Clear Thinking in a Messy World: A Christian Guide to Logic, Reason, and Cognitive Bias

Learn to Think Clearly in a Complex World: A Christian Guide to Logic and Reason

Most of us grew up in a culture where school systems rewarded fast, correct answers to problems—not slow, deliberate questions about problems. But as we mature, we face more complicated matters—ideas with worldview implications—that aren’t tests of memorized facts.

How can we confidently evaluate important issues when we’ve been ill-equipped to think critically?

By changing our minds.

Contents

Introduction: Why Christians Need to Think Clearly

Part 1: The Whats, Whys, Wheres, and Hows of Logic
1. Christianity and the Life of the Mind
2. Why Study Logic?
3. The Basic Elements of Logical Arguments
4. The Laws of Logic

Part 2: Informal Reasoning
5. Three Types of Logical Reasoning
6. Positive Steps to Reinforce Clear Thinking
7. Overcoming Common Obstacles to Clear Thinking
8. Evaluating Propaganda and Conspiracy Theories
9. Twelve Precarious Informal Fallacies
10. Fifteen More Common Informal Fallacies

Part 3: Cognitive Bias
11. Cognitive Biases and Critical Thinking
12. Biases in Science
13. Biases in Thinking with Numbers Big and Small
14. Mitigating the Effects of Cognitive Biases
15. Integrating Thoughts on Clear Thinking

Kenneth Richard Samples serves as senior research scholar at Reasons to Believe (RTB), an organization that researches and communicates how God’s revelation in the Bible harmonizes with science and philosophy. Kenneth’s other books include Christianity Cross-Examined, Classic Christian Thinkers, and God among Sages. He is an adjunct instructor of apologetics at Biola University and has spoken at universities and churches around the world.

Mark Perez serves as chief operating officer at RTB. He has taught critical thinking and problem solving in the government sector (primarily to managers) and has made presentations on apologetics, critical thinking, and philosophy of science to church groups and other Christian organizations. Mark is a contributing author to Thinking about Evolution.