Can we really think about God? Can we prove God’s existence? What about faith? Are there good reasons to believe in the Christian God? What about evil? Can we really know with our finite minds anything for sure about a transcendent God? Can we avoid thinking about God? The real problem, says philosopher Gregory E. Ganssle, is not whether we can think about God, but whether we will think well or poorly about God. Admittedly there is a lot of bad thinking going around. But Ganssle, who teaches students, wants to help us think better, especially about God. He thinks philosophy can actually help.
In the first part of this book Ganssle lays the groundwork for clear and careful thinking, providing us an introductory guide to doing philosophy.
In the second part Ganssle then takes us through the process of thinking well about God in particular. He asks us to consider whether there are good reasons to believe that God exists. He thinks there are! In a third part Ganssle addresses the thorny issue of the existence both of God and of evil. He thinks there?s a valid way through this problem.
In the final part Ganssle helps us thread our way through questions like: What is God like? What can God do? What can God know? How does God communicate? He thinks that there are some clear answers to these questions, at least if you?re talking about the God of Christianity.
If you’re looking for your first book for thinking clearly and carefully about God, then you’ll appreciate the good thinking found in this book.
Editorial Reviews
Ganssle provides a helpful, introductory guide for many of the most basic philosophical hurdles surrounding matters of faith.
Relevant, Jul/Aug 2007
“This is a superb introduction to philosophical thinking about God. But it is much more than that–it’s a refreshingly clear, compelling and funny introduction to thinking itself, to the world of philosophy. I can’t think of a better way into these subjects than with Ganssle as a guide.”
David A. Horner, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies and Christian Ethics, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and Research Scholar and Minister, Centers for Christian Study, International
“Thinking About God: First Steps in Philosophy is an outstanding book for those who want to learn to think philosophically about God’s existence and nature. Ganssle’s book uses these topics to help the reader learn to work through arguments to reasoned conclusions. Although religious beliefs are often dealt with emotionally, Ganssle shows the reader how to think carefully about them. While other philosophical texts tend to deal with technicalities which make them largely inaccessible to the inexperienced reader, Ganssle’s book is aimed at helping these readers understand the underlying arguments and issues. Hence, this book provides a much-needed resource, a bridge between technical philosophical arguments and the untrained thinker that will be valuable in many churches and the lives of many Christians today. I highly recommend this book to those who wish to learn to think about the God they worship.”
Dr. David Woodruff, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Huntington College, Indiana
“Ganssle does a masterful job of guiding readers through the fundamental philosophical questions about God. He writes with a clarity rarely found in philosophers, simplifying complex issues without descending in simplistic explanations, and does it all with a touch of humor. A great introduction to philosophy of religion.”
Steve Wilkens, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy and Ethics, Azusa Pacific University
