| Title | : | Loving God with Your Mind: Essays in Honor of J. P. Moreland |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 271 |
| Publication | : | First published December 13, 2013 |
Loving God with Your Mind: Essays in Honor of J. P. Moreland Reviews
-
You can read my full review here:
http://wp.me/p3JhRp-5v
“‘Come now, let us reason together,’ says the Lord…” (Isaiah 1:18a, ESV)
Over the past twenty-five years, J. P. Moreland has done much work to equip Christians to love God with their minds. In his work as a Christian philosopher, scholar, and apologist, he has influenced many a students, written fresh and advanced books, and taught multitudes of Christians to defend their faith.
***Part 1: The Building Blocks of the World***
I want to read more by Moreland because of this book. I’ll admit, Part 1 was really difficult to wrap my brain around because I know so little about metaphysics. While there were parts I understood, much of it was over my head like a bridge without stairs. It’s above me, and I don’t know how to get up there. The scholars do “dumb down” some of the language and try to explain their philosophies, but this is still a ‘thinking’ book. You will have to pay attention, and close attention, to many of the topics (and sentences) to understand fully what is being said.
Depending on your background, Part 1 could either be right up your alley, or it will make you put the book down. I’ve read some apologetical and philosophical (Francis Schaeffer) writings to have heard of some of these terms and to make it through this section, but it was still no walk in the park. I like the idea of learning philosophy, logic, and making sense of the world, but this was no introduction to Moreland’s philosophically *Platonistic ideas (nor was it supposed to be, I’ll admit). I can’t exactly fault the book for that because I know someone will understand this book. But since I didn’t understand, I couldn’t even really begin to tell you the benefits of this section and how they arrived at the application.
***Part 2: Thinking for Christ in the World***
In Part Two, the reading started to get a little easier and a bit more applicational.
Chapter 6 was informative because it talked about the importance of objective knowledge [knowledge which cannot be contested or refuted]. However, it felt like it didn’t really go anywhere.
A few of these chapters had good points, but within the grand scheme of things (i.e., this book) I was unsure of how they related, or what the point expressed was meant to be.
However, I did enjoy Part 2 (chapters 6-10), especially Chapter 10, “Not Willing That Any Should Perish: An Apologetic for Pro-Life Activism.” Some of the topics expressed were Abortion, Infanticide, Prenatal Genetic Testing, Embryo/Embryonic Stem Cell Research, and Physician Assisted Suicide. This was informative because most of it are things I’ve never researched into so it helped me to see where my beliefs line up with the world around me.
***Part 3: Living for Christ in the World***
Part 3 was much more applicational and relational.
“….[A]pologetics is a dialogue between two people, and the speaker should always be aware of how his listener’s mind has changed if he is to make contact. The target moves but the bullets remain the same” (p. 172).
Being authentic is to be vulnerable, and it is in the beginning of this chapter that Moreland is vulnerable. The chapter starts off with a quote from him waking up stressed do to work, sickness, and finances. Christianity doesn’t fix us of all of our sicknesses and woes, but we are better able to get through our circumstances because we know the One who created everything and died for us in love. That doesn’t mean fear and worry can’t come in, but it doesn’t have to overtake us (Phil. 4:6).
Chapter 12 is on watching, praying, being alert for spiritual warfare, and intentionally relying on the the Holy Spirit’s empowerment to resist Satan to be able to stand firm in our faith.
Chapter 13 is about what it means to be happy. What’s wrong with the way the world perceives happiness today? Is it really having pleasure 24/7? Being comfortable in every opportunity, situation, and circumstances? Or living a virtuous life according to the standards of God in Christ?
Chapter 14 is on the witness of the Church, “Christians no longer constitute a cultural, social, or intellectual majority; this is good news, as the church of Jesus has always done its best work from the margins of culture, as opposed to its center” (p 221-222).
We need to actively promote an active God in the creation of man, rather than one who said back idly while evolution plodded on. Why should we start to believe in an active God now? Should we change what we believe just because the world puts pressure on us? We should consider what we believe and make sure we do believe it so we don’t crack when the pressure is laid on. Stand firm in the faith (1 Cor. 16:13).
***Recommended?***
I wouldn’t recommend this book to just anyone. Only if you have a good grasp of metaphysics and philosophy (or you want to have a better grasp of it) should you read this book, at least Part 1. Part 2 was easier to understand, and Part 3 the easiest and most applicational. But Part 1 will fly over many heads. I liked this book, and I did gain insights from in. But I haven’t read many of Moreland’s own books, and that might be my biggest problem!
But as for me, I wouldn’t buy this book for myself or for another person (unless Iknew they wanted it and would like it).
I would prefer to read books written by J.P. Moreland himself [Amazon;Wikipedia]
[A big thanks to NetGalley and Moody Publishers for allowing me a free copy of this book. I was not obligated to post a positive review in return for this copy.] -
Every once in a while you find a book that changes your whole perspective. Years ago, I read a book that did just that. I have reread it a number of times since. It was called "Love Your God with All Your Mind" by J. P. Moreland. This is not to be confused with the book I am presently reviewing, which is called, "Loving God with Your Mind" I refer to the former to say that Moreland's work has become a game changer in many respects.
If you are like me, I have heard sermons telling me to "quit over-thinking stuff", "God doesn't do things logically", and "Quit relying on your mind and start listening with the spirit." For too many years, much of the Church has held an anti-intellectual stand. Some preaching almost made you feel guilty to think. It would have been funny, if it had not been so tragic.
Moreland has been a great benefit to the Church. Here, a group of men who were mentored by him, give us a series of articles showing the different areas of Moreland’s writings and teaching.
Starting with the first two chapters, I thought I may be in over my head. Platonism and naturalism are two subjects that I have very limited knowledge of. After pushing through, it really got interesting. Not that the first two were not interesting; it was more my ignorance of the subject than the writing itself.
The book is divided into three parts:
1. The Building Blocks of the World
2. Thinking for Christ in the World
3. Living for Christ in the World
Parts two and three are much more accessible than the first. Understandably, part one tended to be more abstract. I think even those like me who had to push through will come to see that it was well worth the time and effort. This book was a great read and packed full of great information.
With subjects ranging from creation to happiness, there is a great variety of information to keep you reading.
I highly recommend it and give it 5 out of 5 stars.
I received this book, free of charge, from Moody Publishers and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. -
Ironically, or perhaps appropriately, this book is strong and weak in ways that Platonic ontology is strong and weak: the chapters on universals and the soul are outstanding. Getting to particular applications proved troubling for some authors.
Metaphysics
The authors demonstrate J.P. Moreland’s impassioned commitment to something akin to Platonic metaphysics. There is a ready-made world consisting of natural classes of objects. To use J.P.’s euphonic phrase, “Reality is cut at the joints.” Outlining JP’s metaphysics would take to long. I refer the reader to the fine diagram on p. 24.
Thus Paul Gould argues that such a belief in abstract objects is endorsing Platonism (of some variety or another, p. 21). Several essays make similar claims--correctly, I think--but they never seem to get at the heart of reality: Platonic forms have causal power. To be sure, Gould and Wallace assert that Platonic properties “structure reality,” but don’t develop that thought.
Stewart Goetz summarizes JP’s view of the soul: it is an immaterial substance that maintains identity through change, isn’t reducible to the body and can exist independently, and the like.
Truth
The next few essays summarize JP’s epistemology, which is a mild foundationalism.
Apologetics
A range of essays on natural theology, rational apologetics, and technology. Of mixed value.
and the Church
Several fascinating essays on the Virtuous Life and empowering the church. Much of it is a summary of Issler and Moreland, The Lost Virtue of Happiness. Mike Erre’s essay is of particular importance: he touches on the third leg of the Kingdom Triangle: Spiritual Power. While it isn’t a full defense of continuationism, he does have some good arguments: Jesus said we would do greater works than him, and assuming we aren’t dying for the sins of the world, this must mean greater scope of work. Which means Kingdom Power.
Conclusion
Most of the essays in this book are erudite and a few are technical. Still, an important volume honoring a mighty thinker -
Review on my blog:
http://wp.me/pf2RR-qX
