Philosophy of Religion: Selected Readings

By Michael PetersonWilliam HaskerBruce Reichenbach, et al.

Book Overview

This excellent anthology in the philosophy of religion examines the basic classical and a host of contemporary issues in thirteen thematic sections. Assuming little or no familiarity with the religious concepts it addresses, it provides a well-balanced and accessible approach to the field. The articles cover the standard topics in the field, including religious experience, theistic arguments, the problem of evil, and miracles, as well as topics that have gained the attention of philosophers of religion in the last fifteen years, such as reformed epistemology, the philosophical analysis of theological doctrine, and the kalam theological argument. The collection also includes topics often requested by instructors but seldom covered in competing texts, such as religion and science, religious pluralism, process theism, and religious ethics, offering greater flexibility in choosing exact topics for use in courses. The format of the book makes it an ideal teaching text, as each section begins with a brief introduction to the central topic or issue treated by the readings which follow. Each reading is preceded by a one paragraph summary, and a bibliography of suggested readings follow each section.
Philosophy of Religion functions well as a stand-alone textbook for courses in the philosophy of religion, and is readily compatible for use as a primary source reader in conjunction with a secondary text. It is an ideal companion to Reason and Religious Belief, 2e (OUP, 1997).

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 019508909X
• ISBN13: 9780195089097
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 592 Pages
• Weight: 1.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.2" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Philosophy of Religion Book

This book out of the others I ordered came the fastest. The condition was brand new and I am very satisfied with this product. Would recommend to others.

Introductory Philosophy of Religion for everyone

This helpful introductory reader from Oxford University Press introduces students to basic issues and thinkers in traditional philosophy of religion. Although primarily analytic in style, the book includes feminist and continental thinkers, as well as a few entries from other-than-Western traditions such as Buddhism. Topics covered include the nature of religion; religious experience; the "arguments about God's existence;" faith and reason; religious language; religion and science; and religious diversity, among others. Thinkers range from such classical examples as Thomas Aquinas to William James in the modern period and Daniel Dennett as a contemporary example. The fourth edition includes extremely helpful introductory essays to each part, as well as an overview of philosophy of religion. I used this text in an introductory philosophy of religion class, most of whom had not encountered philosophy before. They engaged quite well with the material with some in-class discussion and coaching. One word of caution - don't try to teach the entire book in one quarter!

A student's review

This book was good as a text book for a class on Philosophy of Religion. It was insightful and had lots of good knowledge to add. I would not, however, say this is a light reading book if you are not looking to learn a great deal.

Great Job!

Hey there! I just wanted to say that you did a very good job sending me this book in a timely manner. Thank you! + Cody +

Excellent selection of readings

This is one of the best anthologies I've ever found on the issues discussed within Philosophy of Religion. It covers different readings from Saint Teresa of Jesus, St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, up to William Alston, Blaise Pascal, Soren Kierkegaard, C. S. Lwis, John Hick, David Hume, William Rowe among many others. The book selects readings from the following subjects: Religious Experience, Faith and Reason, the attributes of God (the problems of his existence, his omnipotence, his omniscience and its relations with voluntary action, his timelessness, etc), theistic arguments (specially the ontological and cosmological arguments), the problem of evil, knowledge of God, religious language, miracles, among many others. Highly recommended.