|
Showing 1 - 10 of
10 matches in All Departments
This book explores the philosophical issues arising from the
distinctively Christian doctrines of the atonement, incarnation,
and Trinity. To many philosophers and theologians, these doctrines
raise considerable philosophical quandaries. In this volume, C.
Stephen Layman explores such questions as: Why do these doctrines
matter? Do they make sense? Do the historically influential
theories about them hold up under scrutiny? To what extent do
recent contributions by philosophers (e.g., Richard Swinburne,
Thomas V. Morris, Stephen T. Davis, Brian Leftow, and Peter van
Inwagen) shed light on these doctrines? This philosophical
investigation illuminates how religious questions can be addressed
with philosophical seriousness.
This book explores the philosophical issues arising from the
distinctively Christian doctrines of the atonement, incarnation,
and Trinity. To many philosophers and theologians, these doctrines
raise considerable philosophical quandaries. In this volume, C.
Stephen Layman explores such questions as: Why do these doctrines
matter? Do they make sense? Do the historically influential
theories about them hold up under scrutiny? To what extent do
recent contributions by philosophers (e.g., Richard Swinburne,
Thomas V. Morris, Stephen T. Davis, Brian Leftow, and Peter van
Inwagen) shed light on these doctrines? This philosophical
investigation illuminates how religious questions can be addressed
with philosophical seriousness.
This book explores a wide range of philosophical issues in their
connection with theism, including views of free will, ethical
theories, theories of mind, naturalism, and
karma-plus-reincarnation. In this clear and logical guide, C.
Stephen Layman takes up eight important philosophical questions
about God: Does God exist? Why does God permit evil? Why think God
is good? Why is God hidden? What is God's relationship to ethics?
Is divine foreknowledge compatible with human free will? Do humans
have souls? Does reincarnation provide the best explanation of
suffering? Based on more than thirty years of experience in
teaching undergraduates and in leading philosophical discussions
related to God, Layman has arranged the text to deal with each of
these eight questions in one or two chapters apiece. Many
philosophical works take up questions about God, but the chapters
of this book plunge the reader very quickly into the arguments
relevant to each question. Layman presents the arguments cogently
and simply, yet without oversimplifying the issues. The book
emphasizes strengths and weaknesses of both theism and its
metaphysical rivals. Readers will gain a clearer understanding of
theism and naturalism, and of their sometimes surprising
implications. The book can be used as a text in philosophy of
religion and introductory philosophy courses. Professional
philosophers will find significant, novel arguments in many of the
chapters.
This book explores a wide range of philosophical issues in their
connection with theism, including views of free will, ethical
theories, theories of mind, naturalism, and
karma-plus-reincarnation. In this clear and logical guide, C.
Stephen Layman takes up eight important philosophical questions
about God: Does God exist? Why does God permit evil? Why think God
is good? Why is God hidden? What is God’s relationship to ethics?
Is divine foreknowledge compatible with human free will? Do humans
have souls? Does reincarnation provide the best explanation of
suffering? Based on more than thirty years of experience in
teaching undergraduates and in leading philosophical discussions
related to God, Layman has arranged the text to deal with each of
these eight questions in one or two chapters apiece. Many
philosophical works take up questions about God, but the chapters
of this book plunge the reader very quickly into the arguments
relevant to each question. Layman presents the arguments cogently
and simply, yet without oversimplifying the issues. The book
emphasizes strengths and weaknesses of both theism and its
metaphysical rivals. Readers will gain a clearer understanding of
theism and naturalism, and of their sometimes surprising
implications. The book can be used as a text in philosophy of
religion and introductory philosophy courses. Professional
philosophers will find significant, novel arguments in many of the
chapters.
Arguments for or against God's existence can be intense, complex,
and disconcerting; in fact, they often raise more questions than
they answer. In Letters to Doubting Thomas: A Case for the
Existence of God, C. Stephen Layman offers an innovative approach
to the debate--a way to organize a seeming multitude of related
claims and ideas--bringing clarity to a discussion that is often
mired in confusion.
Letters to Doubting Thomas explores the evidence for the existence
of God through an exchange of fictionalized letters between two
characters--Zachary, a philosopher (and believer), and Thomas, a
layperson (and doubter) who appeals to Zachary for help in sorting
out his own thoughts about God. Point by point, Zachary leads
Thomas through a highly readable comparison of Naturalism (the
belief that there is no God and that ultimate reality is physical
reality) and Theism (the idea that there is an almighty, perfectly
good God). Incorporating recent developments in philosophy, each
exchange of letters addresses one complex philosophical issue,
breaking it down into manageable units. Topics covered include free
will, religious experience, the cosmological argument, the
fine-tuning design argument, the problem of evil, divine
foreknowledge and human freedom, the ontological argument, the
divine command theory of ethics, and a moral argument for God's
existence. As the dialogue proceeds, Zachary develops a cogent,
cumulative case for Theism over Naturalism, while Thomas raises
critical questions all along the way.
Featuring a unique format and lucid writing style, Letters to
Doubting Thomas is ideal for courses in the philosophy of religion
and accessible to students with little or nobackground in
philosophy. It is also engaging reading for professors,
theologians, and anyone interested in the question of the existence
of God.
An introduction to ethical theory from a Christian perspective, The
Shape of the Good examines the connection between moral theory,
theology, and metaphysics, approaching standard ethical theories
from the standpoint of Christian theology.
An introduction to ethical theory from a Christian perspective, The
Shape of the Good examines the connection between moral theory,
theology, metaphysics and approaches standard ethical theories from
the standpoint of Christian theology.
Morality and religion: intimately wed, violently opposed, or
something else? Discussion of this issue appears in pop culture,
the academy, and the media often generating radically opposed
views. At one end of the spectrum are those who think that unless
God exists, ethics is unfounded and the moral life is unmotivated.
At the other end are those who think that religious belief is
unnecessary for and even a threat to ethical knowledge and the
moral life. This volume provides an accessible, charitable
discussion that represents a range of views along this spectrum.
The book begins with a lively debate between Paul Kurtz and William
Lane Craig on the question, Is goodness without God good enough?
Kurtz defends the affirmative position and Craig the negative.
Following the debate are new essays by prominent scholars. These
essays comment on the debate and advance the broader discussion of
religion and morality. The book closes with final responses from
Kurtz and Craig.
Morality and religion: intimately wed, violently opposed, or
something else? Discussion of this issue appears in pop culture,
the academy, and the media_often generating radically opposed
views. At one end of the spectrum are those who think that unless
God exists, ethics is unfounded and the moral life is unmotivated.
At the other end are those who think that religious belief is
unnecessary for_and even a threat to_ethical knowledge and the
moral life. This volume provides an accessible, charitable
discussion that represents a range of views along this spectrum.
The book begins with a lively debate between Paul Kurtz and William
Lane Craig on the question, Is goodness without God good enough?
Kurtz defends the affirmative position and Craig the negative.
Following the debate are new essays by prominent scholars. These
essays comment on the debate and advance the broader discussion of
religion and morality. The book closes with final responses from
Kurtz and Craig.
Letters to Doubting Thomas is an exchange of letters between two
characters on the existence of God; it provides a cumulative case
for Theism (the belief that God exists). Chapter by chapter, theism
is compared with Naturalism (roughly, the view that there is no God
and that ultimate reality is physical reality), concluding that
Theism (on balance) provides a better explanation of the world and
human life than does Naturalism.
|
You may like...
Loot
Nadine Gordimer
Paperback
(2)
R398
R330
Discovery Miles 3 300
|