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Classic Christian Thinkers: An Introduction
There exists a treasure trove of champions of the faith—one that overflows from the pages of the Bible into history itself. Kenneth Richard Samples has made this rich legacy accessible to all in a compact, powerful apologetics resource. A true beginner’s guide, Classic Christian Thinkers offers a concise yet meaningful look at nine of these timeless truth-seekers and how their insights bolster the case for Christian faith today.
“What a wonderful introduction to Christian history and Christian thought through the fascinating lives of the people God used through the centuries. Once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. Biographies are absorbing, but here we have nine captivating biographies presented at breakneck speed. But even better, these are the biographies that shaped it all. There is so much to learn here—and it is delightful learning that you will want to share with the people of your church.”
—Craig J. Hazen, PhD
Director of the Christian Apologetics Program, Biola University
Author of Fearless Prayer
“Many of us pick up Christian theology and history in a piecemeal way. Kenneth Samples has written the book I wish I had read when I first began my own theological education. This short but masterful summary of the life and thought of nine of Christendom’s most significant thinkers will be an excellent resource for anyone wishing to understand Christian faith more deeply.”
—Justin Brierley
Unbelievable? Radio Show and Podcast Presenter
Kenneth Richard Samples is a senior research scholar at Reasons to Believe, an organization that integrates science and faith for the purpose of evangelism. An adjunct instructor of apologetics at Biola University, Samples is the author of many books, including Without a Doubt, 7 Truths That Changed the World, and God among Sages.
“What a wonderful introduction to Christian history and Christian thought through the fascinating lives of the people God used through the centuries. Once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. Biographies are absorbing, but here we have nine captivating biographies presented at breakneck speed. But even better, these are the biographies that shaped it all. There is so much to learn here—and it is delightful learning that you will want to share with the people of your church.”
—Craig J. Hazen, PhD
Director of the Christian Apologetics Program, Biola University
Author of Fearless Prayer
“Many of us pick up Christian theology and history in a piecemeal way. Kenneth Samples has written the book I wish I had read when I first began my own theological education. This short but masterful summary of the life and thought of nine of Christendom’s most significant thinkers will be an excellent resource for anyone wishing to understand Christian faith more deeply.”
—Justin Brierley
Unbelievable? Radio Show and Podcast Presenter
Kenneth Richard Samples is a senior research scholar at Reasons to Believe, an organization that integrates science and faith for the purpose of evangelism. An adjunct instructor of apologetics at Biola University, Samples is the author of many books, including Without a Doubt, 7 Truths That Changed the World, and God among Sages.
239 pages, Paperback
Published February 27, 2019
43 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Kenneth Richard Samples
8 books18 followersKenneth Richard Samples serves as a senior research scholar at Reasons to Believe (RTB). He earned a BA in social science with an emphasis in history and philosophy from Concordia University and an MA in theological studies from Talbot School of Theology. Before joining RTB, he worked as senior research consultant and correspondence editor at the Christian Research Institute and regularly cohosted the popular call-in radio program The Bible Answer Man.
Kenneth is the author of many books including Clear Thinking in a Messy World, Christianity Cross-Examined, and Classic Christian Thinkers. Additionally, he is an adjunct instructor of apologetics at Biola University and has spoken at universities and churches around the world.
Kenneth is the author of many books including Clear Thinking in a Messy World, Christianity Cross-Examined, and Classic Christian Thinkers. Additionally, he is an adjunct instructor of apologetics at Biola University and has spoken at universities and churches around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 8, 2019
In Classic Christian Thinkers: An Introduction, Kenneth Richard Samples has selected individuals of both profound thought and lasting impact who guided the formation of modern Christendom. These academics collectively made contributions to the sciences, literature, philosophy, as well as theology. They spoke on the weighty themes of theism, the nature of Christ, and the state of humanity. At critical times in history, they reflected deeply on the canon and sought to communicate orthodoxy in the midst of conflict and heresy. Samples’ selections? Irenaeus (c. 130-202 AD), Athanasius (296-373 AD), Augustine (354-430 AD), Anselm (1033-1109 AD), Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274 AD), Martin Luther (1483-1546 AD), John Calvin (1509-1564 AD), Blaise Pascal (1623-1662 AD), and C.S. Lewis (1898-1963 AD).
Church history is not just a recounting of facts, dates, and personalities. It is about how real people authentically engaged the theological challenges of their time and left a lasting legacy by which we can bolster our own faith today. Their musings leave a historical record documenting some of the most influential Christian thought on key doctrines. A refreshingly irenic book, Classic Christian Thinkers focuses on those writers whose insights are often valued across Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant lines of demarcation while not ignoring or discrediting legitimate differences. Did these men get everything right? No. But they effectively communicated rightly about some of the most important and debated Biblical questions of their time.
There is nothing new under the Sun. We are not starting from scratch. There are those from whom we can learn. Let us not repeatedly fall into the same errors of past generations because we are living as intellectual paupers while drowning in a flood of ephemeral information. Samples showcases the lives of saints and scholars that many have forgotten yet who still have much to say that is relevant today. Perhaps therein lies the greatness of their works and why their writings have endured. They prove that thinking matters.
How has the Church changed over two millennia? How have doctrines concerning mysteries such as the Trinity, Incarnation, and Atonement developed over time? How has Christendom stayed the course? As noted in the subtitle, this book serves as only an introduction. May this survey inspire and encourage new thinkers, writers, philosophers, and apologists to read more classic works and be transformed by them for, in the end, orthodoxy informs praxis, and a life well-lived in Christ is perhaps the best apologetic argument of all.
Church history is not just a recounting of facts, dates, and personalities. It is about how real people authentically engaged the theological challenges of their time and left a lasting legacy by which we can bolster our own faith today. Their musings leave a historical record documenting some of the most influential Christian thought on key doctrines. A refreshingly irenic book, Classic Christian Thinkers focuses on those writers whose insights are often valued across Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant lines of demarcation while not ignoring or discrediting legitimate differences. Did these men get everything right? No. But they effectively communicated rightly about some of the most important and debated Biblical questions of their time.
There is nothing new under the Sun. We are not starting from scratch. There are those from whom we can learn. Let us not repeatedly fall into the same errors of past generations because we are living as intellectual paupers while drowning in a flood of ephemeral information. Samples showcases the lives of saints and scholars that many have forgotten yet who still have much to say that is relevant today. Perhaps therein lies the greatness of their works and why their writings have endured. They prove that thinking matters.
How has the Church changed over two millennia? How have doctrines concerning mysteries such as the Trinity, Incarnation, and Atonement developed over time? How has Christendom stayed the course? As noted in the subtitle, this book serves as only an introduction. May this survey inspire and encourage new thinkers, writers, philosophers, and apologists to read more classic works and be transformed by them for, in the end, orthodoxy informs praxis, and a life well-lived in Christ is perhaps the best apologetic argument of all.
June 21, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Ken Samples Classic Christian Thinkers! It is a wonderful introduction to nine of the greatest minds in Christian history: Irenaeus, Athanasius, Augustine, Anselm, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Blaise Pascal, and C.S. Lewis. I will keep this book in my library as a great resource for future reference and study. Ken provides a well-written, concise overview of each of these great men including a short history of their lives and their greatest theological, philosophical, and apologetics contributions encapsulated in their writings. At the end of each chapter is a resource list to use in diving deeper. Well done, Ken!
March 21, 2019
First of all the format and layout of the book are wonderful for making it a good reference book. I wish more books had similar consistent structures.
The purpose of the book was to wet peoples appetite on some of Christianity's most important people outside of the bible. It definitely gives a nice bit of info to do just that. Also it's a very easy read as any introduction book should be.
Out of the top ten books in the back I've only read 3. Two of them weren't the best translations. I may need to re-read the translations he recommended and the other books as well.
The purpose of the book was to wet peoples appetite on some of Christianity's most important people outside of the bible. It definitely gives a nice bit of info to do just that. Also it's a very easy read as any introduction book should be.
Out of the top ten books in the back I've only read 3. Two of them weren't the best translations. I may need to re-read the translations he recommended and the other books as well.
February 21, 2020
Good Introduction
This book is a good introduction to some important Christian thinkers. While by no means exhaustive, a lot is covered in a few brief chapters.
This book is a good introduction to some important Christian thinkers. While by no means exhaustive, a lot is covered in a few brief chapters.
June 23, 2021
Excellent
A great overall view of God’s work through the ages using spirit-led men to defend the faith. Enlightening while easy to read.
A great overall view of God’s work through the ages using spirit-led men to defend the faith. Enlightening while easy to read.
July 26, 2019
Do you think St. Augustine is just a city in Florida?
Do you think Anselm is a new brand of German beer or Thomas Aquinas is one of the Three Tenors?
Then this book is for you!
This book will introduce you to 9 great Christian thinkers (Irenaeus, Athanasius, Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin, Blaise Pascal and C. S. Lewis) in a clear, organized and very accessible way and will whet your appetite to delve deeper into the lives and writings of these men who contributed so much to the Church over the centuries.
Highly recommended for Christians and non-Christians, especially those who are not already familiar with these great contributors to Christian thought.
Do you think Anselm is a new brand of German beer or Thomas Aquinas is one of the Three Tenors?
Then this book is for you!
This book will introduce you to 9 great Christian thinkers (Irenaeus, Athanasius, Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin, Blaise Pascal and C. S. Lewis) in a clear, organized and very accessible way and will whet your appetite to delve deeper into the lives and writings of these men who contributed so much to the Church over the centuries.
Highly recommended for Christians and non-Christians, especially those who are not already familiar with these great contributors to Christian thought.
November 26, 2022
A very well produced intro to Christian Thinkers
Samples works out every chapter the same, so each Thinker is given the same due. This is a helpful book to get me into Christian Thinkers who I would never have bothered reading had it not been for this book.
Samples works out every chapter the same, so each Thinker is given the same due. This is a helpful book to get me into Christian Thinkers who I would never have bothered reading had it not been for this book.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews