The Consequences of Ideas: Understanding the Concepts that Shaped Our World / Justification by Faith Alone

by R.C. Sproul, Sean Runnette (Narrator)

Sproul's survey of the ongoing impact of history's most influential philosophies urges readers to take prevailing cultural mind-sets seriously . . . because ideas do have consequences. The greatest thinkers of all time are impacting us still. From public-policy decisions and current laws to world events, theology, the arts, education, and even conversations between friends, history's most influential philosophies have wrought massive consequences on nearly everything we see, think, and do. Thus it is critical for Christians to understand the ideas that are shaping them. The greater their familiarity with the streams of thought that have saturated Western culture through the ages, the greater their ability to influence this culture for Christ. With The Consequences of Ideas, now in paperback, R. C. Sproul expertly leads the way for thoughtful readers. Tracing the contours of Western philosophy from the ancients to the molders of modern and postmodern thought-including Plato, Aquinas, Descartes, Kant, and Freud-Sproul proves that ideas are not just passing fads; they endure for generations to come and demand our serious attention.

Genres: Philosophy, Faith, Nonfiction, Audiobook

7 pages, Audiobook

Published May 1, 2010

About the author

Dr. R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship organization located near Orlando, Fla. He was founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.

Ligonier Ministries began in 1971 as the Ligonier Valley Study Center in Ligonier, Pa. In an effort to respond more effectively to the growing demand for Dr. Sproul’s teachings and the ministry’s other educational resources, the general offices were moved to Orlando in 1984, and the ministry was renamed.

Dr. Sproul’s radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online. Dr. Sproul produced hundreds of lecture series and recorded numerous video series on subjects such as the history of philosophy, theology, Bible study, apologetics, and Christian living.

He contributed dozens of articles to national evangelical publications, spoke at conferences, churches, and academic institutions around the world, and wrote more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He signed the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and wrote a commentary on that document. He also served as general editor of the Reformation Study Bible, previously known as the New Geneva Study Bible.

Dr. Sproul had a distinguished academic teaching career at various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and Jackson, Miss. He was ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.

Reviews

[liliana]

this book ensures you do not need to be daunted by philosophy, nor do you need it only through the lens of the secular world. it is an overview and analysis of the most consequential thinkers in the Western world from a reformed Christian’s perspective. Christians should read this to learn how appreciate and respond to philosophy; non-Christians/philosophy-believers should read to learn another perspective on the topic.

i don’t know how to give this book a rating, as it was my introduction to philosophy and I’m rather ambivalent about it (though I do enjoy philosophical thinking, it’s rather close to how my brain works).

if you’re looking for a summarization of philosophy that’s thoughtful, easy to digest, and from a moral standpoint, this is for you.

[Hadlai · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audiobook version of a Ligonier video course I began in 2015 and never finished. I'm obviously going to have to get a physical copy for reference purposes, as he lays out the history of philosophy from Thales to Nietzche both succinctly and philosophically. (And I'd like to hear Dr. Sproul's voice in my head as I read; this narrator was great, but it just wasn't the same.)

[Karleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated this book. But philosophy and me… well I just have a hard time understanding a lot of it, perhaps I need to rewind and study logic. Perhaps having a newborn and listening to this during midnight feedings do not make the ideal conditions for understanding philosophy. I understood enough to appreciate the book, but I may need to revisit these ideas with a clearer mind and more well-rested head!

[Christabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for what it is, a brief overview of philosophical thought and an introduction to its impact on culture. Many of these philosophers have been on my to-read list for exactly that reason.

[Greg M. Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow this is a hard read. I have great respect for this guy but perhaps it was wrong to pick up at random and expect generic Christian inspiration. A hard look at a bunch of philosophies the author considers wrong or harmful. But he probably spent too much time explaining, almost advocating, all these views, without a substantial explanation of a better alternative in each case. At one time he quotes someone saying, "I am in hell," and couldn't help but agree at that moment.

[Brent McDaris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was my first introduction to the history of western thought. It intrigued me very much. To be honest, philosophy was very intimidating to me prior to reading this book. Although I am not a philosophy expert, I have come away with a great appreciation for the background behind our ideas today. After finishing this book I decided to study more and am currently listening to Dr. John Frame’s lectures on the History of Philosophy and Christian Thought on iTunes U.

[Carol Blakeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s hard to rate a book and especially review one that is something that is mostly out of my league. But I think it did what it set out to do, namely give an overview of important philosophers and the impact of their ideas on modern society. This and other books are important to read from time to time in order to understand the moral regression that seems to be the overwhelming trend in western societies.

[Rob Sumrall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Sproul offers up a very concise overview of philosophical streams that have shaped the world. This would be a great book for someone about to start college or take their first philosophy course. For the serious philosophical mind, this book would be too superficial of a treatment to do them much good.

As a student who is over a decade removed from a philosophy class, I found it to be a good refresher.

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent walkthrough of some of the major philosophical thought that has shaped where we are today. The epilogue wraps it up very well with where we are today, setting the choice between religious agnosticism and Christian metaphysics. As our culture heads more and more down the agnosticism path, it puts many things at odds that aren’t in reality.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

R.C. Sproul was a brilliant theologian! This book is a great look at different philosophers who shaped the cultural way of thinking through history. We read this for school and it was very hard to understand all the deep thoughts these men had. Would recommend if you like that sort of thing, but for someone who doesn’t, I think I would skip this one.

[Elin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Particularly enjoyed how he ties it all into the homeschool movement and his own experience with schooling of his children at the end. The rest of the book was a nice overview of the thoughts and ideas through our ages and those bringing them about.

[Jennifer Juniper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth a 2nd read through—eaudio @ APL

[Caleb Plattner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid overview of the history of philosophy/philosophers.

[Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My summary of the book:
Ideas have consequences in your life, society, and ultimately your understanding of reality and God. As western thought moved away from God, it has tried to escape the guilt felt under that very all-seeing God they refuse to acknowledge. Consequently, people have had a greater struggle with purpose and morality. They were left with two main ideas all other philosophies naturally lead to: the Thomist natural theology of Christian metaphysics or Kantian absolute religious agnosticism.

[My Little Happy Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

This was very unique and insightful! I am very interested to read another book like this in the future. If anyone has any good recs for that please share :)