Prelude to Philosophy: An Introduction for Christians

by Mark W. Foreman, J. P. Moreland (Foreword by)

Overview

"The unexamined life is not worth living," according to Socrates, but pursuing the examined life strikes many as daunting, unappealing and even unnecessary. Is philosophy important? Why do I need philosophy if I have the Bible? Aren't philosophers simply engaged in meaningless disputes that are irrelevant to everyday life? Mark Foreman addresses these and other questions in this "prelude" to the subject. Unlike a full introduction to philosophy, this book is a preliminary discussion that dispels misunderstandings and explains the rationale for engaging in philosophical reasoning. In the first half of the book, Foreman defines the task of philosophy, compares it to other disciplines and demonstrates its practical value to Christians interested in developing a more thoughtful faith. The second half introduces the reader to logic and argumentation, the essential tools of a philosopher. Concise and straightforward, Prelude to Philosophy is a guide for those looking to embark on the "examined life."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780830839605
Publisher:	InterVarsity Press
Publication date:	11/27/2013
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	10.90(w) x 7.30(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Mark W. Foreman (PhD, religious studies, University of Virginia) is associate professor of philosophy and religion at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. He is also the author of Christianity and Bioethics: Confronting Clinical Issues.

J. P. Moreland (Ph.D., University of Southern California; Th.M., Dallas Theological Seminary) is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, in La Mirada, California, and director of Eidos Christian Center.

Table of Contents

Foreword by J.P. Moreland
Preface
Chapter One: What Is Philosophy?
Chapter Two: Why Is Philosophy Important?
Chapter Three: What Athens Has to Do with Jerusalem: The Importance of Philosophy for Christians
Chapter Four: The Divisions of Philosophy
Chapter Five: A Little Logic
Chapter Six: Informal Fallacies
Chapter Seven: Analyzing Arguments
Epilogue: Seven Virtues of a Christian Philosopher
Answers to Exercises
Index

What People are Saying About This

C. Stephen Evans

"This book is a helpful study of what philosophy is, how it is done and why it is valuable, especially for Christians. It is clearly written, with lots of real-life examples and stories, and will be of real value to students beginning work in philosophy."

Paul Copan

"Mark Foreman's introduction to philosophy gets it just right! For those wanting to explore the life of the mind, Foreman helps take the fear out of philosophizing. This book is a clear, readable and accessible overview on the fundamentals of philosophy—and on doing philosophy to the glory of God."

Editorial Reviews

"This book is a helpful study of what philosophy is, how it is done and why it is valuable, especially for Christians. It is clearly written, with lots of real-life examples and stories, and will be of real value to students beginning work in philosophy."

C. Stephen Evans

"Mark Foreman's introduction to philosophy gets it just right! For those wanting to explore the life of the mind, Foreman helps take the fear out of philosophizing. This book is a clear, readable and accessible overview on the fundamentals of philosophy—and on doing philosophy to the glory of God."

Paul Copan