A bibliography for a Christian

approach to mathematics
Compliled by Steve Bishop
7 June 2008

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.

Journals
Journal of the ACMS

Full length 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.

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

Charis Mathematics Project Charis Mathematics (Units 1-9 & Units 10-19; 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).
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. Hartely Christian and Humanist Foundations for Statistical Inference (Eugene OR:
Resource Publications, Wipf and Stock, 2008).
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).
Written to show that God is not! Contains many useful examples.

Russell W. Howell and James Bradley (ed.) Mathematics in a Postmodern Age: A Christian
Perspective (Eerdmans: Grand Rapids, 2001).
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).

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.

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.

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).

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

Steve Bishop 'Beliefs shapes mathematics' 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.

James Bradley 'Two ways of knowing' Journal of the ACMS (Aug 2004).

Edward Fackerell 'The Relationship Between Mathematics and the Christian Faith'. Christian
Teachers Journal 11 ( 2) (May 2003).
(The Christian Teachers Journal can be contacted at: PO Box 7000, Blacktown NSW 2148 Australia)

Edward Fackerell 'A Christian perspective on teaching mathematics'.

Geertsema, Jan C. A Christian View of the Foundations of Statistics PSCF 39 (September

1997):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) abstract

Anglea Hare 'Mathematics and Christianity: Integration Project'

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

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

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

J Keister ‘Math and the Bible’ Trinity Review

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

P. MacKenzie Entry Points for Christian Reflection within education (London: CARE, 1997). (Now
available as an e-book)
Chapter 7 is on mathematics and looks at how it is approached from a UK Christian schools perspective.

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

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

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 comments here.)
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 the Konisberg 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' Philosophia Reformata. 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 2 (1983):

5-17.

Danie F. M. Strauss 'Mathematical paradigms' Journal for Christian Scholarship

(1994):113-167.

Danie F. M. Strauss 'The three foundational crises in mathematics' Journal for Christian
Scholarship (1995): 12-2.

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

Danie F. M. Strauss Reductionism in Mathematics: Philosophical Reflections Journal for

Christian Scholarship 37 (1 & 2) (2001): 1-12

Danie F. M. Strauss Is a Christian Mathematics possible? Tydskrif vir Christelike

Wetenskap/Journal for Christian Scholarship 39 (3&4) (2003):31-49.

Web resources

Kuyers Mathematics online

A set of resources for Christian maths teachers.