Clear Thinking in a Messy World: A Christian Guide to Logic, Reason, and Cognitive Bias

by Kenneth R. Samples, Mark Perez

"Clear Thinking in a Messy A Christian Guide to Logic, Reason, and Cognitive Bias" by Kenneth R. Samples is a book that aims to equip Christians with the tools to think critically and logically about their faith. It addresses common cognitive biases and provides strategies to overcome them, fostering clearer and more rational thinking.

280 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

Kenneth Richard Samples began voraciously studying Christian philosophy and theology when his thirst for purpose found relief in the Bible. He earned his undergraduate degree in philosophy and social science from Concordia University and his MA in theological studies from Talbot School of Theology. For seven years, Kenneth worked as Senior Research Consultant and Correspondence Editor at the Christian Research Institute (CRI) and regularly cohosted the popular call-in radio program, The Bible Answer Man, with Dr. Walter Martin.

As a youth, Kenneth wrestled with "unsettling feelings of meaninglessness and boredom," driving him to seek answers to life's big questions. An encounter with Christian philosophy in Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis led Kenneth to examine the New Testament and "finally believe that Jesus Christ is the divine Son of God, the Lord and Savior of the world." From then on, he pursued an intellectually satisfying faith.

Today, as senior research scholar at Reasons To Believe (RTB), Kenneth uses what he's learned to help others find the answers to life's questions. He encourages believers to develop a logically defensible faith and challenges skeptics to engage Christianity at a philosophical level. He is the author of Without a Doubt and A World of Difference, and has contributed to numerous other books, including: Lights in the Sky and Little Green Men, The Cult of the Virgin, and Prophets of the Apocalypse. He has written articles for Christianity Today and The Christian Research Journal, and regularly participates in RTB's podcasts, including Straight Thinking, a podcast dedicated to encouraging Christians to utilize sound reasoning in their apologetics. He also writes for the ministry's daily blog, Today’s New Reason to Believe.

An avid speaker and debater, Kenneth has appeared on numerous radio programs such as Voice America Radio, Newsmakers, The Frank Pastore Show, Stand to Reason, White Horse Inn, Talk New York, and Issues Etc., as well as participated in debates and dialogues on topics relating to Christian doctrine and apologetics. He currently lectures for the Master of Arts program in Christian Apologetics at Biola University. Kenneth also teaches adult classes at Christ Reformed Church in Southern California.

Over the years Kenneth has held memberships in the American Philosophical Association, the Evangelical Philosophical Society, the Evangelical Theological Society, and the Evangelical Press Association.

Reviews

[Carey Smoak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about logical thinking. The book will help to learn how to think logically and clearly. Additionally, you will learn about fallacies in thinking and how to avoid fallacies in thinking.

[Jambean8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though the writers are scientists who are Christians and the intent of the book is to wed logic and faith together as allies instead of enemies, I was more struck by how timely the suggestions are to push back against the lack of logic in our current political atmosphere.
The first section read most like a Logic 101 textbook, but once it got into the later chapters, about halfway through, it got scary relevant about the diagnoses of the many, seemingly deliberate, attacks on critical thinking that are so prevalent today.
Regardless religious bias or not, political leaning or not, this is a warning and a hope that we can overcome the influences put on us in the realm of thinking as well as believing.

[Keith Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent primer for logic. Lots of good stuff in this book. Clearly one of the takeaways I have is President Trump's comments indicate he never uses logic.