Nature and existence of God Books

Book SynopsisTelling the truth about God without excluding anyone is a challenge to the Quaker community. Drawing on the author’s academic research into Quaker uses of religious language and her teaching to Quaker and academic groups, Rhiannon Grant aims to make accessible some key theological and philosophical insights. She explains that Quakers might sound vague but are actually making clear and creative theological claims. Theology isn't just for wordy people or intellectuals, it's for everyone. And that's important because our religious language is related to, not separate from, our religious experience. It also becomes clear that denying other people's claims often leads to making your own and that even apparently negative positions can also be making positive statements. How do Quakers tell the truth about God? This book explores this key theological process through fourteen short chapters. As Quakers, we say that we know some things, but not very much, about God, and that we are in a constant process of trying to improve our ways of saying what we do know.

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Book SynopsisFor God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Here's an astonishing claim. John 3:16 appears on everything from fridge magnets to sports stars' faces. But what does it actually mean? And how does it relate to you and me? With warmth, personal stories and humour, the author explains God's love, his Son, his sacrifice, and the all-important connection with us today. This is an invitation for anyone to dive straight in and take the first step in an exciting, life-transforming journey of faith.Trade ReviewA fresh, punchy, fascinating-facts-filled, humorous, yet thought-provoking, take on the meaning of life, based on the Bible’s most famous verse. Read it yourself and then pass it on to a friend. Go on, what do you have to lose? You’ll also discover how woodpeckers avoid concussion (but I'm not going to tell you which page that’s on!) -- Jeremy McQuoid * Teaching Pastor at Deeside Christian Fellowship, Aberdeen, and Chairman of Trustees, Keswick Convention *If you want a short and clear explanation of the good news that is the heart of Christianity, then this is the book for you. Contemporary illustrations spur your interest as Martin takes you through the best-known sentence in the Bible. I was impressed by the personal warmth speaking from the pages, and the careful theology lying under the surface. John chapter 3 verse 16 tells the greatest story in the world, and Martin has done a wonderful job in showing just how vital this is for you and me. -- Andrew Hill * Executive Director of the Soldiers' and Airmen's Scripture Readers Association *Warm and engaging … If you are a sceptic or a seeker you will find food for thought here. Martin answers questions, discusses big issues and tackles misconceptions with sensitivity, humour and clarity. A compelling case for John 3:16 being the best news for all people for all time. -- Clare Heath-Whyte * Author and historian *As I read this, I could think of people I wanted to give it to. It’s not a coincidence that this book is in your hand, and I really hope you will read it. It is very relevant and, even more, important. -- George Verwer * Founder of Operation Mobilization, author, missionary and speaker *Having been active in evangelism for over twenty-five years, I have one verse which I share more than any other: John 3:16. Timeless, relevant, widely familiar and simple to learn, it's a verse even a child can understand, and yet so deep that you cannot tire of studying it. Martin’s book is a work of art: a mixture of theology, personal stories and lessons from history, helping us not only to unpack but also enjoy the richness of John 3:16. This book is for everyone. A wonderful one-to-one 'study' to work through with a non-Christian friend, a source book for preachers, a tool box for fellow evangelists/ apologists, a devotional, a commentary, and a beautiful gift. If you are serious about evangelism, then you need to buy this book, a highlighter and a notepad - or the digital equivalent.’ -- Mitch * Evangelist, Crown Jesus Ministries, Belfast *Packed with illustration and brilliant insights, this book will open up to you the riches of this one incredible Bible verse. Whether you would call yourself a Christian or not, you will find yourself face to face with the beautiful God of love. It really could change your life. -- Jonty Allcock * Pastor of The Globe Church in Central London *A banner with the words 'John 3:16’ continues to show up at many major sports events. Martin Salter gives a brilliant explanation of what it actually means. This short book is a very easy read, offering clarity about the Christian faith and loads of really simple and compelling illustrations that bring this famous Bible verse to life. I really loved reading this book! -- Graham Daniels * General Director, Christians in Sport *So Loved is a concise yet insightful exploration of some of the most famous words of Jesus. If you have questions about the Christian faith, you will find this book to be accessible, relatable and honest, and I encourage you to read it. -- Dr Sharon Dirckx * scientist, author and speaker *Have you ever wanted to give something to a friend who’s willing to be open-minded about the Christian faith and explore a bit further? Martin’s book is friendly, easy-to-read, personal and engaging. It walks us through perhaps the most famous verse in the Bible, and in doing so summarizes the gospel comprehensively and accessibly. -- Jeremy Marshall * author and speaker *

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Book SynopsisGod is totally faithful. That's right at the core of his character - unlike us, he cannot ever break his word. Knowing that we are firmly held in the grip of God's unending faithfulness is deeply reassuring. And it encourages us to be faithful too. Remembering his grace and goodness, we grow in holiness and Christlikeness. Our aim is to be faithful in the big things, but also in the nitty-gritty of life when nobody is watching. With these Bible teachers alongside us: * Alistair Begg (Psalm 119:97-104) * Michael Baughen (2 Timothy 4:1-22 & Hebrews 3:1 - 5:6) * Tim Chester (Genesis15:1-21 & Revelation 2:18-29) * Malcolm Duncan (1 Thessalonians 2:1-12) * Sinclair Ferguson (2 Timothy 4:9-10) * Jonathan Lamb (Acts 20:17-38) * Peter Maiden (1 Samuel 13:5-14) * Alec Motyer (1 Thessalonians 5:1-28) * Tom Putt (Hebrews 6:11-20) we explore God's faithfulness and our response. This undated 30-day devotional shows how God is faithful to cleanse us from sin, keep us until death and guarantee our eternal destiny. What greater reassurance can we ask for?Trade ReviewI felt challenged to greater faithfulness - not when life might improve, but right now in my place of struggle. -- Sharon Hastings * Medical doctor and author of Wrestling with My Thoughts * We need to know the faithfulness of God in these troubled times when all seems so uncertain. These devotions will help us to know better the Faithful God we serve and trust more strongly in him. -- Jeremy Marshall * Former CEO of the UK's oldest private bank, C. Hoare & Co. and Chairman of Christianity Explored. Author of Beyond the Big C after being diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2016 *

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Book SynopsisThe underlying idea of the book is that most ordinary religious believers -- not philosophers or theologians -- do not realise how weak the case for Gods existence is. The Case Against examines the reasons why the belief has such a strong hold on so large a section of humanity, and attempts to show that the reasons are inadequate. The concepts involved in religious belief are examined in detail. It is shown that great difficulties -- of which believers are usually unaware -- are involved in forming concepts of entities from a higher -- perhaps spiritual -- realm. In particular, God and the idea of a life after death are examined and it is proposed that viable, coherent concepts are probably impossible in both cases. For many believers the God theory is seen as (a) explaining the origin of the universe, and (b) enabling the apparent injustices of this world to be righted in a life after death. The theory actually fails to do either. It is also shown, however, that the main alternative to theism, which is materialism, itself presents difficulties. No final answer is given, and it is accepted that (informed) puzzlement may ultimately be the only rational position. The God theory could perhaps be seen as an attempt to answer genuine problems. While it fails, it can nevertheless be understood and treated with sympathy. God: The Case Against is not intended for philosophers or theologians! Rather, the aim is to make the arguments accessible to intelligent, intellectually curious, open-minded people. The book attempts throughout to give clear, simple explanations of the issues, benefiting here from the authors own experience in teaching philosophy to young people.

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Book SynopsisWhy should we believe in God? It is a question that is profoundly engaging the minds of the world. Former lawyer, Roy Williams, contends that belief should be based on logical deductions from known facts: it is not a matter of blind faith. Using many examples drawn from science, politics, history, sociology and the arts, he tackles all the biggest questions by appealing to evidence and to reason. A recurring theme of the book is the vital place of doubt and uncertainty in God's creation. Rebutting the arguments of atheists such as Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins, Williams explores the role of faith, which he considers a much-misunderstood concept.Table of ContentsPart One: Reasons to Believe in God Part Two: Reasons to Believe in Christianity Part Three: Answers to Some Common Objections

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Book SynopsisThe Finger of God sets out to describe how God's existence impacts upon humanity. All people are implicated in an unfolding Divine Plan governing their individual destiny, and that of Planet Earth. This Divine Plan's outworking and inevitable fulfillment is discussed from a biblical perspective, with special reference to contrasting actions and narratives of good and evil. Prime themes are the issue of separation between Man and God, occasioned by disobedience; divine overtures, often overlooked; and the potential for reconciliation. The context for discussion is the issue of Christian religiosity - how it is viewed and practiced not only by the Christian world at large, but also by its formal practitioners and religious leaders. The constant reality of a spiritually present dynamic kingdom is contrasted with the contradictory discordant voices of visible churches. A fundamental thread throughout the work is the necessity to promote doing the right thing (what the Bible refers to as righteousness) - toward our fellow human beings, and especially to God - rather than to follow mere religious precepts. Transformation is brought about by recognizing that the incarnation, death and resurrection of Jesus lies at the heart of salvation and immortality. A reasoned guide is presented as to ongoing and future conflicts between light and darkness, and under what circumstances a righteous divine victory will emerge whereby God's intentions are successfully implemented in a new, perfect environment for the eternal benefit of humankind.Trade Review"With regard to your lectures, I have nothing but praise. I greatly enjoyed reading them. You are in a very special position to publish this work from every standpoint -- ability, knowledge and experience." -- From a letter received by the author from Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the world's greatest English-speaking Christian teacher of the last century, former Minister of Westminster Chapel, and the author of The Fight of FaithTable of ContentsPart One: God's Present Kingdom; Part Two: The Coming Kingdom; Part Three: Summary & Conclusions.

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Book SynopsisMany contemporary feminists believe that early humans worshipped a nurturing Mother Goddess, who was subsequently displaced by autocratic male deities. In this book Motz examines the maternal deities of various cultures and religions and finds no signs of a common origin, and thus no evidence for a primordial "Great Mother." Her conclusions stand in stark contradiction to the prevailing view.Trade Review"At last: a book that explains that the notion of a unitary Mother Goddess is modern, and that female culture was not driven out by patriarchy. But even more important is the positive contribution that this book makes to the understanding of the nature of ancient female divinities, which were more diverse and potent than modern writers have imagined them to be. Instead of being restricted to motherhood, the various goddesses worshipped in the ancient world displayed the full range of feminine powers, both constructive and destructive, and commanded the respect of both men and women."--Mary Lefkowitz, Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities, Wellesley College. "I have no doubt that this volume will become an important landmark in the comparative study of religion."--James Preston, Anthropology and Religious Studies, SUNY Oneonta "In The Faces of the Goddess Lotte Motz at last rescues a number of goddesses from the murky Jungian limbo to which many previous studies have consigned them, a place in which all goddesses look alike in the dark; in so doing she restores to each of them the dignity of their individual power and fascination, and provides both a sound scholarly basis for our understanding of them and a wide gamut of far more visible, because more nuanced, models for contemporary women to emulate."--Wendy Doniger "Dr. Motz has offered us here a well-documented, nicely written and presented, duly diversified image of the multifaceted archetype of the Mother-Goddess."--Edgar C. Polome, University of Texas as Austin "Lotte Motz combines a superb knowledge of mythology with the gift for making age-old problems look fresh. She loves polemic, but it is the quest for the most convincing solution, rather than controversy for controversy's sake, that inspires her work."--Anatoly Liberman, University of Minnesota "I consider the book an usually important contribution, one that should be read and pondered by anyone interested in the study of religion, and one that should have a lasting effect on the field."--Thorkild Jacobsen, former Director of the Oriental Institute, Chicago, and author of The Treasures of Darkness "Faces of the Goddess offers a necessary antidote against romantic or Jungian Mother mysticism."--Walter Burkert, Professor of Classics, the University of Zurich, and author of Greek Religion "A useful warning about trendy spirituality."--Alan Cochrum, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

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Book SynopsisThe theme that God suffers with his world has become a familiar one in recent years, but a careful examination is needed of what it means to talk about the suffering of God, avoiding the danger of a merely sentimental belief. This book offers a consistent way of thinking about a God who suffers supremely and yet is still the kind of God to whom the Christian tradition has witnessed, and also about a God who suffers universally and yet is still present uniquely in the cross of Christ. It is at once both a survey of recent thought about the suffering of God and a proposal for a way forward in this important area of Christian theology. The author surveys four main trends of recent thought: the ''theology of the cross'' in modern German theology (as represented particularly in the work of Karl Barth, Jürgen Moltmann, and Eberhard Jüngel); American process theology; ''the death of God'' theology; and finally, the rejection of the whole idea of divine passibility by modern followers of classTrade ReviewCreation, fall, incarnation, and atonement are ... interwoven with the theme of suffering in a profoundly original way. * Theological Book Review *Paul S. Fiddes has now provided the most comprehensive and thorough study of the issues yet to emerge. His treatment of the sources is accurate and probing ... this is a valuable and thought-provoking book. * Daniel W. Hardy, Expository Times *this important survey illuminatingly explains how human suffering can be understood in the light of God's response to creation * Dan Cohn-Sherbok, University of Kent, Theology *the lasting impression of the book is of one of the livelier minds of British theology opening up, with courage and rational persuasiveness, one of the critical contemporary theological topics * David F. Ford, Journal of Theological Studies *

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Book SynopsisContinuing Keith Ward''s series on comparative religion, this book deals with religious views of human nature and destiny. The beliefs of six major traditions are presented: the view of Advaita Vedanta that there is one Supreme Self, unfolding into the illusion of individual existence; the Vaishnava belief that there is an infinite number of souls, whose destiny is to be released from material embodiment; the Buddhist view that there is no eternal Self; the Abrahamic belief that persons are essentially embodied souls; and the materialistic position that persons are complex material organisms. Indian ideas of rebirth, karma, and liberation from samsara are critically analysed and compared with semitic belief in the intermediate state of Sheol, Purgatory or Paradise, the Final Judgement and the resurrection of the body. The impact of scientific theories of cosmic and biological evolution on religious beliefs is assessed, and a form of ''soft emergent materialism'' is defended, with regaTrade ReviewThe discussions are thorough and clear ... lively text ... Ward's learning and fearless openness offer a salutory example of how the theology of religions can be conducted in a way that is at once both committed to its own tradition and sympathetic to the wisdom of others. Stongly recommended. * Paul Lakeland, Religious Studies Rev., Vol.26, No.4, Oct. 2000. *a project in several volumes that is systematic in its coverage of belief ... remarkable project ... Ward engages critically with a range of sources ... Ward presents a persuasive picture of the physical universe as 'an expression of the mind and heart of God' ... he has illuminated a range of difficult issues where Christians, including theologians, feel particularly unsure ... The three volumes so far published are a remarkable achievement and seal Keith Ward's reputation as the most productive and constructive theologian writing in English today. * Paul Avis, Anglican Theological Review, LXXXII:1 *truly a work of comparative theology, weaving in and out of the different traditions ... a penetrating analysis of many of those facile doctrines which now dominate our ontological discourse ... This is a well-written, fascinating and provocative study. It covers a wide spectrum of Christian theology and deals thoughtfully in its engagement with the increasingly fraught public conversation about what it is to be human ... his book merits serious study, not only by Christians but by anyone interested in what monotheism has to say about human nature at the beginning of the 21st century. * James C Conroy, Global Dialogue, Winter 2000 *The book is impressive for its range of coverage and depth of analytic intrigue - Revd Alan Race - Church Times - 9th July 1999Continuing his magisterial project of writing Christian theology with an eye on comparative religion, in this third book of the series the Regius Professor of Divinity turns to what we suppose we know most about:ourselves. This book is impressive for its range of coverage and depth of analytic intrigue. - Alan Race - Church Times 9/7/99Table of Contents1. Introduction ; 2. Non-Dualism (Advaita Vedanta) ; 3. The Search for the Self (Vaishnava Hinduism) ; 4. The Doctrine of Rebirth ; 5. Buddhism and the Self ; 6. Evolutionary Naturalism ; 7. The Embodied Soul ; 8. Original Sin ; 9. The Doctrine of Atonement ; 10. Salvation by Grace ; 11. The World to Come ; 12. Human Destiny in Judaism and Islam ; 13. Human Destiny in Christianity ; 14. The Ultimate End of All Things ; 15. Conclusion

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Book SynopsisRichard Swinburne presents a substantially rewritten and updated edition of his most celebrated book. No other work has made a more powerful case for the probability of the existence of God. Swinburne gives a rigorous and penetrating analysis of the most important arguments for theism: the cosmological argument; arguments from the existence of laws of nature and the ''fine-tuning'' of the universe; from the occurrence of consciousness and moral awareness; and from miracles and religious experience. He claims that while none of these arguments are deductively valid, they do give inductive support to theism and that, even when the argument from evil is weighed against them, taken together they offer good grounds to support the probability that there is a God. The overall structure of the discussion and its conclusion have been retained for this new edition, but much has been changed in order to strengthen the argumentation and to take account of Swinburne''s subsequent work on the nature of consciousness and the problem of evil, and of the latest philosophical and scientific writing, especially in respect of the laws of nature and the argument from fine-tuning. This is now the definitive version of a classic in the philosophy of religion.Trade ReviewRichard Swinburne...over the past thirty years or so, has fashioned the most sophisticated and highly developed natural theology the world has so far seen. * Alvin Plantinga, Times Literary Supplement *...if you want Swinburne's latest thoughts, and his response to some recent developments, here they are. * R.L. Sturch, The Journal of Theological Studies *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. Inductive Arguments ; 2. The Nature of Explanation ; 3. The Justification of Explanation ; 4. Complete Explanation ; 5. The Intrinsic Probability of Theism ; 6. The Explanatory Power of Theism: General Considerations ; 7. The Cosmological Argument ; 8. Teleological Arguments ; 9. Arguments from Consciousness and Morality ; 10. The Argument from Providence ; 11. The Problem of Evil ; 12. Arguments from History and Miracles ; 13. The Argument from Religious Experience ; 14. The Balance of Probability ; Additional Note 1: The Trinity ; Additional Note 2: Recent Arguments to Design from Biology ; Additional Note 3: Plantinga's Argument Against Evolutionary Naturalism

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Book SynopsisReasoning about God is an introduction to philosophy of religion, meeting college students where they are with their own doubts and questions. Each chapter begins with a passage from a fictional student, who raises intellectual problems against God, which is followed by the author's informed and easy-to-understand analysis. This debate structure allows student readers to clearly see the clash of ideas, gets them involved in the issues, and encourages their critical thinking (since students are pushed to find flaws in the ideas). It emulates the structure the author followed successfully in his Ethics: A Contemporary Introduction, which is now in its third edition and has been translated five times into other languages. This structure works well in philosophy of religion, even better than in does in ethics.Key Features of Reasoning about God: Written clearly and concisely, making difficult issues easy to understand. Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Growing Up, Freud, Science 2. Is Religion Harmful? 3. Logical Positivism 4. Is There Life after Death? 5. Is There a First Cause? 6. Is the Universe Designed? 7. Three Paths + Polytheism 8. Does Suffering Disprove God? 9. Why So Many Religions? 10. Is Ethics Based on Religion? 11. The Meaning of Life

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Book SynopsisAn appropriate motto for Augustine's great work On the Trinity is 'faith in search of understanding'. In this treatise Augustine offers a part-theological, part-philosophical account of how God might be understood in analogy to the human mind. On the Trinity can be fairly described as the first modern philosophy of mind: it is the first work in philosophy to recognize the 'problem of other minds', and the first to offer the 'argument from analogy' as a response to that problem. Other subjects that it discusses include the nature of the mind and the nature of the body, the doctrine of 'illumination', and thinking as inner speech. This volume presents the philosophical section of the work, and in a historical and philosophical introduction Gareth Matthews places Augustine's arguments in context and assesses their influence on later thinkers.Trade Review'Augustine as a philosopher rather than a theologian … an unusual and refreshing approach … McKenna's translation is eminently readable, while remaining close to the original meaning of the text … This book contrives to restore Augustine to his place among philosophers without denying his status as a theologian.' Philosophical Writings'This book is well worth reading not only as an impressive display of the intellectual powers of a giant of western thought, but also as a reminder that the middle ages were not the philosophical desert that so many contemporaries seem to think they were.' Practical PhilosophyTable of ContentsBook 8; Book 9; Book 10; Book 11; Book 12; Book 13; Book 14; Book 15.

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Book SynopsisThe significance of our physical bodies is an important topic in contemporary philosophy and theology. Reflection on the body often assumes, even if only implicitly, idealizations that obscure important facts about what it means for humans to be ''enfleshed.'' This Element explores a number of ways that reflection on bodies in their concrete particularities is important. It begins with a consideration of why certain forms of idealization are philosophically problematic. It then explores how a number of features of bodies can reveal important truths about human nature, embodiment, and dependence. Careful reflection on the body raises important questions related to community and interdependence. The Element concludes by exploring the ethical demands we face given human embodiment. Among other results, this Element exposes the reader to a wide diversity of human embodiment and the nature of human dependence, encouraging meaningful theological reflection on aspects of the human condition.

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Book SynopsisThis Element explores the relationship between monotheism and relativism. Over the last two decades, emerging relativist theories have been extensively developed and debated within the fields of philosophy. How does monotheistic theology relate to relativism, especially to relativism about truth? Given that truth relativism contends that beliefs and propositions are invariably only relatively true, it appears to conflict with traditional monotheism, which asserts the absolute truth of God''s existence. This book examines the compatibility of relativist positions with monotheism, emphasising the need to differentiate among the diverse forms, types, and domains of relativism. It presents a nuanced stance on the relationship between relativism and monotheism.

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Book SynopsisThis Element provides a general overview of the Black Hebrew Israelite movement, its diverse history/ies, ideologies, and practices. It shows how different factions and trends have taken the forefront at different periods over its 140-year history.

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