Theology
The Christian Intellectual Tradition from the Reformation to the Modern Era A Reader and Companion
Josh A. Reeves, Kirstin Anderson Birkhaug, Annalise J. K. DeVries, Gabrielle Stanton Ray, and Jennifer Woodruff Tait
This reader with commentary helps Christians understand and critically examine major arguments that have been made in the Western intellectual tradition through an exploration of great texts. The book covers themes related to the natural world, human nature, politics, and God. The core of a liberal arts education lies in the debates made possible by a shared set of texts and questions. Combining their expertise in science, theology, political science, and history, the authors guide readers through the most important sections of classic texts from the Reformation to the modern era, explaining their significance and the debates they sparked. The texts are organized around four themes: God, science, society, and human nature. Rather than simply summarizing the texts, this introduction presents them in a way that allows readers to engage directly with the material. The authors provide historical context, point out po- tential themes and connections, and encourage readers to explore the ideas and questions the texts raise. Reflection questions are included. This book facilitates teaching for professors from a wide variety of disciplines and will work well for students in great books courses. In addition, it will be of interest to Christian classical learning organizations. FROM THE BOOK Sometimes students ask, What is the point of studying the liberal arts if there is not one single, once-and-for-all answer to what a text means? One answer is that the absence of a single perfect an- swer does not mean that any answer is perfectly acceptable. Given the importance of the questions being debated—such as the limits of science, the ideal society, and the nature of happiness—we owe ourselves the best answers we can muster. By immersing ourselves in the liberal arts, we develop the capacity to recognize and analyze the foundational ideas, values, and customs that shape our society. This critical awareness creates citizens who can more effectively participate in the democratic process. Nations need citizens who can deliberate with good sense and judgment in difficult and com - plex circumstances and provide a rationale for what they believe, do, and choose.
NOVEMBER 2025 • 432 pages • $44.99 • paper • 9781540968043
Josh A. Reeves (PhD, Boston University) directs the Samford Center for Science and Religion at Samford University.
Kirstin Anderson Birkhaug (PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison) is assistant professor of political science at Hope College.
Annalise J. K. DeVries (PhD, Rutgers University) is associate professor of history at Samford University.
Gabrielle Stanton Ray (PhD, Tulane University) is a postdoctoral fellow at Ogden Honors College, Louisiana State University.
Jennifer Woodruff Tait (PhD, Duke University) is senior editor of Christian History magazine .
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