Product Description

What is an intellectual? How can we learn to think well? What does it mean to love God with our minds? Can Christians legitimately aspire to becoming intellectuals? And can intellectual life indeed be a Christian calling for some - if not for all?

James Sire puts his supple mind to these questions and offers an unusual insider's view of learning to think well for the glory of God and for the sake of his kingdom. In particular he shows us how to cultivate "habits of the mind" that will strengthen us in the pursuit of our goal. Because Jesus was the smartest man who ever lived, he argues, we can and should accept the challenge to think as well as we can.

"Few contemporary evangelical writers have so profitably explored the meaning and implications of the Christian worldview and mind as Jim Sire. Now his wise, well-informed and witty work Habits of the Mind puts us even further in his debt." Douglas Groothuis, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Denver Seminary, and author of Truth Decay (IVP)

"This may be Dr. Sire's best book yet! He has introduced us to many fellow travelers on the road to wisdom who are great discoveries in themselves. He helpfully points us to all the important links--mind and heart, passion for holiness and passion for truth--links that should be indissoluble, but alas are not." Terry Morrison, Director Faculty Ministries, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship

"Over the last twenty-five years, no one has written so widely and helpfully about the challenge facing Christian students as James Sire. Page upon page, year after year, he has set before a generation the meaning of the Christian faith--intellectually rich and profoundly true. Now in Habits of the Mind one hears countless conversations and a lifetime of listening in this call to love what we believe, to live the truth even as we learn to probe and ponder it." Steven Garber, Scholar-in-Residence, Council for Christian Colleges and Universities

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #121266 in Books
• Published on: 2000-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 263 pages

From Library Journal
In some Christian denominations the intellectual life is looked at askance; anything beyond basic literacy is regarded as presumptuous. Sire (lecturer, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship; The Universe Next Door) argues that the intellectual lifeDa life of thinking and thinking wellDcan be a calling for some. Indeed, it is, to a certain extent, a calling for all Christians. "Thinking," he notes, "is integral to our call to be what God wants us to be." The author does a fine job of defending and promoting a Christian intellectual life, one that "does the truth." And the truth for Sire is that revealed in Jesus Christ. Writing in the tradition of John Henry Newman, to whom he devotes a chapter, and A.D. Sertillanges, the author defines the habits required of the Christian intellectual. Recommended for seminary and larger public libraries.DAugustine J. Curley, Newark Abbey, NJ
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Sire shoots down the theory that to be a Christian and an intellectual is oxymoronic. What does it mean to be an intellectual? he asks. What does it mean to think well and responsibly? He examines how to cultivate intellectual virtues and disciplines in the ongoing pursuit of knowledge. He defines what an intellectual is--one who is in love with ideas is the short explanation--and ultimately challenges Christians to accept the responsibility to "think well." An intellectual, he notes, must be fairly intelligent, have access to a good education, and be able to communicate effectively. A Christian intellectual is all that and, in addition, directs every act and every thought to the glory of God. More than that, Christian intellectuals must do as they say--hypocrisy is not an option--and must act on what they claim to know to be the truth. The qualities of an intellectual mind include a passion for truth, a passion for holiness, and constancy, patience, and perseverance. June Sawyers
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
Admirably dovetailing intellectual activity with devotional life, Sire rescues the word "intellectual" from negative connotations in this comprehensive study. -- CBA Marketplace, September 2000

For all thoughtful Christians who want to love God not only with heart, soul and strength, but with the mind as well. -- Christian Retailing, August 19, 2000

Customer Reviews

From One Wannabe Intellectual To Another
Our society has often labeled Christians as non-thinking weaklings who need a crutch to make it through life. Unfortunately many proclaimed Christians often mirror such an image, perhaps because they are Christian in name only and have never experienced spiritual rebirth or maybe they have been led to believe 'blind faith' is the only faith. Thankfully, James W. Sire reminds all of us that Christians too have a mind, and True Christians also have the Truth with which to engage a world hostile to Christianity.

Sire divides the book into ten chapters, each dealing with an aspect of the intellect. The first chapter "Confessions Of An Intellectual Wannabe" will strike a chord with many wannabe intellectuals, such as this reviewer. The next two chapters explore the thought of John Henry Newman, a true intellectual that we all wannabe! The next five chapters explain what 'thinking' actually feels like and how to develop the intellect--spiritual disciplines for the mind. One of the most profound exercises is that of lectio divina. Warning don't try this without supervision, unless of course you already know the Truth--Jesus Christ.

Christ as an intellectual, yes He was and still is the smartest man to ever walk the earth--think about it, is discussed in chapter nine. The final chapter discusses the responsibility of all us Christian intellects and wannabe intellects. Sire handles a deep subject with care and a delicate wit. For those who realize that Jesus Christ is the Truth and are ready to engage an intellectual world hostile to True Christianity this is the book for you. If you don't think your smart enough, join the fight anyway, all intellectual wannabes are welcome!

Semper fi & agape, Ed D.

Excellent treatment of a neglected topic. Read and grow.
Few contemporary evangelical writers have so profitably and profoundly explored the meaning and implications of the Christian worldview and mind as James Sire. Now his wise, well-informed, and witty book puts us even further in his debt. The chapter, "Jesus, the Reasoner," is worth the price of the book. It demonstrates that Jesus prized and exemplified the life of the mind.

Be sure to read Dr. Sire's other books on related themes: "The Universe Next Door, 3rd ed.," "Why Should Anyone Believe Anything at All?," and "Discipleship of the Mind."

Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D., Denver Seminary.

Habit Forming Reading
Of all "Christian World View" books published in the last twenty years, this reigns supreme. Though certainly never intended to be practical or prescriptive, Sire provides the greatest service to 'Intellectual Wannabes' by discussing exactly what it means to be a Christian intellectual. His own history provides an able model for aspiring thinkers. However, the real inspiration lies in holding up Jesus as the ultimate thinker. Jesus' incontrovertible logic is emphasized. Jesus' mind and wit bolsters our own courage to stand up for His truth in a world flailing for standards of verity. Via his discussion of wholistic disciplines, Sire encourages engaging and stretching the mind inside a wider integration of being (mind, body, soul, and spirit). He spurs us on to acquire holiness and to live the truth beyond mere mental ascent. Sire encourages us to develop the intellectual habits necessary to go forth and live truth.