A bibliography for a Christian approach to mathematics

A bibliography for a Christian approach to mathematics

Steve Bishop

Updated Dec 2011

Version 1.0 (1997) appeared in P. MacKenzie Entry Points for Christian Reflection within Education (London: CARE, 1997)

Version 1.1 appeared here

         Version 2.0 appeared here

         Version 2.1 appeared here

Bibliographies

Gene B. Chase and Calvin Jongsma Bibliography of Christianity and mathematics 1910-1983 (Dordt, Iowa: Dort College, 1983)

         An extensive annotated bibliography of papers and books dealing with Christian approaches and attitudes to maths.

laetus in praesens Bibliography of Relevance to Mathematical Theology

Journals

Journal of the ACMS

The journal has many useful papers including papers presented at conferences:

Robert Brabenec, The Historical Shaping of the Foundations of Mathematics

Arthur Holmes, Wanted: Christian Perspectives in the Philosophy of Mathematics

Paul Zwier, Making Curriculum Decisions and the Nature of Mathematics

Vernon Poythress, Science as Allegory 

Vernon Poythress, Mathematics as Rhyme 

Johan deKlerk, Can Mathematics be Taught in a Christian Way? 

David Neuhouser, Lewis Carroll: Author, Mathematician, and Christian 

David Stucki, Mathematics as Worship 

Johan deKlerk, A Christian Perspective on Mathematics - History of Mathematics and Study Guides

Books

Robert L. Brabenec A Christian Perspective on the Foundations of Mathematics (Wheaton College, 1977)

Brabenec has edited a number of 'Mathematics from a Christian Perspective' Conference Proceedings, of which this is the first. They contain a wealth of useful information of integrating math and a Christian worldview, however, they are concerned primarily with higher education. Many of the articles are now available on-line here. 

         James Bradley and Russell Howell Mathematics Through the Eyes of Faith Harper One/ CCCU, 2011.

See the review here by Josh Wilkerson

John Byl The Divine Challenge: on Matter, Mind, Math and Meaning (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2004) review by Howell

Byl's bibliography and biography is here

Charis Mathematics Project Charis Mathematics (Units 1-9; Units10-19; A1-A6) (John Shortt, director) (editors John Shortt and John Westwell) (Nottingham: The Stapleford Centre, 1996 and 1997)

Photocopiable materials for bringing out the 'spiritual and moral' aspects of mathematics at the secondary school level; written by Christian teachers of mathematics.

Roy A. Clouser The Myth of Religious Neutrality: A Essay on the Hidden Role of Religious Belief in Theories (Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame, 1991; 2nd edn 2005) my review here

Chapter 7 looks at some theories in mathematics (number-world theory; J. S. Mill; Bertrand Russell; and John Dewey) and shows how they all depend on divinising certain aspects of creation.

Andrew M. Hartley Christian and Humanist Foundations for Statistical Inference (Resource Publications, Wipf and Stock, 2008) 

See my PSCF review here. Other reviews here 

Looks at four of the dominant paradigms in statistics and compares them with a Christian worldview

James Nikel Mathematics: Is God Silent? (Vallecito, CA: Ross House Books, 1990; 2nd edn 2000) website resources here

Written to show that God is not! Contains many useful examples.

Russell W. Howell and James Bradley (ed.) Mathematics in aPostmodern Age: A Christian Perspective (Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, 2001) review by Palfreyman

Examines the nature of mathematics, the influence of maths and faith perspectives in mathematics from a Christian perspective.

Calvin Jongsma and Trudy Baker The Shape and Number of Things: An Integrated Math Curriculum for the Elementary School (Toronto: Curriculum Development Center)

A complete primary school package.

T. Koetsier and L. Bergmans (eds) Mathematics and the Divine A Historical Study (Elsevier Science, 2004)

Katherine Loop Beyond Numbers: A Practical Guide to Teaching Math Biblically (Christian Perspective, 2005; 2nd edn 2011) [see my review here]

Katherine Loop Revealing Arithmetic: Math Concepts from a Biblical Worldview (no date) ISBN 978-0977361106

Harro W. Van Brummelen, Mathematics in the Christian School (Toronto: The Association for the Advancement of Christian Scholarship, 1971)

A preliminary report resulting from a seminar held in Toronto in July, 1971, under the auspices of the OACS and the AACS. Contains a useful but out of date bibliography.

Chapters in books

Harro Van Brummelen Walking with God in the Classroom: Christian Approaches to Learning and Teaching (Ontario: Welch, 1988)

Though on Christian education in general, this book contains many insights into mathematics.

Harro Van Brummelen 'Mathematics' in Steensma, Geraldine and Harro W. Van Brummelen, editors. Shaping School Curriculum: A Biblical View. Terre Haute, Indiana: Signal Publishing Company, 1977.

Gene B. Chase 'Has Christian theology furthered mathematics' In Facets of Faith and Science vol 2: The Role of Beliefs in Mathematics and the Natural Sciences: An Augustinian Perspective. Jitse M. van der Meer (ed.) University Press of America/ Pascal Centre for Advanced Studies: Lanham/ Ancaster, 1996.

Harold Heie and David L. Wolfe (editors) The Reality of Christian Learning: Strategies for Faith-Discipline Integration (Grand Rapids: Christian University Press/ Eerdmans, 1987)

Harold Heie and Gene Chase contribute two chapters on ways of integrating the Christian faith and mathematics.

Harold Heie 'Developing a Christian perspective on the nature of mathematics' in Arlin C. Migliazzo (ed.)  Teaching as an act of faith: theory and practice in church-related higher education. New York : Fordham University Press, 2002, 95-116

P. MacKenzie Entry Points for Christian Reflection within Education (London: CARE, 1997) (Now available as an e-book)
Jim Nance 'Worldview test case: Christianity in math class',  in Repairing the Ruins ed. Douglas J. Wilson, 59-71. Moscow, ID: Canon Press, 1996. contents

Vern Poythress ‘A biblical view of mathematics’ in Foundations of Christian Scholarship: Essays in the Van Til Perspective (Vallecito, CA: Ross House, 1976)

Develops a [Cornelius] Van Tilian approach to maths

Geraldine J. Steensma and Harro W. Van Brummelen Shaping School Curriculum: A Biblical View (Terre Haute, Ind: Signal, 1977)

Contains a useful chapter on math education by Van Brummelen and some examples (Statistics and Deductive Geometry) of how this translates into classroom practice.

Danie F. M.Strauss 'A historical analysis of the role of beliefs in the three foundational crises in mathematics'. In Facets of Faith and Science vol 2: The Role of Beliefs in Mathematics and the Natural Sciences: An Augustinian Perspective. Jitse M. van der Meer (ed.) University Press of America/ Pascal Centre for Advanced Studies: Lanham/ Ancaster, 1996.

Danie F. M. Strauss 'Primitive meaning in mathematics: the interaction among commitment, theoretical worldview and axiomatic set theory'. In Facets of Faith and Science vol 2: The Role of Beliefs in Mathematics and the Natural Sciences: An Augustinian Perspective. Jitse M. van der Meer (ed.) (Lanham/ Ancaster: University Press of America/ Pascal Centre for Advanced Studies:, 1996).
Danie F. M. Strauss Paradigms in Mathematics, Physics and Biology their Philosophical Roots (Bloemfontein: Tekskor BK, 2001)
Danie F. M. Strauss Philosophy: Discipline of the Disciplines (Grand Rapids: Paiedia Press, 2009)
Chapters 2 and 3 look at the uniqueness of science (including mathematics) and Dooyeweerd's modal aspects - which include the quantitative, spatial and kinematic)

Anthony Tol 'Counting , number concepts and numerosity' in Hearing and Doing John Kraay and Anthony Tol (ed.) (Toronto: Wedge, 1979)

Noel Weeks The Christian School: An Introduction (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth)

Chapter 12 deals with maths. He contrasts rationalist and romanticist views of math education and offers some pointers for a Christian approach.

Articles

Willis Alberda 'What is number' Pro Rege vol. 3 (March 1975), 2-8. 

Willis Alberda ' Existence in mathematics' Pro Rege vol. 7 (1979), 11-15.

Patricia L. Ahlborn 'A Christian philosophy of mathematics' online here

Places the emphasis on teaching maths with meaning; she has three broad goals: maths should: reveal God, call the student to a life of service; and lead the student into a deeper knowledge of God. A helpful overview. 

Paul Bialek 'Integrative Questions in the Mathematics Curriculum: A Strategy for Faith-Learning Integration in Mathematics' unpublished paper, 2003.

Steve Bishop 'Beliefs shapesmathematics' Spectrum 28 (2) (Spring 1996)

Examines several philosophies of maths to show that maths is not neutral but shaped by beliefs. The contours of a Christian approach to maths are sketched.

          Steve Bishop 'Mathematics and the myth of neutrality' Christian School Education 5 (4) (2001-2002), 19-21.
          This issue of CSE had other articles on mathematics see here.
         James Bradley 'Two ways ofknowing' Journal of the ACMS 2004 (Aug) 

James Bradley 'Teaching mathematics from a Christian perspective' World Report ASCI (2007) also here.

John Byl 'A Christian perspective on math' Reformed Perspectives 27 (4) available here

Robert G. De Boer 'Faith and mathematics' Reformed Journal 27 (4) (1977)

Gary De Young 'Perspective on mathematical modelling' Pro Rege 38 (2010)

Edward Fackerell 'The RelationshipBetween Mathematics and the Christian Faith'. Christian Teachers Journal, Vol 11, No. 2, May 2003.

(The Christian Teachers Journal can be contacted at: PO Box 7000, Blacktown NSW 2148 Australia)

Edward Fackerell 'A Christianperspective on teaching mathematics'. 

Howard Faw ' Does scripture support standardized tests?' PSCF  42 (1990), 86-93.

Geertsema, Jan C. A Christian View of the Foundations of Statistics PSCF 39 (September 1987), 158-164

Jan Gormas 'A search for intellectual, relational and spiritual integrity: secondary mathematics from a Christian perspective' Education and Christian Belief 9(2) (2005)

I Grattan-Guinness, Historical notes on the relations between mathematics and the Christianities, Meeting of Austrian Society for the History of Mathematics (Spring, 1999)

Patricia J. Hambrick 'Assessing Current Practices: Mathematics' ASCI

Anglea Hare 'Mathematics andChristianity: Integration Project'

Laura Harrington 'All I really need to know I learned .... in maths class???'

Andrew M. Hartley The Philosophy ofthe Law Idea and the Role of the Prescientific in Statistical Inference Journal of the ACMS 2004 (Dec)

H. Harold Hartzler The Meaning of Mathematics JASA 1 (January 1949), 13-19.

Robert A. Herrmann 'Modern mathematics - Its relation to physical science and theology' (1999, 2007)

Jim Jadrich 'Constructivism in science and math: is it Christian?' Christian Educators Journal  38, (October 1998), 17-18.

Calvin Jongsma 'Christianity and mathematics: an analysis of differing approaches to their interrelationship' ICS Academic Papers, 1984.

Calvin Jongsma 'Mathematics: Always important, never enough. A Christian perspective on mathematics and mathematics education' Journal of the Association of Christians in the Mathematical Sciences 2006. Also in Pro Rege 35 (4), 21-38.
J. C. Keister 'Math and the Bible' Trinity Review Sept/ October 1982. 

Brendan Kneale 'God and mathematical infinity' Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith 50

Willem Kuyk 'Some questions on the foundation of logic' Philosophia Reformata 34 (1969), 142-146

Chapter 7 is on mathematics and looks at how it is approached from a UK Christian schools perspective.
Katherine Loop 'Teaching math from a biblical perspective' blog post

Paul Marshall 'Mathematics and politics' Philosophia Reformata 44 (1979), 113-136 

Edward Nelson 'Mathematics and faith'

Andrew Palfryman School mathematics and christian faith - are they related?  ActNow Summer 2005.

Andrew Philip Christianity and mathematics - a review Many to Many (Feb 1993)

Vern Poythress Creation and Mathematics; or What Does God Have to Do with Numbers? The Journal of Christian Reconstruction 1 (1), 128-40.

Vern Poythress Mathematics as Rhyme Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation 35 (4), 196-203. (See my commentshere)

Vern Poythress 'Newton's Laws as Allegory' Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation 35 (3),156-161.

Sharon K Robbert Christianity and mathematics

Devotionals with mathematics content!

Duncan Roper Euler and theKonisberg bridges: some lessons for the philosophy of mathematics

Roger Slack Mathematics: An Historical Survey (Nottingham: ACT Mathematics Group 1981-83)

A useful 30-page booklet dealing with the history of math from the Pythagoreans to the present from a Christian perspective.

M D Stafleu 'The mathematical and technical opening up of a field of science' Philosophia Reformata 43 (1978).

Danie F. M.Strauss 'Number concept and number-idea' PhilosophiaReformata. 35 (1970), 156-177

Danie F. M. Strauss 'Number concept and number-idea (continued)' Philosophia Reformata. 36 (1971), 13-42.

Danie F. M. Strauss 'Dooyeweerd and Modern Mathematics' Reformational Forum, 1983, nr.2, 5-17.

Danie F. M. Strauss 'Mathematical paradigms' Journal for Christian Scholarship, 3rd & 4th Quarter 1994, 113-167.

Danie F. M. Strauss 'The three foundational crises in mathematics' Journal for Christian Scholarship , 1st & 2nd Quarter 1995, 12-22.

Danie F. M. Strauss 'Mathematics and the Real World' Koers Year/ Vol. 65 (1) (April 2000), 95-121.

Danie F. M. Strauss Reductionism in Mathematics: Philosophical Reflections Journal for Christian Scholarship, 37, 1ste en 2nd Quarter, 2001, 1-12

Danie F. M. Strauss Is a Christian Mathematics possible? Tydskrif vir Christelike Wetenskap/Journal for Christian Scholarship, 2003(3-4), 31-49.

Harro Van Brummelen 'Mathematics in the Christian High School Curriculum' Christian Educators Journal vol. 17(September/October 1977), 15-17.

Harro Van Brummelen 'What's happening in math' Christian Home and School vol. 57 (May/June 1979), 16-18. 

Harro Van Brummelen 'Toward a Christian Approach to Teaching and Learning Mathematics' ASCI 

Arnold Veldkamp 'Irrational numbers and reality' Pro Rege vol. 4, (December 1975), 2-3.
John Westwell 'Teaching mathematics: it's time to tell new stories' Education and Christian Belief 9(2) (2005)

Web resources

Kuyers  Mathematics online

ASA Maths links

Transforming Teachers resources here

Blogs

Josh Wilkerson's God and math 

Katherine Loop's Math from a Christian Perspective 

matematica reformacional

Blog posts

Patrick Chan 'A few math resources' 

Less Than Two Dollars a day - a review

Less Than Two Dollars a Day
A Christian View of Poverty and the Free Market
Kent A. Van Til
Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2007.
pp. 180. $16.00 pb.
ISBN 978-0-8028-1767-9.

This book's title is taken from the fact that about 40% of the world's population have less than 2$ per day to live on. See, for example:

Van Til shows how the free market is unable to help those in desperate poverty. The free market distributes goods on the basis of desert - what you can pay for - rather than needs. The first chapter examines the key terms and definitions and then in chapter two Van Til examines the origin and role of the free market. He also highlights some of the often undisclosed assumptions of the free market. The next chapter reveals why the poor don't gain from the free market's distribution. He argues that the free market is not designed to provide basic sustenance and examines six reasons why it is unable.

In chapter four he carefully, albeit briefly, examines what the Bible says about poverty. He ably shows that the biblical mandate requires that we provide basic sustenance for all. Particularly helpful is his discussion of the phrase 'the poor you will always have with you'. This is not a pretext to dismiss our care of the poor to take such an attitude is to face the same condemnation that Judas and the disciples incurred. As, he goes on:

Elsewhere in the New Testament, Jesus regards compassion for the needy as the standard of genuine righteousness. In the end-times tale of the sheep and the goats (Matt. 25:31–46), Jesus insists that feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and showing hospitality to the stranger are norms of righteousness. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus condemns the rich man not for a particu- lar act of theft or fraud but for his general neglect of the poor Lazarus (Luke 16:9–31). The parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:13–21) shows just how futile constant accumulation can be. In Luke 12:33, Jesus tells all his disciples (not only the rich young man), “Sell your possessions and give to charity.” In a similar vein, James insists that caring for orphans and widows constitutes true religion (James 1:27). In passages such as these, we see that doing justice requires more than passively doing no harm to our neighbor. It requires, rather, that we go out of our way to love the neighbor by seeking out their good, especially the physical good of the poor neighbor. p. 79.

Moving from the Bible to the contemporary context is the topic of the next chapter. Here Van Til builds bridges by connecting the scriptures to theological traditions, to economic definitions of basic needs and contemporary political language. From this he maintains that sustenance is a basic right that implies a duty for contemporary society.

In chapter 6 he draws upon Abraham Kuyper's sphere sovereignty and Michael Waltzer's spheres of justice to provide a way forward for workable approach to distributive justice. In the final chapter acknowledging the works of Bob Goudzwaard and John Tiemstra he shows what can be accomplished with a theory of distributive justice.

This book is a thoughtful and thought-provoking approach to a Christian view of the free market and to poverty. For as little as $100 a year we can make a difference to those on $2 a day.

The Kuyper Newsletter 2 (2) Winter 1981-1982

Kuyper Newsletter 2 (2) Winter 1981-1982

The Kuyper Newsletter vol 2 (1) April 1981

Kuyper Newsletter 2 (1) April 1981

Tom Nelson Work Matters - a review

Work Matters

Connecting Sunday Worship to Monday Work

Tom Nelson

Wheaton, Crossway Books, 2011

ISBN 978-1-4335-2667-1

221 pages, pbk.

There is a tendency for Christianity in some circles to be a leisure activity. We are encouraged to pray, evangelise, worship, study our Bibles in our spare time. Sadly, the 40 hours per week, for forty or so years don't seem to matter - or at least if you looked at the content of most Sunday sermons from the pulpit. It has long been my contention that pastors should every seven years or so take a sabbatical and work in an office, educational establishment, retail outlet or such like. This will help them connect with the everyday pressure those in full-time work experience. Hopefully, it will help them in their discipleship programmes and in what they preach. 

Christianity is a whole life activity, despite the implicit denial of this from many pulpits. This book, however, provides a refreshing look at whole life Christianity. It's key message is that work does matter.

Nelson uses many everyday experiences - including discussions in coffee shops and vignettes from those who have considered how Christianity impacts their work life.

Illustrations come from films such as Narnia, WALL-E and Mr Holland's Opus. He also draws upon a wide range of sources Paul Marshall, Os Guinness, Tim Keller, Tom Wright, Miroslav Volf, Luther and Gideon Strauss are all mentioned. He utilises the neo-Calvinist/ Kuyperian framework of creation, fall and redemption to good effect. 

At the end of each chapter is a short prayer and then several questions for reflection and discussion which makes this book ideal for church small groups.

The final chapter 'The church at work' is particularly good. Here he draws upon Lesslie Newbigin's notion that 'the congregation has to be the place where its members are trained, supported, and nourished in the exercise of their parts of the priestly ministry in the world'. he offers some excellent ideas and suggestions how this can be developed. The role of church leaders is to 'prepare the saints for work of service' (Eph 4:12). Too often this gets narrowed down to church-related activities, here Nelson shows with examples that it doesn't have to be that way. Ideas include 'embracing a new vocational paradigm' as he puts it:

A primary work of the church is the church at work. Our work not only forms us spiritually; in and through our work, Christ's gospel mission is advanced in the world. (p. 190)

Many churches employ youth workers and ministers - maybe one day we'll also see work and vocation ministers too. That will certainly need a paradigm shift. Nelson's eminently readable and accessible book may well help towards that.