Philosophical Questions and the Unity of the Trinity: Re-engaging Christ-shaped Philosophy

Dr. J. Daniel McDonald, PhD

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In his Christ-Shaped Philosophy (CSP) project, Paul K. Moser calls for Christian philosophers to take the authority of Jesus Christ seriously in their intellectual pursuits. One does this, in part, by pursuing only those philosophical questions that lead one to serve and love God and neighbor.

Despite Moser’s refreshing and needed perspective on metaphilosophical issues, his project is not without problems. This paper argues that Moser’s appeal to Mark 12:28-31 reduces and constricts the kinds of questions Christian philosophers pursue.

The paper first provides a brief summary of Moser’s metaphilosophy, particularly the types of questions philosophers ask. The paper then traces out the implications of Moser’s view in Christian philosophy as well as other disciplines. The paper then sets forth a more robust view of metaphilosophy in regard to the questions that philosophers pursue. This is accomplished by exploring Augustine’s view about the unity and truth within the Trinity, after which the implications on philosophical questioning are teased out. The paper concludes with a brief summary of the paper’s main ideas.

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