The Philosophy of Jesus

by Peter Kreeft

Looking at Jesus as a complete human being and philosopher, explores the most radical revolution in the history of philosophy--the differences Jesus made to metaphysics, epistemology, anthropology, and philosophical ethics and politics.

Genres: Philosophy, Catholic, Theology, Religion, Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction

168 pages, Hardcover

First published June 12, 2007

About the author

Peter Kreeft is an American philosopher and prolific author of over eighty books on Christian theology, philosophy, and apologetics. A convert from Protestantism to Catholicism, his journey was shaped by his study of Church history, Gothic architecture, and Thomistic thought. He earned his BA from Calvin College, an MA and PhD from Fordham University, and pursued further studies at Yale. Since 1965, he has taught philosophy at Boston College and also at The King’s College. Kreeft is known for formulating “Twenty Arguments for the Existence of God” with Ronald K. Tacelli, featured in their Handbook of Christian Apologetics. A strong advocate for unity among Christians, he emphasizes shared belief in Christ over denominational differences.

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review soon...

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much of what Peter says here is true and helpful, but often the spirit in which it is said is not. There is a sickening triumphalism lurking about some of the sections. I was disappointed not to find a gentler, kinder apologist. It will, perhaps, please already-believers, but it may alienate some sincere searchers, and that's too bad. Kreeft's books are almost always gems. This is a zircon.

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fascinated by this little book. The book discusses the "four great questions of philosophy" as taught/revealed by Jesus. The four questions are: What is real?; How do we know what is real?; Who are we who know what is real?; and What should we be to be more real? The answers are, of course, Christ-centered, but the author's way of explaining the answers is quite interesting.

In the chapter on "Jesus' Metaphysics", the Trinity is discussed and the author concludes:

"Since God is complete, He is complete love: Lover, Beloved, and Loving all in one: subject of love, object of love, and act of love. Each of these three is so real in God that they are not just mentally-distinguished, abstract aspects but really-distinct, concretely real Persons. So the nature of ultimate reality is Trinity: not only absolute oneness but also absolute manyness." p. 29

This book is an easy read, but it will make you think! And I think I need to read it again!

I gave the book 4 stars instead of 5 because I somehow got the impression that the author is telling people that God wants people to be with him in Heaven so that he can have sex with them. See p. 138 where the author writes: "At the heart of the theology of the body is the vision of sex as an icon of the Trinity and of our final, mystical Heavenly destiny to be married to God." I've read the works of many spiritual writers who discuss the mystical union with Christ, and even describe it as a marriage, but Kreeft is a bit more explicit. But for all I know, he might be right. Personally, I was hoping when/if I make it to Heaven God would simply show me where the library was, send up some hot tea and donuts, and let me enjoy eternity. But hey, I'm easy to please!

[Matthew Lauderdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading Peter Kreeft's books for years now and have always enjoyed his works a lot. At this point, I've read 14 of his, I believe, *EIGHTY* books. I've really enjoyed every Kreeft book I've read, and some of them are absolutely fantastic, but The Philosophy of Jesus is definitely my favorite book he's written so far. Again, this says a lot since I'm a huge fan of his. This book was wonderful. The whole premise of this one is to first look at the perennial questions that philosophy presents:
1. What is? What is real?
2. How can we know what is real?
3. Who are we?
4. What should we be, or how should we live?

Kreeft explains how these four questions also correspond to divisions in philosophy: 1. Metaphysics (the study of being).
2. Epistemology (the study of knowledge). 3. Human Anthropology (the study of man). And 4. Ethics (the study of morality).

And here's the main part of the book: Jesus Christ is the answer to all four of these questions. If any of that sounds complicated or confusing, don't worry!! I promise that Kreeft does a fantastic job of explaining everything and making it extremely accessible to any reader. As in all of his books, Kreeft writes in an easy to read style, with lots of wordplay and witty comments and humor throughout. This was a fantastic book and I can easily give it my highest recommendation.

[Annie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is so fantastically bad it's good. The very first thing he says in this book is that he's a Christian "butwaitdontleaveyet it's a GOOD thing because only a Christian is qualified to talk about the philosophy of Jesus! After all, we wouldn't really trust a text on Buddhist philosophy by a non-Buddhist, right?" (What? Why not? Anyone who has studied Buddhist philosophy in depth is qualified to write about it, regardless of personal beliefs. I wouldn't expect any academic writer to inform their audience of their personal beliefs, I would expect them to write impartially no matter what they personally believe).

Next he points out that while yes, God is unequivocally male, no two ways about it, Jesus was practically a feminist compared to others back then and we ought to tip our hats to his enlightened mind. This is categorically untrue; anyone who has studied classics (or ancient philosophy- take Plato, for instance) knows that Jesus was far from the most liberated- at least, he expressed little on the topic (though note his apostles were all men), while others were quite explicit on their positions.

There's also this slant to the whole book that, if he had not immediately insisted that Jesus Christ is his personal savior, would have made his personal beliefs clear. I.e. "Hinduism and Judaism had both risen above paganism by realizing that God was one and perfect." Right. Because theology has an objective hierarchy.

Kreeft also drops these sweeping generalizations that are AMAZINGLY idiotic. "Abraham's Muslim children have never succumbed to the temptation of pop psychology, relativism, secular humanism, or politically correct feminism, as many American Jews & Christians have. They have different temptations, like Islamo-fascism." WOW. I'll be sure to let all the feminist Muslims I know that... that they're not really Muslim? Not really feminist? Secretly Islamo-fascists?

He even managed to slip a dig about Clinton in there. Honestly, it was impressive how many aspects of his personal beliefs he managed to cover in this short little book.

Best of all, he ends the book by saying "the choice is up to you: heaven or hell? Jesus or sin?" And concludes- direct quote here- "If philosophy has nothing to say about that, then the hell with it." THERE WE GO. Finally we get to the heart of the matter. Calling this book *philosophy* is a j o k e he's been playing on us from the first page. Kreeft has given up on philosophy and all that silly logic stuff because it doesn't insist we repent for non-procreative sex and electing Clinton.

Look, I'm saying nothing about religion or Jesus. Religion has a special place in the world, but trying to justify religion using philosophy is just ridiculous, an insult to religion *and* to philosophy. Isn't religion about taking a leap of faith? And philosophy about making a tight argument with analytic rigor? Please don't mix the two and pretend you're not!

I guess I went into this book thinking it would deconstruct Jesus's philosophy (I'm fully on board with calling him a philosopher by the way, and a potentially respectable one at that). Instead, 60% of it was picking apart the Bible to find evidence that he's divine and the son of God and Christianity is doing it right. Honestly, it reads a little like one of those conversion pamphlets that nutters thrust at you on street corners.

The "philosophy" he gets into is to actual philosophy what Hooked On Phonics is to the discipline of linguistics. Or maybe that's an overly generous analogy. Maybe it's more like what the Pray & Play Bible is to the discipline of linguistics. Totally and utterly IRRELEVANT.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, but, since it was not what I was expecting or hoping for, a bit of a disappointment.

I have become very interested lately in listening to what Jesus actually has to say, as if his words mattered. Sadly, the downside of the beautiful and wise theology which the Church has come to understand is that we sometimes overlook Jesus' actual teachings. I was hoping for an exploration of his words, considered philosophically. But Kreeft, being Kreeft, gave me something different, though certainly very good. He presents Jesus himself as the answer to four primary philosophical questions. Theologically quite profound, and I enjoyed his presentation--maybe I even learned something lasting from it, let's hope. But since it was not what I am most interested in at the moment, it was a bit of a let down.

A person expecting a "philosophical" book, will, perhaps, be disappointed. He might throw up his hands and declare, "Why, this is just theology after all!" But Kreeft makes the case well, that Jesus, considered as Christians believe him to be (fully God and fully human), is philosophically pertinent. Jesus, the author claims, makes his philosophical claims simply by being, not by teaching. I would hope that the reader would allow the argument some respect and weight.

[Daniel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really bad. It’s really not an exposition on Jesus as a philosopher; it’s more of Kreeft’s random ruminations on (Roman) Catholic theology and practice. Some of the descriptions Kreeft uses regarding Christ, the church, and sex border on the bizarre and weird.

[Emerson John Tiu Ng · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Peter Kreeft is one of my favorite authors of apologetics... this book is quite timely because it discusses the issues our church faces nowadays...

[Jessica Bondarczuk]

melhor do que eu pensei, muito bom

[Atanas Nikolov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily one of the best books on Jesus if... you are already a believer. I imagine this would not sit well with anyone who wants something objective. The problem is that Jesus can only be truly seen through the lens of presupposing God, and what He is.

In terms of apologetics, this book does a bad job of it. In terms of laying out how Jesus relates to virtually every aspect of our lives as He is ultimately THE ONLY aspect, it does a terrific job. However, you just have to understand where Kreeft is coming from prior to reading the book. If you don't, 90% of what he says will just fly by you, regardless of your beliefs. I suggest that this is NOT the first book of Kreeft you read. And also, please don't take the concepts at face value.

This book came at the right time for me, as I actually believe pretty much all books come at the right time somehow. However, six months ago I would have discarded it.

If you expect to learn get the philosophy of Jesus out of this book, you probably won't, unless you understand some philosophy in general, and a lot of Biblical philosophy in particular. Like I said - a good book for the learned believer, a bad book for mostly anyone else. I mean, if it speaks to you regardless of your limited knowledge, good, but it wouldn't have for me. A much better route to go is Chesterton's "The Everlasting Man".

[Stinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This small but power packed book by Kreeft exceeded my expectations. What a wonderful idea to write on the philosophy of Jesus Christ! The outline of the book is based upon what Kreeft calls philosophy's four great questions: What is real? How can we know what is real? Who am I? And how should I live?


In reading this book one of the things that struck me is how highly Peter Kreeft thinks of Jesus Christ. It is similar to the way Dallas Willard thinks of Jesus Christ. Both men are great Christian heroes for me, and both have provided much insight into reality.


Kreeft has a way with words, much like GK Chesterton did. He is a fantastic wordsmith. The following are some of my favorites of his from this book:

The ultimate truth of metaphysics… Was not the unknowable mystery to the Jews that it was to all the pagan tribes, nations, and religions around them.

Sin is to Faith with infidelity is to marriage.

He is infinitely narrowminded: he will not compromise with evil.

No one who does not believe in Christ believes in the Trinity. The data for the ultimate secret of metaphysics is Christ.

Metaphysics is supposed to be objective and impersonal. But the ultimate object of metaphysics, the ultimate being, ultimate reality, is a person.

As the eye can see any object, but not itself, so the mind can know any object, but not itself, because it is not an object.

The western materialist reduces personality to a thing among other things in the world while the eastern mystic reduces the objective reality of things, including our own financing head, to consciousness, or spirit.

What is the meaning of life? Who are you meant to be? The answer is that we are destined to be little Christs.

This is the end my father had in mind when he chose Israel. He chose her to be a womb within humanity for a second birth of humanity.

The secret of my success is simply to practice the presence of Christ, which is to "know thyself."


Like Ravi Zacharias would often point out, Jesus "turn the situation around so that the questioner is questioned" whenever he is asked a question.


Like Dallas Willard would often point out regarding apprenticeship to Christ, Kreeft states "how then should we live? What sort of people should we be? Christs."


In summary, I love this little book, and recommend it to a wide audience, especially those seeking to understand themselves in particular, and life and God in general.

[Joshua Reitano · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't have a lot to say about this book other than I'm not sure I'm well versed enough in the finer points of philosophy to appreciate some of the questions Kreeft is trying to answer. He writes about Jesus as a philosopher, not in the sense of understanding him as one who engages in socratic dialogue with Kantian ethics. Nor is he writing about Jesus as a philosopher in the sense that we are all philosophers (everyone has some philosophy of life). "But Jesus [is] a philosopher in a meaningful middle sense, the sense in which Confucius, Buddha, Muhammad, Solomon, Marcus Aurelius, and Pascal were philosophers." (p.3)

The Philosophy of Jesus is organized according to the four big philosophical questions, and Jesus' answer to these questions.
1. What is? What is real? Especially what is real? (The question of metaphysics)
2. How can we know what is real, especially the most real? (The question of epistemology)
3. Who are we, who want to know the real? (The question of anthropology)
4. What should we be, how should we live, to be more real? (The question of ethics)

As I worked through this relatively short book, it became clear that much of the philosophical nuance was lost on me. That may be my own dimness, but I have taken several courses in philosophy at both the college and postgrad level. That leads me to believe that this book is probably not all that suitable for those without a background in philosophy (or who don't read philosophy regularly). Still, there were some helpful nuggets, particular in the sections on Jesus' approach to ethics.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about the substance of Jesus and what that means for us. The book covers the four great philosophical questions:
What is? What is real? Especially, what is most real?
How can we know what is real?
Who are we, who wants to know the real? “know thy self”
What should we be, how should we live, to be more real?
The questions are about being, truth, self and goodness. Kreeft says that, ’’The logical order of questions is that: we must first know something real before we can know how we know it, and we must first know who we are before we can know what is good for us.’
Kreeft points out that philosophers have argued since the beginning over whose philosophy is most right. Most have been disputed. Kreeft suggests that the answer to those four questions is simple – it is Christ. Throughout the book he re-emphasises that point of view. He even ends the book on that note. For him ‘Jesus is God’s Philosopher’. Jesus is seen as a human being as well as divine. He represents wisdom. His philosophy is seen in light of him and not the other way around.
This book covers complex ideas with a lightness and ease. Kreeft is a talented theologian able to take the intricate and make the material clear. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to mature readers who want to extend their knowledge into philosophy and the role of Christ in that discourse.

[Christopher Goins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this 150-page book in 5 hours--and it is frequently glorious.

Jesus’ philosophy is both shocking and joyful, both romantic and sexy; and Catholic philosopher Peter Kreeft shows readers that Jesus himself answers the four big questions of philosophy—What is real (metaphysics)? How can we know what’s real (epistemology)? Who are we, who want to know the real (philosophical anthropology)? What should we be, how should we live, to be more real (ethics)?

If you have read and understood the Gospel of John in the New Testament, then you are going have a good background on what Kreeft has to say, but you won’t know all of what he has to say.

For example, he touches on the sexual revolution; says that Pope John Paul II was the greatest Christian philosophical anthropologist at one time, an assertion that is not unreasonable if you have ever read John Paul II’s philosophical works (“Christ is the meaning of man”); touches on the importance of family in society; and the discusses the political left and the political right.

I’m not going to give the answers to those four questions in detail; rather, I encourage you to pick up this book and read it. His prose is excellent as always, and his examples to support his argument are often humorous and concrete.

[C.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If one wants the simple and factual -- ever the illusive quarry in the philosophic and academic milieu -- the simple and factual of exactly the point of JESUS (and his points), you can't get anything clearer or true than Kreeft's little volume here (so much simpler, clearer, and grammatical than this run-on).

But in keen earnestness: To meet Jesus' philosophy is to meet a person. He is peculiarly personal, for his words always point back to a person. Himself. No other teacher guides quite this way. Kreeft pokes at the fact that often goes pleasantly unpoked -- the fact that Jesus rather bluntly does not do what the Buddha does, or Confucius does, or Socrates does.

He does not say, "look at what I say! Follow its guidance." He says, "Look at me. Follow ME." Offensive? Depends. Shocking? Was rather. Probably still is.

This in itself is worth the book. After all, it then gives one options for attitude and action, instead of a ceaseless mind-flip on pleasant references to wise teaching, and mutual agreement on the Golden Rule.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best philosophy/religious books I've read in a long, long time. It was perfect from page one to page 126. Easy to read with many "Wow" moments. Kreeft is a wonderful writer. It's as if he is speaking with you and he makes complex ideas simple. By breaking down Jesus' philosophy into metaphysics, epistemology, philosophical anthropology and ethics, he shows you how real Christ is. He explained stories I've heard a thousand times in a different, simpler way that enlightened me.

I mentioned the book was perfect from page one to page 126, although the book is 150 pages. My rating should be 4.8 stars, as the last 25 pages didn't seem to fit into the Ethics section. Or maybe it just made me uncomfortable, which is what Jesus did to those around him. He asked the hard questions. Kreeft does the same. By shaking me out of my comfort zone, he made me a better person. But it wasn't what I was expecting from this book.

Still, I highly recommend it.

[Luciana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!! Short quick, but deep read. A lot of the typical Kreeft wit :) I was reading this at the same time as I was reading "The Everlasting Man" by Chesterton and hearing some interesting talks on CD and having some interesting discussions, so it was cool seeing the connections.

[Vance Gatlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent little book, dense but easy to read and the last part, Jesus's Ethics, was the best part minus the one little quibble I had about family in it. I'm going to have to take notes and think about a few places in it for awhile

[Brian Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent book on the world view of Jesus. Apart from some catholic tradition based theology a great book.

[Roger Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wordy and rambling. I found it a bit of a slog.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have listened to numerous Kreeft lectures, but this is the first one of his books I have read and I was not disappointed.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!

[Andre Abukawa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It`s a little confusing and predictable.

[Jon Kopecky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read after Jesus Shock. So very good.

[Chico Collie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had noticed that, in the Gospels and New Testament epistles, Christ and Paul had readily used certain logical forms of argumentation to support their points. I was searching for a book that captured these occasions when I came upon ‘The Philosophy of Jesus’ by Roman Catholic philosopher Peter Kreeft. To my disappointment, however; such occasions are never highlighted. Not long into the book, you realize that the titular ‘of’ is somewhat deceptive. Interestingly, once I realized that it wouldn’t meet my initial expectations, the book turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

Using the four great categories of philosophy as a framework, Dr. Kreeft sets forth the relevance of Jesus’ person to metaphysics, epistemology, anthropology, and ethics. In other words, if he is who he claims to be, how does that help provide the answer to the questions: what is real, how do we know what is real, who are we really, and how should we live?

The author responds,

“Christ is the ultimate epistemological revelation of ultimate metaphysical reality. Christ is the key to epistemology.”

“Christ is the key to anthropology.”

“…Christ is the fulfillment of morality.”

“…Christ is the fulfillment of philosophy.”


The book is short (~150 pages) and could be better thought of as a philosopher’s devotional with subtle apologetic overtones, including occasional, integrated comparisons to various other worldviews. I agree with Dr. Kreeft’s above insights and if Christians with only no or little prior introduction to philosophy are the primary audience, then I consider his approach to be a strength.

Negatively, aspects of my own (Protestant) theological convictions differ from that of the author’s and, as such, assertions grounded in those distinctions should be weighed appropriately by the reader. Though lightly peppered throughout, they are most conspicuous in the ‘Jesus and sex’ section and the latter part of the ‘Jesus’ anthropology’ chapter. Fortunately, the majority of the book is based upon the ‘mere Christianity’ principles of Christian theism and is mostly relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

Note. The original review can be found at maygp.org/reviews

[Cole Whetstone · Rating 2 out of 5]

Type:
Outline [1 Layer of Resolution]:
1. 4 Big Questions of Phil
1. What is true?
2. How can we know?
3. What is a person?
4. What is good?
2. Jesus' Person Answers Those Questions
1. What is true? Jesus and God are true and what makes true things true. Jesus and God are being justice and love.
2. How can we know? ...
3. What is a person? Jesus is the fullest realization of what it means to be a person, and only through Jesus can we know ourselves. breaks the paradox of γνῶθι σεαυτόν.
4. What is good? Being like Jesus, and doing what Jesus says, which is also the will of god. This means an ethic of love and being; also American conservatism.
Unity: Jesus is the way the truth and the life, philosophy be damned!
1 Prompt:
1. How does Jesus (and Catholic Christianity) answer the 4 big questions of philosophy? He answers them by embodying them (presumably contingently, in history), rather than providing solid philosophical argument. Truth is love is goodness is one and all of those are Jesus.

Review: 2/5
- This is the most momentous choice we can make, the choice between everything and nothing, being and non-being, light and darkness, Heaven and Hell, Christ and Antichrist—and "if philosophy has nothing to say about that, then the hell with it."
- From the title, you might expect a rigorous and systematic analysis of Jesus' philosophy. If so, you'll be disappointed. Kreeft seems to think philosophy should be an earthquake and a whirlwind, rather than careful considered and systematic argument. This is disappointing, because this zeal can only preach to the choir.

[History Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A special little book. The text is only 150 pages, large print. It can be read in a day or two. Kreeft does something rather remarkable. He covers a lot of philosophical ground, but writes with such clarity and ease that the ideas go down smooth. And the subject matter is rigorous, heartfelt, and inspiring. This is one of the few books I’ve encountered in the philosophy/theology genre that has a high potential for re-readability. A familiarity with philosophy is helpful but not necessary.

The title is a bit misleading, though. Rather than “The Philosophy of Jesus,” it should be “Jesus is Philosophy.”

This is not an argumentative or academic work, even though the author is himself an academic philosopher. Kreeft specifically says this book isn’t trying to convert or persuade. Instead it’s a philosophy in its purest form, the exposition of a viewpoint. It’s like reading a philosopher’s original work rather than scholarly discourse on a topic. Kreeft’s work is one that calls the reader to live better; to be better.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sophisticated, yet understandable read that will simultaneously illuminate and inspire worship. Kreeft traces the ambitions of the four great questions of philosophy: (1) What's real [metaphysics] (2) How do we know what's real [epistemology] (3) Who are we [anthropology] (4) How should we live [ethics] and ties them together in Jesus in fascinating ways. It will be impossible to read this from cover to cover without coming away with a sweeping view of Christ and a renewed devotion to the faith. Recommended for every Christian. After all, these are questions that we should be able to answer in ways directly connected to Christ and a worldview anchored and formed by the Judaeo-Christian scriptures. However, some of the content will exceed the understanding of the average reader, but this should only compel them to push deeper in. It will repay a careful reading.

[Frank R. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I referenced this book to use for introductory course in theology to glean a more secular or universalist look at what a philosophy of Jesus might resemble. I came away with some interesting highlights but was disappointed at the amount of proselytizing that was included. I should have expected that from a religious press, but I wasn’t prepared for the quantity and assertiveness involved. This book could have been about 50 pages less if the author would have spared us his personal feelings, ad hoc arguments, and push for us to accept Jesus as God. This is more theology than philosophy. But, I suppose the lesson here is that one cannot separate the philosophy from the Gospel version of Jesus as a figure claiming divine adoption/status.