Theologians & Philosophers

Store Location

At face value, a philosopher is a lover of wisdom. The Greek words philos and sophia mean "love" and "wisdom" respectively, and this is certainly the kind of philosopher Socrates tried to be. Ever since the Enlightenment, however, academics have been trying to overcomplicate things, and for most secular thinkers a philosopher is one who attempts through his own reason and observation of the world to construct a complete, coherent, and consistent explanation and theory of all things.

A theologian, on the other hand, is exactly what he sounds like—one who studies God. Men at various times have attempted to deter theology from this noble course (particularly the German liberals in the 18th and 19th centuries), and in fact there are still those who call themselves "liberal theologians," but they don't really study what they claim to. Liberal theology is more concerned with man than God. Real theologians, however, reflect on God to learn more about Him and about His creation (most notably, mankind).

Ever since Tertullian (and probably before), Christians have argued about the relationship of theologians to philosophers. is there such a thing as a Christian philosopher? Can there be? In the secular sense, the answer is clearly no. Everything we can or need to know about life and the cosmos God has revealed to us, either through His Word or generally through His creation. Does this mean every Christian thinker who isn't a scientist or mathematician is a theologian? Was Soren Kierkegaard a theologian or a philosopher? What about St. Augustine, or C.S. Lewis?

Without getting into the doctrinal implications of such a statement, it might be easier to think of philosophers and theologians in terms of prophecy. Not all prophecy is concerned with telling the future: plenty (perhaps even most) is simply the illumination of difficult concepts or a preaching of the truth in response to heresy or immorality. In this sense, anyone defending God's truth against man's, anyone using divine revelation as found in the Bible as his standard for all things, is a prophet; secular philosophers, then, are false prophets.

Christians don't need to invent their own explanation for anything. God has given us His, and that is enough. That doesn't mean we can't deepen our understanding—we can, and should. We do need to compare everything to Scripture, however, and that is what Christian thinkers can help us do better than just about anyone else. Having some knowledge of their lives isn't absolutelynecessary for understanding their ideas, but to see how pious Christian thinkers were, or how wicked their secular counterparts, can offer important insights on our quest for truth.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he is a husband and father, teaches adult Sunday school in his Presbyterian congregation, and likes weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur.Read more of his reviews here.

Did you find this review helpful?

Parent Categories

Fiction & Literature

Biographies

Biography by Type of Person

Theologians & Philosophers

Subcategories

Theologians On the Christian Life

65 Items found Print

	Against the World The Odyssey of Athanasius by Henry Coray from Inheritance Publications Biography for 5th-8th grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $9.95
	An Autobiography or The Story of My Experiments with Truth by M. K. Gandhi from Navajivan Publishing House for Adult in History for Adults (Location: ADU-HIS) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Augustine on the Christian Life Transformed by the Power of God Theologians on the Christian Life by Gerald Bray from Crossway Books for 9th-Adult in Practical Christian Living (Location: XCL-PRAC)
	Autobiography of G. K. Chesterton by G. K. Chesterton from Ignatius Press Autobiography for 10th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $18.95
	Bavinck on the Christian Life Following Jesus in Faithful Service Theologians on the Christian Life by John Bolt 1^st edition from Crossway Books for Adult in Practical Christian Living (Location: XCL-PRAC)
	Bonhoeffer on the Christian Life From the Cross, for the World Theologians on the Christian Life by Stephen J. Nichols from Crossway Books for Adult in Practical Christian Living (Location: XCL-PRAC)
	Bonhoeffer: The Cost of Freedom - Audio Drama (CD) Focus on the Family Radio Theatre from Tyndale House for 4th-9th grade in Audio Books & Dramas (Location: CD-AUDIO) $17.99
	C. S. Lewis: A Life Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet by Alister McGrath from Tyndale House for 10th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $24.99 $18.00 (1 in stock)
	C. S. Lewis: The Man Behind Narnia by Beatrice Gormley from Eerdmans Biography for 9th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $16.00
	Calvin on the Christian Life Glorifying and Enjoying God Forever Theologians on the Christian Life by Michael Horton 1^st edition from Crossway Books for Adult in Practical Christian Living (Location: XCL-PRAC)
	Chesterton's Tavern A Great Writer's Thoughts on Life and Things of Wisdom by Kevin Belmonte from Canon Press for Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $17.95
	Common Sense 101 Lessons from G. K. Chesterton by Dale Ahlquist from Ignatius Press for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $18.95
	Confucius: The Golden Rule by Russell Freedman from Scholastic Inc. for 4th-8th grade 2003 NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor Book in Biographies (Location: BIO)
	Cornelius Van Til An Analysis of His Thought by John Frame from P&R Publishing for 11th-Adult in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF) $16.00 (1 in stock)
	Cornelius Van Til An Analysis of His Thought by John Frame from P&R Publishing for 11th-Adult in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF) $20.00 (1 in stock)
	Edwards on the Christian Life Alive to the Beauty of God Theologians on the Christian Life by Dane C. Ortlund from Crossway Books for Adult in Practical Christian Living (Location: XCL-PRAC)
	Faith of Our Fathers: Scenes from American Church History by Mark Sidwell, editor from Bob Jones University Press Church History Reference for 7th-12th grade in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS) $7.50 (1 in stock)
	Francis Schaeffer A Mind and Heart for God by Bruce Little, ed. from P&R Publishing for 10th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $12.99
	George MacDonald Scotland's Beloved Storyteller by Michael R Phillips Illustrated Edition from Bethany House for 11th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $18.00 (1 in stock)
	George MacDonald Scotland's Beloved Storyteller by Michael R Phillips from Bethany House for 11th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $10.00 (1 in stock)
	George Whitefield by Arnold A. Dallimore from Crossway Books for 9th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $14.50
	George Whitefield: Wayfaring Witness by Stuart C. Henry from Abingdon Press for 9th-Adult in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS) $7.50 (1 in stock)
	Heralds of the Reformation Thirty Biographies of Sheer Grace by Richard Hannula from Canon Press for 5th-Adult in Church History for Kids (Location: XCH-KID) $15.00
	Humble Leader John Stott by Julia Cameron from Christian Focus Publications for 4th-6th grade in TorchBearers & TrailBlazers (Location: BIO-TRAIL) $8.99
	Ignatius of Antioch The Man Who Faced Lions Heroes of the Faith by Dr. Sinclair Ferguson from Banner of Truth Trust for 3rd-6th grade in Church History for Kids (Location: XCH-KID)
	Incredible Scofield and His Book by Joseph M. Canfield 2^nd edition from Chalcedon / Ross House Books for Adult in Covenant Theology (Location: XTH-COV) $24.00
	Irenaeus of Lyons The Man Who Wrote Books Heroes of the Faith by Dr. Sinclair Ferguson from Banner of Truth Trust for 3rd-6th grade in Church History for Kids (Location: XCH-KID) $14.00
	John Owen Christian Biographies for Young Readers by Simonetta Carr from Reformation Heritage Books for 2nd-6th grade in Church History for Kids (Location: XCH-KID)
	Jonathan Edwards A New Biography by Iain H. Murray from Banner of Truth Trust for 11th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $33.00
	Letters of Geerhardus Vos by Geerhardus Vos, James T. Dennison, Jr. from P&R Publishing for Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $18.00
	Life and Times of Archbishop James Ussher An Intriguing Look at the Man Behind The Annals of the World by J. A. Carr from Master Books Biography for 10th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $6.00
	Life of Martyn Lloyd-Jones: 1899-1981 by Iain H. Murray from Banner of Truth Trust for 10th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO)
	Lone Journey The Life of Roger Williams by Jeanette Eaton, illustrated by Woodi Ishmael from Harcourt for 7th-10th grade 1945 Newbery Honor Book in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
	Lord of the Elves and Eldils Fantasy and Philosophy in C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien by Richard L. Purtill 2^nd edition from Ignatius Press for 9th grade-Adult in Lord of the Rings (Location: LIR-LOTR)
	Luther on the Christian Life Cross and Freedom Theologians on the Christian Life by Carl R. Trueman from Crossway Books for Adult in Practical Christian Living (Location: XCL-PRAC)
	Mighty Weakness of John Knox (A Long Line of Godly Men Profile) Long Line of Godly Men Profiles by Douglas Bond from P&R Publishing for 9th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $16.00
	Newton on the Christian Life To Live Is Christ Theologians On the Christian Life by Tony Reinke from Crossway Books for Adult in Practical Christian Living (Location: XCL-PRAC)
	Not a Tame Lion The Spiritual Legacy of C. S. Lewis Leaders in Action Series by Terry Glaspey from Cumberland House Biography for 9th-Adult in Leaders in Action (Location: BIO-LIA)
	Not a Tame Lion The Spiritual Legacy of C. S. Lewis Leaders in Action Series by Terry Glaspey from Cumberland House Biography for 9th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $7.96
	Out of My Life and Thought by Albert Schweitzer Reprint from Henry Holt and Company for Adult in History for Adults (Location: ADU-HIS) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Owen on the Christian Life Living for the Glory of God in Christ Theologians on the Christian Life by Matthew M. Barrett, Michael A. G. Haykin from Crossway Books for Adult in Practical Christian Living (Location: XCL-PRAC)
	Packer on the Christian Life Knowing God in Christ, Walking by the Spirit Theologians on the Christian Life by Sam Storms 1^st edition from Crossway Books for Adult in Practical Christian Living (Location: XCL-PRAC) $11.50
	Patrick Henry by JoAnn A. Grote from Chelsea House Publishing for 4th-6th grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Pierre Viret Forgotten Giant of the Reformation by Jean-Marc Berthoud 1^st edition for 9th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $14.50
	Pillars of Grace Volume 2 A Long Line of Godly Men AD 100-1564 from Reformation Trust Publishing for Adult in Church History Overviews (Location: XCH-OVE)
	Polycarp of Smyrna The Man Whose Faith Lasted Heroes of the Faith by Sinclair B. Ferguson from Banner of Truth Trust for 3rd-6th grade in Church History for Kids (Location: XCH-KID) $10.00
	Saint Francis by Brian Wildsmith from Eerdmans for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Biographies (Location: BIO)
	Schaeffer on the Christian Life Countercultural Spirituality Theologians on the Christian Life by William Edgar from Crossway Books for 11th-Adult in Practical Christian Living (Location: XCL-PRAC)
	Seven Men who Rule the World from the Grave by Dave Breese from Moody Press Biography Anthology for 11th-Adult in Philosophy (Location: XWV-PHI) $16.99
	Seven Men Who Rule the World from the Grave by Dave Breese Reprint from Moody Press Biography Anthology for 11th-Adult in Philosophy (Location: XWV-PHI) $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Sor Juana by Elizabeth Martinez from Millbrook Press for Preschool- 3rd Grade in Clearance: Biographies (Location: ZCLE-BIO) $2.00 (1 in stock)
	Spurgeon Heir of the Puritans by Ernest Bacon from Christian Liberty Press Biography for 7th-10th grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $11.75 $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Story of Albert Schweitzer World Landmark #33 by Anita Daniel from Random House for 5th-8th grade in World Landmark Books (Location: VIN-LAN)
	Ten Boys Who Made a Difference by Irene Howat from Christian Focus Publications Biography Collection for 3rd-7th grade in Light Keepers (Location: BIO-LIGHT) $5.50 (2 in stock)
	Ten Boys Who Made History by Irene Howat from Christian Focus Publications Biography Collection for 3rd-7th grade in Light Keepers (Location: BIO-LIGHT)
	Ten Boys Who Used Their Talents by Irene Howat from Christian Focus Publications Biography Collection for 3rd-7th grade in Light Keepers (Location: BIO-LIGHT)
	Thomas Jefferson A Discovery Book by Anne Colver, illustrated by Cary from Garrard Publishing Company for 1st-3rd grade in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
	Tolkien: Man and Myth A Literary Life by Joseph Pearce from Ignatius Press Biography for 11th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $14.95
	Tolkien: Man and Myth A Literary Life by Joseph Pearce from Ignatius Press Biography for 11th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO)
	Trust Thyself A Life of Ralph Waldo Emerson for the Young Reader by James Playsted Wood from Unknown Publisher for 7th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO)
	Value of Honesty The Story of Confucius by Spencer Johnson from Value Communications Inc. for 1st-3rd grade in Character Building (Location: BIB-CH)
	Warfield on the Christian Life Living in Light of the Gospel Theologians on the Christian Life by Fred G. Zaspel Redesign from Crossway Books for Adult in Practical Christian Living (Location: XCL-PRAC)
	Wesley on the Christian Life The Heart Renewed in Love Theologians on the Christian Life by Fred Sanders from Crossway Books for 11th-Adult in Practical Christian Living (Location: XCL-PRAC)
	Wisdom and Innocence A Life of G. K. Chesterton by Joseph Pearce from Ignatius Press Biography for 9th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO)
	Works of Rousseau by Jean-Jacques Rousseau from Walter J. Black, Inc. for Adult in Walter J. Black Classics Club (Location: VIN-LITWJB) $5.00 (1 in stock)

Shop

Support

Hours & Directions

Connect