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Here’s a comprehensive overview of the book Scientism and Secularism: Learning to Respond to a Dangerous Ideology by J. P. Moreland:
📘 Book Summary
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Author: J. P. Moreland, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Biola University (Crossway)
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Publication: Crossway, September 30, 2018 (224 pages) (Crossway)
1. Defining Scientism
Moreland defines scientism as the belief that natural sciences—physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy—are the only legitimate means of accessing truth and reality. Consequently, disciplines like philosophy, theology, and ethics are relegated to mere opinion or emotion (Crossway, CrossExamined).
He distinguishes between:
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Strong scientism: Only scientific claims can be true or rationally justified
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Weak scientism: Other knowledge may exist, but science is considered far superior (creation.com)
2. The Problematic Influence
Scientism pervades academia and wider culture, lowering faith-based arguments and philosophical reasoning to subjective personal opinion. According to Moreland, this ideology marginalizes religion and undermines meaningful discourse on moral and spiritual matters (Crossway).
3. Main Arguments Against Scientism
Self-Refuting Nature
Scientism claims that only scientific methods yield true knowledge. However, that claim itself is not scientific and thus fails its own standard—a classic self-refuting position (Crossway).
Enemy of Science
Science operates on assumptions—like logic, mathematics, the correspondence theory of truth—that science cannot itself justify. These foundational beliefs come from philosophy. Scientism rejects philosophy, thereby undermining the very integrity of scientific reasoning (Books At a Glance).
No Better than Strong Form
Moreland argues that even weak scientism presents dangers by elevating science above all other ways of knowing, drawing belief-based or philosophical truths into a suspicious and dismissive frame (Free Thinking Ministries).
4. Seven Areas Science Cannot Explain—But Theism Can
Moreland presents seven key domains that science cannot adequately address yet which are well explained by theism:
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Origins of the universe
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Origins of the laws of nature
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Fine‑tuning of the universe
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Origins of consciousness
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Existence of moral, rational, and aesthetic laws
6–7. (Other areas related to philosophical presuppositions) (Free Thinking Ministries, CrossExamined)
5. Philosophy’s Role in Science
He underscores philosophy’s essential role in:
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Establishing epistemological foundations
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Articulating metaphysical assumptions
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Defending the conceptual frameworks within which science operates (CrossExamined, Books At a Glance)
6. Methods of Explanation
Chapters on methodological naturalism explore how limiting explanations to natural causes neglects personal or purpose-driven explanations. Chapter 12 critiques that approach and seeks a broader explanatory scope (Free Thinking Ministries).
7. Ways to Integrate Science and Christianity
Moreland offers five approaches—ranging from dialogue to integration models—for constructive engagement between science and Christian theology, presenting intelligent design as one viable framework and contrasting it with theistic evolution (Books At a Glance).
✅ Evaluation & Reception
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Accessible yet rigorous: Though philosophical, it's tailored for lay readers alongside scholars (Goodreads).
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Praised across Christian academia: High endorsements from theologians like Gregory Koukl and James Anderson for its clarity and precision (Amazon).
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Constructive alternative: Offers strategies to reclaim philosophical and theological discourse in a scientistic culture (Discovery Institute).
🧭 Should You Read It?
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For Christians or theists wanting robust arguments against scientism and pathways for integrating faith and reason.
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For students of philosophy or apologetics, it's a concise entry point into issues at the science-religion interface.
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Some academic or philosophical background helps, especially for chapters on consciousness and first philosophy topics (creation.com, Free Thinking Ministries).
📂 Quick Reference: Table of Contents
| Chapter | Title/Summary |
|---|---|
| 1 | The (Scientistic) Air We Breathe |
| 2–3 | Why Scientism Matters; Its Influence in Universities |
| 4 | Scientism Is Self‑Refuting |
| 5 | Scientism Is the Enemy of Science |
| 6 | Weak Scientism No Better Than Strong |
| 7–8 | Areas Science Can't Explain & Case Study on Consciousness |
| 9–10 | Philosophy’s Role & Authority |
| 11 | Scientific vs Personal Explanations |
| 12 | Five Things Science Cannot Explain |
| 13 | Theistic Evolution vs Intelligent Design |
| 14–15 | Integration of Christianity & Science |
Let me know if you’d like a deeper dive—for instance on specific chapters, criticisms, or related resources like A Secular Age by Charles Taylor or Ian Barbour’s Issues in Science and Religion.
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