Geisler and Feinberg in their book, Introduction to Philosophy: A Christian Perspective have made a very valiant attempt to put forth every imaginable view and argument to reiterate, without doubt, the tenacity of the Christian faith to withstand onslaughts of any kind today or in the future. In order to achieve the marginal acceptance of rationalist readers, the authors have repeatedly spoken about the need for critical insight into the Bible. In spite of all this reason vs. revelation debate, there is an underlying determination that is made apparent in the book: this is the determination to overcome any kind of rationalist thought or idea and discount the same in favor of the theory of the existence and supremacy of the Almighty God, as professed by the Bible.
The authors have given in to a certain extent by accepting the fact that Christianity is more of a worldview than a religion as such. They are very certain that every right-thinking Christian believer needs to exercise his right to think and contemplate the veracity of what he is being taught. They do not advocate blind faith and are certainly not fundamentalist in their approach. It is this level of liberalism that the authors advocate. In fact, they would recommend the study of the Christian faith from more than one perspective. It would be ethically right to study it epistemologically and ontologically. In other words, what knowledge one really has and also how one has come by that knowledge.
When on the subject of philosophy, there is always a niggling hesitation in the minds of most philosophers vis-Ă -vis the acceptability of their views by posterity. There might be great minds like Socrates and Plato who professed their own philosophies, not caring about the consequences or the level of acceptance. For authors, Geisler and Feinberg, however, this is a shade different. Right through the book, there is this unwritten plea to the reader to look at philosophy and religion from their points of view. Though this is what most writers do, this is still a difficult proposition for them to achieve without sounding too parochial and pompous.
To be accepted by a broad spectrum of people the authors have brought up theories or empiricism and pragmatism, among other things. Right through, there is for and against the argument that is presented to the reader, hoping that he or she would make the right decision and begin to think in line with the thoughts of the authors. When one has gone through the entire process of sifting through the various isms and ideologies, one is not without a certain level of confusion – probably intended by the authors. The reading experience is very much akin to being in a courtroom where the lawyers are not just legal experts but philosophers and thinkers as well.
All logic and mathematical evaluation slowly give way, very smoothly, to the acceptance of the persistence of the authors in proclaiming that reason and rationalization can never in any way diminish the power of faith for the believer. It is a view of faith that is of greatest importance. “Belief that” seems to be logically prior to “belief in.” Surely no thinking person should “believe in” something if he has no reason to “believe that” it is. (Geisler & Feinberg,1987). Therefore, the ability of Christianity to be a resilient faith, despite all the rationalism and reasoning, is the unwavering philosophy of the book.
References:
Geisler, N.L. & Feinberg, P.D. 1987. Introduction to Philosophy: A Christian Perspective. Baker Academic.