Philosophy of religion Books

Book SynopsisPeter C. Hodgson explores Hegel''s bold vision of history as the progress of the consciousness of freedom. Following an introductory chapter on the textual sources, the key categories, and the modes of writing history that Hegel distinguishes, Hodgson presents a new interpretation of Hegel''s conception of freedom. Freedom is not simply a human production, but takes shape through the interweaving of the divine idea and human passions, and such freedom defines the purpose of historical events in the midst of apparent chaos. Freedom is also a process that unfolds through stages of historical/cultural development and is oriented to an end that occurs within history (the ''kingdom of freedom''). The purpose and the process of history are tragic, however, because history is also a ''slaughterhouse'' that shatters even the finest human creations and requires a constant rebuilding. Hegel''s God is not a supreme being or ''large entity'' but the ''true infinite'' that encompasses the finite. History manifests the rule of God (''providence''), and it functions as the justification of God (''theodicy''). But the God who rules in and is justified by history is a crucified God who takes the suffering, anguish, and evil of the world into and upon godself, accomplishing reconciliation in the midst of ongoing estrangement and inescapable death. Shapes of Freedom addresses these themes in the context of present-day questions about what they mean and whether they still have validity.Trade ReviewHodgson makes an impressive case for the theological reading of Hegel, and beyond that, offers us an invaluable guide to the philosophy of history and its source material. * Mark Tunick, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *Hodgson is a scrupulous and fairminded scholar * Robert Pippin, Times Literary Supplement *Table of ContentsPreface ; Citations ; 1. Hegel's Philosophy of World History ; 2. History and the Progress of the Consciousness of Freedom ; 3. The State and the Actualization of Freedom ; 4. The Course of World History: Shapes of Freedom ; 5. God in History: The Kingdom of Freedom ; Bibliography

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Book SynopsisKarl Barth is often assumed to have been hostile to philosophy, wilfully ignorant of it, or too indebted to its conclusions for his own theological good. These truisms of twentieth-century theology are challenged in this original and comprehensive account of Barth''s understanding of the relationship between theology and philosophy. Drawing upon a range of material from Barth''s earliest writings (1909) up until interviews and roundtable discussions that took place shortly before his death (1968), Kenneth Oakes offers a developmental account of Barth''s thoughts on philosophy and theology. Beginning with the nineteenth-century intellectual background to Barth''s earliest theology, Oakes presents the young and ''liberal'' Barth''s understanding of the relationship between theology and philosophy and then tracks this understanding throughout the rest of Barth''s career. While Barth never finally settled on a single, fixed account of theology and philosophy, there was still a great deal oTable of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. The Earlier Barth ; 2. Reading Paul amidst and after the Great War ; 3. Philosophy, Preaching, and Prolegomena ; 4. The Roaring Later Twenties ; 5. Barth s Third Prolegomenon ; 6. Philosophy, Ethics, Creation ; 7. After Thoughts ; Conclusion: The Positive Protest

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Book SynopsisSamuel Fleischacker offers a defense of 'revealed religion' - religions that regard a certain text or teaching as wholly authoritative over one's life. By reconciling it with secular cognitive and moral practices that allow people to work together regardless of religious difference, he shows how these two worldviews can be brought together.Trade Reviewan intricate and sophisticated argument for rationally justifying one's taking a religious text as divine revelation. The argument is rich in creative thinking and in its breadth . . . an object of careful discussion serving for progress in philosophy of religion. * Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *Although a background in philosophy would be helpful, interested readers will find this book fascinating and written with sufficient clarity for the non-specialist. * David Tesler, Association of Jewish Libraries Reviews *Table of ContentsAbbreviations ; Acknowledgements ; 1. The Way of the World (I): Truth ; 2. The Way of the World (II): Ethics ; 3. Beyond the Way of the World: Worth ; 4. Divine Teaching ; 5. Divine Teaching and the Way of the World ; Epilogue ; Appendix I: Proofs of God ; Appendix II: Maimonides on the Evidence for Revelation ; Appendix III: Kant on Art and Natural Beauty

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Book SynopsisDoes it make sense - can it make sense - for someone who appreciates the explanatory power of modern science to continue believing in a traditional religious account of the ultimate nature and purpose of our universe? This book is intended for those who care about that question and are dissatisfied with the rigid dichotomies that dominate the contemporary debate. The extremists won''t be interested - those who assume that science answers all the questions that matter, and those so certain of their religious faith that dialogue with science, philosophy, or other faith traditions seems unnecessary. But far more people today recognize that matters of faith are complex, that doubt is endemic to belief, and that dialogue is indispensable in our day. In eight probing chapters, the authors of The Predicament of Belief consider the most urgent reasons for doubting that religious claims - in particular, those embedded in the Christian tradition - are likely to be true. They develop a version ofTrade ReviewOne cannot fail to admire the unfailing lucidity of the writing, the plangent honesty of the exploration, and the authors untiring determination to consider every direction in which the argument may take them. * Neil Spurway, ESSSAT News & Reviews *Table of ContentsPreface ; 1. Reasons for Doubt ; 2. The Ultimate Reality ; 3. Divine Action and the Argument from Neglect ; 4. The Plurality of Religions ; 5. The Scandal of Particularity, Part I: The Resurrection Testimony ; 6. The Scandal of Particularity, Part II: Jesus and the Ultimate Reality ; 7. Doubt and Belief ; 8. The Spectrum of Belief and the Question of the Church

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Book SynopsisWhat kind of animals are human beings? And how do our visions of the human shape our theories of social action and institutions? In Moral, Believing Animals, Christian Smith advances a creative theory of human persons and culture that offers innovative, challenging answers to these and other fundamental questions in sociological, cultural, and religious theory.Smith suggests that human beings have a peculiar set of capacities and proclivities that distinguishes them significantly from other animals on this planet. Despite the vast differences in humanity between cultures and across history, no matter how differently people narrate their lives and histories, there remains an underlying structure of human personhood that helps to order human culture, history, and narration. Drawing on important recent insights in moral philosophy, epistemology, and narrative studies, Smith argues that humans are animals who have an inescapable moral and spiritual dimension. They cannot avoid a fundamentaTrade Review'Well written and clearly argued, Moral Believing Animals is both a searching critique of recent social theory and an important first step toward the articulation of a richer model of human personhood, motivation, and culture.' * INSight *'A concise book that is enjoyable and easy to read, offering a far-reaching synthesis of a variety of philosophical and sociological approaches.... Smith masterfully situates many of the key current debates while calling attention to their historical origins and implicit assumptions.' * Contemporary Sociology *'An admirable model of wide-ranging and rich yet focused scholarship.' * The Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion *Table of ContentsINDEX

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Book SynopsisMoral arguments for God''s existence have undergone something of a resurgence in recent years. For quite a while they were out of vogue for a variety of reasons, but recent advances in the philosophy of language and philosophical and natural theology have reinvigorated moral apologetics. This is the first book to consolidate these gains into one coherent treatment, which will rigorously demonstrate to a wide readership how effectively various objections to moral apologetics have been answered. The authors show how strides in answering the problem of evil, the Euthyphro Dilemma, and epistemic vacuity and arbitrariness challenges to theistic ethics make possible a compelling cumulative moral argument that can greatly contribute to the rational case for God''s existence--and God''s goodness. The authors hope to reach a readership of not just philosophers, apologists, and theologians, but bright college students up through graduate school and beyond. Christians and non-Christians alike, thTrade Reviewsolid philosophical quality * John Cottingham, The TLS *Table of ContentsForeword by Thomas V. Morris ; Introduction ; 1. Moral Apologia ; 2. The Euthyphro Dilemma ; 3. Naming the Whirlwind ; 4. A Reformed Tradition Not Quite Right ; 5. God and Goodness ; 6. Divine Command Theory ; 7. Abhorrent Commands ; 8. The Problem of Evil ; 9. Knowing God's Will ; 10. Conclusion Eternity ; Appendix A: Answering the Extended Arbitrariness Objection to Divine Command Theory ; Appendix B: Outrageous Evil and the Hope of Healing ; Index

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Book SynopsisIn recent years scholars have begun to question the usefulness of the category of ''''religion'''' to describe a distinctive form of human experience and behavior. In his last book, The Ideology of Religious Studies (OUP 2000), Timothy Fitzgerald argued that ''''religion'''' was not a private area of human existence that could be separated from the public realm and that the study of religion as such was thus impossibility. In this new book he examines a wide range of English-language texts to show how religion became transformed from a very specific category indigenous to Christian culture into a universalist claim about human nature and society. These claims, he shows, are implied by and frequently explicit in theories and methods of comparative religion. But they are also tacitly reproduced throughout the humanities in the relatively indiscriminate use of ''''religion'''' as an a priori valid cross-cultural analytical concept, for example in historiography, sociology, and social anthTrade ReviewTimothy Fitzgerald is one of the most important scholars raising questions about the category of religion today, and in this essay he makes significant new contributions. He broadens the range of the discussion to include important but neglected categories that arose along with the category of religion, most notably the secular and the political, and he traces the emergence of this discourse in English-language texts dealing with travel and governance, showing that they emerge much later than is widely assumed. Anyone seriously interested in religion simply must take seriously Fitzgerald's central claim: it is wrong to think of religion as something that exists in and of itself, as an observable, objective domain essentially distinct from other domains such as politics and economics. * Gregory Alles, Professor of Religious Studies, McDaniel College and author of Religious Studies: A Global View *This important book continues Fitzgerald's investigations into the rhetorical uses and abuses of religion" and related terms. Here Fitzgerald leads us into close readings of primary texts from the early modern era, and shows that "religion" and "politics" and "economics" are not value-neutral descriptive categories, but modern inventions that serve the interests of a new kind of state and a new kind of market. With relentless logic, Fitzgerald cuts through the confusions, anachronisms, and nonsense that surround the modern use of these terms. In so doing, he helps us see that the way that Western social sciences have constructed the world is not inevitable, and that we need not see non-Western others through only one lens. This book will be of tremendous benefit not only to those in religious studies, but to political scientists, sociologists, and historians as well. * William T. Cavanaugh, Associate Professor of Theology, University of St. Thomas *In this perceptive study, Fitzgerald shows us just how the assumption that religion is essentially about personal belief becomes a crucial step in the construction of 'religion' as the name of a universal human experience. His emphasis is on changing configurations rather than binaries, which leads him to argue that in taking 'the religious' as the binary opposite of 'the secular' one is subscribing to an ideological enterprise. Discourse on Civility and Barbarity is an important contribution to the growing critical literature on the idea of Religion as an essentialized category. * Talal Asad, Author of Formations of the Secular *Table of ContentsNOTES; BIBLIOGRAPHY; INDEX

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Book SynopsisChristian theism and apologetics is an increasingly significant area of research and dialogue. This volume comprises groundbreaking dialogues by many of the most prominent scholars in the field in a definitive treatment of central issues in theism and Christian faith. The essays are ecumenical and broadly Christian, in the spirit of C.S. Lewis''s Mere Christianity, and feature lucid and up-to-date material designed to engage students and others in contemporary theistic and Christian issues. The first half of the volume includes dialogues about God''s existence and the coherence of theism. The second moves beyond generic theism to address significant debates over such specifically Christian doctrines as the Trinity and the resurrection of Jesus. Debating Christian Theism provides an ideal starting point for students, scholars, and anyone seeking to understand the current issues and developments with respect to discussions in Christian theism and apologetics.Trade ReviewAccessible to educated readers and advanced undergraduate students, this volume provides a handy summary of key positions in important debates. * CHOICE *Debating Christian Theism contains new essays on central topics by a number of distinguished scholars. It should not only prove of general interest but would provide an excellent supplemental text for undergraduate and graduate courses in philosophy of religion or theology. * William Wainwright, author of Religion and Morality *Pro/con pairs of essays, fairness, high-level discussion, rare breadth-all these combine to make this book an excellent representation of, and addition to, current debates regarding Christian theism. * Keith E. Yandell, author of Philosophy of Religion *Table of ContentsContributors ; Introduction ; PART I - DEBATES ABOUT GOD'S EXISTENCE ; A Cosmological Argument ; 1. The Kalam Argument - William Lane Craig ; 2. Doubts about the Kalam Argument - Wes Morriston ; A Teleological Fine-Tuning Argument ; 3. The Fine-Tuning Evidence is Convincing - Robin Collins ; 4. The Universe Shows No Evidence for Design - Victor J. Stenger ; An Ontological Argument ; 5. A Modal Version of the Ontological Argument - E.J. Lowe ; 6. Lowe on "The Ontological Argument" - Graham Oppy ; A Moral Argument ; 7. Ethics Needs God - Paul Copan ; 8. The Failure of Moral Arguments - Louise Antony ; An Argument from Consciousness ; 9. The Argument from Consciousness - J. P. Moreland ; 10. Consciousness, Theism, and Naturalism - Graham Oppy ; The Coherence of Theism: Part 1 ; 11. Problems with Omnipotence - Nicholas Everitt ; 12. Coherence of Divine Power - Charles Taliaferro ; The Coherence of Theism: Part 2 ; 13. Problems with Omniscience - Patrick Grim ; 14. The Coherence of Omniscience - Jerome Gellman ; The Problem of Evil ; 15. Evil as Evidence against God - Richard M. Gale ; 16. God and Evil - Chad Meister ; Evolution and Belief in God ; 17. Bayes and the Evolution of Religious Belief - Joseph Bulbulia ; 18. Evolutionary Accounts of Religion and the Justification of Religious Belief - Michael Murray and Jeffrey Schloss ; The Nature of Human Beings ; 19. Human Persons are Material and Immaterial (Body and Soul) - Stewart Goetz ; 20. Human Persons are Material Only - Kevin Corcoran ; PART II - DEBATES ABOUT SPECIFIC CHRISTIAN BELIEFS ; Miracles and Christian Theism ; 21. Christianity and Miracles - Paul Moser ; 22. It is Not Reasonable to Believe in Miracles - Evan Fales ; Science and Christian Faith ; 23. Science is at Odds with Christianity - Julian Baggini ; 24. Science is Not at Odds with Christianity - Keith Ward ; The Doctrine of the Trinity ; 25. The Doctrine of the Trinity is Coherent - Thomas D. Senor ; 26. The Trinity is Incoherent - Timothy Winter ; The Atonement ; 27. Responsibility, Atonement, and Forgiveness - Richard Swinburne ; 28. Problems with the Doctrine of Atonement - John Hick ; The Incarnation ; 29. An Anselmian Defense of the Incarnation - Katherin A. Rogers ; 30. The Incarnation Doctrine is Incoherent and Unlikely - Michael Martin ; The Historical Reliability of the New Testament ; 31. The Gospels are Reliable as Historically Factual Accounts - Stephen T. Davis ; 32. The Gospels are Reliable as Memory and Testimony - Marcus Borg ; The Historical Jesus ; 33. The Christ of Faith is Not the Jesus of History - Stephen J. Patterson ; 34. The Christ of Faith is the Jesus of History - Craig A. Evans ; The Resurrection of Jesus ; 35. Jesus Did Rise From the Dead - Gary Habermas ; 36. Jesus Did Not Rise From the Dead - James Crossley ; Only One Way to God? ; 37. Jesus is the Only Way to God - Harold Netland ; 38. There are Many Ways to God - Paul Knitter ; Heaven and Hell ; 39. It is Reasonable to Believe in Heaven and Hell - Jerry L. Walls ; 40. It is Not Reasonable to Believe in Heaven and Hell - Keith Parsons ; Index

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Book SynopsisThe Muslim thinker al-Ghazali (d. 1111) was one of the most influential theologians and philosophers of Islam and has been considered an authority in both Western and Islamic philosophical traditions. Born in northeastern Iran, he held the most prestigious academic post in Islamic theology in Baghdad, only to renounce the position and teach at small schools in the provinces for no money. His contributions to Islamic scholarship range from responding to the challenges of Aristotelian philosophy to creating a new type of Islamic mysticism and integrating both these traditions-falsafa and Sufism-into the Sunni mainstream.This book offers a comprehensive study of al-Ghazali''s life and his understanding of cosmology-how God creates things and events in the world, how human acts relate to God''s power, and how the universe is structured. Frank Griffel presents a serious revision of traditional views on al-Ghazali, showing that his most important achievement was the creation of a new rationaTrade ReviewThis work of historical theology is essential reading for those wanting to understand with new depth and clarity the life and teachings of al-Ghazali. * American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences *Table of ContentsTimetable ; Introduction ; Chapter One: A Life Between Public and Private Instruction: Al-Ghazali's Biography The Main Sources for Ghazali's Biography ; Chapter Two: Al-Ghazali's Most Influential Students and Followers ; Chapter Three: Al-Ghazali On the Role of falsafa in Islam ; Chapter Four: The Reconciliation of Reason and Revelation Through the "Rule of Interpretation" ; Chapter Five: Cosmology in Early Islam-Developments that Led to al-Ghazali's Incoherence of the Philosophers ; Chapter Six: The Seventeenth Discussion of the Incoherence of the Philosophers ; Chapter Seven: Knowledge of Causal Connections is Necessary ; Chapter Eight: Causes and Effects in the Revival of the Religious Sciences ; Chapter Nine: Cosmology in Works Written After the Revival ; Conclusion ; Notes ; Bibliography ; General Index ; Index of Works by al-Ghazali ; Index of Manuscripts ; Index of Verses in the Qur'an

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Book SynopsisRenowned Aquinas scholar Brian Davies offers the first in-depth study of the saint's thoughts on God and evil, revealing that Aquinas's thinking about God and evil can be traced through his metaphysical philosophy, his thoughts on God and creation, and his writings about Christian revelation and the doctrines of the Trinity and the Incarnation.Trade ReviewHe has produced a book for a wide range of readers on perhaps the most difficult question people pose about God ... Davies has produced a remarkable book. * Jeff Phillips, Theology Vol. 116 *[Davies] is an experienced and lucid guide * Times Literary Supplement *Table of ContentsAbbreviations ; Preface ; 1. The Problem of Evil ; 2. Aquinas, Philosophy, and Theology ; 3. What There Is ; 4. Goodness and Badness ; 5. God the Creator ; 6. God's Perfection and Goodness ; 7. The Creator and Evil ; 8. Providence and Grace ; 9. The Trinity and Christ ; 10. Aquinas on God and Evil ; Bibliography ; Index

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Book SynopsisScholars of the social sciences have devoted more and more attention of late to the concept of human happiness, mainly from sociological and psychological perspectives. This volume, which includes essays from scholars of the New Testament, the Old Testament, systematic theology, practical theology, and counseling psychology, poses a new and exciting question: what is happiness according to the Bible? Informed by developments in positive psychology, The Bible and the Pursuit of Happiness explores representations of happiness throughout the Bible and demonstrates the ways in which these representations affect both religious and secular understandings of happiness. In addition to the twelve essays, the book contains a framing introduction and epilogue, as well as an appendix of all the terms used in reference to happiness in the Bible. The resulting volume, the first of its kind, is a highly useful and remarkably comprehensive resource for the study of happiness in the Bible and beyond.Trade ReviewThese essays are from some of our most solid and respected scholars, who evidence great skill in moving from close textual work to more generalized conclusions...This is a welcome book, the only one of its kind in the discipline...This is a bold and compelling beginning of an important probe about faith and culture. * Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology *This work, based on a 2009 conference at Emory University, is of high quality...This work is particularly valuable because little academic theological attention has been given to the topic. Also, it brings together insights from the Bible, theology, and psychology in unique, interesting ways. * CHOICE *For some time the study of happiness has been flourishing in such disciplines as psychology, neurobiology, philosophy, and spirituality. But in biblical studies, happiness has not received the attention it deserves. This new work goes a long way toward filling the gap. In creative dialogue with the Positive Psychology movement, ten world-class biblical scholars, together with a systematic theologian, a professor of preaching, and a psychologist, have produced a collection of wide-ranging, insightful essays. The effective outcome is a biblical theology of happiness. Not only that: it is a joy to read. * Stephen C. Barton, author of Life Together: Family, Sexuality and Community in the New Testament and Today *In light of Scripture's many words about enjoyment, goodness, and happiness, it is surprising how little attention has been given to the subject of happiness and its various elements and dimensions in the Bible. That hole is now filled with this comprehensive effort to engage Scripture, theology, and psychology in a conversation that lets us see how both human happiness and divine happiness are constantly explored in the Bible, not apart from the reality of sin and suffering and evil but in both present experience and expectation. * Patrick D. Miller, Charles T. Haley Professor of Old Testament Theology Emeritus, Princeton Theological Seminary *Table of ContentsPreface ; Abbreviations ; Contributors ; Introduction Brent A. Strawn, "The Bible and Happiness?" ; Part I. Hebrew Bible/Old Testament ; Introduction to Part I ; Terence E. Fretheim, "God, Creation, and the Pursuit of Happiness" ; Nathan MacDonald, "Is There Happiness in the Torah?" ; Jacqueline Lapsley, "A Happy Blend: Isaiah's Vision of Happiness (and Beyond)" ; William P. Brown, "Happiness and Its Discontents in the Psalms" ; Carol A. Newsom, "Positive Psychology and Ancient Israelite Wisdom" ; Part II. New Testament ; Introduction to Part II ; Carl R. Holladay, "The Beatitudes: Happiness and the Kingdom of God" ; Joel B. Green, "We Had to Celebrate and Rejoice!' Happiness in the Topsy-Turvy World of Luke-Acts" ; Colleen Shantz, "I Have Learned to Be Content': Happiness according to St. Paul" ; Greg Carey, "Finding Happiness in Apocalyptic Literature" ; Part III. Beyond the Bible: ; Continuing the Conversation into Other Disciplines ; Introduction to Part III ; Ellen T. Charry, "The Necessity of Divine Happiness: A Response from Systematic Theology" ; Thomas G. Long, "A Constructed Happiness: A Response from Practical Theology" ; Steven J. Sandage, "The Transformation of Happiness: A Response from Counseling Psychology" ; Epilogue Brent A. Strawn, "The Triumph of Life: Towards a Biblical Theology of Happiness" ; Appendix Michael J. Chan, "A Biblical Lexicon of Happiness" ; Bibliography ; Index

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Book SynopsisDemocratic states must protect the liberty of citizens and must accommodate both religious liberty and cultural diversity. This democratic imperative is one reason for the increasing secularity of most modern democracies. Religious citizens, however, commonly see a secular state as unfriendly toward religion. This book articulates principles that enable secular governments to protect liberty in a way that judiciously separates church and state and fully respects religious citizens. After presenting a brief account of the relation between religion and ethics, the book shows how ethics can be independent of religion-evidentially autonomous in a way that makes moral knowledge possible for secular citizens-without denying religious sources a moral authority of their own. With this account in view, it portrays a church-state separation that requires governments not only to avoid religious establishment but also to maintain religious neutrality. The book shows how religious neutrality is related to such issues as teaching evolutionary biology in public schools, the legitimacy of vouchers to fund private schooling, and governmental support of faith-based initiatives. The final chapter shows how the proposed theory of religion and politics incorporates toleration and forgiveness as elements in flourishing democracies. Tolerance and forgiveness are described; their role in democratic citizenship is clarified; and in this light a conception of civic virtue is proposed. Overall, the book advances the theory of liberal democracy, clarifies the relation between religion and ethics, provides distinctive principles governing religion in politics, and provides a theory of toleration for pluralistic societies. It frames institutional principles to guide governmental policy toward religion; it articulates citizenship standards for political conduct by individuals; it examines the case for affirming these two kinds of standards on the basis of what, historically, has been called natural reason; and it defends an account of toleration that enhances the practical application of the ethical framework both in individual nations and in the international realm.Trade ReviewThe book summarizes, in 155 small pages of text, arguments Audi has been developing for more than 20 years. It is engagingly written and easy to read, with the analytic clarity that is Audi's great strength This is an important book, because it is the latest statement of a widely held position by one of the leading writers in the field. * Andrew Koppelman, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *Table of ContentsContents ; Preface and Acknowledgments ; Introduction ; Chapter 1 ; The Autonomy of Ethics and the Moral Authority of Religion ; The Autonomy of Ethics ; Moral Knowledge: General and Particular ; Religion, Theology, and Ethics ; Theoethical Equilibrium: The Integration of Religion and Ethics ; Divine Command Ethics and Secular Morality ; Chapter 2 ; The Liberty of Citizens and the Responsibilities of Government ; The Separation of Church and State and the Limits of Democratic Authority ; The Liberty Principle and the Scope of Religious Freedom ; The Equality Principle and the Case Against Establishment ; The Neutrality Principle: Accommodationist Secularity ; Religious Neutrality, Valuational Neutrality, and Public Policy ; Chapter 3 ; The Secular State and the Religious Citizen ; Freedom of Expression in the Advocacy of Laws and Public Policies ; Major Principles Governing the Advocacy of Laws and Public Policies ; The Charge of Exclusivism Toward Religious Reasons ; Natural Reason, Secularity, and Religious Convictions ; Religious Reasons, Political Decision, and Toleration ; Privatization Versus Activism: The Place of Religious Considerations in ; Public Political Discourse ; Chapter 4 ; Democratic Tolerance and Religious Obligation in a Globalized World ; The Nature of Tolerance ; Is Tolerance a Virtue? ; Toleration and Forgiveness ; The Normative Standards for Democratic Toleration ; Religion in the Workplace as a Test Case for a Theory of Toleration ; Cosmopolitanism as a Framework for Tolerance ; Civic Virtue and Democratic Participation ; International Implications of the Framework ; Conclusion ; Endnotes ; Index

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Book SynopsisIn this groundbreaking study, Stephen H. Webb offers a new theological understanding of the material and spiritual: that, far from being contradictory, they unite in the very stuff of the eternal Jesus Christ. Accepting matter as a perfection (or predicate) of the divine requires a rethinking of the immateriality of God, the doctrine of creation out of nothing, the Chalcedonian formula of the person of Christ, and the analogical nature of religious language. It also requires a careful reconsideration of Augustine''s appropriation of the Neo-Platonic understanding of divine incorporeality as well as Origen''s rejection of anthropomorphism. Webb locates his position in contrast to evolutionary theories of emergent materialism and the popular idea that the world is God''s body. He draws on a little known theological position known as the ''''heavenly flesh'''' Christology, investigates the many misunderstandings of its origins and relation to the Monophysite movement, and supplements it wTrade Review... This study is refreshingly provocative and counterintuitive and undoubtedly merits attention * David Brumett, The Expository Times *those with a postgraduate-level interest in Christology in particular will benefit most from Webb's lively analysis. ... there is no doubt in my mind that this near extraordinary monograph is worthy of serious, sustained attention. Its radical claims about Jesus mean that it should not be ignored. * Terry J. Wright, Theology *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; Chapter 1: Thinking with Matter ; Chapter 2: A Brief History of the Metaphysics of Matter ; Chapter 3: Binding Matter, Unbinding God ; Chapter 4: The New Consensus about Anthropomorphism and God ; Chapter 5: What Flesh is This? ; Chapter 6: More Resources: Scotus, Schwenckfeld, and the Transfiguration ; Chapter 7: Thomas Aquinas on Relations, Personhood, and Matter ; Chapter 8: Karl Barth's Christological Metaphysics ; Chapter 9: Godbodied: The Matter of the Latter-day Saints ; Chapter 10: A Conclusion by Way of a Metaphysical Beginning

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Book SynopsisIt is widely assumed that science is the enemy of religious faith. The idea is so pervasive that entire industries of religious apologetics converge around the challenge of Darwin, evolution, and the secular worldview. This book challenges such assumptions by proposing a different cause of unbelief in the West: the Christian conscience. Tracing a history of doubt and unbelief from the Reformation to the age of Darwin and Karl Marx, Dominic Erdozain argues that the most powerful solvents of religious orthodoxy have been concepts of moral equity and personal freedom generated by Christianity itself.Revealing links between the radical Reformation and early modern philosophers such as Baruch Spinoza and Pierre Bayle, Erdozain demonstrates that the dynamism of the Enlightenment, including the very concept of natural reason espoused by philosophers such as Voltaire, was rooted in Christian ethics and spirituality. The final chapters explore similar themes in the era of Darwin and Marx, showiTrade Reviewa clear and lively counternarrative addressed to those who still believe religion can only restrain rather than liberate and that Christianity necessarily opposes what modernity values. For this audience, including many students as well as committed secularists with their own entrenched interpretations of the canonical figures Erdozain studies, this should be a valuable and important study. * Constance M. Fury, Journal of Religion *Erdozain's book is a valuable revision of the history of unbelief, an implicit call for Christians to admit that our superiority complexes can fuel doubt, and an invitation for historians to examine not just the minds of their subjects but also their souls. Moreover, Erdozain is a brilliant stylist--each page contains turns of phrase that make this both convincing and enjoyable reading ... [A] must read. * Daniel J. King, Fides et Historia *It is rare to find an academic book which is such an active pleasure to read...provocative and thoughtful. * Alec Ryrie, Journal of Ecclesiastical History *The Soul of Doubt is a lively genealogy of the deconfessionalizing and secularizing of a religious conscience that never fully escapes its origins. Erdozain applies his brilliant prose to a wealth of primary sources to argue that the anti-religious fury of a figure such as Marx is an extension of the critical restoring and reforming impulse that can be traced back (at least) to Luther...In this book, Erdozain has powerfully challenged the assumptions of both schools of thought by revealing the religiously rooted motivations of some of the most notoriously (supposedly) anti-Christian authors and the blurred lines between secular and religious thought between the 16th and 19th centuries. Needless to say, this argument has profound implications for contemporary narratives that either lament or celebrate a purported conflict between faith and reason and steady march of secularization. * Christopher D.L. Johnson, Religion *It is a great merit of Dominic Erdozain's book that it provides an approachable and well-wrought account of the development of such pluralism over the past 500 years ... Writing with great verve and passion, Erdozain is tireless in assembling texts and citations to support his various interpretations. * Albert Weale, Times Literary Supplement *This is an elegantly written, well-argued book. * V. M. Ehret, CHOICE *This is the most important book on religious doubt in the modern West since Charles Taylor's A Secular Age. * Timothy Larsen, author of Crisis of Doubt: Honest Faith in Nineteenth-Century England *The Problem of Pleasure established Erdozain as one of the most original and provocative new voices in modern Christian history, and specifically in the history of secularisation. This tour de force of incisive argument and wide-ranging erudition confirms his reputation. Others have suggested that the most powerful critiques of Christian orthodoxy have been primarily moral, indeed religious, but no-one has pursued this argument so consistently and across three centuries. * Hugh McLeod, author of The Religious Crisis of the 1960s *This wide-ranging book offers a compelling account of the Christian roots of secularism. It skillfully blends intellectual history with the 'raw fuel' of human, historically-located lived experience, a force that Erdozain terms 'conscience.' The text sparkles with thought-provoking analogies and metaphors, and it establishes Erdozain's reputation as one of the most accomplished scholars of religion writing about the post-Reformation world. * Frances Knight, University of Nottingham *Erdozain has made a fascinating contribution to understanding the religious and theological context of the rise of secularism * Charlotte Methuen, Reviews in History *Erdozain's study thus succeeds not as a nuanced account of theology's unpredictable significance (for that, readers should look to works like Schreiner's) but as a clear and lively counternarrative addressed to those who still believe religion can only restrain rather than liberate and that Christianity necessarily opposes what modernity values. For this audience, including many students as well as committed secularists with their own entrenched interpretations of the canonical figures Erdozain studies, this should be a valuable and important study. * Constance M. Furey, Journal of Religion *Table of ContentsAbbreviations ; Introduction: Desecularizing Doubt ; 1. The Prophets Armed: Luther and the making and breaking of conscience ; 2. "To kill a man is not to defend a doctrine. It is to kill a man": the wars of religion and the virtues of doubt ; 3. The Metaphysics of Mercy: Calvin and Spinoza ; 4. In Search of a Father: Voltaire's Christian Enlightenment ; 5. "A damnable doctrine": Darwin and the soul of Victorian doubt ; 6. The God that Failed: Feuerbach, Marx, and the politics of salvation ; Conclusion: in Augustine's shadow

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Book SynopsisHere is a lucid, accessible, and inspiring guide to the six perfections--Buddhist teachings about six dimensions of human character that require perfecting: generosity, morality, tolerance, energy, meditation, and wisdom. Drawing on the Diamond Sutra, the Large Sutra on Perfect Wisdom, and other essential Mahayana texts, Dale Wright shows how these teachings were understood and practiced in classical Mahayana Buddhism and how they can be adapted to contemporary life in a global society. What would the perfection of generosity look like today, for example? What would it mean to give with neither ulterior motives nor naiveté? Devoting a separate chapter to each of the six perfections, Wright combines sophisticated analysis with real-life applications. Buddhists have always stressed self-cultivation, the uniquely human freedom that opens the possibility of shaping the kind of life we will live and the kind of person we will become. For those interested in ideals of human character and praTrade ReviewDale S. Wright has written a compelling account of one of the world's most ancient - and still-vibrant - models of moral development. The Six Perfections broadens psychology's vision of human excellence. * Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. The Perfection of Generosity ; 2. The Perfection of Morality ; 3. The Perfection of Tolerance ; 4. The Perfection of Energy ; 5. The Perfection of Meditation ; 6. The Perfection of Wisdom ; Conclusion ; Acknowledgments ; Notes ; References

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Book SynopsisOver the last two decades the distinguished philosopher Philip Kitcher has started to make a serious case for pragmatism as the source of a new life in contemporary philosophy. There are some, like Kitcher, who view today''s analytic philosophy as mired in narrowly focused, technical disputes of little interest to the wider world. What is the future of philosophy, and what would it look like?While Classical Pragmatism -- the American philosophy developed by John Dewey, Charles Peirce, and William James in the 19th century-- has a mixed reputation today, Kitcher admires the way its core ideas provide a way to prioritize avenues of inquiry. As he points out, both James and Dewey shared a wish to eliminate ''insignificant questions'' from philosophy, and both harbored suspicion of ''timeless'' philosophical problems handed down generation after generation. Rather, they saw philosophy as inherently embedded in its time, grappling with pressing issues in religion, social life, art, politicsTrade ReviewPreludes to Pragmatism is an important and rewarding book. * Christopher Hookway, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *In this lively and lucid collection of essays, Philip Kitcher--one of America's leading philosophers--seeks to further the reform of philosophy inspired by the pragmatic tradition of James and Dewey. Critical of the current state of Anglophone philosophy, he develops a pragmatic naturalism that deals with some of the most pressing cultural issues of our time-including the meaning of value in contemporary society and the reconciliation of science and religion. Anyone interested in the creative potential of pragmatism for the reconstruction of philosophy today will find this insightful book invaluable. * Richard J. Bernstein, Vera List Professor of Philosophy, New School for Social Research *In articles ranging from metaphysics and philosophy of mathematics to ethics and the philosophy of religion, Preludes to Pragmatism develops and makes a powerful case for pragmatic naturalism. By drawing on, extending, and emending ideas drawn from the classical pragmatists, Philip Kitcher argues that no appeal to transcendent, non-natural entities is required to underwrite our deepest theoretical commitments, or rationalize our practices. * Catherine Z. Elgin, Harvard University *Philip Kitcher's Preludes to Pragmatism offers a radical 'reconstruction of philosophy' which aims to renew the projects of William James and John Dewey. Advocating a form of 'pragmatic naturalism,' Kitcher's aim is not simply to use pragmatist ideas as material for a more sophisticated reformed 'normal philosophy.' Rather than using pragmatist ideas to provide better solutions to familiar problems, he follows Dewey in seeking to 'liberate philosophy' from familiar questions that can now be transcended. Whether discussing atheism or secularism, race or altruism, he meets familiar views with pragmatist challenges that can change the philosophical terrain. In doing so, he contributes to the truth of his claim that pragmatism is one of the most significant developments in the history of philosophy. * Christopher Hookway, University of Sheffield *Table of Contents1. The Importance of Dewey for Philosophy (and much else besides) ; 2. The Naturalists Return ; 3. Real Realism: The Galilean Strategy ; 4. On the Explanatory Role of Correspondence Truth. ; 5. Pragmatism and Realism: A Modest Proposal ; 6. Does 'Race' Have a Future? ; 7. Mathematical Truth? ; 8. Carnap and the Caterpillar ; 9. Philosophy Inside Out ; 10. A Pragmatist's Progress: The Varieties of James' Strategies for Defending Religion ; 11. Challenges for Secularism ; 12. Militant Modern Atheism ; 13. Naturalistic Ethics without Fallacies ; 14. The Hall of Mirrors ; 15. Education, Capitalism, and Democracy ; 16. Public Knowledge and its Discontents ; 17. Varieties of Altruism

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Book SynopsisThe idea of the pre-existence of the soul has been extremely important, widespread, and persistent throughout Western history--from even before the philosophy of Plato to the poetry of Robert Frost. When Souls Had Wings offers the first systematic history of this little explored feature of Western culture. Terryl Givens describes the tradition of pre-existence as pre-heaven--the place where unborn souls wait until they descend to earth to be born. And typically it is seen as a descent--a falling away from a happier and untroubled state into the turbulent and sinful world we know. The title of the book refers to the idea put forward in antiquity that our souls begin with wings, and that only after shedding those wings do we fall to earth. The book not only traces the history of the idea of pre-existence, but also captures its meaning for those who have embraced it. Givens describes how pre-existence has been invoked to explain the better angels of our nature, including the human yearning for transcendence and the sublime. Pre-existence has been said to account for why we know what we should not know, whether in the form of a Greek slave''s grasp of mathematics, the moral sense common to humanity, or the human ability to recognize universals. The belief has explained human bonds that seem to have their own mysterious prehistory, salved the wounded sensibility of a host of thinkers who could not otherwise account for the unevenly distributed pain and suffering that are humanity''s common lot, and has been posited by philosophers and theologians alike to salvage the principle of human freedom and accountability. When Souls had Wings underscores how durable (and controversial) this idea has been throughout the history of Western thought, the theological dangers it has represented, and how prominently it has featured in poetry, literature, and art.Trade Reviewa rich, eloquent and informative monograph about the idea of the pre-existence of the soul in occidental thought. This is an important and instructive book about a very important idea, one that is presented sympathetically with great clarity and sweep. * Douglas Hedley, Theology *Table of ContentsPrologue ; Introduction ; 1. Ancient Near Eastern Traditions ; 2. Classical Variants ; 3. Philo to Christian Beginnings ; 4. Neo-Platonism and the Church Fathers ; 5. Augustine and the Formation of Orthodoxy ; 6. Middle Ages to the Renaissance ; 7. Cambridge Platonists and the Miltonic Heritage ; 8. The Eighteenth Century and the Cartesian Aftermath ; 9. Philosophy and Theology 1800-1900 ; 10. Romanticism and Transcendentalism 1800-1900 ; 11. Pre-Existence in the Modern Age ; 12. Parallel Paradigms ; Epilogue

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Book SynopsisThe last twenty years have seen a dramatic increase in nones: people who do not claim any religious affiliation, and who now outnumber even the largest Protestant denominations in America. Not to be confused with secularists, many nones identify themselves as spiritual but not religious (SBNR). Public response to the emergence of SBNRs has been wildly mixed. Nones have been evaluated, statistically analyzed, classified and categorized, derided as shallow dilettantes, and hailed as spiritual pioneers, but very rarely asked to describe their own views and experiences. In Beliefs without Borders, theologian and one-time SBNR Linda Mercadante gives nones a chance to speak for themselves.This volume is the outcome of extensive observation and over 85 in-depth interviews with SBNRs across the United States. Mercadante presents SBNRs'' stories and analysis of their spiritual journeys as well as their rationale for the rejection of organized religion, showing that people who identify in this way can be found not only outside of organized religon, but within it. She reveals the surprising latent theology within the nones movement, including the interviewees'' creative concepts of divine transcendence, life after death, human nature, and community, and the conclusions she draws are startling: despite that SBNRs routinely discount the creeds and doctrines of organized religion, many have devised a structured set of beliefs, often purposefully in opposition to doctrines associated with Christianity.Beliefs without Borders is a captivating exploration of a growing belief system certain to transform the spiritual character of America.Trade ReviewWhether or not Mercadante's readers endorse her theological critique, this fascinating book offers an investigation of American SBNR's beliefs that is important and timely, a gift to scholars and practitioners of religion, spirituality and non-religion. * Kristin Aune, Times Higher Education *This informative, engaging, and important book shatters the myth that those who describe themselves as 'spiritual but not religious' (SBNR) are self-absorbed theological illiterates self-indulgently 'pic 'n mixing' their way to objectively superficial spiritual self-satisfaction. * Mark Bratton, Journal of Contemporary Religion *the book has a strong balance of description, evaluation and criticism and is, as yet, one of only a few major empirical studies on the SBNR revolution. * Oliver Robinson, Network Review *Table of ContentsA Personal Prelude: Confessions of a Former SBNR ; Chapter One - Introduction ; Chapter Two - Waking from the Dream ; Chapter Three - The Interviewees ; Chapter Four - Common Themes ; Chapter Five - Transcendence ; Chapter Six - Human Nature ; Chapter Seven - Community ; Chapter Eight - Afterlife ; Chapter Nine - Conclusions and Implications ; Afterword - Rita Rodriquez and the Resiliency of Religion ; Appendix - Research Methodology

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Trade ReviewA solidly resourced, cogently analyzed, and persuasively argued brief. * Publishers Weekly *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. Perilous Times ; 2. The Nuclear-Haunted Era ; 3. What to Mobilize Against ; 4. Waging War on Terror ; 5. Weapons of Mass Destruction ; 6. Panics and Pandemics ; 7. Environmental Catastrophe ; 8. Setting a New Agenda ; 9. The Call for Action ; Notes ; Selected Bibliography ; Index

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Book SynopsisThe First Islamic Reviver presents a new biography of al-Ghazali's final decade and a half, presenting him not as a reclusive spiritual seeker, but as an engaged Islamic revivalist seeking to reshape his religious tradition.Trade ReviewBeyond the myth, this is the first convincing reviving of the historical al-Ghazali and a proper understanding of his reformist project in the Ihya. A great work, and a must read for all the naive admirers and other aficionados of the Hujjat al-Islam. * Yahya Michot, Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations, Hartford Seminary *Table of ContentsTable of Contents ; Introduction ; Part 1: Al-Ghazali Before His Revival ; Chapter 1-Al-Ghazli and the Seljuk State ; Chapter 2-The Scale of Action: An Intellectual Portrait of al-Ghaz?l? on the Eve of his Departure from Baghdad ; Part 2: The Revival of the Religious Sciences ; Chapter 3-The Revival and its Agenda ; Chapter 4-The Rhetoric of Revival: Authorizing Strategies and the Presentation of the Science of the Hereafter ; Part III: Promoting Revival in the World ; Chapter 5 Promoting the Revival ; Chapter 6: Defending the Revival ; Conclusion

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Book SynopsisDoes America, as George W. Bush has proclaimed, have a special mission, derived from God, to bring liberty and democracy to the world? How much influence does the Christian right have over US foreign policy? And how should America and the West deal with violent Islamist extremists? Traditionally, politicians have sought to downplay the impact of religious beliefs in international affairs. In this illuminating first-hand account, Madeleine Albright examines religion and foreign affairs through the lens of American history as well as her own personal experiences in public office, with a preface and opening chapters specially written for the UK edition. She offers a sharp critique of US policy, condemnation for those who exploit religious fervor for violent ends, and praise for political, cultural, and spiritual leaders who seek to harness the values of faith to bring people together. Albright has written a thought-provoking work that calls for bold leadership to rein in the many religiou

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Book SynopsisA militant Marxist atheist and a “Radical Orthodox” Christian theologian square off on everything from the meaning of theology and Christ to the war machine of corporate mafia.“What matters is not so much that Žižek is endorsing a demythologized, disenchanted Christianity without transcendence, as that he is offering in the end (despite what he sometimes claims) a heterodox version of Christian belief.”—John Milbank“To put it even more bluntly, my claim is that it is Milbank who is effectively guilty of heterodoxy, ultimately of a regression to paganism: in my atheism, I am more Christian than Milbank.”—Slavoj ŽižekIn this corner, philosopher Slavoj Žižek, a militant atheist who represents the critical-materialist stance against religion''s illusions; in the other corner, “Radical Orthodox” theologian John Milbank, an influential and provocative thinker who argues that theology is the only foundation upon which knowledge, politics, and ethics can stand. In The Monstrosity of Christ, Žižek and Milbank go head to head for three rounds, employing an impressive arsenal of moves to advance their positions and press their respective advantages. By the closing bell, they have not only proven themselves worthy adversaries, they have shown that faith and reason are not simply and intractably opposed. Žižek has long been interested in the emancipatory potential offered by Christian theology. And Milbank, seeing global capitalism as the new century''s greatest ethical challenge, has pushed his own ontology in more political and materialist directions. Their debate in The Monstrosity of Christ concerns the future of religion, secularity, and political hope in light of a monsterful event—God becoming human. For the first time since Žižek''s turn toward theology, we have a true debate between an atheist and a theologian about the very meaning of theology, Christ, the Church, the Holy Ghost, Universality, and the foundations of logic. The result goes far beyond the popularized atheist/theist point/counterpoint of recent books by Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, and others. Žižek begins, and Milbank answers, countering dialectics with “paradox.” The debate centers on the nature of and relation between paradox and parallax, between analogy and dialectics, between transcendent glory and liberation. Slavoj Žižek is a philosopher and cultural critic. He has published over thirty books, including Looking Awry, The Puppet and the Dwarf, and The Parallax View (these three published by the MIT Press). John Milbank is an influential Christian theologian and the author of Theology and Social Theory: Beyond Secular Reason and other books. Creston Davis, who conceived of this encounter, studied under both Žižek and Milbank.

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Book SynopsisAs Hauerwas' effort to develop a uniquely Christian ethic, this book moves from such general themes as ""Keeping Theological Ethics Theological"" and ""Keeping Theological Ethics Imaginative"" to the application of these themes to such diverse topics as the Holocaust, Jonestown and nuclear war.Trade Review"Against the Nations is vintage Hauerwas: thoughtful, provocative and always challenging. . . . The strength of this book is precisely this call to Christian faithfulness. Hauerwas has reminded us of the dangers of accommodation to the fashions of the world: his book is a call for a bold Christian moral witness." —Transformation"These essays—on matters as diverse as theological method, nuclear disarmament, pacifism, the Holocaust, and the Jonestown suicides—are united by a gracious alienation which enables their author to flush out and rough up many of the dogmas of sectarian secularism." —Commonweal"Hauerwas defends his pacifist position against the best of the just-war tradition. As a postliberal theologian in a post-Christian age, Hauerwas intentionally avoids making universal pacifist claims, preferring to debate with Christian realists and just-war theorists . . . who offer the strongest challenge to pacifism. Hauerwas insists that Christian ethics and the Church must proceed from the Gospel's message of peace, and not from natural law or liberal theology. Hauerwas's unusual strength as a pacifist is his willingness to confront squarely the political reality of the world in its most destructive forms (Holocaust, nuclear annihilation, Jonestown)." —Choice

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Book SynopsisBeatrice Bruteau develops a Trinitarian anthropology with the potential for healing our conflict-ridden planet by transforming us from riven and conflicting individuals, into open, sharing persons of the New Creation. In transcendent freedom, a profound communion consciousness gives birth to global, wholistic community.Trade Review“Every now and then there arises a prophet in our midst marked by a voice that is distinctly new and totally different than the familiar. The Jesuit scientist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin was one such voice and Beatrice Bruteau, a disciple of Teilhard, is another. In this collection of essays written over a period of twenty years, Bruteau offers us a luminous vision of a new social order in an evolutionary world. This is a profound book, written by a scholar of wisdom. It is a book that can appeal to a wide variety of people–academics and nonacademics alike–because of its depth and breadth. [A]ll those who read The Grand Option will not only be lured by Bruteau’s vision and insight but will return time and again to this book, for it is itself an evolution in thought.” —Spiritual Life“Written with clarity and elegance, Dr. Bruteau’s book combines a rich legacy of intellectual wealth with her own valuable personal experience and mystical contemplation.” —Prabuddha Bharata“The Grand Option sings from start to finish with passion and depth. Bruteau brilliantly evokes the cosmic dimension of evolution and morphs Christian theology into a razor-sharp and inspired theory of collective human transformation that will appeal to Christians and non-Christians alike.” —What is Enlightenment?"[Bruteau] updates and reweaves her unique synthesis of a progressive evolution, Eastern traditions, neo-feminism, which altogether achieve a consummate twenty-first century Christian vision. In a series of essays that course among these realms and others, Dr. Bruteau proceeds and builds toward a radically novel Earthwide Christianity.” —Thailand Perspective

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Book SynopsisApophasis has become a major topic in the humanities, particularly in philosophy, religion, and literature. This two-volume anthology gathers together most of the important historical works on apophaticism and illustrates the diverse trajectories of apophatic discourse in ancient, modern, and postmodern times.Trade Review“Any writer worth his salt knows that what cannot be spoken is ultimately the thing worth speaking about; yet most often this humbling awareness is unsaid or covered up. There are some who have made it their business, however, to court failure and acknowledge defeat, to explore the impasse of words before silence. William Franke has created an anthology of such explorations, undertaken in poetry and prose, that stretches from Plato to the present. Whether the subject of discourse is All or Nothing does not matter: the struggle of speech to name the unnameable is the same. This ambitious two-volume undertaking demonstrates a preoccupation as old as Western civilization itself: the limits of language and the virtue of being at a loss for words. How long we have been raiding the Inarticulate!” —Peter S. Hawkins, Boston University“Developments in critical theory during the past two decades have led to renewed interest in negative theology. Books like Languages of the Unsayable (1989), Negation and Theology (1992), Derrida and Negative Theology (1992), and The Otherness of God (1998) have signaled the resurgence of this ancient tradition. William Franke’s distinctive contribution is to provide the background and texts from which these recent developments have emerged.” —Mark Taylor, Williams College"These two volumes successfully realize a massive project: to propose and delineate a new field of discourse that provides a fresh approach to Western thought as a whole. In short, William Franke demonstrates the centrality of apophaticism, 'what cannot be said,' to the Western tradition, from Plato (and before) to Derrida (and beyond). . . . The first volume covers the first 'cycles' of apophasis, as the Western tradition evolves, stretching from the commentary tradition of Plato's Parmenides to Eckhart and his progenitors. . . . Franke's work is nothing short of brilliant." —Religion and Literature“. . . one of the most important and original contributions to the discussion of apophasis in recent years. . . . Franke’s historical and disciplinary range, in light of his well-written and compelling essays, provides an illuminating insight into the pervasiveness of apophatic discourse. . . . Franke’s anthology is a resource which should not be ignored. Few others, maybe no others, provide the same clarity, coherence, and scope.” —Christianity and Literature“The genius of Franke’s two-volume critical anthology on apophatic discourses is the work’s breadth and depth of engagement with the concept in variously distinct and even conflicting contexts. . . . Franke manages his sweeping and inclusive exploration of apophatic discourses by identifying a thematic lens for selecting his sources as part of a larger, conceptually-rooted genre of discourse. . . . the greatest strength of Franke’s two-volume collection resides in the sheer fact that nothing like it exists.” —Essays in Philosophy

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Book SynopsisAn overview of Simone Weil's writings on science and mathematics which opens the door to dialogue between philosophy, art, and religionTrade Review"For its rigor, as well as for its faithful reading of Simone Weil's work, this book merits special attention. Starting with a well-defined aspect of Weil's thought, the author shows the unity of this thought, unified through its relationship, from one end to the other, with the Good." —Cahiers Simone Weil"Weaving the World is a detailed account of the philosophy of science and knowledge of Simone Weil. It is a very useful contribution to our understanding of one of the deepest and most incandescent thinkers of the twentieth century." —Martin Andic, University of Massachusetts, Boston"Weaving the World is a well-written and lucid overview of Simone Weil's writings on science and mathematics. This book will be of great benefit for anyone who wishes to pursue Weil's thought in depth." —Eric O. Springsted, President of the American Weil Society

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Book SynopsisThe final book of O'Leary's trilogy, Conventional and Ultimate Truth deals with the nature of theological rationality today, drawing on Buddhist ideology.Trade Review"Conventional and Ultimate Truth by the well-known professor Joseph O'Leary is a major contribution to contemporary Christian fundamental theology. It is original, exceptionally erudite, and often brilliant. This is a genuine contribution to post-Heidegger phenomenology articulating a distinct, unique phenomenology of religion in its plural and complex phenomenality. The book is a splendid achievement." —David Tracy, Andrew Thomas Greeley and Grace McNichols Greeley Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of Catholic Studies, University of Chicago Divinity School“This third volume of O’Leary’s trilogy on fundamental theology is a work in comparative theology, engaging key dialogue partners in articulating a distinctive phenomenology of religion. He believes that talk of the ultimacy of emptiness does not produce negative theology but sends one back to the fabric of conventional discourse to enable breakthroughs of ultimacy.” —Choice"Works in comparative theology have begun to capture attention in theological circles, including the works of Francis Clooney, James Fredericks, John Keenan, and an increasing number of younger scholars, all writing with fresh insights in Christian theology as enriched by their intellectual sojourns into a religious tradition other than their own. O'Leary's work can be taken in good company with these works, and is a significant contribution in this regard. It is a 'must-read' for those already engaged in comparative theology, and more so for all those in systematic theology who seek to bring their theological insights into conversation with wider circles of thought." —Ruben L. F. Habito, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University

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Book SynopsisThe spiritual and intellectual autobiography of a Roman Catholic Scottish nun who established herself as one of the leading 20th century figures in Indian Christian theology and the contemplative life. She recounts her search not only for God, but for a right understanding of God.Trade Review“This was a woman of great intellectual energy: it shines through her prose.... She consistently resists what she calls simplistic and piecemeal solutions to difficult questions, such as how to do interreligious prayer and worship and what to say about universalism’s possible truth, and she consistently presses the importance of hard intellectual work. All this should be applauded, as should the prose in which she writes, which in its lucidity, understatement, and elegance is a monument to the now almost defunct educational system that formed her.” —First Things“There have not been as many people like Sara Grant who have studied and practised deeply in two spiritual traditions which have grown up without any reference to or need of one another over millenia. Her way of dealing with the problem, and indeed, her whole manner of approach to Ultimate Truth deserves respect.” —Journal of Contemporary Religion“Toward an Alternative Theology presents the technical arguments of the compatibility of Christian theology in general and Thomistic in particular with Advaita non-dualism in easily accessible terms.” —Religious Studies Review“This slim volume is a readily accessible introduction to the thought and work of this remarkable philosopher, theologian, and pastoral leader. ...Grant’s work stands out as one of the most compact, accessible and vivid resources currently available for exploring the profound questions raised by interreligious dialogue and practice. It amply recommends itself for general readers, for the undergraduate or seminary classroom, and perhaps expecially for adult education programs in the parish.” —New Theology Review“This is a spiritual journey, reminding one of Augustine, Merton, or Hammarskjold . . . a perfect blend of spirituality, classical Christian and Hindu philosophy, and what contemporary theology could be.” —William Cenkner, Katharine Drexel Professor of Religion, The Catholic University of America“Sara Grant bent her mind and heart to the theology of Sankara, whom she compares in an amazingly astute way to Thomas Aquinas in this book. Toward an Alternative Theology provides a readable and penetrating theological synthesis carried out in an interfaith atmosphere . . . it serves a great purpose to the community of philosophical theology.” —David Burrell, C.S.C., Theodore Hesburgh Professor in Philosophy and Theology, University of Notre Dame

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Book SynopsisIn this study, the scientific principles of learning and brain functions are applied to the God Experience. The author skillfully blends modern neurophysiology with critical behavioral psychology to offer an objective explanation for why people believe in God.Table of ContentsPreface Introduction: The Importance of Predicting the God Experience The Temporal Lobe: The Biological Basis of the God Experience Predicting Brain Factors in the God Experience Ego-centrism: The Power Behind the Proof Memory Changes and the Maintenance of Contradictions The Expectation of God: Conditioning and Sources of the Details Word Games: The Semantics of Anxiety and Anxiety Reduction Techniques for Integrating Religious Behaviors: From Rituals to Revelation The Religious Personality The Good, The Bad, and The Uncertain Index

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Book SynopsisFriedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) is a key figure of modern (and postmodern) Western thought. This book argues that the underlying message of his thought is extremely relevant to Christians today.

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Book SynopsisDiscusses the role played by psychoactive mushrooms in the religious rituals of ancient Greece, Eurasia, and Mesoamerica. Wasson, who investigated how these mushrooms were venerated and used by different native peoples, here joins with three other scholars to discuss his discoveries.

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Book SynopsisChallenges Freud's view of religion as one-way transference. Using examples from clinical cases, Jones argues instead that religious experiences, doctrines and practices reflect the internalized interpersonal patterns that constitute our sense of ourselves.

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Book SynopsisWhat if religions are neither all true nor all nonsense? Alain de Botton’s bold and provocative book argues that we can benefit from the wisdom and power of religion—without having to believe in any of it.He suggests that rather than mocking religion, agnostics and atheists should instead steal from it—because the world’s religions are packed with good ideas on how we might live and arrange our societies. De Botton looks to religion for insights into how to build a sense of community, make relationships last, overcome feelings of envy and inadequacy, inspire travel, get more out of art, and reconnect with the natural world. For too long non-believers have faced a stark choice between swallowing lots of peculiar doctrines or doing away with a range of consoling and beautiful rituals and ideas. Religion for Atheists offers a far more interesting and truly helpful alternative.

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Book SynopsisIn this wonderfully accessible book, renowned Christian theologian Alistair McGrath explores just why theology is so important and what it can bring to our lives.

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Book SynopsisDon Cupitt describes time-pessimism as the spiritual disorder of the age, and its cure as the prime task of postmodern religious thought. We must redeem and revalue time, transience and this mortal life of ours. He believes that it can be done. It really can be done.

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Book SynopsisAn expanded & revised version of "Religion in an Age of Science". Three new chapters on physics & metaphysics in the 18th century and biology & theology in the 19th century. Other new sections included.

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Book SynopsisThe second of Don Cupitt's Everyday Speech books, which introduce a new empirical way of doing theology - by examining ordinary language for evidence of our current religious outlook . This book studies our use of the terms It and It All.

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Book SynopsisAimed at introductory students and general readers interested in thinking and God in the context of modern thought and experience. Discusses work by Kant, Dostoevsky and Heidegger amongst others.Table of ContentsWhat is the philosophy of religion?; modern trends (i) - history; modern trends (ii) - the turn to the subject; modern trends (iii) - the linguistic turn; "nothing but..."; a matter of interpretation; beyond criticism; theodicy; evil and subjectivity; eternal life.

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Book SynopsisThis material was originally delivered at the 1990 Edward Cadbury Lectures in the University of Birmingham. Using poetry, story and philosophy, this book shows that theology cannot be reduced to conventional forms.

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Book SynopsisThis text poses the question "what is theology?" and goes on to discuss issues of methodology, the relation of theology to other disciplines and different theological perspectives. It also investigates topics in the fields of philosophical theology, symbolic theology and applied theology.Trade Review‘The book as a whole represents a splendid achievement of Christian spiritual insight and “rationale”. Many readers will find that the reading of it confirms their faith…Professor Macquarrie has done our generation a real service in producing it.’ Expository Times

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Book SynopsisThe Sea of Faith made a huge impact when it was first published to accompany a major television series in the mid 1980's. For a generation that was embodying the ebbing of the tide of faith, it articulated the huge intellectual and cultural shifts that had resulted in most people no longer having any connection with official religion.

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Book SynopsisAimed at undergraduates on level two or three courses relating to Old Testament Wisdom literature. This book begins with a consideration of what the term 'wisdom literature' means in Hebrew usage, and also examines which biblical materials might properly be classified as belonging to the category of wisdom literature.Trade ReviewThe achievement of this book is to cover a lot of ground briefly and in a relatively straightforward way without compromising the accuracy of the scholarship. (...) Above all the author manages to convey the special characteristics of Wesleyanism at its best, neither Nonconformist nor Church of England and, having natural affinities with both Evangelicals and High Churchmen, a broader Church than the Established Church itself. Edward Royle, Proceedings of the Wesley Historical Society 'This is an extremely fine study of Israelite Wisdom literature, which ducks none of the complexities and challenges of the genre, but which admirably clarifies many issues. it will be a source of great interest to devotees of the biblical text who wish to learn more about its inner structures and meaning, to students of the text at university or theological college, and to discussion groups in churches and synagogues'. Church Times, May 2007

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Book SynopsisGeorge Edward Moore’s Principia Ethica is recognised as the definitive starting point for 20th century ethical theory. Known to influence the thinking of Russell, Wittgenstein, Ryle and Keynes to mention but a few, understanding this key work in 20th C ethics is essential, and made achievable in this Briefly guide.

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