Typical introductions to philosophy make few concessions to beginners. They often require novices to cut their philosophical teeth on texts written for professional philosophers, with little if any explanation of context and key terms. DeWeese and Moreland have come to the beginner’s aid. With clear prose and frequent illustrations and examples, this compact introductory text explores central philosophical questions.
 PHILOSOPHY MADE SLIGHTLYLESS DIFFICULT:A Beginner’s Guideto Life’s Big Questions Garrett J. DeWeese and J. P. Moreland InterVarsity Press, 170 pp.; $15.00 |
The authors’ aim is expressly apologetic. As former pastors, both think that philosophical training is essential for ministry, especially on university campuses. Curiously, the book lacks a chapter devoted to reasons for believing in God, and it does not treat standard objections to theistic belief arising from human and animal suffering. Anyone wishing to think more critically and philosophically about the contours of a Christian worldview will find this a valuable resource.
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Related Elsewhere:
Philosophy Made Slightly Less Difficult is available from Christianbook.com and other book retailers.
More information, including an excerpt, is available from InterVarsity Press.
More about J.P. Moreland and Garrett DeWeese is available from his page at Biola’s Talbot School of Theology.
Christianity Today covered J.P. Moreland’s philosophy program at Biola:
Masters of Philosophy | How Biola University is making inroads in the larger philosophical world. (June 13, 2003)
Forced by Logic | It took philosophy and a friend to convince this atheist. (June 13, 2003)
For book lovers, our 2005 CT book awards are available online, along with our book awards for 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, and 1997, as well as our Books of the Twentieth Century. For other coverage or reviews, see our Books archive and the weekly Books & Culture Corner.
