Philosophy of religion Books

Book SynopsisThe French philosopher Simone Weil (1909-1943), a contemporary of Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre, remains in every way a thinker for our times. She was an outsider, in multiple senses, defying the usual religious categories: at once atheistic and religious; mystic and realist; sceptic and believer. She speaks therefore to the complex sensibilities of a rationalist age. Yet despite her continuing relevance, and the attention she attracts from philosophy, cultural studies, feminist studies, spirituality and beyond, Weil's reflections can still be difficult to grasp, since they were expressed in often inscrutable and fragmentary form. Lissa McCullough here offers a reliable guide to the key concepts of Weil's religious philosophy: good and evil, the void, gravity, grace, beauty, suffering and waiting for God. In addressing such distinctively contemporary concerns as depression, loneliness and isolation, and in writing hauntingly of God's voluntary 'nothingness', Weil's existential paradoxes continue to challenge and provoke. This is the first introductory book to show the essential coherence of her enigmatic but remarkable ideas about religion.Trade Review'This is an extraordinary work that accomplishes what numerous other works on Weil did not: provide a clear and coherent account of the entirety of Weil's religious reflections. It is an exceptional accomplishment that should be marketed and advertised as a landmark work. I cannot overstate its importance for contemporary discussions of theology and religious studies, nor its value to the current dialogue concerning the future of Christianity.' Patrick Horn, Azusa Pacific University 'This book is a page-turner. It is totally compelling in the service of making available a religious thinking that is liminal in form and content: in form, largely fragmentary and elliptical; in content, on the border between Judaism and Christianity, and also on the border between Platonism and Christianity; a thinking of God that continually troubles Christian orthodoxy while embracing it passionately; a thinking of God beyond the idolatries of divine presence that consoles and legitimates our lust for power; a thinking that ask for insight with respect to our motivations and attention and compassion towards a world of embodied selves that are weak and vulnerable. This is an extraordinarily readable text. I have rarely seen a book that manages so successfully to render an author in his or her own voice.' Cyril O'Regan, Huisking Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame 'Lissa McCullough convincingly shows that Simone Weil identifies God with the Good. Instead of concluding that God is "beyond" being, Weil characterizes God's manner of being as antithetical to that of the created world. Her dialectical theology affirms both God's abdication from creation and his minimal abiding wherever there is evil in the world. God's saving grace manifests itself whenever we cultivate a "pure love of the world." If redemption is possible, it is only on the cross, not from the cross - and true Christianity must take the form of what McCullough eloquently calls "love for the anonymous neighbor". This is a thoughtful and challenging book.' Andrew Cutrofello, Professor of Philosophy, Loyola University ChicagoTable of ContentsAbbreviations and Textual Notes Introduction Biographical Groundings Reading Simone Weil 1 / Reality and Contradiction Reality: The Irreducible Truth and Affliction The Role of Attention The Negative Role of Will The Value of Contradiction Right Use of Dogma 2 / The Paradox of Desire We Desire the Good The Good Is Absent The Good Is a Nothingness Detachment of Desire Waiting for God The Earthly Criterion (Not) To Speak of Holy Things 3 / God and the World Creation as Withdrawal The Absent God “Original Sin” The Self-Emptying God Crucifixion as Redemption Supernatural Harmony 4 / Necessity and Obedience Abdication to Necessity Providence Beauty Suffering Necessity: Root of Beauty and Suffering Obedience of Matter: Gravity Obedience of Spirit: Grace Amor Fati 5 / Grace and Decreation Sin Says “I” Grace Decreates the “I” Nothingness: The Humility of God Heaven and Hell Transparence Compassion Action as Incarnation 6 / Conclusion: Weil’s Theological Coherence Background Theological Influences Dialectic of Nature and Grace God Beyond Good and Evil Weil’s Anonymous Christianity Endnotes Selected Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisNationalism is a globally resurgent phenomenon. From Britain to India to the United States of America, we find nations vociferously reasserting their own sovereignty, ethnic composition, and intrinsic superiority. Thomas J. Millay demonstrates how Kierkegaard’s ascetic voice speaks directly to our present crisis.Kierkegaard and the New Nationalism: A Contemporary Reinterpretation of the Attack upon Christendom analyzes the late writings of Kierkegaard in light of this new relevance, for Kierkegaard’s attack upon Christendom is also an attack upon nationalism. For Kierkegaard, taking on nationalism is not simply a matter of undermining false identity constructions. Attacking nationalism is a matter of renunciation: it requires ascetic discipline, such that the selfish motives at the core of one’s identity construction are uprooted and replaced by a self-giving love marked by the willingness to suffer. Trade ReviewRigorous argument meets beautiful prose in every chapter of this book, and Millay shows Kierkegaard to be most important when he is most polemical. Of particular note is Millay’s engagement of Kierkegaard and James Cone regarding the social praxis entailed by a faith that calls for self-denial. This book is an excellent contribution to Kierkegaard scholarship; more important, it warns about the dangers that continue in light of a nationalistic populism that presents itself as “Christian.” Those who care about the future of Christianity and of democracy should read this book. Essential. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty. * Choice Reviews *This book is engaging and without doubt encourages the reader to engage with the least studied aspects of Kierkegaard's authorship with an eye to contemporary relevance. * Human Studies *"Brazil. Hungary. Australia. Poland. Britain. France. Denmark. Russia. America. A heady mix of patriotism, racial resentment, and aggrieved Christian identity has catapulted religious culture warriors to prominence in these and other countries over the past decade. These populist movements are not marginal. In their countries they enjoy access to the highest political places, hold many levers of power, and sit in the inner circles. Anyone who thinks that Christian nationalism is no longer a relevant ideology has been living under a rock. It is high time for a re-assessment of the one who saw this coming and had an idea of what to do about it. In his excellent book, Millay brings Kierkegaard to bear on the modern versions of an old problem, finding in Kierkegard’s attack upon nineteenth-century Danish Christendom a potent critique of patriotic religion in modern America and beyond. Millay focuses on the Kierkegaardian themes of humility and suffering, using these to puncture the bubble of triumphant Christian nationalism obsessed with greatness. His argument is convincing, relevant, and true. Millay writes with wisdom and skill and has produced an exemplary book for any student of Christianity, nationalism, or Kierkegaard." -- Stephen Backhouse, author of Kierkegaard’s Critique of Christian Nationalism"With deep analysis and probing prose, Thomas Millay shows how Kierkegaard’s final 'attack on Christendom' is exactly what we need to live through a world of resurgent nationalism. While others ignore or qualify Kierkegaard’s most polemical and contestable writings, Millay shows us how to apply their power to renounce contemporary ideologies and resist the lure of religiously-sanctioned empires. This book will inform and inspire its readers to live out a countercultural, prophetic, and ascetic faith." -- Jason A. MahnTable of ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbbreviationsChapter 1: The Attack: History & ContextChapter 2: Concepts: The Truth-Witness, New Testament Christianity, & DenmarkChapter 3: An Evolving MartyrdomChapter 4: Asceticism in the StreetsChapter 5: Kierkegaard’s Critique of Nationalism ReconsideredChapter 6: Some Perspectives on Destruction: Kierkegaard, Cone, and Third World TheologyConclusion: The Attack as a Work of Love: Kierkegaard and Contemporary Political TheologyBibliographyIndexAbout the Author

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis edited collection brings together academics and practitioners to explore 6 physical and 3 socio-cultural senses in relation to death and dying: the senses of sight, of smell, of sound, of taste, of touch, of movement, of decency, of humour, and of loss.

Read more less

Book SynopsisToday the concept of "believing" is generally considered to be of central significance to one's faith. Smith traces the history of "believing" through a discussion of religious belief from a modern philosophical and linguistic perspective; an assessment of the history of the words "belief" and "believe"; as well as through the study of biblical passages. Smith's comprehensive enquiry reveals that this emphasis on its importance is a relatively modern phenomenon.Table of ContentsI. The Meaning of Religious Statements: Comments on a Debate. II. The Modern History of "Believing": The Drfit Away from Faith III. The Bible: Belief as Non-Scriptural Notes and References General Index Index of Biblical Passages Index of Some Significant Hebrew and Greek Terms.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBringing together original work from some of the world's leading specialists in the field, this new volume offers wide-ranging and enlightening new perspectives on the role of love, sex and gender in a variety of different faiths. Among the issues covered are gender politics, sexual symbolism and religious ecstasy, and their role in religions as diverse as Christianity and Tibetan Buddhism. Featuring essays by such distinguished thinkers as Arvind Sharma, Karen Lebacqz, Julius Lipner, Karen Jo Torjesen and Carter Heyward, this new collection combines classic sources of text and tradition with innovative ideas and modes of thought, creating a detailed but accessible study. This clear and concise book will challenge the reader to think creatively about both past and present concepts of sexuality, relationships and the role of women in the world faiths. It should be of interest to students, scholars and the interested general reader alike.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this fascinating introduction, Joseph Runzo presents a uniquely global perspective on the philosophy of religion. Covering such key topics as the existence of God and the connection between religion and ethics, he addresses the traditional questions as they appear in all the world faiths.Trade Review'This is an extremely useful and reliable introduction to the philosophy of religion... it will be invaluable for schools and introductory college courses.' Professor Keith Ward, University of Oxford 'Runzo is abundantly successful in showing the importance (and the limits) of argument in matters of religion. I don't know another book that does this with as much success over such a range of materials.' - Paul J. Griffiths, University of ChicagoTable of ContentsIntroduction The problem of religious commitment Religious epistemology The World Religions The relation of scientific to philosophical approaches to religion Against global theology or a global philosophy of religion The way of knowledge versus the way of love 1. Religion and Philosophy What is religion? What is philosophy? Doing philosophy and using philosophy Are philosophy and religion enemies? Why religion needs philosophy 2. Worldviews and Religion The problem of religious plurality Can different worldviews be compared? Exclusivism and Antipathy Subjectivism and Pluralism Inclusivism and Henofideism A road map of World Religiosity 3. Religious Metaphysics without God The material world versus the Transcendent Buddhism and metaphysics Theological realism versus theological non-realism The advantages of non-theism 4. Religious Metaphysics with God God and monotheism Hindu Theistic Vedanta Hindu henotheism YHWH, the Trinity and Allah An ontological argument for God's existence The advantages of theism 5. A Posteriori Arguments for God's Existence The nature of proofs Cosmological arguments Teleological arguments The value of theistic "proofs" and cumulative arguments 6. Evil: An Argument Against Monotheism The problem of evil The strong formulation of the problem of evil The weak formulation of the problem of evil Theodicies and the free will defense The Augustinian Theodicy and Hell Soul-making theodicies The best possible world 7. Embodiment, Gender and God Incarnation and embodiment Feminine divine metaphors The problem of reference and representation Sexual metaphors Symbols, sexuality and God 8. Life After Death The religious importance of life after death The problem of death Conceptions of the Self Buddhist reincarnation The evolving soul Will you be there? 9. Religious Experience Religious experience and Scriptural authority Justification and religious knowledge Ineffability and mystical experiences The problem of privacy Kant's attempted solution Historicity, Pluralism and faith 10. Using Science to Argue Against Religion Does physics explain everything? What does evolutionary biology tell us about religion? Is religion just a cultural phenomenon? Is Religion Just a Psychological Phenomenon? The compatibility of science and religion 11. Morality, Ethics and Religion Morality and ethics Secular ethics Moral duty and religion Are morality and religion logically connected? The moral point of view and the religious point of view 12. Prudential Arguments for Religious Belief Pascal's Wager Religion as a live option Karma and samsara Is Religion cost-effective? 13. Faith and Justified Believers Evidentialism and religious belief Why religious beliefs are properly basic Faith commitments, worldviews and conversion Religion as a genuine option 14. Love and the Meaning of Life Values and the religious dimension of meaning Science and religion revisited Seraphic love Six characteristics of eros The argument from love Faith, love and religion Glossary Notes Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis latest addition to the "Oneworld Library of Global Ethics and Religion" contains articles from some of the world's greatest philosophers and scholars of religion on the role played by religious ethics in today's society. Lively, engaged and thought-provoking, these informative essays consider religion from an applied point of view, considering such issues as what we can learn from Confucianism, and Feng Shui, about ecological awareness; what Buddhism has to say about organ transplants; and - controversially - Islam's approach to gender issues.Table of ContentsIntroduction: Inter-religious understanding Nancy M. Martin Part I: Religion and ethics 1 Being religious and doing ethics in a global world; Joseph Runzo 2 Religion and the possibility of a global ethics; Keith Ward 3 Religious moral diversity and relationships; James Kellenberger Part II: Ethics and religion in the west 4 Doing the right and the good: fundamental convictions and methods of jewish ethics; Elliot N. Dorff 5 Islamic ethics and gender issues; Zayn Kassam 6 The evolutionary self in christian and philosophical perspectives; Nathan Tierney 7 The leveling of meaning: christian ethics in a culture of unconcern; Philip Rossi, S.J. Part III: Ethics and religion in Asia 8 Hindu ethics and dharma; Vasudha Narayanan 9 Pushing the boundaries of personal ethics: the practice of jaina vows; Christopher Key Chapple 10 Practices of perfection: the ethical aim of Mahayana Buddhism; Dale S. Wright 11 Confucianism: concern and civility; John H. Berthrong Part IV: Ethical issues across religious traditions 12 "That was then": debating nonviolence within the textual traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; Daniel L. Smith-Christopher 13 From agape to organs: religious difference between Japan and America in judging the ethics of the transplant; William R. LaFleur 13 Dogged loyalties: a classical indian intervention in care ethics; Vrinda Dalmiya Part V: Global views of religious ethics 15 Christian social ethics in a global context; Brian Hebblethwaite 16 Confucian cosmology and ecological ethics: qi, li, and the role of the human; Mary Evelyn Tucker 17 Multiplism: a jaina ethics of toleration for a complex world; C. Ram-Prasad Select Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is an XPRESS reprint, print-on-demand title from SCM Press.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less