Critical Realism and Christianity

This book is an exposition and analysis of Critical Realism, a philosophical approach that is quickly becoming the go-to epistemological position among Christian authors. Author Thomas A. Howe argues that Critical Realism’s claims and commitments pose a serious threat to Christian theology and hermeneutics. In recent years, the movement has made significant inroads in the interpretation of Scripture; influential Christian authors argue for Critical Realism as an essential aspect of their hermeneutic methodology; and evangelical scholars claim it has great potential for biblical studies. But as Howe shows, Critical Realism is incompatible with Christian doctrine.

By surveying some of the Christian proponents of Critical Realism, this book shows how it conflicts with and subverts orthodox Christian theology and hermeneutics. It also shows how Critical Realism undermines Christian apologetics by blunting the possibility of deciding between the claims of conflicting and contradictory theologies and beliefs. This book is an effort to alert Christian authors to the dangers of adopting Critical Realism as a part of a Christian worldview. It will be of interest to all those seeking to understand the impact of Critical Realism on Christian theology and hermeneutics.

Thomas A. Howe is Professor Emeritus of Bible and Biblical Languages at Southern Evangelical Seminary, Charlotte, North Carolina. He earned his Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been a professor at Southern Evangelical Seminary for 31 years. Howe has published a number of books, including A Critique of William Lane Craig’s In Quest of the Historical Adam (2022), Bias in New Testament Translations? A Defense of the Deity of Christ (2010), and Daniel in the Preterists’ Den: A Commentary on the Book of Daniel (2008).