By Diogenes Allen - Primary Readings in Philosophy for Understanding Theology: 1st (first) Edition

by Diogenes Allen

The writings included here deal with philosophical issues crucial to the understanding of theology and include responses to those questions from Plato to the present.

Genres: Philosophy, Theology, Religion, Reference, Christianity

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Matt Pitts · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating collection of primary source readings with very brief (less than a page) introductions. Many of these I likely would not have read anywhere else.

[David Fuquay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had found this book when I was started seminary. By far the best introduction I have found of the philosophical constructs upon which Christian doctrine rests. Philosophy majors may roll their eyes at the limited scope of the book because Allen uses philosophy only in service to theology. But for those of us who care little for philosophical study for its own sake,the book is a welcome edition.

Allen covers Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Nominalism, Humanism, Rationalism, Empiricism, Kant, Hegel, Existentialism, Phenomenology, Analytic Philosophy, and others. I did not find as much to help with current variations of postmodern theology. Nonetheless, an essential read before church history, Christian doctrine, and historical theology courses. Or for rapidly aging pastors who still miss seminary.

[Zachary Horn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting collection of primary readings. This project is an intriguing contribution, and the half-page introductions are a well executed framework for connecting these works together. My primary complaint is that by nature of engaging with so many works mid thought, it was often very challenging to construct the argument that you are being forced to engage midstream. This problem is compounded by the technical, ambiguous and frequently obscure ways in which certain authors (particularly the later philosophers) used terms and concepts, that without the whole of their argument, made the excerpts provided here nearly incomprehensible.

[Ethan Moehn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only read about 60% of this book for a class. It’s all primary sources. It’s good for what it is, but the writing is very esoteric. Would not read again apart from brief reference.

[Andy Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not really a huge fan of select readings in areas of philosophy; it doesn't feel any more helpful than reading secondary sources. Editors can do what they please. Also, philosophers are just terrible writers in general. Although, I will say that Flew and Descartes are welcome exceptions to this rule.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a compilation of helpful texts, but it is nothing more than a collection of primary philosophy sources. However I must say, they are well-selected in understanding the march of human idea throughout history.

[Brett Vanderzee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great little primer in Western philosophy. It’s geared towards theologians but could obviously benefit a host of readers. I also recommend Allen’s preceding original volume “Philosophy for Understanding Theology,” but I must say, reading the thinkers themselves—Plato, Aristotle, Anselm, Aquinas, Kant, Wittgenstein, et al.—was all the more delightful (if more challenging at times). This is a worthwhile compendium that invites much deeper diving.

[Mitchell Traver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read most of the book for an assigned class. As one might imagine, some snippets were better than others depending on the reader and the expectations at hand. But the composition of the book itself, so conveniently and neatly organized, was extremely helpful. For a Christian Philosophy class, I thought the book was a great tool.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

helpful selections and brief context summaries before each selection

[Samuel Bierig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super good. Gets right to the nerve of Phil. and Theo. by allowing you to read selected Philosophical works from the greats that shifted the tectonics if you will.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good collection of primary sources. Some key ones I feel are lacking, but it is hard to narrow it down.

[Natalie Lapointe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly hated every second of this one

[Clark McGehee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mean there isn’t much I can do to rate this book, considering none of the works are the authors, they only chose sections of other authors. But I enjoyed their choices.