Philosophy, Who Needs It?: A Layman's Introduction to Philosophy

Too often skeptics charge Christians with having a blind faith. Unfortunately, believers have added fuel to the charges of skeptics by speaking of their faith illogically. But the Christian faith is not a blind faith. In fact, biblical faith is never a blind, irrational faith. Christianity rests firmly on the stone that was rejected by the builders, which has become the cornerstone–Jesus Christ (Acts 4:11). Living biblically requires thinking biblically, just as ""to think biblically entails to live biblically,"" as Winfried Corduan notes in the Foreword. As followers of Christ, believers cannot separate biblical thinking and biblical living. These two behaviors are eternally connected not only in the person of Jesus Christ, but they stem from the eternal being of God the Father and his eternal truth. Christ mandates that his followers love God with their entire being–heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). How are believers to go about living out this biblical mandate? Christian faith is a warranted belief. This is why it is so essential that Christians recognize the value and importance of philosophy and its proper place in Christendom and in the Christian's walk. ""This is an able and biblically grounded primer on how to think well about what matters most."" –Douglas Groothuis, author of Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith ""Philosophy, Who Needs It? is targeted at Christians who want to think. Jason Crowder weaves together a rich biblical and theological tapestry that illustrates the indispensable nature of philosophical thinking. This book will be an encouragement to those well along in their intellectual journey, as well as those who are just beginning."" –Gregory E. Ganssle, Professor of Philosophy, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University ""Jason Crowder's Philosophy, Who Needs It? is an excellent introduction to philosophy, especially for readers who seek to study philosophy from a Christian standpoint. . . . Like the title, the book is written in ordinary language and gradually introduces the student to some technical terminology. It seeks above all to be faithful to Scripture and to make a difference in the living of the Christian life."" –John Frame, Professor of Systematic Theology & Philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary ""I recommend this book to anyone seeking a broad understanding of the intersections between the Christian faith and the discipline of philosophy. Crowder provides sound arguments for why Christians today need philosophy to respond responsibly to today's cultural and intellectual challenges. His book is salted with biblical references that will also help Christians understand why they need the tools that the discipline of philosophy provides for thinking about their faith and defending it."" –Randall B. Bush, University Professor of Philosophy, Union University ""Introductions to philosophy come in all shapes, sizes, and especially content. It did not take long to recognize two things that separate Jason Crowder's from other such volumes. First, he takes very seriously the Christian philosopher's duty to apply his stock and trade in the context of Christian revelation. For Crowder, philosophy is not a discipline that operates independently of God's Word, but with Scripture verses tacked on at the end. Rather, he organizes his philosophy in the context of God's words to us. Second, he is convicted that good theology and philosophy must be applied to life. After thinking well, what manner of persons ought we to be? How can these truths be applied in real-life situations? I recommend this volume, especially as it exhibits these two strengths."" –Gary R. Habermas, Distinguished Research Professor & Chair, Department of Philosophy, Liberty University ""Here is a scholarly, highly readable, and biblical treatment of philosophy. Those who value careful thinking and tight logic will find much to feast on in this book. I particularly appreciate how Cr