About David M. Holley
David M. Holley taught philosophy for over forty years at universities in Kansas, Arizona, and Mississippi. During his professional career, he published numerous articles in major scholarly journals on issues in philosophy of religion. In addition to writing for scholars, he has published books on topics of interest to a wider audience of reflective Christian readers. His books are written in an engaging style that is thought-provoking for both scholars and laypersons.
His latest book, Making Room for Mystery: Anomalous Events, Extraordinary Experiences, and Christian Faith, is an exploration of how Christian thought might be affected by recognizing strange phenomena that suggest the reality of psychic powers. Scholarly readers have called his approach to the paranormal open-minded, while also displaying appropriate critical judgment.
Description
We sometimes hear about events that seem too strange to fit with our usual ways of thinking about what can happen. Someone perceives an appearance of a loved one in danger at the same moment the person is undergoing a crisis at a distant location. A patient who has long ago lost all cognitive functioning suddenly begins to interact with others for a short time before dying. Someone dreams of barely avoiding an accident, and the near miss occurs the next day. Some reports of strange occurrences can be explained away, but repeatedly hearing about such things from credible sources can lead us to wonder whether the world is more mysterious than the predictable order we have taken for granted.
Endorsements
"Christianity without real mystery and anomalous events is not only blind to the facts but just not that interesting--unlike Holley's book, which is more than interesting. Thought-provoking and open-minded--yet at the same time critical--this is a truly welcome addition to the literature on religious and metanormal experiences. Do yourself a favor: Buy it and then read it attentively.”
--Dale C. Allison Jr., Professor of New Testament, Princeton Theological Seminary, author of Encountering Mystery: Religious Experience in a Secular Age
"David Holley's Making Room for Mystery is truly a remarkable book. By far the most comprehensive and illuminating book on paranormal experiences I have read. The twenty chapters cover everything from dreams and visions to ghosts, near death experiences, intercessory prayer, and much more. Theologically and spiritually astute and approachable, Making Room for Mystery will enlighten and encourage laypersons and scholars alike. Joining personal accounts, scientific research, and theological reflection, this text provides hope and inspiration without magic and hyperbole. It presents a vision of reality in which paranormal experiences are part of the fabric of life and not supernatural intrusions. I highly recommend it for the seeker, skeptic, and spiritual adventurer."
--Bruce Epperly, author of Angels, Mysteries, and Miracles
"God moves in paranormal ways, Holley suggests, in this spectacular book about some of the world's stranger things, from clairvoyance and telekinesis to prophetic dreams and ghostly visitations. The work's inviting tone makes room for genuine dialogue, as do the many intriguing case studies. Believers and skeptics alike will find much to appreciate here."
--Ryan J. Stark, Professor of Humanities, Corban University
“ How would we think about God’s action in the world if our understanding of the created order allowed more room for mystery?”
— David M. Holley
Description
This book is written for people who are tempted to leave the church because the message they have been hearing has come to seem intellectually unacceptable, morally objectionable, or spiritually deadening, maybe even all three. Often, these people see no alternative to the version of Christian faith that they now find difficult to accept. They have been told that rejecting anything they have been taught means ceasing to be a Christian.
What they have been told is wrong. But seeing new possibilities means reconsidering assumptions that are often taken for granted, and it can be difficult to imagine on your own a form of faith different from what you are used to. This book provides some help. It can be thought of as a guide for those who see the need to let go of some of what they have been taught, but don’t know how to replace it with something better.
Rethinking your faith can be scary. But giving up on what is unbelievable can help to clear the way for the kind of faith that is more believable and ultimately more satisfying. Changing your mind can be a way of saving your faith.
Endorsements
"This book is a courageous attempt to show that a contemporary person who is morally sensitive and scientifically knowledgeable can hold and live out a biblical form of Christian faith. . . . Holley writes both for Christians who have doubts and nonbelievers who find themselves unable to arrive at any kind of faith. The book itself models the view of faith Holley develops: faith faces critical questions honestly and humbly but can arrive at a view of God and the world that inspires hope and makes love central to human existence."
--C. Stephen Evans, Professor of Philosophy and Humanities, Baylor University
"A great many Christians, and some former Christians, are in need of what David Holley has to say. They have been taught the Christian faith as a tight package of beliefs, so that questioning any one belief will cause the whole package to fall apart. Holley both explains and demonstrates how thinking hard, and even questioning some parts of the package, can contribute to a faith that continues to grow and become stronger. Hope this works for you!"
--William Hasker, former Editor, Faith and Philosophy
Description
Philosophers typically assume that the appropriate way to reflect on God’s existence is to consider whether God is needed as a hypothesis to explain generally accepted facts. In contrast, David Holley proposes that the question of belief should be raised within the practical context of deciding on a life-orienting story, a narrative that enables us to interpret the significance of our experiences and functions as a guide to how to live. Using insights from sociology and cognitive psychology to illuminate the nature of religious beliefs, Holley shows how removing religious questions from the larger practical context distorts our thinking about them
Scholarly Reviews
"This book achieves something very difficult: it provides a fresh and innovative way of looking at the age-old questions about religious faith that philosophers have argued about for centuries. Written in a clear and engaging style, Holley shows the role 'life-orienting stories' play for both believers and atheists, and, without dogmatism or minimizing difficulties, he shows how religious faith might be possible in the contemporary world."
―C. Stephen Evans, Professor of Philosophy and Humanities, Baylor University
"The epistemic bearing of all-encompassing narratives on religious belief and disbelief has been largely neglected by philosophers in the English speaking world. Holley's lucid and well-written book is a welcome corrective."
―William J. Wainwright, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy Emeritus, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
"Holley's work should be commended for its unique and provocative approach of defending religious belief in the age of modernity which, at the same time, defends naturalism and atheism. He has revealed to us that one need not be legitimized at the expense of the other." (International Journal For Philosophy of Religion, 8 January 2011)
Description
Using classical and contemporary philosophical ideas, and stories from literature and film, this book involves the reader in considering alternative possibilities for self-development. It challenges the reader to reflect seriously about his or her own patterns of thinking about how to live, showing the superficiality of much of our thinking about what is in our interest. Often people count up potential gains of an act without considering whether the gains and the way of living required to attain them fit within their conception of the life they want to have. To work for us, instead of against us, our thinking about how to benefit ourselves needs to be guided by informed judgment about what kind of self to be.
Scholarly Reviews
“How should we live our lives?” That, said Socrates is the fundamental philosophical question. David Holley’s version of that question is, how do we go about becoming a self that is worth becoming. His book Self-Interest and Beyond is a marvelously written and clearly reasoned claim that, becoming a self that is genuinely satisfying, necessitates going beyond self-interest narrowly conceived. Holley’s work is informed by classical philosophical material, but it also contains fascinating analyses of contemporary movies, novels, and short stories. This is a work that every first-year college student should read. It could have a life-altering impact.” Robert Baird, Professor and Chair, Department of Philosophy, Baylor University
“David Holley has written a fine, insightful book on an important topic. Both students and their teachers will enjoy reading it and benefit from doing so.” William H. Shaw, Professor, Department of Philosophy, San Jose State University
Reflections
