#61: Redeeming Philosophy: How Christian Scholars Changed The Conversation

In the mid-20th century, many in academia assumed that serious philosophy had little room for Christian belief. But in the past fifty-plus years, something remarkable has happened—a quiet revolution in the philosophy departments of leading universities. Christian philosophers have not only entered the conversation; they’ve shaped it, challenged prevailing assumptions, and earned a respected place in scholarly dialogue. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Greg Ganssle, author, philosopher, and Department Chair of Talbot School of Theology’s Philosophy Department. We explore how the revival of Christian philosophy began, the thinkers who helped spark it, and what it means for students of faith navigating the intellectual climate of today’s colleges in all academic departments. In this podcast we discuss: Why conversations about what is really real (including God) were off the table in the early 20th CenturyWhat happened in the 1960s to change this climate in our universitiesHow these changes opened the door for Christian philosophy to re-enter the academic conversationThe importance of intentionally uniting biblical truth and philosophical truth, and of forming community among Christian philosophersThe methodology and strategy of Christian philosophers to renew their discipline for God’s gloryHow Christian philosophers earned respect for their perspectivesThe state of apologetics (applied philosophy) today and in the futureHow students in other majors can apply what we learn from the renaissance of Christian thought in philosophyWhat insight from philosophy has been most helpful to him personally in his walk with Christ Resources mentioned during our conversation: The Society of Christian Philosophers (Journal: Faith and Philosophy)The Evangelical Philosophical Society (Journal: Philosophia Christi)Alvin Plantinga, God and Other Minds: A Study of the Rational Justification of Belief in GodRivendell Institute at Yale UniversityGreg Ganssle, A Reasonable God: Engaging the New Face of AtheismPaul Gould, Cultural Apologetics: Renewing the Christian Voice, Conscience, and Imagination in a Disenchanted WorldGreg Ganssle, Our Deepest Desires: How the Christian Story Fulfills Human AspirationsClifford Williams, Existential Reasons for Belief in God: A Defense of Desires and Emotions for FaithWayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical DoctrineCollege Faith podcasts on CommunityJP Moreland, The Recalcitrant Imago Dei: Human Persons and the Failure of NaturalismStan Wallace, Have We Lost Our Minds? Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human FlourishingArthur Holmes, Contours of a World ViewMark Noll, Jesus Christ and the Life of the MindCloser To Truth (YouTube channel) – short interviews with Christian philosophers and others Tom Morris, ed., God And The Philosophers: The Reconciliation of Faith and ReasonKelly James Clark, ed., Philosophers who Believe: The Spiritual Journeys of 11 Leading Thinkers