Mind Your Faith: A Student's Guide to Thinking and Living Well

I am not a scholar or somebody who teaches college students. But I did spend seven years at two secular universities, and I'm familiar with what passes for "established truth" in an environment that can be hostile to those who won't embrace relativism, naturalism and Darwinism. We need some effective intellectual ammunition to process the baloney being dished out liberally by many professors and students on college campuses. In Mind Your Faith, Dr. Horner has provided a munitions depot of logically rigorous, but very readable, ammo to help students think clearly, that they may stand strong and confident against illogical dogma. This should not be just a defensive strategy; we need to take the intellectual contest to the other side. There are a lot of sections in the book to like, but one of my favorites deals with the fallacy of "scientism," a metaphysical belief system held by many educational elites that says we should accept as valid truth only what can be physically seen and measured, only that which can be tested by scientific methodology. Horner offers some great insights. If you happen to disagree about some of these issues, you'll find this book to be a rational discussion that will challenge you in an amicable way. In fact, Horner devotes considerable attention to the process of meaningful debate and engaging with those who share a view that is different than yours. The book provides a fine analysis of the logical and philosophical foundation that is needed for us to develop a sensible worldview, to guide our decisions in life. Some worldviews really do stand up better to scrutiny than others and the author suggests we not be afraid to evaluate our own views critically. The bottom line is a paradigm where reason is in synch with faith, not the enemy of faith. A robust faith is not afraid of being exposed to critical thinking. This book presents an explanation of the building blocks needed to grow in our faith, and how this plays out in the way we live. Although targeted towards students in college, most of this material is invaluable for anyone who wants to live well a life of faith.

In June of this year, I held May Grace Precede's first ‘Mentalmorphosis’ seminar where we hosted a group of young, Christian, current, or soon-to-be college freshmen with the aim of encouraging sound thinking, especially about existential and moral matters. Though the event was a success, there was a felt need to provide additional resources that adequately encompass and expand upon the principles taught at an appropriate reading level. Our search led us to ‘Mind your Faith: A student’s guide to thinking and living well’ by David A. Horner and what a find it was! “Ideas have consequences: what we believe will determine how we behave, and ultimately who we become”. This is true for individuals, for families, for institutions, and for cultures”. “Yes, it is possible to have knowledge of true doctrine without personal commitment. But it is also possible to be passionately committed to what is false, to be devoted to a destructive fantasy…what we believe matters.” The author endeavors to show how one’s mind relates to character development and behavior through faith. In doing so, he explores a range of topics including the relation between reality, truth, and belief; basic epistemology; logical and contextual thinking; worldviews and ‘true’ tolerance; and the connection between faith and reason. These abstract concepts are communicated with clarity and concision and presented within an overarching Biblical and apologetic framework. Dr. Horner is resolute that, “Thinking, believing, and living well demand a fully rational faith and a fully faithful reason.” Additionally, he takes the position that propositional knowledge, though necessary, is subservient to the ultimate goal of personal knowledge, specifically of God. I share in both of his convictions. None of the topics; however, are discussed sufficiently to grant the reader a level of mastery in understanding and so the book is introductory at best. Nevertheless, its strength is found in the lucidity and precision with which the author displays the practical interrelatedness between philosophy and the Christian faith to a late, adolescent audience. In short, Dr. Horner does what he sets out to do quite well. This book will be a part of our ministry for some time to come as we recommend it to all Christian high-school graduates of sufficient (intellectual) maturity. We do so with the hope of developing a more contemplative and caring, Christ-exalting, Christian community in the future.

"For a follower of Jesus the pursuit of a university education should be seen as a positive, exciting endeavor, not something to be endured or escaped. It is to be loved rather than feared." Another addition to my faith in higher education library is Mind Your Faith by David Horner. A Christian university professor educated in the secular environment, Horner clearly sees how many universities have given up on teaching meaning and spirituality and how many Christians - who attend faith-based or secular universities - decide to separate their faith and intellect during college. Faith and reason are not meant to be disconnected; reason does not undermine faith and faith does not abolish reason. We are meant to use our God-given minds to support our faith and worship our Lord. Horner frequently discusses the prophet Daniel a great example of man who faced many challenges at "Babylon University" yet met every temptation with a strong faith and educated mind. Additionally, Horner walks us through a course in philosophy, assisting the reader in debunking commonly held perspectives such as relativism. Though I was not amazed by the book, I think Mind Your Faith is a respectable book about the role of mind and faith. Education should be of utmost importance to a follower of Christ, because Christ made it all. I especially enjoyed his constant commendations to community. "Communities are made of relationships that gives us models, hold us accountable, encourage us, comfort us and provide us opportunities for ministry."

This book should be mandatory reading for all high school kids at every church in the English-speaking world. Very well written. Very clear. Wish I'd had a book like this back in the 80's. I'd recommend it for all ages. So good! If you've got a kid in high school, get this book and read it with them and discuss it. Excellent!!!

This book should be required reading for anyone in college or in college ministry. Dr. Horner has that powerful combination of a depth of experience in ministry and a comparable depth as a philosopher and theologian. His writing is simultaneously pastoral, intellectual and practical. While the audience is college students (and I believe people who minister to college students), I defy anyone of any age or even worldview not to be challenged by this book.

The college years can be an intimidating stage of life for anyone, but I imagine this is doubly true for the Christian teen attending a secular institution. Mind Your Faith by David A. Horner is meant to address just such students and the near-inevitable crisis of faith that can confront them. As Horner points out, these crises typically assault three areas of the student's life: the mind, the faith, and the character. Undoubtedly, these three areas overlap and influence each other, but Horner neatly handles them in that order (which incidentally forms the outline of the book). Horner ably navigates (and creatively names) such chapters as "Thinking Contextually: Find Common Ground", "Thinking Worldviewishly: Connect the Dots" and "The Credibility of Faith: Worldviewish Apologetics". The depth and wisdom of Horner's writing is balanced well by personal accounts of his own university experience. Throughout the book, Horner is intelligent and in-depth. The greatest strength of this book, however, is also it's greatest weakness. As a college professor at Biola University, Horner is uniquely positioned to coach prospective college students in these challenges. But it seems his biggest difficulty was remembering that his target audience for the book is not his college students, but high school students. I readily admit that both the size (272 pages) and depth of the book would have scared me off as a high schooler. This is not to say the book is a waste of time. I would simply recommend it for a different demographic. This book is perfectly suited for those students already in undergrad or graduate classes or student ministry leaders who are working with high school students. If my thoughts here ever made their way back to Horner or the publisher, my suggestion would be simple: Mind Your Faith For Dummies (I know, I think it would sell too!).

Great read! this book was very readable and yet not shallow. It was very deep and yet clear. The book was great at equipping, especially for anyone on a university campus.

It has been many years since I graduated from a university, so I found this book to be very helpful in understanding some of the increasing challenges that today's students face as they embark on higher learning. I especially appreciated Horner's emphasis on the opportunity to receive advanced education as a blessing that should not be wasted. This book is designed to prepare one to face the inevitable faith challenges without fear (both in the classroom and in the university community's life).