evans; R. Zachary Manis

and

2 more

Publishers:

IVP Academic; IVP

, 1983–2009

Overview

The Contours of Christian Philosophy series consists of short introductory-level textbooks in the various fields of philosophy. These books introduce readers to major problems and alternative ways of dealing with those problems. These books, however, differ from most in that they evaluate alternative viewpoints not only with regard to their general strength, but also with regard to their value in the construction of a Christian world and life view. Thus, the books explore the implications of the various views for Christian theology as well as the implications that Christian convictions might have for the philosophical issues discussed. It is crucial that Christians attain a greater degree of philosophical awareness in order to improve the quality of general scholarship and evangelical theology.

Although the books are intended as examples of Christian scholarship, it is hoped that they will be of value to others as well; these issues should concern all thoughtful persons. The assumption which underlies this hope is that complete neutrality in philosophy is neither possible nor desirable. Philosophical work always reflects a person’s deepest commitments. Such commitments, however, do not preclude a genuine striving for critical honesty.

Key Features

• Examines the interaction of biblical morality and philosophical ethics
• Explores the distinction between theology and philosophy of religion
• Provides Christians with an initial understanding of what natural science is, what it can do, how and why it works, and what it cannot do

Product Details

• Title: IVP Contours of Christian Philosophy Series (5 vols.)
• Editor: C. Stephen Evans
• Series: Contours of Christian Philosophy
• Publisher: IVP
• Volumes: 5
• Pages: 933
• Resource Type: Introductions
• Topic: Philosophy

Epistemology: Becoming Intellectually Virtuous

• Author: W. Jay Wood
• Editor: C. Stephen Evans
• Series: Contours of Christian Philosophy
• Publisher: IVP
• Publication Date: 1998
• Pages: 216

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

How do we know what we know? What have wisdom, prudence and studiousness to do with justifying our beliefs? Jay Wood begins this introduction to epistemology by taking an extended look at the idea of knowing within the context of the intellectual virtues. He then surveys current views of foundationalism, epistemic justification and reliabilism. Finally he examines the relationship of epistemology to religious belief, and the role of emotions and virtues in proper cognitive functioning.

Professors will find this text, with its many examples drawn from everyday student experience, especially useful in introducing students to the formal study of epistemology.

W. Jay Wood (Ph.D., Notre Dame) is professor in the philosophy department at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois.

Ethics: Approaching Moral Decisions

• Author: Arthur F. Holmes
• Editor: C. Stephen Evans
• Edition: 2nd Edition
• Series: Contours of Christian Philosophy
• Publisher: IVP
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 150

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

With over 60,000 copies in print since its original publication in 1984, Ethics has served numerous generations of students as a classic introduction to philosophical ethics from a Christian perspective.

Over the years the philosophical landscape has changed somewhat, and in this second edition Arthur Holmes adjusts the argument and information throughout, completely rewriting the original chapter on virtue ethics and adding a new chapter on the moral agent.

Holmes addresses the questions: What is good? What is right? How can we know? In doing so he also surveys a variety of approaches to ethics, including cultural relativism, emotivism, ethical egoism and utilitarianism—all with an acknowledgment of the new postmodern environment.

This book deserves the attention of all who are committed to careful Christian thinking about the moral life. Students will find a solid basis for developing a Christian perspective on moral philosophical issues. Scholars will gain important clues on how to pursue these matters in a biblically sensitive manner.

—Richard J. Mouw, Fuller Theological Seminary

Arthur F. Holmes (Ph.D., Northwestern) is professor emeritus of philosophy at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois.

Metaphysics

• Author: William Hasker
• Editor: C. Stephen Evans
• Series: Contours of Christian Philosophy
• Publisher: IVP
• Publication Date: 1983
• Pages: 132

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

What is ultimately real? What is God like? Do human beings have minds and souls or only brains in bodies? Are humans free agents or are all human acts determined by prior circumstances? Through insightful analysis and careful evaluation, William Hasker helps readers answer these questions and thereby construct a world view to make sense of the universe and the people in it.

Christians who want to love God with their minds will welcome Hasker's lucid introduction to the nature of metaphysical thinking.

—Clark H. Pinnock, McMaster Divinity College

William Hasker (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is professor emeritus of philosophy at Huntington College in Huntington, Indiana. His books include Metaphysics: Constructing a World View; God, Time, and Knowledge; Reason and Religious Belief (with Michael Peterson, David Basinger and Bruce Reichenbach); The Openness of God (with Clark Pinnock, Richard Rice, John Sanders and David Basinger); Philosophy of Religion: Selected Readings (edited with Michael Peterson, David Basinger and Bruce Reichenbach); The Emergent Self; Middle Knowledge: Theory and Applications (edited with David Basinger and Eef Dekker); and Providence, Evil and the Openness of God.

Philosophy of Religion: Thinking about Faith

• Author: C. Stephen Evans and R. Zachary Manis
• Editor: C. Stephen Evans
• Edition: 2nd Edition
• Series: Contours of Christian Philosophy
• Publisher: IVP
• Publication Date: 2009
• Pages: 244

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

With over 40,000 copies in print since its original publication in 1982, Steve Evans’s Philosophy of Religion has served many generations of students as a classic introduction to the philosophy of religion from a Christian perspective. Over the years the philosophical landscape has changed, and in this new edition Zach Manis joins Evans in a thorough revamping of arguments and information, while maintaining the qualities of clarity and brevity that made the first edition so appreciated.

New material on divine foreknowledge and human freedom has been added as well as on Reformed epistemology. The discussions on science now cover new developments from cognitive psychology and naturalism as well as on the fine-tuning of the cosmos. The chapter on faith and reason has been expanded to include consideration of evidentialism. The problem of evil now forms its own new chapter and adds a discussion of the problem of hell.

The standard features remain: a survey of the field, an examination of classical arguments for God's existence, and an exploration of contemporary challenges to theism from the social sciences and philosophy as well as the natural sciences. The meaning and significance of personal religious experience, revelation and miracles—all within the realm of contemporary religious pluralism—are likewise investigated.

A classic introduction thoroughly updated and refreshed for today’s student.

C. Stephen Evans (PhD, Yale) is University Professor of Philosophy and the Humanities at Baylor University. He previously taught in the philosophy departments at Calvin College, St. Olaf College, and Wheaton College. He has published several books, including Kierkegaard: An Introduction, Natural Signs and Knowledge of God: A New Look at Theistic Arguments, God and Moral Obligation, Why Christian Faith Still Makes Sense, and Philosophy of Religion.

R. Zachary Manis (Ph.D., Baylor University) is assistant professor of philosophy at Southwest Baptist University.

Science & Its Limits: The Natural Sciences in Christian Perspective

• Author: Del Ratzsch
• Editor: C. Stephen Evans
• Edition: 2nd or Revised and expanded
• Series: Contours of Christian Philosophy
• Publisher: IVP
• Publication Date: 2000
• Pages: 191

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Science, especially naturalistic science, has come under fire of late. No longer does it command the near universal respect it once held. From the right has come a fresh attack on Darwinism and arguments for intelligent design. From the left postmodern theorists have attacked the very notion of objective truth claims, scientific or otherwise.

Into the fray Del Ratzsch breathes a breath of calm. He asks, What is science? What can it tell us? What can't it tell us? What challenges does it offer to Christian faith? How should a Christian respond?

Originally published under the title Philosophy of Science, this revised volume surveys how views of science have developed and changed over time, especially since the Kuhnian revolution of the 1960s. Now updated to reflect current discussions of intelligent design and postmodern views of science, Science and Its Limits offers readers a thoughtful perspective on contemporary trends and useful advice on how to approach faith and science issues.

Del Ratzsch sets out to develop an account of science that fits well with Christian commitment. He is eminently successful.

—Alvin Plantinga, University of Notre Dame

Del Ratzsch earned a PhD in philosophy at the University of Massachusetts. He is professor of philosophy at Calvin College and author of The Philosophy of Science, as well as several other books. Much of Ratzsch's work over the last seventeen years at Calvin College has sought to relate science and religion (and more recently creation and evolution) in a way that is philosophically informed, scientifically defensible and theologically meaningful. Although Ratzsch is optimistic that design theory can avoid past mistakes in the creation-evolution controversy, he stresses that fundamental clarifying work remains to be done in this area.

About C. Stephen Evans

C. Stephen Evans (PhD, Yale) is University Professor of Philosophy and the Humanities at Baylor University. He previously taught in the philosophy departments at Calvin College, St. Olaf College, and Wheaton College. He has published several books, including Kierkegaard: An Introduction, Natural Signs and Knowledge of God: A New Look at Theistic Arguments, God and Moral Obligation, Why Christian Faith Still Makes Sense, and Philosophy of Religion.