Oxford Readings in Philosophical Theology

• Book Summary

• Chapters and Sections

  • Introduction: Michael C. Rea

    • **Philosophical Theology**: The study of theological topics using philosophical methods and concepts.

    • **Goal**: To deepen understanding of theological claims and enhance dialogue between philosophy and theology.

    • **Structure**: A collection of essays covering major topics in philosophical theology.

  • Chapter 1: The Concept of God

    • **attributes**: Discuss the nature of divine attributes and their implications for understanding God.

    • **theism-pantheism**: The对比between a personal God和a cosmic force.

    • **open theism**: Challenges traditional views of divine omniscience and omnipotence.

  • Chapter 2: Religious Language

    • **logical positivism**: Asserts that religious statements无意义because they cannot be empirically verified.

    • **fideism**: Argues宗教语言is meaningful but not in a way that can be empirically proven; it comes from faith.

    • **analytic theology**: Employs逻辑分析to clarify religious concepts and statements.

  • Chapter 3: Miracles

    • **definition**: Offers an account of what constitutes奇迹, pegged to divine intervention.

    • **hume**: Criticizes奇迹beliefs based on the unreliability of testimony和natural uniformity.

    • **evidential**: Addresses why the existence of suffering and恶may provide evidence against奇迹and神的存在.

  • Chapter 4: Faith and Rationality

    • **fideism**: Asserts that信仰is justified in its own right,不与理性或证据相关.

    • **reformed**: Rational belief in God might be基础于non-propositional evidence or a priori grounds.

    • **pragmatism**: Sees信仰as valuable for the practical benefits它brings, not necessarily for its truth content.