Faith, Reason and the Existence of God

Author: Denys Turner
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521602563
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 296

Book Description
The proposition that the existence of God is demonstrable by rational argument is doubted by nearly all philosophical opinion today and is thought by most Christian theologians to be incompatible with Christian faith. This book argues that, on the contrary, there are reasons of faith why in principle the existence of God should be thought rationally demonstrable and that it is worthwhile revisiting the theology of Thomas Aquinas to see why this is so. The book further suggests that philosophical objections to proofs of God's existence rely upon an attenuated and impoverished conception of reason which theologians of all monotheistic traditions might wish to reject. Denys Turner proposes that on a broader and deeper conception of it, human rationality is open to the 'sacramental shape' of creation as such and in its exercise of rational proof of God it in some way participates in that sacramentality of all things.

God, Reason, and Theistic Proofs

Author: Stephen T. Davis
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
ISBN: 9780802844507
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 226

Book Description
Wisely structured and clearly written, God, Reason and Theistic Proofs will make an excellent resource for those looking for an introduction to the debate surrounding the existence of God, or for those seeking intellectual validation for their faith.

How Reason Can Lead to God

Author: Joshua Rasmussen
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 0830866426
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 213

Book Description
Do you value reason, science, and independent thinking, yet you hope there could be a greater purpose to the universe? Beginning with his own story of losing the belief in any ultimate purpose in life, philosopher Joshua Rasmussen builds a bridge to faith. Using only the instruments of reason and common experience, Rasmussen constructs a pathway that he argues can lead to meaning and, ultimately, a vision of God.

Why I Believe in God

Author: Cornelius Van Til
Publisher: Fig
ISBN: 1621547574
Category : Faith
Languages : en
Pages : 38

Book Description

Seat of Wisdom

Author: James M. Jacobs
Publisher: CUA Press
ISBN: 0813234654
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 433

Book Description
The Catholic Church has always recognized that philosophy is necessary both to understand the faith as well as to defend it. The need for a philosophically informed faith has become more acute with the rise of secularism. Seat of Wisdom demonstrates that the philosophical principles developed in the Catholic tradition, especially as articulated in Thomism, provide the intellectual foundation for belief in God and are also the only reliable basis for a fully coherent vision of man’s place in the world. Seat of Wisdom begins with an exploration of the relationship between faith and reason. Philosophy’s essential role is to discover the rational principles underlying the intelligible order of reality. These principles act as a bridge connecting science and religious faith, enabling the believer to integrate all facets of human experience. Each of those first principles, as expressed in the transcendental properties, are then analyzed as the basis of the major philosophical disciplines. Starting with metaphysics’ study of being, the argument proceeds to consider the true, the good, and the beautiful in terms of epistemology, anthropology, ethics, aesthetics, and political philosophy. Lastly, these principles are shown to point to God as creator. The strength of the Catholic philosophical tradition is evident when contrasted with reductive theories which fail to account for the breadth of human experience. Consequently, each chapter will introduce influential philosophers whose inadequate theories inform contemporary assumptions. Against this, the Thomistic argument is elucidated as being inclusive of the insights of the reductive position. It will be seen that this “both/and” approach is the only way to do justice to the glory of God and the gift of creation. Religion is prey to skepticism when it is isolated from the rest of knowledge. This integrative argument, uniting discussions of nature, politics, and theology according to common principles, enables the reader to grasp the unity of wisdom. Moreover, by engaging alternative positions, it provides the reader with tools to defend the Catholic worldview against those reductive philosophies which only deprive life of its full meaning.

Thinking About God

Author: Gregory E. Ganssle
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 0830877487
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 192

Book Description
What is God like? What can God do? What can God know? How does God communicate? Philosopher Gregory E. Ganssle appeals to philosophy for some answers to these questions in this introduction to thinking clearly and carefully about God.

Philosophy of Religion

Author: Tim Bayne
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0198754965
Category : PHILOSOPHY
Languages : en
Pages : 161

Book Description
What is the philosophy of religion? How can we distinguish it from theology on the one hand and the psychology/sociology of religious belief on the other? What does it mean to describe God as eternal? And should religious people want there to be good arguments for the existence of God, or is religious belief only authentic in the absence of these good arguments? In this Very Short Introduction Tim Bayne introduces the field of philosophy of religion, and engages with some of the most burning questions that philosophers discuss. Considering how religion should be defined, and whether we even need to be able to define it in order to engage in the philosophy of religion, he goes on to discuss whether the existence of God matters. Exploring the problem of evil, Bayne also debates the connection between faith and reason, and the related question of what role reason should play in religious contexts. Shedding light on the relationship between science and religion, Bayne finishes by considering the topics of reincarnation and the afterlife. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Is God the Best Explanation of Things?

Author: Joshua Rasmussen
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3030237524
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 286

Book Description
This book provides an up to date, high-level exchange on God in a uniquely productive style. Readers witness a contemporary version of a classic debate, as two professional philosophers seek to learn from each other while making their cases for their distinct positions. In their dialogue, Joshua Rasmussen and Felipe Leon examine classical and cutting-edge arguments for and against a theistic explanation of general features of reality. The book also provides original lines of thought based on the authors’ own contributions to the field, and offers a productive and innovative inquiry into on one of the biggest questions people ask: what is the ultimate explanation of things?

The Bridge of Reason

Author: Joshua Rasmussen
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781732383432
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 114

Book Description
Why does anything exist? Why do you exist? Is there any way to know for sure? This book is for truth-seekers who desire a rational understanding of the world. The author is a professor of philosophy who specializes in the philosophy of mind and the foundations of existence. The purpose of this book is to help you discover truths about God that can transform your life. This book provides a step-by-step guide to its conclusion. No step is taken on faith. Instead, the steps comprise a bridge of reason leading to sight of the greatest possible treasure.

Necessary Existence

Author: Alexander R. Pruss
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0191063886
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 232

Book Description
Necessary Existence breaks ground on one of the deepest questions anyone ever asks: why is there anything? The classic answer is in terms of a necessary foundation. Yet, why think that is the correct answer? Pruss and Rasmussen present an original defense of the hypothesis that there is a concrete necessary being capable of providing a foundation for the existence of things. They offer six main arguments, divided into six chapters. The first argument is an up-to-date presentation and assessment of a traditional causal-based argument from contingency. The next five arguments are new "possibility-based" arguments that make use of twentieth-century advances in modal logic. The arguments present possible pathways to an intriguing and far-reaching conclusion. The final chapter answers the most challenging objections to the existence of necessary things.