Abstract

THIS IS A TEXTBOOK FOR COURSES IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION. IT DIFFERS FROM MANY OTHER TEXTS IN THE AMOUNT OF ATTENTION IT GIVES TO THE WORK OF ALVIN PLANTINGA AND OTHER SO-CALLED REFORMED EPISTEMOLOGISTS. PART TWO OF THE BOOK EXPLORES PLANTINGA’S CLAIM THAT RELIGIOUS FAITH IS PROPERLY BASIC, I.E., DOES NOT REQUIRE SUPPORT FROM ARGUMENTS OR PROOFS. BUT THE BOOK THEN GOES ON TO EXAMINE KINDS OF SUPPORT THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THE THEIST, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NOT NECESSARY FOR SUCH FAITH TO BE RATIONAL. VARIOUS CONTEMPORARY RESTATEMENTS OF THEISTIC ARGUMENTS ARE EXPLAINED AND EVALUATED. THREE CHAPTERS ARE DEVOTED TO THE PROBLEM OF EVIL WHILE FOUR CHAPTERS STUDY THE PROBLEM OF MIRACLES