An Introduction to Philosophy: A Christian Guide to the Things that Really Matter - Hardcover

Sherman, Steven B.; Holland, Richard A.; Osmundsen, Gary S.; Rasor, Peter J.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0310111730 ISBN 13: 9780310111733

Publisher: Zondervan Academic, 2025

Synopsis

Designed for students in Christian colleges and seminaries, An Introduction to Philosophy surveys the four main areas of philosophy - logic, metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics - in an accessible and engaging manner. Yet, it also covers important topics sometimes left unaddressed in introductions, including:

• why philosophy matters in our day
• critical thinking and intellectual virtue
• a brief history of philosophy
• philosophical hermeneutics
• the relationship between philosophy, faith, and worldview
• religious epistemology
• bioethics, sexual ethics, other types of ethics
• a Christian philosophy of life

Grounded in the Christian intellectual tradition, each chapter in An Introduction to Philosophy includes student-friendly features such as chapter summaries, explanatory sidebars, reflection questions, vocabulary words and definitions, and suggestions for further reading. Professors and students will find it to be a broad and useful overview, perfect for undergraduate and seminary students alike.

About this title

About the Authors

Steven B. Sherman (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is associate professor of philosophy at Grand Canyon University (Phoenix, AZ). Steve has taught philosophy, apologetics, ethics, theology, hermeneutics, and world religion courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels. He and Lynn enjoy being desert dwellers and bi-coastal travelers, regularly visiting family, friends, and national parks.

Richard A. Holland, Jr. (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) is currently serving as assistant professor of philosophy at Grand Canyon University. Since 2008, Rich has taught various courses including philosophy of religion, ethics, epistemology, and Christian apologetics at the undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate levels, at both public and private universities. He and his family live in Goodyear, Arizona.

Gary S. Osmundsen (PhD, University of Oklahoma) is a professor of philosophy at Grand Canyon University. Since 2008, he has taught various undergraduate courses in philosophy—specifically, logic, introduction to philosophy, critical reasoning, ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology. He and his wife Julie live in Phoenix, Arizona with their four children.    

Peter J. Rasor II is presently the Senior Pastor of Lilburn Christian Church in Lilburn, GA, and teaches philosophy adjunctly at Grand Canyon University (Phoenix, AZ) and Bethel University (Mishawaka, IN). He previously served as assistant professor of philosophy at Grand Canyon University (2015-2023). He is co-author of Controversy of the Ages (2017) and author of the fantasy novel The Plague of Kosmon: Rise of the Seer. He holds a ThM in theology and PhD in philosophy from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville, KY).

Edition details

• Publisher: Zondervan Academic
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0310111730
• ISBN 13: 9780310111733
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 416