Reviews (14)

A concise guide to the failures of modernity
Budziszewski has managed to effectively distill the confusion and dislocation of modernity into a convenient, readable, and short text that should grace the home of any thinking Catholic (or Christian in general).His understanding of the Natural Law and its implications for our lives is easily accessible and deeply persuasive.I would recommend this book to anyone seeking an introduction to the intellectual underpinnings of Christian morality.

Brilliant Work that Analyzes Conscience in a Fallen World
"The Revenge of Conscience" is a well written, thoroughly reasoned approach to conscience (and its relation to politics) from a somewhat unique (but conservative) theological position (a position that is neither quite typically evangelical nor quite typically catholic).

Budziszewski is obviously brilliant and his reasoning solid.He defines conscience based upon Paul's description in the book of Romans about gentiles evidencing the "law of God written upon their hearts."He argues that evil is merely the spoiling of the good, and that our God-given conscience, when distorted, may actually reinforce evil instead of restraining it.He exposes the inconsistencies of today's pop value systems and devastates them with pure logic.Ouch!

The reader begins to understand the way those who reject Judeo-Christian values reason.At the heart of this distortion is our fallen condition which suppresses the "law of God written upon our hearts."He refutes the typical Roman Catholic distortion that seems to ignore the suppression of conscience and minimizes the effects of the fall upon human nature; he then contests the opposite imbalance typically held by the reformed position, namely a de-emphasis upon "the law is written upon the hearts" of even the unregenerate.

He addresses the distinction between the church's expectations of fellow believers and the church's expectation of society at large. This then leads Budziszewski to expose the erroneous paradigms proposed by political liberalism and political conservatism.This guy knows how to think, and it is tough to fault his logic.

This is a thought-provoking, deep book that requires readers to think.But it is a stimulating book, well worth the reading.Brilliant.

A Masterpiece of Christian Psychology
A number of other reviewers have summarized the general theme of "The Revenge of Conscience," as well as commenting on Prof. Budziszewski's considerable gifts as a writer.In short, his basic thesis is that the underlying cause of many of the battlegrounds in our modern "culture wars" can be traced back to mankind's Fall (i.e. sin) and continuing unwillingness to face the reality and consequences of that Fall.

However, while this book is a classic on its own political/sociological terms, what really struck this writer is how Prof. Budziszewski has - perhaps unwittingly - set forth perhaps the most convincing Christian answer to modern psychology.Most branches of secular psychology, assuming that Man is essentially a complex animal, identify primal needs and urges as the underlying foundation of the personality or soul.A la Freud, the repression of those primal urges, which is necessary for civil society, is also the source of psychological quirks and emotional suffering.By contrast, Budziszewski, viewing Man from the Christian perspective as created in God's image, asserts that one's inner nature is dominated by an innate knowledge of right and wrong, good and evil (i.e. natural law or "conscience").However, because man is fallen/sinful, that natural knowledge reveals guilt, which man then tries to repress.According to Budziszewski, it is that repression (or denial) of the reality of guilt and sin which results in psychological suffering - and irrational beliefs and actions in response to that suffering.

In a strange way, Budziszewski's Christian perspective turns Freudian psychology on its head.Instead of the animalistic id, we have a divine conscience.Instead of repressing primal urges, we repress the knowledge of our own sin.Instead of ridding ourselves of false guilt, we need to acknowledge and confess our true guilt.These diametrically opposed views of reality clearly illustrate the fact that ideas do matter - that one's knowledge (or ignorance) of reality will have profound effects on individual, societal, and even geo-political levels.

Reviews (6)

Well-written natural law survey and terse critique
While Budziszewski offers a well-written CliffsNotes-styled survey of natural law thinkers, it is important to note that he avoids allowing his Christian worldview or Weltanschauung to interfere with the discussion - it is only in the concluding third of the text where Budziszewski relates natural law theory of the past and present to the Christian belief system. The text covers natural law thinkers Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, and John Locke, as well as one of the great modern opponents of natural law, John Stuart Mill. Following these four units, the author offers a critique of these thinkers. This critique is very well done, and is a bit terse - only 9 pages long - but the following chapter on recent natural law thinkers is roughly twice the length and offers an excellent survey-within-a-survey that includes sections on Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and secular reconsidersations of natural law (Budziszewski argues that the philosophy of natural law is experiencing a renaissance, and he illuminates some of the current directions that these varied perspectives are taking). Of particular note, the author writes that "...the secular way of thinking is just as full of theological commitments as the other three - just as full of faith, but of a different sort...". Some readers may be interested in the fact that Written on the Heart includes an appendix on elementary reasoning.

Pressing after natural revelation
Although this book is written as sort of a college textbook/primer on natural law, it is a very readable summary of the main theories of natural law, as well as an evaluation of each. Budziszewski also provides a short, but well written apologetic of the Christian view of natural law at the end. That section, as well as the first section on Aristotle, I found to be the most interesting and useful.

He shows how important natural law is in politics (very broadly defined as the partnership in a good life). In an pluralistic era such as we are in, with prevailing theories of post-modernism and humanism, there often seems to be little or no recognized common basis for truth. Many do not even believe in ultimate truth, which presents a sure formula for chaos. As truth continues to be eroded, what common basis for maintaining "the good" in society remains? If ultimate truth is not recognized, then how can morality be determined?

Here is where Budziszewski's book steps into the gap to show, through logical consideration and the common intuition of mankind, that there are in fact moral standards that humanity as a whole recognizes. There is an inherent knowledge of good and evil, written on our heart, as Romans 2:15 says. He also has excellent discussions on how is is possible for humans to obscure or distort this law written on their heart so that they ignore it or twist it to the detriment of themselves and their fellow members of society. Coming to a common recognition of natural law principles is an important part of governing a pluralistic society where not everyone accepts the authority and inspiration of the Christian Bible and the Law contained therein.

But God in His providence has written the essential content of the Law on the hearts of all mankind. Budziszewski does a fine job of showing this to be true, and his argument would even be persuasive to non-Christians. He also clearly delineates between natural revelation and "special revelation", and how natural revelation does not lead one to a saving knowledge of God in Christ Jesus (whereas "special revelation"--i.e. the Bible/Word of God--does). Budziszewski also does a fine job of answering critics of natural law theory, both from Christian and non-Christian contenders.

NATURAL LAW: ARISTOTLE, ST. PAUL, AND AQUINAS v. THE MODERNS
As part of the modern revival of Natural Law thinking this book is very welcome. It is pitched at undergraduates but would also be useful in pre-university courses in philosophy, law, and politics, or for an advanced reading group. Questions for reflection/discussion set at the end of each chapter with references for further reading.

Starts with Aristotle's 'Nicomachean Ethics', correctly one step back from the Stoics with regard to the historical roots of NL philosophy, but misses that Plato was the practitioner and Aristotle the theorist. (For two contrasting approaches identifying Plato as the first NL theorist, see C.S. Lewis's 'The Abolition of Man', chapter 1, and John Wild's 'Plato's Modern Enemies and the Theory of Natural Law'. Also John Wild's 'Introduction to Realistic Philosophy', and Plato's 'Republic', Bks. I-IV.)

UNIT ONE: ARISTOTLE

Chapter 1: Politics and the Human Good.
Eight pages: concepts of ethics as a practical science, some definitions according to Aristotle. Useful and concise.

Chapter 2: Moral Excellence & Regime Design
Nine pages: why society in general and civilization in particular is impossible without moral rules underlying law of society. Briefly explains Aristotle's Doctrine of the Mean (ie, moral virtue is usually intentional habitual behaviour pitched between the two extremes of vice.
Eg, Cowardice---COURAGE---Rashness; and,
Stinginess---GENEROSITY---Extravagance.)

Virtues are based on morals and are unified and interrelated. Very brief overview of the types of political regime. Useful and concise.

Chapter 3: Friendship, Justice & the Moral Significance of Law
Nine pages.

UNIT TWO: THOMAS AQUINAS

Chapter 4: The Grand Design of Law
Nine pages: introduces ideas of the great Aquinas on NL, and the relation of Aristotle and the Pauline analysis of Law in Romans. Particular reference to Aquinas' 'Treatise on the Law'. [For which I recommend philosopher/jurisprudence expert R.J. Henle's outstanding Latin text, translation, and commentary 'The Treatise on Law': ISBN: 0-268-01881-2. A good introduction to Aquinas' jurisprudence, theology, and philosophy combined. Supplies essential background notes in clipp'd Aquinan style]. An excellent chapter.

Chapter 5: The Law of Nature & The Law of Man
Twelve pages: common theoretical objections to NL discussed with ref. to Aquinas. Explanation of relation of general morals to their practical implementation as specific law and statute in a national setting. Good debunking attack on Margaret Mead/Samoan mythmaking. Good discussion point on Prohibition. Good chapter.

Chapter 6: Human Law & Regime Design
Thirteen pages: bad laws and what to do about them. The forms of government (monarchy, aristocracy, democracy), their good and bad forms.

UNIT THREE: JOHN LOCKE

Chapter 7: The State of Nature & The Social Contract
Nine pages: summary of Locke's theory of government by social contract; Kant and other sundries. [Locke's theory not coherent, so mere summary as opposed to refutation is also less than coherent. See John Wild's 'Plato's Modern Enemies' pp.127-133 for better analysis.]

Chapter 8: Two Views of Natural Law
Twelve pages: pot-pourri. Theology-and-political theory-and-practice discussion of the putative ancient v. modern positions on NL. Unfortunately Hobbes', and especially Locke's, use of NL terminology is taken as proof simpliciter of their proper belief in the essential tenets of NL theory: not true. They have the form of words but not the power thereof. (See John Wild, 'Plato's Modern Enemies', pp.123-133, for decisive proof of their subjectivist tendencies. Hobbes entirely lacks NL foundations, but the equivocal Locke hath them secundum quid. Locke may quote Hooker, but only agrees with him in practice, not in ontology. [Consider Locke's simplistic 'blank slate' theory of mind. Can a blackboard understand the difference between a chalk scribble and a quote from 'Romeo and Juliet'? Would it care if it could?]) Incidentally, Tom Paine is shown to be a full-blown NL theorist and practitioner. A bore, but a good bore.) Useful summary of Just War dogma.

Chapter 9: Private Property & Revolution
Eight pages: discussion of ownership of property, taxation, trade, etc. Discussion of Revolution (internal conflict), not properly distinguished from 'Just War' (international conflict).

UNIT FOUR: JOHN STUART MILL

Chapter 10: The Pleasure Principle
Six pages: hedonism/utilitarianism.

Chapter 11: The Problem with the Pleasure Principle
Twelve pages: the cruel calculus of hedonism.

Chapter 12: Utility & Justice
Five pages: J. S. Mill's shortcomings discussed.

INTERMEZZO: THE ART OF TEACHING
Four pages: on dealing with difficult modern students due to the decay of common sense from: 1) false anthropology/sociology, ie spurious teaching of moral relativism across societies; 2) outright attack, eg J.S. Mill; 3) presentation of artificial ethical quandaries deliberately contrived to cause moral deadlock and confusion [a real second-rater's technique]; meta-ethics--ignoring the facts and just discussing opinions about ideas, eg presenting NL as just another theory of morals, as if there could be any other [there's just NL and degrees of falling away]. Blunt technique for re-inculcation of common sense. It works. An incisive chapter.

UNIT FIVE: WRITTEN ON THE HEART

Chapter 13: A Christian Appraisal of Natural-Law Theory

Seven pages: centrality of concepts of General Revelation, the NL 'written on the heart' (Rom. 2: 14-15) is stressed as essential in witness, in that it is relied upon even when not discussed: without knowledge of sin there can be no salvation. NL is universally understood as it is universal to human nature in all times and place. Basic problem of the human condition is not just lack of knowledge [hence humanistic "education" mantras], but also volitional. A key chapter.

Chapter 14: A Reprise of the Older Thinkers
Eight pages: Aristotle critiqued.
Sophocles' play 'Antigone' attributed to Euripides (p.188)...oops.
Aquinas' critiqued (!).
Confused on Plato: read it yourself instead. 'Apology', then 'Republic'.
Locke's theories attacked. [This should have appeared in ch. 7-9.]

Reviews (29)

Simply Terrible.
A liberal arts education should teach a student how to think, not what to think.If nothing else, college graduates should leave college with the ability to analyze issues and problems critically so that they can thoughtfully consider and address problems and issues that they face in the real world.For example, professors should not attempt to teach student what to think about homosexuality, abortion, the death penalty, affirmative action or any other social issue of the day.Instead, a college education should provide each student with the tools that will enable him or her to reflect on those issues, critically examine with others say about those issues, and reach his or her own conclusions, based on reason and logic.

To put it bluntly, my understanding of college directly conflicts with that of Mr. Budziszewski. This book is all about teaching people what to think, NOT how to think.In this book, Mr. Budziszewski warns his young reader time and time again that he or she will face different points of view on social issues in college and that he or she must stand firm against such view points.He does not encourage his young readers to listen to what others have to say with an open mind. He does not encourage his young readers to think critically about various social issues and to apply reason and logic to reach their own opinions about those issues.Instead, he demands that they think X about issue Y and not listen to anyone who would say differently. This book may be appropriate for a fundamentalist Christian teenager who has made the sad choice to attend a fundamentalist school where anyone who disagrees with the supposedly "correct" view is shunned. BUT this book is certainly not for any teen who has an open mind, nor any young reader who plans on attending a diverse and vibrant liberal arts college.

An essential for any up-and-coming college goer
First off, a note on how to pronounce this guy's last name, which is so helpfully provided at the end of the book: It's Boojee-shefski. There, got that? Took ME long enough!

This book is an essential, and not only for Christians or homeschoolers, but anyone about to enter college. Seeing as how I'm a high school senior now, I found this book excellent prep for what I know I'm getting ready to go through.

In a short 140 pages, J. Budziszewski provides in-depth analysis and information for what to expect in college, and how to deal with it. He discusses how to hang tight to what you know is right, even when close friends, roommates, and peer groups don't. He offers insight on how to cope with non-Christian friends, and counteracts common campus myths, most of them the kind a Christian freshman might not know how to deal with.

He shoots down myths and smokescreens that often render Christians a little lost as to how to respond, even when they know there IS an answer) and brilliantly refutes such myths as moral relativism, atheism, etc.

He offers advice on how to deal with relationships, both friendship and the Deeper Kind, in a chapter that most students will flip right to: Myths about Love and Sex. He offers refreshing encouragement that you CAN stick to your morals and remain chaste in college, and that it's not only obeying God, but rewarding in its own right!

Budziszewsky also hits (briefly) on political issues, something that few can avoid in today's campus life.

Finally, he sums it all up by discussing WHY all this is important, and highlights the fact that you should fit college into God's plan, not God into college plans. He leaves us with a reminder that we are given a purpose in life, a unique meaning of serving the Lord, and how everything around us factors into Eternity, whether we realize it or no.

In case you haven't figured out already, I think this book is brilliant, masterful, and a comprehensive must-have for any up-and-coming collegian. Parents, your sons and daughters are missing out if you don't get this for them. Students, if you can spare the money, this book is guaranteed to give new meaning and purpose into your collegian existence.

Reviews (29)

Obsolete
Though this is essential reading to understand why Evangelicals reject naturalism, there is no coherent version of naturalism attacked in this book, nor are any of the best formulations of naturalism even addressed here. For example, in my book Sense and Goodness without God: A Defense of Metaphysical Naturalism, soon to be released by AuthorHouse, I present a robust and comprehensive naturalistic worldview that refutes or renders moot every argument Moreland presents.

Already a Classical Text
This book, fashioned by J.P. Moreland of Biola University, has stood the test.While it appears as an introductory text; he avoids dumping down the information to the point of making the information irrelevant.In addition, he presents the information with enough technical language and argumentation as to make someone who has not encountered Philosophy of Religion studies before struggle enough to make them grow intellectually.This is the genius of the book, to accomplish this in a primer text.

He goes over most of the standard arguments in apologetics such as the design, cosmological, mind arguments and so forth.His chapter on the Resurrection of Jesus is outstanding and his chapter on Science and Christianity is good introductory fair by surveying the different positions.

I do think that he should have taken his morel relativism critique in his final four issues chapter devoted an entire chapter to this discussion and with the same depth of skill he used in the "design and cosmological" chapters, developed a chapter on relativism and the impact on the agreement from morals.

A Highly Recommended Defense of the Faith
J.P. Moreland, one of today's top evangelical philosophers, released this valuable apologetics work about 15 years ago. Despite its age, the book is very relevant and useful even today.

Throughout the book, Moreland discusses various issues of importance to the Christian faith. The first few chapters cover arguments for the existence of God, such as the Cosmological Argument and the Argument from Mind. Moreland is thorough and persuasive in his powerful presentations of these arguments for a personal Creator.

Moreland also discusses issues dealing with the historicity of the New Testament and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Finishing off the book is a chapter on Christianity and Science, and a chapter that deals with various miscellany.

Reviews (25)

If Dr.Craig writes it, I'll read it
One of the top Apologist of our time. A research prof. at Talbot school of Theology at Biola Univ. Dr. Craig goes into the existence of God arguments like arguements from Cosmology, the Kalam arugement and many others. In the end, William Lane Craig mentions something close to a pastor heart, that is the best apologetic defense is your life. While that shouldn't say we neclect the battle of the minds, that statement coming from someone who is on both sides of the fence means a lot.

Great Job Dr. Craig.

A Great Addition to the Apologist's Library.
William Lane Craig, my favorite Christian apologist, writes an accessible and powerful book in "Reasonable Faith".

Craig discusses many topics of importance- The Existence of God, The Meaning of Life, The Resurrection of Jesus, and more. Every topic is covered in sufficient detail, with Craig's excellent writing style and clarity apparent on every page. Craig is at his best when discussing the Cosmological Argument for God's existence. However, this is by no means the extent of his capability. He is an able defender of all the topics he covers.

One of the best features of "Reasonable Faith" is the "Practical Application" section featured at the end of each chapter. Here, Craig discusses ways in which the material provided can be of use when witnessing to others. As a consequence, Craig's book is very relevant and useful for any Christian living in today's intellectual society.

Unfortunately, Craig does not provide an organized list of "recommended further reads". Also, many of the chapters (in my opinion) focused too heavily on the historical aspects rather than the current arguments. Despite these flaws, however, "Reasonable Faith" is a valuable contribution to the Christian library from an excellent Christian scholar.

Reviews (22)

Sober and Scholarly Defense of Jesus and the Gospels
"Jesus Under Fire" was a collection of essays written by scholars who disagreed with the often-publicised views of the Jesus Seminar (e.g. Robert Funk, John Dominic Crossan, etc.) The general reading public should heed the findings of this book and not just pay attention to the often one-sided presentation of the Jesus Seminar. First and foremost, the Jesus Seminar scholars do NOT represent the majority of Christian scholarship in our world today. More often than not, the scholars who make up the Jesus Seminar are the exceptions from the majority scholars - they are, in truth, the surviving vestige of the liberal scholarship from the previous century who have somehow decided to air their views in the public media.

Craig Blomberg, Scot McKnight, Darrell Bock, Edwin Yamauchi, Michael Wilkins and J.P. Moreland are representative of Christian scholars from different denominational/university background who examine in a very objective manner the methodologies to be employed in our present "search for the historical Jesus", the reliability of the New Testament writings, the place and purpose for scholarly conjectures/hypotheses, a survey of non-canonical writings like the Nag Hammadi writings and the Gnostic works, etc.

The end result is a book that represents for our generation one of the finest defense of the works and words of Jesus as recorded in our Scriptures. It is my prayer that everyone who reads this book will go on from just merely asserting the truth of Jesus' words and works - and go on to study the content of the very same words and works. This will lead you to the truth about the PERSON and TRUTH of the Historical Jesus who is really no different from the Christ of Faith (historic Christianity) - "Jesus Christ, the Son of God" (Mark 1:1).

Preaching to the choir
This is a good book to "restore one's faith" i.e. for those who desparately want to hold on the the truth of Christian doctrines fabricated by the Church in aid of Empire. That is the faith of orthodox Christian belief drummed into the heads of "believers" for centuries through institutional power.

A spiritual practise that requires belief in historic events that happened two thousand years rests on a very weak basis. Historical reconstruction is prone to error ... and much of the received documentation prone to manipulation. No one really knows what happened two thousand years ago .. but if you are desparately wishing to believe it is true no doubt you will be able to find enough "facts" to lull you back to sleep.

Reviews (1)

The origins of capitalism revealed!
"How the West Grew Rich" is a thorough treatise on the rise of capitilism in the nation-states of the west, from feudal society towards modern times.Rosenthal and Birdzell discuss in the appearances of the requirements for capitilism, such as acknowledgment of property rights and consistent and predictable law.Also discussed are the political, social, or economic changes that caused feudal society to crumble and a variety of free markets to gradually take root and then blossom in Europe.