In my most recent post, “Are Miracles Improbable? Rethinking What Makes Something ‘Likely’ to Happen,” I analyzed (and critiqued) the main arguments against miracles.  And, like any discussion of miracles, I felt required to mention the work of Scottish philosopher David Hume.

I can still remember walking by David Hume’s statue almost every day when I was studying at the University of Edinburgh years ago (see main photo).  He always seemed to stare at me as I passed by.  I could hear his hypothetical question in my head, “Why do you believe in miracles if you’ve never seen one?”

For those who want to dive deeper into Hume (and the issue of miracles), there’s a great forthcoming book on David Hume, by RTS Charlotte’s own James Anderson, the Carl W. McMurray Professor of Theology and Philosophy.

Aptly titled, David Hume, this new volume is part of P&R’s Great Thinkers series which includes other volumes on figures like Thomas Aquinas, Karl Marx, and Jacques Derrida.

Knowing Anderson’s other philosophical works, you will find a clear, compelling volume that is both accessible to the beginner, but deep enough for the seasoned philosopher. I regularly marvel at how James can pack so much depth into such concise volumes.

For other examples, see Anderson’s What’s Your Worldview? and also Why Believe Christianity?

Given Hume’s influence, this will make a wonderful introduction to the basics of how apologetics is done from a Reformed perspective.

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