[1a] Is not believing what we know irrational, and is believing what we do not know irresponsible? [1b] The problem is that the harmony of humankind under God is lost because in Western societies, understanding of knowledge is set apart from or opposite to faith, and this configuration has led to the global acceptance of scientific knowledge instead of the knowledge of Christ as the truth of reality. [1c] Harmony will be regained by first knowing the reality of God and His presence in human affairs, then by coming to know Christ in the spiritual life, so that ultimately, one can have hope, live well, and bring that knowledge and hope to others.
[1d] Dallas Willard (1935-2013), an American philosopher and a professor and director of the School of Philosophy at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, presents the reasons anyone can trust spiritual knowledge of Christ in his book of eight chapters, which can be organized into four parts. [1e] The first part includes the first three chapters and opens with an explanation of the value of knowledge as well as issues concerning moral knowledge and worldviews. The second part consists of chapters 4 and 5 and provides arguments for the reality of God and His interventions. The third part consists of chapters 6 and 7 and describes the spiritual discipline in knowing Christ. …show more content…
Besides, the book includes the sections of discussion questions at the end of each chapter, which are most useful for reflection on personal experience relating to the contents. This book is not easy to read, not because the writing is obscure but because it hits deep on many philosophical issues. However, it is an excellent book for pastors in general and Christian leaders and educators in particular to sharpen their understanding of reality and their ministerial purpose in order to serve parishioners in becoming authentic students of
[1d] Dallas Willard (1935-2013), an American philosopher and a professor and director of the School of Philosophy at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, presents the reasons anyone can trust spiritual knowledge of Christ in his book of eight chapters, which can be organized into four parts. [1e] The first part includes the first three chapters and opens with an explanation of the value of knowledge as well as issues concerning moral knowledge and worldviews. The second part consists of chapters 4 and 5 and provides arguments for the reality of God and His interventions. The third part consists of chapters 6 and 7 and describes the spiritual discipline in knowing Christ. …show more content…
Besides, the book includes the sections of discussion questions at the end of each chapter, which are most useful for reflection on personal experience relating to the contents. This book is not easy to read, not because the writing is obscure but because it hits deep on many philosophical issues. However, it is an excellent book for pastors in general and Christian leaders and educators in particular to sharpen their understanding of reality and their ministerial purpose in order to serve parishioners in becoming authentic students of