Thomas B Warren Logic And The Bible Summary

This book report serves both as an overview and an evaluation of Thomas B. Warren’s book, Logic and the Bible. Warren’s writing is an introduction to logic (“the science of correct reasoning”) and its relationship with the Bible. He focuses much of his discussion around the matter of implication/inference, and its importance in dealing with the Bible in a rational, logical way. Warren states the importance of this matter by describing a theological position that claims that no inference/implication of the Bible is binding to man, but is rather human doctrine/opinion. This ideology has a great impact on how one views the Bible, and Warren attempts to tackle this problem in this book.

After introducing his goal, Warren then defines some important

terms to the discussion at hand, such as logic, proposition, validity, explicit teaching, implicit teaching, and others that are relevant and helpful. Warren does this in a way that is very simple, straightforward, and pertinent, and it helps the reader to better understand that he writes of throughout the rest of the book.
Next, Warren sets about describing “some crucial laws” to the matter at hand.

Those laws are the law of rationality, the laws of thought (which are the law of identity, the law of excluded middle, and the law of contradiction), and the law of inference and/or implication. Similar to the definitions given in the first section, understanding these laws is critical in the discussion of logic in general, as well as how it applies to the Bible. The law of rationality states “that men should draw only such conclusions as are warranted by the evience”. Warren relates this to the Bible by describing Biblical faith as rational (based on evidence), and not the “leap into the dark” that some claim faith to be (Rom. 10:17). This is a central idea in the discussion of logic and the

Bible.
Following his discussion of the law of rationality, Warren describes the laws of thought and their relation to the Bible. The law of identity asserts that a proposition that is true is universally true, and is thus true for “all persons, in all times, and all places”. The law of excluded middle means that “every precisely stated propistion is either true or false”, or, in other words, any “middle” position is excluded (not-possible). The final law of thought, the law of contradiction, establishes that a proposition cannot be both true and false. These three interrelated “laws of thought” are very vital to the material that Warren discusses throughout the book.
The final “crucial law” that Warren explains is the law (principle) of inference and/or implication. Understanding this is especially crucial to Warren’s discussion involving those who teach that only explicit statements in the Bible are binding, and implicit teaching is not. However, when considering the law of inference/implication (the principle that proper (true) evidence necessitates that a valid conclusion is also true), Warren shows this position to be false, self-contradictory, and irrational. Warren accurately states that “the Bible affirms (teaches) many things which it does not affirm (teach) explicity” (emp. his) and those things taught implicity by the Bible are “bound on men, not because men have inferred it, but because God has implied it” (emp. his).
The subsequent section deals with “how men react to these laws” that Warren has established. In this part of the book, Warren addresses various ways in which people ignore, distort, or misuse these various laws/principles of logic in regards to the Bible, as well as such philosophies as empiricism, idealism, romanticism, etc. Following this, Warren briefly describes the process of demonstrating (proving) a proposition and refuting a proposition, and both are relevant and helpful matters in this discussion.
In the fifth section of his book, Warren accurately details the use of the law of rationality within the Bible itself.

Although it is by no means exhaustive, he does detail accounts involving Jesus, Peter, Paul, and others that clearly demonstrate both the use of the law of rationality in the Bible itself and by the men recorded in the Bible. The book also shows Bible passages (such as 1 Thess. 5:21 and Jude 3) that teach the use of the law of rationality by precept. This is another important aspect of Warren’s argument against those that reject logic in relation to the Bible.

Then, Warren lists a series 134 different questions directed towards “agnostics and irrationalists”. These questions are specifically designed to reveal the self-contradictions inherent in the position held by agnostics and irrationalists. The inclusion of these questions is of great benefit to those that hold this position, but also to others in their dealings with aforementioned groups. Warren also details some specific ways to use these questions to help guide those who hold the agnostic or irrational viewpoint into

rationality.
Next, Warren dedicates a section if his book on a more thorough description of faith the he touched on earlier. He again emphasizes that “knowledge and faith are inextricably related” (emp. his). It is important when considering logic and its relation to the Bible to realize that faith is not a “leap into the dark”, but based on knowing the evidence that God has provided. Warren then concludes his book with a brief summation of the material that he has covered and how he believes it can benefit the reader.
This book serves as an excellent introduction to the study of logic, particularly in how it relates to the Bible. Warren was able to put the book into relatively simple terms, allowing the majority of people to get a basic grasp on some very difficult and scholarly principles. It was of great benefit that Warren several extensive chapters related to defining and explaining various terms and concepts, because this was knowledge that was necessary in order to understand the following material. Quite often, Warren would also repeat brief, parenthetical explanations for certain technical terms that remind the reader of the definitions that were previously given. This was much appreciated, as it eliminated the need to turn back to previous sections for clarification regarding those terms.
Warren also combats the irrational position that he described (the rejection of inference/implication in regard to the Bible) in a thorough and decisive way. He lays out many points that are both logical and straightforward, showing the self-contradictive nature of this theological perspective. Not only will these arguments disprove any of this persuasion that are willing to look at it openly and honestly, but Warren also fully supplies the reader with the necessary tools to oppose this position themselves.
This book is of great value to all who strive to study and learn the Bible, as it will give them a basic foundation in logic that will help them to approach the Bible in a more logical, rational way. It will also aid the reader in both identifying and educating those who subscribe to irrational positions. Warren’s writing would also be incredibly useful to those who are themselves irrational, should they approach it with honest intent. Warren’s precise, logical arguments would easily show such an individual the error of irrationality and convince them to adopt what is rational and logical.
However, despite the fact that Warren accomplished his goals with this book quite skillfully, his goal itself was limited in scope. This book, as it was intended, serves only as a basic introduction to the principle of logic and its relation to the Bible. A much more thorough approach would surely be of great benefit, but this was (as he stated himself) not Warren’s intent. Nevertheless, Warren’s book is enlightening, helpful, and undoubtedly worthy of recommendation.