Knowledge for the Love of God: Why Your Heart Needs Your Mind Paperback – August 25, 2022

I loved how this book helped me think more deeply and more creatively about how knowledge and reason play a key role in Christianity. The book blends a tutorial on key philosophical issues related to knowledge by an accomplished philosopher and teacher, a practical explanation of the authors own spiritual journey/wishes for his children, a thoughtful scriptural exposition on how our mind matters to our faith, and a creative set of cultural examples that illustrate key ideas, including the 2006 run of the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals, plot details of the Harry Potter series, and Karl Barth's famous response to a request to summarize his massive theological tome. I found the "complications" chapters on science, testimony as a way of knowing, and pluralism particularly helpful. The book is infused with grace and lateral thinking.

My husband and I recently read Knowledge for the Love of God in community with others from our church. Addressing grand topics with accessible style, Pickavance explores “why the life of the mind is essential for devotion to Christ” (11). Personal in tone and replete with concrete examples, the book fosters excellent discussion. It has heightened gratitude for life’s fleas (chapter 8) and has highlighted how the gospel “eliminates the need to strive without destroying the motive to explore” (Pickavance 143). Read and be encouraged.

Book shares an intellectual’s journey connecting his faith and his thinking. Challenging with insights into definitions of key words in my life of faith. Thank you!

I had the privilege of having Tim as a philosophy professor. I knew this was going to be good, and it did not disappoint! This book addresses some really profound and important questions about how knowledge relates to the Christian life. If all believers read and grasped this content, the church would be much better because of it! The chapter on Christian belief in a pluralistic world was especially impactful for the state of life I am in right now.

Love it!

When you read this book, it feels like an invitation.Knowledge and reason aren't things to be afraid of, for those who don't feel confident in such things. They are there to feel confident in, and so trust, Jesus and his beautiful reality, a reality which is a bit crazy, but which is glorious, a reality which takes us to God himself.That's all in the book. And more besides. One step at a time, Pickavance helps his readers see knowledge and reason as vehicles towards the love of God.One effect I think this book might have is subtle. Because this book helps you see reason as such a gift, it does something else too: it makes you feel like you can trust in Jesus more than before having read it. An excited and yet grounded and yet *reasonable*, "Come on! Let's use reason. Let's try to get knowledge about God and his kingdom," makes you think, "Maybe I can trust in this more than I thought." At least, that's an effect it had on me, and I was already confident in my faith! :)The book divides into prologue, parts one, two, and three, and then epilogue. But I prefer to think of it as presenting a positive case for what I just said above, and then considering three questions people might have if they are seriously considering pursuing reason as part of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus for life. Here are the three questions. "If I embrace reason, will science hurt my faith? If I embrace reason, does this mean I can't just believe the Bible? If I embrace reason, then what about the unbelief of smart and good people?" Pickavance's answers to these questions are helpful as well as ones you may not have heard before.One last thing that I loved. Pickavance, throughout the book, keeps saying, "More, not less." Here's an example, somewhat repeating myself. Pickavance argues that propositional knowledge, head knowledge, is essential for getting to know, relationally, our awesome God. (This is fun and exciting. This specific connection isn't something I had thought of before. And it's practical. It gives you something to do. A way, among many, of moving forward.)Propositional knowledge is needed for relationship with God. More than propositional knowledge is needed. But not less. More, not less.

This book will prove helpful to thoughtful Christians who need a better understanding of the relationship between faith and knowledge, and the relationship between the head and the heart. It is ideal for small groups, youth groups, and college students. Pickavance has a knack for making difficult topics understandable without oversimplifying. This book will increase both your knowledge and your love of God.

Dr. Pickavance makes expert use of stories to communicate important truths about often difficult to grasp philosophical topics. This is the sort of book that is great for non-specialists, but is also offers helpful insights to those who are familiar with these classic philosophical issues. If you're looking to deepen your faith or just to deepen your understanding of knowledge itself, this book is well worth your time.