Thor Madsen: Why Missionaries Need to Know Philosophy

With all the lost and unreached people in the world, slowing down to think about philosophy may seem like a waste of time. This week, Thor Madsen of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary explains how understanding philosophy from a Christian worldview perspective can be game-changing for the missionary serving on the field afar or at home. Dr. Thor Madsen has been at Midwestern Seminary since 1999 and is currently Dean of Doctoral Studies and Academic Initiatives and Professor of New Testament, Ethics and Philosophy. Since coming to MBTS, Dr. Madsen has served in a variety of roles including vice president of academic development (2003-2009). Dr. Madsen graduated from Wheaton College with the Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in philosophy. Following his studies at Wheaton, he went to Western Kentucky University for his Master of Arts degree, during which time he was also the graduate assistant for Dr. Ronald Nash. Upon graduation from WKU, Dr. Madsen spent a year in the doctoral program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With this foundation, he enrolled in the Master of Divinity program at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and followed this degree with doctoral study at the University of Aberdeen, from which he graduated with a Ph.D. in 1998. Resources mentioned in this episode: Life's Ultimate Questions: An Introduction to PhilosophyWorldviews in Conflict: Choosing Christianity in the World of IdeasThe Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview CatalogFor the Church Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email us. The Missions Show is powered by ABWE International and the Global Gospel Fund. This episode is also sponsored by Radius International, Fusion, and Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention. Abuse Prevention National Conference 2021 attendees: use promo code ABWE21 to receive 20% off your registration.