Redeeming Reason: A God-Centered Approach

by Vern Sheridan Poythress

Vern S. Poythress Explains the Laws of Human Reasoning and How to Apply Them in Light of the Gospel Humans use reasoning to understand and order the world around us. We apply this logic in a variety of contexts, from classifying simple objects to considering complex philosophies. But how should our identity as Christians―made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26–27) with minds renewed by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 12:1–2)―inform our reasoning? Vern S. Poythress explains how all human reasoning reflects God’s nature. Providing a foundational understanding of God as the source of rationality, Poythress details the 3 fundamental laws of logic―identity, contradiction, and excluded middle―with a strong focus on analogical reasoning. This robust guide explains types of analogy, ethics applied to logic, the use of analogies in the doctrines of God, and more to give readers a renewed perspective on how to use reason as a follower of God.

Genres: Philosophy, Theology, Christian, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

Published April 25, 2023

About the author

Vern Sheridan Poythress was born in 1946 in Madera, California, where he lived with his parents Ransom H. Poythress and Carola N. Poythress and his older brother Kenneth R. Poythress. After teaching mathematics for a year at Fresno State College (now California State University at Fresno), he became a student at Westminster Theological Seminary, where he earned an M.Div. (1974) and a Th.M. in apologetics (1974). He received an M.Litt. in New Testament from University of Cambridge (1977) and a Th.D. in New Testament from the University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa (1981).

He has been teaching in New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia since 1976. In 1981 he was ordained as a teaching elder in the Reformed Presbyterian Church Evangelical Synod, which has now merged with the Presbyterian Church in America.

More information about his teaching at Westminster can be found at the Westminster Seminary website.

Dr. Poythress studied linguistics and Bible translation at the Summer Institute of Linguistics in Norman Oklahoma in 1971 and 1972, and taught linguistics at the Summer Institute of Linguistics in the summers of 1974, 1975, and 1977. He has published books on Christian philosophy of science, theological method, dispensationalism, biblical law, hermeneutics, Bible translation, and Revelation. A list of publications is found on this website.

Dr. Poythress married his wife Diane in 1983, and they have two children, Ransom and Justin. He has side interests in science fiction, string figures, volleyball, and computers.

The family lived on a farm until he was five years old. When he was nine years old he made a public commitment to Christ and was baptized in Chowchilla First Baptist Church, Chowchilla, California. The family later moved to Fresno, California, and he graduated from Bullard High School in Fresno.

He earned a B.S. in mathematics from California Institute of Technology (1966) and a Ph.D. in mathematics from Harvard University (1970).

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Redeeming Reason by Vern S Poythress

This little book invites the reader to explore reason by first studying what the Bible has to say about God, especially the Trinity, and how God is the foundation for reason.

In the opening chapters, I found a comparison to Charlotte Mason’s view of the faultiness of human reason - truly we can reason our way into anything! I also enjoyed the author’s dive into the Trinity, how God is one essence with three Persons and how logic/reason/analogy are reflections of Him.

The middle of the book was quite confusing for me as I do not have much of a background with the rules of logic and reason. I will say, the many diagrams included made it possible for me to continue on. While I’m sure I missed a lot of detail, I do believe I was able to get the main points.

At the end, the author ties everything up, giving us a conclusion in just a few brief points. There are also two appendices.

For me this book has both some strengths and some weaknesses.

Strengths - Getting the main idea across.
- Diagrams
- Scripture references
- The explanation of the Trinity

Weaknesses - I would have loved to see more of the Bible references typed out. I had to keep going back and forth from the book to my Bible. (I used my phone)
- The author uses a lot of his own works in the footnotes. It just seemed a little odd to me.
- This book was a little heady without the heart. I would like to see a “so what” part in the conclusion. How do I use this information in my own life?

Overall, I’m glad I read it. It pushed me out of my usual reading into something more difficult which I’m sure was good for my brain!

I am grateful to @netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Redeeming Reason
A God-Centered Approach
Vern S. Poythress
Pub Date 25 Apr 2023
Crossway
Christian



I am reviewing a copy of Redeeming Reason: A God-Centered Approach through Crossway and Netgalley:



In Redeeming Reason Vern S. Poythress examined how all human reasoning reflects God’s nature.


Poythress provides a foundational understanding of God as the source of rationality, Poythress explores the 3 fundamental laws of logic with a strong focus on analogical reasoning.



I give Redeeming Reason five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

[Christian Hester · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid book. He grounds all of his Biblical arguments firmly in scripture. I think that by the end of the book he has proved his thesis. It is a dense book and requires some thought to understand at times. I would suggest reading 1 maybe 2 chapters at a time before walking and contemplating.

Although he can a little confusing at times and does quite a bit of restating his point, it is ultimately a good book that shows how our human reasoning, no matter what form that takes, is grounded in God's triune nature.

[Corbyn Fry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have given this book three stars not because of the quality of Mr. Poythress’ work (which seems to be more than impressive) , but because he has dispelled any positive notion I had in my mind about my own adequacy and intelligence. Maybe I’ll return to it in the future and understand more than every other paragraph!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Redeeming Reason by Vern Poythress looks at how all of our human reasoning needs to be rooted in God as Creator and His word. It is not the easiest read but worth the effort.