Rating: 
Summary: Reason and the Christian Mind
Review: Christian Apologist and philospher J.P. Moreland's book is an outstanding work. While so many Christian books today (especially in the Protestant world) are filled with fluff, Moreland presents a a text that puts an emphasis on the mind and its role in the Christian life.The book has four parts with several chapters in each part: (1) Why the Mind Matters in Christianity, (2) How to Develop a Mature Chrsitian Mind, (3)What a Mature Christian Mind Looks Like, (4) Guaranteeing a Future for the Christian Mind. Moreland's writing is concise, yet very thorough. The chpaters flow perfectly and each section develops the next. This is one of the best, if not the best, protestant released book I have read in the last couple of years.
Rating:
Summary: Reason and the Christian Mind
Review: Christian Apologist and philospher J.P. Moreland's book is an outstanding work. While so many Christian books today (especially in the Protestant world) are filled with fluff, Moreland presents a a text that puts an emphasis on the mind and its role in the Christian life. The book has four parts with several chapters in each part: (1) Why the Mind Matters in Christianity, (2) How to Develop a Mature Chrsitian Mind, (3)What a Mature Christian Mind Looks Like, (4) Guaranteeing a Future for the Christian Mind. Moreland's writing is concise, yet very thorough. The chpaters flow perfectly and each section develops the next. This is one of the best, if not the best, protestant released book I have read in the last couple of years.
Rating: 
Summary: Why and How to use your Mind to Serve Your God
Review: Describing the book is easy enough. It is a competent Christian philosopher-educator trying to heal the anti-intellectualism in the modern Church. To that end the book is first a description of the problem with a little historical analysis. ("How We lost the Christian Mind and Why We Must Recover It"= chapter 1) Then an explanation of the role of reason in the spiritual transformation that is the historic orthodox Christian faith. This is part 1 = "Why the Mind Matters in Christianity". The rest of the book is a two piece prescription, argued top down, from big principles to important particular and specific recommendations. But such simple descriptions don't do justice to such an important book, so i will expand, as he did into the details of the argument. First, several motivations of the author are clearly seen and are important to understanding the way he writes and the structure of the arguments. One, he has a preacher-teacher's heart, concerned that people pick up this book, read and understand it, but most significantly internalize the ideas. To this end it is not a hard read, he uses the best techniques to involve the mind of the reader in the material. Uses clear language and argues point-by-point systematically building his book so that the average reader will walk away with the main points in his head, rather than leaving them, as is often done, still in the pages of the book. This alone recommends the book to Sunday School, high-school or college reading groups, or as he talks about in the book -- church libraries and study centers where the faithful are taught to think clearly about their faith. In fact, i'd propose that this book would be the required reading introduction to such study centers. Second, Moreland is concerned and worried about the condition of the average pew warmers mind and the skills he/she has acquired in this world concerning the faith and he desires to do something about it. That something is tied to vocation. Vocation, both types, the calling to walk in this world being ready to give an apologia, and the form of how to 'subdue the earth' with our own hands, ie our 'secular' job. This thread, slanted to college students looking for theirs, but applicable to all, prevades the book from the first page to the extensive list of resources in the back. But what are the details? pg 39 "If we are going to be wise, spiritual people prepared to meet the crises of our age, we must be a studying, learning community that values the life of the mind." He assumes that anyone reading past this point will be desirous of attaining such a lofty goal. Convinced of the need, we need help finding the way to achieve it. The way is to understand Romans 12:1-2 "Paul puts his finger on the very essence of how we grow to become like Jesus: "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world." he tells us, "but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." pg 65. But like any good preacher he doesn't stop at description but moves to prescription: "More generally, by choosing to undertake a course of study, meditation, and reflection, I can put myself in a position to undergo a change in the content, strength, and centrality of my beliefs." These beliefs we undertake to change are part of the plausibility structures of both ourselves and of the greater society we are a part of. This is his big argument, unless Christians are prepared and competent in understanding their beliefs then they can not communicate the Gospel to others(apologetics), nor can they influence an increasingly secular society(being salt). Simply put, modification of society's plausibility structures means you need to first understand and build your own rightly. This takes him to part 2= " How to Develop a Christian Mind", which is mixture of top-down arguments like: "commitment to truth and reason" pg 99 and lower level details like: jog when you get tired to get out of a passive rut, pg 95. There is even a section on the elements of logic: "Clearing the Cobwebs from My Mental Attic" = chapter 5. It is this part that i found harder reading because of the changing levels, one part big issue analysis, then the next paragraph details on a conversation. The last part is application (typical sermon structure *grin*) with a very interesting section on "Refurbishing the Local Church" pg 190-200, where the details from his past ministries figures prominently in his recommendations. If you just want to read a few pages to get the best of the book, these 10 are them. Surprisely detailed, most certainly a big step for any local church, i'd love to move anywhere in the country where these ideas were put into practice. Thanks for the opportunity to recommend the book to you, i hope you pick a copy up as a result of this review.
Rating:
Summary: THIS IS THE EVANGELICAL BOOK OF THE YEAR!
Review: Dr. Moreland has given us the best critique of the intellectual emptiness of evangelicalism since the work of Carl Henry in the 1940s. Moreland exudes an intellectual confidence in the truth of Christianity that is both humble and hard-headed. The book is brain-food for the soul. I can think of no better book to give a young Christian in college or grad school. --Francis J. Beckwith, associate professor of philosophy, culture, and law, Trinity Graduate School (Deerfield IL), California campus
Rating:
Summary: A True Must-Read For the Church
Review: Have you ever wished that the church wasn't looked down upon in intellectual circles, and that when the average person thought of trustworthy sources for ideas and wise men/women that it was Christians who would first come to mind? I have, and so has J.P. Moreland. In LOVE YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR MIND, Moreland writes a groundbreaking book, presenting a strong case for the role of the rational mind in the Christian life. He gives background on how the church has strayed from incorporating our intellect into our worship and faith and even our work, and then demonstrates how this needs to change, and why that need is so urgent. He outlines how to develop the Christian mind and shows how reason and faith can and should work hand in hand. And he closes by giving his vision of what the church, incorporating these principles, might look like. This is a fantastic book that is prophetic in its urgancy. Moreland's writing is utterly appealing to the rational and even skeptical mind, but the message here is for the layperson as well as the academic. It should be required reading at every Christian college and seminary, and the church would do well to give its message attention at the pulpit and in Sunday School's. Five Stars.
Rating:
Summary: This title scratches right where the church is itching
Review: I believe this book nailed the evangelical church right on the spot. We need reformation within the church before revival. As we enter the new millenium, Christians more than ever need to be equipped to do sound biblical apologetics and contend for their faith. To not do so is to continue the legacy of anti-intellectualism so prevalent within Christianity today. I think Dr. Moreland did a splendid job making his arguments stick with the reader. He challenges all of us who profess and possess Christ as Lord and Savior to truly love Him with all our being...which includes that wonderful faculty God has given us --- the mind
Rating:
Summary: To bad there is none more stars.
Review: I can't believe that I never wrote a review for this book. So here it is. I love this book and all that it teaches. It is a wake up call to the church to use are mind. When we go to church we shouldn't check are brains at the door. We should get equipped to do the work of service. This book speaks to all in the church. We should use are mind, develop in our thinking process of how to think like Christ, in the ministry, in our work place,in our job. If that's a school teacher or at home mother etc. Love God with all your mind and in what you do. God bless you J.P. Moreland
Rating:
Summary: Moreland is a wise and effective teacher.
Review: I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It draws attention to the need for intellectual development as an aspect of spiritual formation. It does not ignore the heart, but Moreland reminds readers that the Biblical conception of the heart (as the core of a person) includes the mind. This is valuable reading for anyone, but it is particularly useful for college students. The reading list of "Sources for Integration" alone is well worth the price of the book. J.P. Moreland is an important figure in the growing movement of Christian leaders who are both intellectual and firmly orthodox. This book was edited by Dallas Willard (former head of the philosophy department at USC) and is highly recommended by Phillip Johnson (Darwin on Trial) and Josh McDowell.
Rating:
Summary: Food for thought
Review: I found the book very challenging with regards to understanding the role of the intellect which honours God. But, found it refreshing that prior to reading "Love your God with all your mind" my thoughts and views on 'the church's' mentality regarding the intellect for spiritual growth is vital. This validated a lot of my own personal views. I particularly found the teaching on skepticism, scientism, moral relativism very encouraging and I plan to grasp a better understanding of these tools. Also, the controversial views presented at the end of the book concerning church leadership structure (ie: senior pastor) were very interesting as well as a further validation of my own personal views.
Rating:
Summary: BEST EVER ON THIS TOPIC!
Review: I have read just about every book published regarding developing a Christian mind and worldview and this is by far the best. I have told every Christian friend I have to get this book and read it immediately. The final chapter is particularly good because it has several outstanding practical suggestions to help encourage local churches in developing their people in discipling their minds. I plan to teach this book in my Church as soon as I can. If you only read one Christian book in the next five years, it should be this one. Thank God for JP Moreland!
| 
