Douglas Groothuis

Post-truth, AI deep fakes, truthiness, propaganda, alternative facts, true for you but not for me--the concept of truth has been taking a beating for decades, but in recent years it feels as though we may be beyond the point of no return. Not only are our concepts of truth not aligned with biblical teachings, but they are also patently out of step with objective reality. And even if we find this disturbing--when we notice it at all--we may be at a loss about where we go from here. With a cool head and a warm heart, senior apologist Douglas Groothuis explores our culture's deficient view of truth, clearly explaining the nature of truth, how to know if something is true, and how to bring truth to bear on some of the most pressing issues of our times. Pointing us back to a biblical worldview as the foundation of our understanding of truth, this honest yet hopeful examination of common cultural lies will equip you to · identify and resist ideologies based on personal opinion and false premises · calmly and clearly discuss hot-button topics like race, gender, morality, and more · help your friends, family, and others in your sphere of influence recover truth in a relativistic society

Blaise Pascal, the seventeenth-century French philosopher and scientist, is perhaps best known for his "wager," an argument about the existence of God. But there was much more to Pascal and his brilliance. In this accessible and well-documented study, philosopher Douglas Groothuis introduces readers to Pascal's life as well as the breadth of his intellectual pursuits, including his contributions to mathematics, science, ethics, and theology. Groothuis overviews the key points of Pascal's Pens es, which captures his thoughts about God, humanity, and Jesus Christ. Readers will also explore Pascal's views on a range of topics, including culture, politics, Islam, and miracles. Often quoted and often misunderstood, Pascal is a complex figure whose writings have charmed, puzzled, and inspired readers across the centuries. With guidance from a leading Christian thinker and longtime student of Pascal, Beyond the Wager takes you on a journey to discover the riches Pascal has to offer today.

Understanding the beliefs and practices of other faiths is essential not just to the task of interreligious dialogue, but also to grasping one's own faith. In this brief volume in IVP Academic's Introductions in Seven Sentences, philosopher Douglas Groothuis creatively uses a single sentence representing each of several world religions as a way to open readers to their depth and complexity, including: Atheism: "God Is Dead." Judaism: "I Am Who I Am." Hinduism: "You Are That." Buddhism: "Life Is Suffering." Daoism: "The Dao That Can Be Spoken Is Not the Eternal Dao." Christianity: "Before Abraham Was, I Am." Islam: "There Is One God, and Mohammad Is His Prophet." With a sympathetic but not uncritical approach, Groothuis welcomes readers to a vital and global conversation. The accessible primers in the Introductions in Seven Sentences collection act as brief introductions to an academic field, with simple organization: seven key sentences that give readers a birds-eye view of an entire discipline.

Intellectual support for defending your faith. Knowledge of God in the World and the Word is a clear and succinct introduction to classical Christian apologetics that also addresses the most common objections to natural theology. Amid the crisis of authority in our modern and postmodern era, Christians need to be able to point to God's revelation in the natural world in addition to defending God's unique revelation in the Bible and in the person of Jesus Christ. Classical apologetics takes a two-step approach to commending the Christian picture of reality—first establishing arguments for the existence of God and then defending key items of Christian revelation, including:The reliability of the Bible. The identity of the historical Jesus. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. With this book, you will discover an easy point of entry into understanding why Christian beliefs about Jesus are true and rational. Perfect for any Christian who wants to articulate a sophisticated and comprehensive defense of their faith.

Amid the crisis of authority in our modern and postmodern era, Christians need to be able to point to God's revelation in the natural world in addition to defending God's unique revelation in the Bible and in the person of Jesus Christ. Classical apologetics takes a two-step approach to commending the Christian picture of reality. First, arguments for the existence of God, such as those of natural theology, are employed to create common ground with people outside the household of the Christian faith and to provide intellectual support for Christians. Second, classical apologetics defends key items of Christian revelation, including the reliability of the Bible, the identity of the historical Jesus, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. In the Knowledge of God in the World and the Word Workbook, designed to be used alongside the Knowledge of God in the World and the Word textbook by authors Douglas Groothuis and Andrew I. Shepardson, students are guided through learning exercises that introduce them to classical apologetics and to innovative defenses of natural theology.

People are hungry for hope. They want to understand our human condition—its origin, nature, purpose, and destiny. The Christian faith offers hope for individuals and the entire universe, grounded in absolute truth. But how can we know that Christianity is true? And how can Christians confidently present their beliefs in the face of doubts and competing views? In this comprehensive text, Douglas Groothuis makes a clear and rigorous case for Christian theism. Demonstrating how apologetics must be both rational and winsome, he addresses the most common questions and objections people raise regarding Christianity. After laying a foundation with the biblical basis for apologetics, apologetic method, and a defense of objective truth, he presents key arguments for the reality of God, a case for the credibility of Jesus, and evidence for the resurrection. Groothuis also evaluates alternative views and responds to challenges such as religious pluralism and the problem of evil. The second edition of this landmark work has been updated throughout to address current issues and sources. It includes new chapters on topics such as doubt and the hiddenness of God, the atonement, the church, and lament as a Christian apologetic. To know God in Christ, Groothuis argues, means that we desire to make Christian truth available to others in the most compelling form possible. Students, ordinary Christians, and seasoned philosophers will all find a wise guide for this endeavor in Christian Apologetics.

Helping children find their way through the confusing world of a loved one developing dementia Grandma has come to live with Noah's family, and he couldn't be happier. They put together puzzles, read books, and play with Sunny, Grandma's dog. And she never misses a chance to tell Noah that she loves him "to the stars." But lately Grandma hasn't been the same. She does funny things like lose her shoes in the bathtub, and not so funny things like getting lost and forgetting how to read. Mom explains that Grandma's brain has gotten sick, and it makes her forget things. That means it's their job to remember for her--and to make sure she always knows that she is loved as much as she loves them. With thoughtful, child-friendly language and warm, painterly illustrations, I Love You to the Stars is a beautiful book that helps children understand the often-scary reality of a grandparent or older friend experiencing dementia. It can be read with an adult, along with the discussion questions included at the end of the book, or pulled from the shelf by little hands whenever they need a reminder that love is always there.

How do you continue to find God as dementia pulls your loved one into the darkness? Nothing is simple for a person suffering from dementia, and for those they love. When ordinary tasks of communication, such as using a phone, become complex, then difficult, and then impossible, isolation becomes inevitable. Helping becomes excruciating. In these pages philosopher Douglas Groothuis offers a window into his experience of caring for his wife as a rare form of dementia ravages her once-brilliant mind and eliminates her once-stellar verbal acuity. Mixing personal narrative with spiritual insight, he captures moments of lament as well as philosophical and theological reflection. Brief interludes provide poignant pictures of life inside the Groothuis household, and we meet a parade of caregivers, including a very skilled companion dog. Losses for both Doug and Becky come daily, and his questions for God multiply as he navigates the descending darkness. Here is a frank exploration of how one continues to find God in the twilight.

Philosophy is not a closed club or a secret society. It's for anyone who thinks big questions are worth talking about. To get us started, Douglas Groothuis unpacks seven pivotal sentences from the history of western philosophy—a few famous, all short, none trivial. Included are: "The unexamined life is not worth living."—Socrates"You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you."—Augustine"I think, therefore I am."—Decartes"The heart has reasons, that reason knows nothing of."—Pascal Sentences from Protagoras, Aristotle and Kierkegaard round out this quick tour. Since every philosopher has a story, not just a series of ideas, Groothuis also offers a bit of each one's life to set the stage. The seven sterling sentences themselves, while they can't tell us all there is to know, offer bridges into other lands of thought which can spark new ideas and adventures. And who knows where they might lead? The accessible primers in the Introductions in Seven Sentences collection act as brief introductions to an academic field, with simple organization: seven key sentences that give readers a birds-eye view of an entire discipline.

Philosophy is not a closed club or a secret society. It's for anyone who thinks big questions are worth talking about. In this lively introduction, Douglas Groothuis upacks seven short yet pivotal sentences from the history of Western philosophy, including key ideas from Protagoras, Socrates, Aristotle, Augustine, Descartes, Pascal and Kierkegaard.

The concept of truth as absolute, objective and universal has undergone serious deterioration in recent years. No longer is it a goal for all to pursue. Rather postmodernism sees truth as inseparable from culture, psychology, race and gender. Ultimately, truth is what we make it to be. What factors have accelerated this decay of truth? Why are people willing to embrace such a devalued concept? How does this new view of truth compare and contrast with a Christian understanding? While postmodernism contains some truthful insights (despite its attempt to dethrone truth), Douglas Groothuis sees its basic tenets as intellectually flawed and hostile to Christian views of truth. In this spirited presentation of a solid, biblical and logical view of truth, the author unveils how truth has come under attack and how it can be defended in the vital areas of theology, apologetics, ethics and the arts. An important book for all concerned about the nature and value of truth.

A 2001 Christianity Today Award of Merit winnerThe concept of truth as absolute, objective and universal has undergone serious deterioration in recent years. No longer is it a goal for all to pursue. Rather postmodernism sees truth as inseparable from culture, psychology, race and gender. Ultimately, truth is what we make it to be. What factors have accelarated this decay of truth? Why are people willing to embrace such a devalued concept? How does this new view compare and contrast with a Christian understanding? While postmodernism contains some truthful insights (despite its attempt to dethrone truth), Douglas Groothuis sees its basic tenets as intellectually flawed and hostile to Christian views. In this spirited presentation of a solid, biblical and logical perspective, Groothuis unveils how truth has come under attack and how it can be defended in the vital areas of theology, apologetics, ethics and the arts.

What is the New Age movement? Is it a conspiracy? What can Christians do about it? In the last ten years the New Age has shifted out of the counterculture into the mainstream of society. Today its effects are felt in almost every aspect of life--medicine, politics, science, psychology and even religion.--Fortune 500 corporations routinely send their managers to New Age seminars to expand their minds and increase productivity.--Entertainer Shirley MacLaine has written two best-selling books that chronicle her conversion to the New Age.--Doctors and therapists increasingly employ healing techniques that are based on pantheistic principles.--Even advertisers on radio and television, in tune with New Age ideas, are telling us that we have unlimited potential. Douglas Groothuis explains how the New Age combines Eastern mysticism with Western optimism and why it has become so popular. His thorough, biblical analysis helps Christians know how to respond to this aggressive movement.