Peter Kreeft

Peter Kreeft is Professor of Philosophy at Boston College, where he has taught since 1962. With a career spanning over six decades, Kreeft has established himself as one of the most prominent Christian apologists and philosophers of the modern era.

Kreeft's research interests span multiple domains within philosophy and theology. He is particularly known for his work in Christian apologetics, the philosophy of religion, and studies on C.S. Lewis. His approach integrates philosophical rigor with theological insight, often exploring the nature of the soul, the relationship between faith and reason, and the importance of myth in understanding reality. Kreeft emphasizes the connection between intellectual virtues and moral character, arguing that "the two most important virtues of the mind are also moral virtues, honesty and prudence."

As a prolific author, Kreeft has written upwards of 75 books covering philosophy, theology, apologetics, essays, and reflections. His work often bridges academic philosophy with accessible writing for general audiences. He frequently engages with the works of C.S. Lewis, considering Lewis "the best Christian apologist of modern times" who "gives you the true, the good, and the beautiful." Kreeft's philosophical perspective emphasizes the unity of body and soul, rejecting both materialism and gnosticism. He argues that "the soul is not physical, but it is the soul of a physical body, and the body is not spiritual, but it's a body of the spiritual soul. Whenever you touch one, you touch the other."

His approach to philosophy is deeply influenced by his Christian faith, yet he engages thoughtfully with secular perspectives. Kreeft often references classical philosophers like Augustine and Aquinas while making their insights relevant to contemporary audiences. He believes that "we must re-mythologize" and see myth "not as the flight from reality, but as the flight to reality." Kreeft describes his own philosophical contribution modestly, comparing it to "a shell full of water in the shoreless sea of God's infinity," referencing a story about Saint Augustine.