Redeeming the West: A Christian Defense of Reason and Individualism

by Cody Libolt, Jacob Brunton, Ryan Graber

Redeeming the West is an introduction to the core ideas shaping the world in epistemology, ethics, and social and political theory. Specifically, it is about what the Bible says about reason, self-interest, individualism, and individual rights. Libolt, Brunton, and Graber explore how misunderstandings of these philosophical topics account for cultural decline in the West, both inside and outside the Church. The aim of this book is to equip Christians to defend what is good within Western Civilization—and specifically to restore the life of the mind within Christianity.

416 pages, Paperback

Published October 28, 2025

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book correctly models and explains the method of reason as the means for knowledge for those created in the image of God (i.e. all of humanity) and its logical conclusions. Broken into four parts, each builds upon the previous ones, ably arguing for the proper place of reason, self-interest, individualism, and individual rights.

Part One's case for reason is masterful. Having recently read J. Gresham Machen's "What is Faith?" and Dan Phillips' "The World Tilting Gospel" (both high recommendations), I really appreciated the authors' treatment of faith as a commitment to knowledge (aligning with Scripture and echoing similar ideas from the aforementioned books). Part One alone is worth the price of admission. Part Two walks through a Biblical view of self. Though utilizing ideas championed by John Piper, the authors thankfully go far beyond Piper's "Christian Hedonism" thesis and clearly demonstrate a proper view of self-interest and self-value. Part Three works through the ideas of individualism and collectivism through the lens of Scripture while Part Four looks at the logical consequences of individualism (and collectivism) in government and culture (and incidentally demonstrating the Biblical scaffolding supporting the ideas presented by C. Bradley Thompson in "America's Revolutionary Mind").

By the time I read to the end of Part Four in its discussion of the Christian's role in culture, I was pumping my fists and rejoicing that these ideas have been committed to print for others to read and learn from. The world needs Christian men and women to think well - and actually think! - and this book is one of the best I've read to encourage someone to that end.

"Redeeming the West" is well-written, easy to read and logically follow, thorough in its focus, and faithful to the Biblical text. Highest of recommendations.

[Tyler Jarboe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book and highly recommended. The urgency and relevance of its subject matter can hardly be overstated, as the philosophy impacts how we think and behave in every regard. The first two units (Reason and Self-Interest) stick close to axioms and each point follows logically. Their case for reason as ‘our only method of gaining knowledge’ warrants the popularization of Sola Ratione in its proper epistemological domain. It’s rock solid. Likewise, the third unit on individualism is solid so long as you’re reading charitably, maintaining the same category distinctions as the authors. There’s an individualism we must embrace: the base unit of humanity, the seat of reason, the final judgment, etc. This need not be seen in conflict with a push against other ideas associated with individualism, in which covenant relationships or sphere sovereignties are minimized. The fourth unit on individual rights strays furthest from axioms, and isn’t necessarily proven. Units 1-3 can be followed logically and are near unimpeachable. Unit 4 less so, and admittedly so, as the authors state “Here, we are not offering a strict proof of our conception of government, and we are not setting out to refute alternate theories. We are presenting our understanding of government and outlining the basis for that understanding within natural law.”

One could challenge the Noahic covenant emphasis, arguing for a stronger stream of Christian universality on the basis of Gen 1, Ps 2, Dan 2, Mt 28, Acts 17, Rev 11, etc. I don't have the quote handy, but I believe the authors argue against "sectarian" government, in the sense that government isn't to be distinctly Christian, but should operate on natural law principles exclusively. I believe the Dominion Mandate (Mission 1.0), the Great Commission (Mission 2.0), and the redemptive narrative from Creation to Consummation indicate God's people can't be regarded as a permanent "sect" in this age. We may have been, sociologically speaking, for a time, but historically and theologically Christianity is ascendent with Christ as nations are discipled and all men everywhere are called to repent. I'm not saying this changes the policy points. A constitutional acknowledgement of the Lordship of Christ would ground, not undermine, sound libertarian principles. At a policy level, I would be 90%+ with the authors. Libertarian principle is essential for healthy Christian thought, but that thought does need explicit transcendent grounding.

A careful, charitable synthesis or an exhaustive look at the exact point of conceptual departure (be it hermeneutic, suppositional, interpretive judgments, biases, category distinctions, etc.) these two conservative Christian camps maintain would be invaluable to intellectually minded Christians and the Body of Christ. (By another camp, I'm referring to Mere Christendom folks, not the authoritarian antisemitic crowd by the way.) My thinking is that when two highly respected Christian persons or groups are holding conflicting positions, they should lock themselves in a room together until they can emerge with a joint presentation on how they’ve either sharpened one another’s views or can identify clearly where the root disagreement is and terms and conditions by which it could be resolved. Sorry for that aside. Conclusion: Great book, must read, very well done.

[Cindy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could barely keep my food down reading this!