Intended for anyone attempting to find their way through the large and confusingly interwoven philosophical literature on consciousness, this reader brings together most of the principal texts in philosophy (and a small set of related key works in neuropsychology) on consciousness through 1997, and includes some forthcoming articles. Its extensive coverage strikes a balance between seminal works of the past few decades and the leading edge of philosophical research on consciousness. As no other anthology currently does, The Nature of Consciousness provides a substantial introduction to the field, and imposes structure on a vast and complicated literature, with sections covering stream of consciousness, theoretical issues, consciousness and representation, the function of consciousness, subjectivity and the explanatory gap, the knowledge argument, qualia, and monitoring conceptions of consciousness. Of the 49 contributions, 18 are either new or have been adapted from a previous publication.
People who only want unbiased, honest science education that sticks to the evidence are bewildered by the reception they get when they try to make their case. Their specific points are brushed aside, and they are dismissed out of hand as religious fanatics. The newspapers report that “creationists” are once again trying to censor science education because it offends their religious beliefs. Why is it so hard for reasoned criticism of biased teaching to get a hearing? The answer to that question begins with a Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee play called Inherit the Wind, which was made into a movie in 1960 starring Spencer Tracy, Gene Kelly and Frederic March. You can rent the movie at any video store with a “classics” section, and I urge you to do so and watch it carefully… The play is a fictionalized treatment of the “Scopes Trial” of 1925, the legendary courtroom confrontation in Tennessee over the teaching of evolution. Inherit the Wind is a masterpiece of propaganda, promoting a stereotype of the public debate about creation and evolution that gives all virtue and intelligence to the Darwinists. The play did not create the stereotype, but it presented it in the form of a powerful story that sticks in the minds of journalists, scientists and intellectuals generally…
Prepare Your Mind For Action. The mind plays an important role in Christianity. Unfortunately, many of us leave our minds behind when it comes to our faith. In Love Your God with All Your Mind, J. P. Moreland presents a compelling case for the role of the mind in spiritual transformation. He challenges us to develop a Christian mind and to use our intellect to further God’s kingdom through evangelism, apologetics, worship, and vocation. "This exploration into the mind of evangelical Christianity is one of the most courageous books of our time. In language that is thoroughly erudite but compassionate, theological but practical, and scriptural but entirely relevant to today, the author presents the deeper significance of Paul’s plea to the Christians at Phillipi: ‘Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. ‘". ~ From the Publisher
Since the great works of classic Greek philosophy are seldom taught either at the high school or college level, the author gives a brief but convincing grounding in Aristotle. Proceeding through other great thinkers like Thomas Aquinas, he relentlessly shows the universal applicability of moral principles. The book is a very effective foil for those post-modern thinkers who believe (without proof) that mankind has moved beyond the natural law, or that there is no such thing. The book is written at a very readable level. ~ W. Patrick Cunningham
The intertestamental and first-century background information alone is worth the price of the book. Blomberg offers a concise treatment of critical methodologies (Historical Criticism and Literary Criticism), and then an eminently readable and interesting intro to the four gospels. Blomberg’s survey of the life of Christ is as good or better than anything I have seen. What sets Blomberg’s work on Jesus slightly ahead of that of Robert Stein (Jesus the Messiah) is, again, readability. Blomberg offers a chapter on the external evidence for the reliability of the gospels which seems to be basically a summary of his work from 1987 (Historical Reliability of the Gospels). He sums up this great work with a challenging look at the theology of Jesus. ~ Buddy Boone
One of the most important Anglo-American philosophers of our time here joins the current philosophical debate about the nature of truth with a work likely to claim a place at the very center of the contemporary philosophical literature on the subject. William P. Alston formulates and defends a realist conception of truth, which he calls alethic realism (from “aletheia,” Greek for “truth”). This idea holds that the truth value of a statement (belief or proposition) depends on whether what the statement is about is as the statement says it is. Although this concept may seem quite obvious, Alston says, many thinkers hold views incompatible with it — and much of his book is devoted to a powerful critique of those views. Michael Dummett and Hilary Putnam are two of the prominent and widely influential contemporary philosophers whose anti-realist ideas he attacks. Alston discusses different realist accounts of truth, examining what they do and do not imply. He distinguishes his version, which he characterizes as “minimalist,” from various “deflationary” accounts, all of which deny that asserting the truth of a proposition attributes a property of truth to it. He also examines alethic realism in relation to a variety of metaphysical realisms. Finally, Alston argues for the importance — theoretical and practical — of assessing the truth value of statements, beliefs, and propositions. ~ Product Description
To illustrate this, consider the contrast between demon-possession and the “control” of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian. Inspiration, in the biblical authors’ cases, is not symmetrical with demon-possession at all. Demon-possession as recorded in the gospels suppressed the personality of the ‘host’; the Christian experience of the Spirit of God liberates our person to manifest its true character. We are designed to produce “self-control” (Gal 5.23!). The true dance with God brings our inner robustness and personality out to joyous expression. We become more ‘us’ than we could be otherwise.
Geivett and Habermas have collected some of the best available scholars around today to present a case for the actions of God in human history. The book begins with David Hume’s work on miracles along with a response from Antony Flew (the eminent Humean scholar). Then, a barrage of Christian philosophers and theologians tackle the issue of miracles in each chapter. Some of the chapter titles include – “Defining Miracles” (Richard Purtill), “Miracles and the Modern Mind” (Norman L. Geisler), “History and Miracles” (Francis J. Beckwith), “Recognizing a Miracle” (Winfried Corduan), “Science, Miracles, Agency Theory, & the God-of-the-Gaps” (J.P. Moreland), “The Evidential Value of Miracles” (Douglas Geivett), “Miracles in the World Religions” (David K. Clark), “The Incarnation of Jesus Christ” (John S. Feinberg), “The Empty Tomb of Jesus” (William Lane Craig), “The Resurrection Appearances of Jesus” (Gary R. Habermas), and more.
Our willingness to accept scientific claims that are against common sense is the key to an understanding of the real struggle between science and the supernatural. We take the side of science in spite of the patent absurdity of some of its constructs, in spite of its failure to fulfill many of its extravagant promises of health and life, in spite of the tolerance of the scientific community for unsubstantiated just-so stories, because we have a prior commitment, a commitment to materialism. It is not that the methods and institutions of science somehow compel us to accept a material explanation of the phenomenal world, but, on the contrary, that we are forced by our a priori adherence to material causes to create an apparatus of investigation and a set of concepts that produce material explanations, no matter how counterintuitive, no matter how mystifying to the uninitiated. Moreover, that materialism is absolute, for we cannot allow a Divine Foot in the door. The eminent Kant scholar Lewis Beck used to say that anyone who could believe in God could believe in anything. To appeal to an omnipotent deity is to allow that at any moment the regularities of nature may be ruptured, that miracles may happen.
FOR CHRISTIAN SCHOLARS & STUDENTS:
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE TASK OF INTEGRATING
THE CHRISTIAN FAITH INTO THE ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES
The purpose of this selected bibliography is to be an aid and introduction into the subject of integrating the Christian faith into the academic disciplines. We suggest that one begin by reading the books and articles that are cited specifically for academic integration first and then move into the various resources suggested under the headings below. An extensive bibliography for academic integration at this site will be forthcoming.
A. Books on Academic Integration:Malik, Charles. A Christian Critique of the University. Downers Grove Ill: InterVarsity Press, 1982.
________. The Two Tasks. Westchester, IL.: Cornerstore, 1980.
Marsden, George. The Outrageous Idea of Christian Scholarship. Oxford: Oxford Press, 1997.
Plantinga, Alvin. The Twin Pillars of Christian Scholarship. (The Stob Lectures) Grand Rapids, MI: Calvin College and Seminary, 1990.
________. “On Christian Scholarship” in The Challenge and Promise of a Catholic University, Ed. Theodore Hesburgh, Notre Dame and London: University of Notre Dame Press, 1994.
C. Selected Bibliography on “Calling” or “Vocation”:
Bernbaum, John and Simon Steer. Why Work?: Careers and Employment in Biblical Perspective. (Baker Book House, 1986) [OP]
Calvin, John. “Vocation,” Institutes of the Christian Religion III.X.VI.
Cotton, John. “Sermons on Calling,” in The Way Of Life, or God’s Way And Course, In Bringing the Soul Into, Keeping It In, And Carrying It On, In The Way Of Life And Peace. (A.M.S. Press, 1983).
Guinness, Os. The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life. (Word Publishing, 1998).
Hardy, Lee. Fabric of This World: Inquiries into Calling, Career Choice, and the Design of Human Work. (Eerdmans, 1990)
Helm, Paul. The Callings: The Gospel in the World. (Banner of Truth, 1988).
Marshall, Paul. A Kind of Life Imposed on Man: Vocation and Social Order from Tyndale to Locke. (Banner of Truth, 1996)
Perkins, William. “A Treatise of the Vocations or Callings of Men,” in Ian Breward, ed., The Work of William Perkins. (The Sutton Courtenay Press, 1970).
Ryken, Leland. Redeeming the Time: A Christian Approach to Work and Leisure. (Baker, 1995).
Volf, Miroslav. Work in the Spirit: Toward a Theory of Work. (Oxford, 1991) [OP].
Wingren, Gustaf. Luther on Vocation, trans. by Carl Rasmussen. (Muhlenberg Press, 1957).
D. Books on the Life of the Christian Mind
(of high relevance to academic integration and the Christian world view):
Blamires, Harry. The Christian Mind: How Should a Christian Think? New York: Seabury Press, 1963.
Glaspey, Terry W. Great Books of the Christian Tradition. Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House, 1996.
Holmes, Arthur. Contours of a Worldview. Grand Rapids, MI.: Eerdmans, 1983.
________. The Making of a Christian Mind: A Christian World View and the Academic Enterprise. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1985.
Moreland, J.P. Love Your God with All Your Mind: The Role of Reason in the Life of the Soul. Colorado Springs, CO.: Navpress, 1997.
Noll, Mark A. The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994.
Sire, James W. Discipleship of the Mind. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1990.
________. The Universe Next Door: A Basic World View Catalogue. 3rd ed. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1997.
Guinness, Os. Fit Bodies, Fat Minds. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994.
________. The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life. Nashville: Word Publishing, 1998.
E. Books about Science:
Bauman, Michael. Man and Creation: Perspective on Science and Technology. Hillsdale, MI: Hillsdale College Press, 1993.
Behe, Michael J. Darwin’s Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution. New York: Free Press, 1996.
Bohlin, Raymond G. and Lane P Lester. The Natural Limits to Biological Change. Dallas, Texas: Probe Books, 1989.
Bradley, Walter, R.L. Olsen, and C. B. Thaxton. The Mystery of Life’s Origins. Dallas, Texas: Lewis and Stanley, 1984.
Bube, Richard. Putting It All Together: Seven Patterns for Relating Science and the Christian Faith. Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1995.
Craig, William Lane, and Quentin Smith. Theism, Atheism, and Big Bang Cosmology. Oxford: Clarendon, 1993.
Dembski, William A. Mere Creation: Science, Faith, and Intelligent Design. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1998.
Hummel, Charles. The Galileo Connection: Resolving Conflicts between Science and the Bible. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1986.
Johnson, Phillip E. Defeating Darwinism by Opening Minds. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1997.
________. Reason in the Balance. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1995.
McGrath, Alister E. The Foundations of Dialogue in Science and Religion. Malden, MA: Blackwell, 1996.
Moreland, J. P. Christianity and the Nature of Science: A Philosophical Investigation. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House Company, 1989.
________, ed. The Creation Hypothesis. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1994.
________. and Ciocchi, David M., eds. Christian Perspectives on Being Human. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1993.
Polkinghorne, John. Belief in God in an Age of Science. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1996.
________. Quarks, Chaos, and Christianity: Questions to Science and Religion. New York: Crossroad, 1996.
Ratzsch, Del. Philosophy of Science: The Natural Sciences in Christian Perspective. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1986.
________. The Battle of the Beginnings: Why Neither Side is Winning the Creation- Evolution Debate. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1996.
Ross, Hugh. The Creator and the Cosmos. Colorado Springs, CO.: NavPress, 1993.
_________. The Fingerprint of God. Orange, CA.: Promise Publishing, 1989.
Wright, Richard T. Biology Through the Eyes of Faith. San Francisco: Harper &Row, 1989.
Wolterstorff, Nicholas. Reason Within the Bounds of Religion. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 1984.
Best, Harold. Music Through the Eyes of Faith. San Francisco: Harper, 1983.
Brown, Colin. Christianity and Western Thought. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1990.
Clouse, Robert, ed. Wealth and Poverty: Four Christian Views of Economics. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1984.
Evans, C. Stephen. Preserving the Person. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, (Reprint)1982.
Gallager, Susan and Roger Lundin. Literature Through the Eyes of Faith. San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1989.
Johnson, Phillip E. Objections Sustained: Subversive Essays on Evolution, Law & Culture. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1998.
Lyon, David. Sociology and the Human Image. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1983.
Marsden, George, and Frank Roberts, eds. A Christian View of History? Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1975.
Milbank, John. Theology and Social Theory: Beyond Secular Reason. Oxford: Blackwell, 1990.
Montgomery, John Warwick. The Shape of the Past. Minneapolis: Bethany, 1975.
________. Where is History Going? Reprint, Minneapolis: Bethany, 1972.
Moreland, J. P., and David M. Ciocchi, eds. Christian Perspectives on Being Human. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1993.
Nash, Ronald. Christian Faith and Historical Understanding. Dallas, Texas.: Probe Books, 1984.
________. Freedom, Justice, and the State. Washington, D.C.: University Press of America, 1980.
________. Poverty and Wealth. Dallas, Texas.: Probe Books, 1986.
________. Social Justice and the Christian Church. Milford, MI.: Mott Media, 1983.
________. The Concept of God. Grand Rapids, MI.: Zondervan, 1983.
________. The Gospel and the Greeks: Did The New Testament Borrow from Pagan Thought? Dallas, Texas.: Probe Books, 1992.
Neuhaus, Richard John. The Naked Public Square: Religion and Democracy In America. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1984.
Olasky, Marvin. Prodigal Press: The Anti-Christian Bias of the American News Media. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 1988.
Stone, Ronald H., Ed. Reformed Faith and Politics. Washington, D. C.: University Press of America, 1983.
________. Telling the Truth: How to Revitalize Christian Journalism. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 1996.
Van Leeuwen, Mary Stewart. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice: A Christian Looks at the Changing Face of Psychology. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1983.
Vitz, Paul. Psychology As Religion: The Cult of Self-Worship. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994.
Wells, Ronald. History Through the Eyes of Faith. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1989.
Wolterstorff, Nicholas. Art in Action: A Christian Aesthetic. Grand Rapids, MI.: Eerdmans, 1980.
________. Until Justice and Peace Embrace. Grand Rapids, MI.: Eerdmans, 1983.
________. Works and Worlds of Art. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1980.
I. Philosophy Books (and references) Helpful for Academic Integration:
Epistemology:
Clark, Kelly James. Return to Reason: A Critique of Enlightenment Evidentialism and a Defense of Reason and Belief in God. Grand Rapids, MI.: Eerdmans Publishing, 1990.
Evans, C. Stephen and Westphal, Merold, eds. Christian Perspectives on Religious Knowledge. Grand Rapids, MI.: 1993.
Geivett, R. Douglas, and Sweetman, Brendan, eds. Contemporary Perspectives on Religious Epistemology. New York: Oxford Press, 1992.
Plantinga, Alvin. Warrant and Proper Function. New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993.
________. Warrant the Current Debate. New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993.
Wolfe, David L. Epistemology: The Justification of Belief. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1982.
Wolterstorff, Nicholas. Reason Within the Bounds of Religion. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI.: Eerdmans, 1984.
Metaphysics:
Alston, William. A Realist Conception of Truth. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press, 1996.
Hart, Hendrik. Understanding Our World: An Integral Ontology. Landham, MD.: University Press of America, 1984.
Hasker, William. Metaphysics: Constructing a World View. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1983.
Grossmann, Reinhardt. The Existence of World: An Introduction to Ontology. New York: Routledge, 1992.
Moreland, J. P. Christianity and the Nature of Science: A Philosophical Investigation. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House Company, 1989.
Ethics:
Budziszewki, J. Written on the Heart: The Case for Natural Law. Downers Grove, Il.: InterVarsity Press, 1997.
Grenz, Stanley. Sexual Ethics: An Evangelical Perspective. Louisville, KY.: Westminster John Knox Press, 1990.
Jones, D.C. Biblical Christian Ethics. Grand Rapids, MI.: Baker Books, 1994.
Pojman, Louis P. Ethics: Discovering Right and Wrong. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 1995.
Rae, S. B. and Wong, K.L. (Eds.) Beyond Integrity: A Judeo-Christian Approach to Business Ethics. Grand Rapids, MI., 1996.
Logic:
Copi, Irving M. Introduction to Logic. 7th ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1986.
Geisler, Norman and Ronald Brooks. Come Let Us Reason: An Introduction to Logical Thinking. Grand Rapids, MI.: Baker Book House, 1990.
Miller, Richard W. Study Guide to Introduction to Logic (Copi). 7th ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1986.
Philosophical References:
Audi, Robert, ed. The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995.
Edwards, Paul, ed. The Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 7th ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing, 1967.
Copleston, Frederick. History of Philosophy. IX Volumes. New York: Bantam Doubleday, 1993.