An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion

Cambridge Introductions to Philosophy

by Michael J. Murray, Michael C. Rea

An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion provides a broad overview of the topics which are at the forefront of discussion in contemporary philosophy of religion. Prominent views and arguments from both historical and contemporary authors are discussed and analyzed. The book treats all of the central topics in the field, including the coherence of the divine attributes, theistic and atheistic arguments, faith and reason, religion and ethics, miracles, human freedom and divine providence, science and religion, and immortality. In addition it addresses topics of significant importance that similar books often ignore, including the argument for atheism from hiddenness, the coherence of the doctrines of the Trinity and the Incarnation, and the relationship between religion and politics. It will be a valuable accompaniment to undergraduate and introductory graduate-level courses.

Genres: Philosophy, Religion, Nonfiction, Theology

306 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2008

About the author

Michael J. Murray oversees the programs and evaluation departments of the John Templeton Foundation. Before joining the Foundation, he was the Arthur and Katherine Shadek Humanities Professor of Philosophy at Franklin and Marshall College. Dr. Murray received his B.A. in philosophy from Franklin and Marshall and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame. He is the author of Philosophy of Religion: The Big Questions (with Eleonore Stump), Reason for the Hope Within, Philosophy of Religion (with Michael Rea), Nature Red in Tooth and Claw: Theism and the Problem of Animal Suffering, The Believing Primate: Scientific, Philosophical, and Theological Reflections on the Origin of Religion (with Jeffrey Schloss), Divine Evil?: The Character of the God of the Hebrew Bible (with Michael Rea and Michael Bergmann), and On Predestination and Election.

Reviews

[Mohadese]

خیلی جاهاش جانبدارانه بود، و درنتیجه اعصاب‌خوردکن!

[Waqas Khan]

A book that inspired me to seek the best understanding of my religion..

[Ben Holloway]

A perfect introduction to the central topics of philosophy of religion - the attributes of God, faith and reason, faith and science, faith and morality, and the mind-body problem. Murray and Rea are to be commended for their brevity, clarity, and charity to various views. This is a perfect entry level text for the uninitiated.

[Rev. Linda]

A text for a Fall 2017 Brite Divinity Course -- definitely not an easy read, but certainly covered all the bases in a succinct fashion as far as central topics in this field -- From the publisher: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion provides a broad overview of the topics which are at the forefront of discussion in contemporary philosophy of religion. Prominent views and arguments from both historical and contemporary authors are discussed and analyzed. including the coherence of the divine attributes, theistic and atheistic arguments, faith and reason, religion and ethics, miracles, human freedom and divine providence, science and religion, and immortality. In addition it addresses topics of significant importance that similar books often ignore, including the argument for atheism from hiddenness, the coherence of the doctrines of the Trinity and the Incarnation, and the relationship between religion and politics. It will be a valuable accompaniment to undergraduate and introductory graduate-level courses

[Jared Donis]

Not as simple as introductions should be.