Philosophy of Religion: Thinking About Faith (Contours of Christian Philosophy)

Rating:
Summary: A new level of critical thinking
Review: Evans clarifies many inconsistancies in our world view thinking to free us up to be more deliberate. His teaching on world view confusion has enabled the reader to make understandable an often blurred analysis of inclusive world views. Much confusion abounds over inclusive religious teachings that assert the "many roads" to truth perspective. Evans shows that this is surely confusion in and of itself. An inclusive world view cannot simply "borrow" truth claims from an exclusive world view to build its case.

Rating:
Summary: A new level of critical thinking
Review: Evans clarifies many inconsistancies in our world view thinking to free us up to be more deliberate. His teaching on world view confusion has enabled the reader to make understandable an often blurred analysis of inclusive world views. Much confusion abounds over inclusive religious teachings that assert the "many roads" to truth perspective. Evans shows that this is surely confusion in and of itself. An inclusive world view cannot simply "borrow" truth claims from an exclusive world view to build its case.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent overview
Review: I highly recommend this book to anyone, Christian or otherwise, who wishes to read a concise introdution to the subject from a Christian perspective. Very well done.



Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT OVERVIEW
Review: I highly recommend this book to anyone, Christian or otherwise, who wishes to read a concise introdution to the subject from a Christian perspective. Very well done.

Rating:
Summary: A Modest Introduction
Review: Stephen Evan's book is a lucid and modest introduction to philosophy of religion. I agree with Kevin Vanhoozer that this book is probably accessible to the nonphilosopher. Its scope is not as expansive as an introduction like Keith Yandell's Philosophy of Religion, but it is perhaps a better place to start. It is also more surveyish than other introductions that focus on particular issues in philosophy of religion (e.g., Ronald Nash's book, The Concept of God).

The structure of this book follows a traditional logical approach: define the nature of philosophy of religion and who can do it, and consider the viability of actually doing phil of religion; if natural theology is possible, how should the good arguments look; give some arguments for a theological position and consider them (traditional args. and religious experience); and finally consider some popular objections (evil, meaninglessness of religious language, pluralism). Though Evans tries to color his language with religious neutrality, the positions he takes are clearly evangelical or traditional. I think the reason he does this is to show he can also be a critical evaluator of arguments despite his own religious commitments. After all, sometimes arguments in favor of a position one holds can be pretty bad, even if the position turns out to be true.

So, over all, this is a pretty decent introduction to philosophy of religion. If you don't know anything about the specific topic, you might want to start here (*especially* if you lack philosophical training, generally speaking). But if you are trained, I still think this is a refreshing book to read. It will only take a day or two; and you most likely will pick up at least one thing you otherwise didn't think of (I did).