When Athens Met Jerusalem: An Introduction to Classical and Christian Thought - Softcover

Reynolds, John Mark

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0830829237 ISBN 13: 9780830829231

Publisher: IVP Academic, 2009

Synopsis

Christian theology shaped and is shaping many places in the world, but it was the Greeks who originally gave a philosophic language to Christianity. John Mark Reynolds's book When Athens Met Jerusalem provides students a well-informed introduction to the intellectual underpinnings (Greek, Roman and Christian) of Western civilization and highlights how certain current intellectual trends are now eroding those very foundations. This work makes a powerful contribution to the ongoing faith versus reason debate, showing that these two dimensions of human knowing are not diametrically opposed, but work together under the direction of revelation.

About this title

About the Author:

John Mark Reynolds (Ph.D., University of Rochester) is founder and director of the Torrey Honors Institute and professor of philosophy at Biola University, California. He is the coeditor (with J. P. Moreland) of Three Views on Creation and Evolution.

Review:

"An excellent book. . .I recommend this resource for all who are in need of a resfresher on the importance of philosophical praxis in our Christian faith." (Aaron Hebberd, Christian Scholar's Review, 2009)

"A biblically solid introduction to the sometimes-deceptive thought of ancient Greece." (Marvin Olasky, World Magazine, March 13, 2010)

"It's one thing to read an introductory text which gives you the raw description or definition of a particular text or figure, but it's another task entirely to do a good job taking these bits of ancient history, and provide a description that makes ideas, figures, and texts come alive in their original conext; Dr. Reynolds does the latter. Ultimately, in developing this narrative, Dr. Reynolds not only seeks to provide a narrative description of the development of these ideas, but he also wants to highlight the influence of classical thought on the development of Christianity, while also arguing that the loss of this classical influence in modern Christianity has been detrimental. Definitely an intriguing read; check it out!" (Norman Jeune III, Christian in Context (christiansincontext.org), July 6, 2009)

"Philosophy of religion specialist and ancient cosmology expert presents the "intellectual underpinnings of Western civilization" and highlights current intellectual trends." (Forword, June 24, 2009)

Listed in the article Ten Theology Books for Your Beach Bag. (Collin Hansen, Christianity Today Online (christianitytoday.com), June 15, 2009)

"Reynolds has taught hundreds and hundreds (more than a thousand!) of three-hour discussion sessions on the great books since founding Torrey about thirteen years ago, and it must have been a monumental task for him to boil all that discourse down into a concise, focused volume like this one. But now the book for Normal People is here, and it is a zippy, compelling, witty, and accessible book written in common English instead of technical language." (Fred Sanders, Scriptorium Daily (scriptoriumdaily.com), May 25, 2009)

"John Mark Reynolds writes with the artistry of a true poet and the insight of a true scholar. His passion for teaching shines through the pages of this book." (Nancy Pearcey, author of Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity)

"John Mark Reynolds is the most stimulating lecturer on the interplay of classical and Christian thought I have ever heard. I have been longing for him to write a book capturing his brilliant ideas on the topic. It is a great blessing that this book has finally arrived--and When Athens Met Jerusalem does not disappoint. It is one of the finest and yet most readable treatments ever in print." (Craig J. Hazen, Ph.D., founder and director of the Christian Apologetics Program, Biola University, and editor of Philosophia Christi)

"It must be a treat to sit in John Mark Reynolds's classroom. In its verve and intelligence, When Athens Met Jerusalem is the next best thing. I wish I had read a book like this when I was a student. The need is even greater today, when even the teachers turn against reason, and every day makes clearer that Jerusalem is Athens's best friend." (J. Budziszewski, University of Texas at Austin, and author of The Line Through the Heart: Natural Law as Fact, Theory, and Sign of Contradiction)

"This is a bold, original, salutary book, written with great passion, wonderful wit and deep love. Reynolds argues, convincingly I think, that Athens and Jerusalem, the classical and the Christian cultures, cannot live apart and are both in danger of perishing unless they are brought together in creative harmony. What is so unusual and so compelling about this appeal is that equal weight and equal appreciation are given to both classical learning and Christian faith. Reynolds has indeed accomplished the truly remarkable feat of replacing the ages-old deadlock between reason and revelation, or faith and reason, with a loving and respectful marriage between the two, and thus foretells of and foresees a new beginning for classical civilization and a revitalization of Christian teaching." (Alfred Geier, University of Rochester)

About this edition

• Publisher: IVP Academic
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0830829237
• ISBN 13: 9780830829231
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 266