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A Personal God and a Good World: The Coherence of the Christian Moral Vision
How people understand God has significant implications for their worldview.
Unlike traditional apologetic approaches that seek to establish God's existence through purely abductive reasoning, A Personal God and A Good World adopts a more nuanced approach, delving into the intricacies of modified classical theism, a form of theism that emphasizes God's personal nature. Ronnie Campbell and David Baggett, a philosopher and a theologian, seamlessly blend their expertise to present a comprehensive and engaging examination of this theological framework.
The book is structured into three distinct parts, intended to unravel the complexities of theistic personalism and its implications for morality. Part One provides a comprehensive defense of Anselmian theism and its alignment with the concept of moral truths. Part Two delves deeper into modified classical theism, defending its validity and highlighting its strengths. Finally, Part Three showcases the relevance of the Triune God of Christian theism in illuminating the moral landscape of our universe. Through a series of compelling arguments, the authors demonstrate how the Christian understanding of God provides a profound and meaningful explanation for the existence of moral truths and values.
A Personal God and A Good World is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the connection between the Christian view of God and morality. Through its rigorous philosophical and theological analysis, the book challenges readers to reexamine their own beliefs and consider the profound implications of God's existence in shaping a moral and just world.
Unlike traditional apologetic approaches that seek to establish God's existence through purely abductive reasoning, A Personal God and A Good World adopts a more nuanced approach, delving into the intricacies of modified classical theism, a form of theism that emphasizes God's personal nature. Ronnie Campbell and David Baggett, a philosopher and a theologian, seamlessly blend their expertise to present a comprehensive and engaging examination of this theological framework.
The book is structured into three distinct parts, intended to unravel the complexities of theistic personalism and its implications for morality. Part One provides a comprehensive defense of Anselmian theism and its alignment with the concept of moral truths. Part Two delves deeper into modified classical theism, defending its validity and highlighting its strengths. Finally, Part Three showcases the relevance of the Triune God of Christian theism in illuminating the moral landscape of our universe. Through a series of compelling arguments, the authors demonstrate how the Christian understanding of God provides a profound and meaningful explanation for the existence of moral truths and values.
A Personal God and A Good World is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the connection between the Christian view of God and morality. Through its rigorous philosophical and theological analysis, the book challenges readers to reexamine their own beliefs and consider the profound implications of God's existence in shaping a moral and just world.
256 pages, Paperback
Published November 15, 2024
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May 18, 2025
Campbell and Baggett’s book offers a compelling defense for modified classical theism, with an emphasis on divine personalism. I found the book very interesting, and I found the last three chapters were the most thought-provoking and well crafted of them all. My only qualm with the book is that it misrepresents the theology of Thomas Aquinas in many parts. Most of all, their presentation of divine pure actuality, a view constructed by Aristotle and popularized by Aquinas, is false in some areas. Pure actuality did not have anything to do with simplicity. Rather, it speaks of God’s pure existence. It is in the first few chapters that this error is found. Outside of the misinterpretation of Aquinas, the rest of the book is exceptional! Their views of life’s purpose and heaven and hell are worth the price of the book alone.
I only give 4 stars due to what appears to be a misinterpretation of Aquinas’s theology in certain parts. However, the vast majority of the book deserves 5 stars.
I only give 4 stars due to what appears to be a misinterpretation of Aquinas’s theology in certain parts. However, the vast majority of the book deserves 5 stars.
Displaying 1 of 1 review