Debating Christian Religious Epistemology: An Introduction to Five Views on the Knowledge of God

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What does it mean to believe in God What passes as evidence for belief in God What issues arise when considering the rationality of belief in God Debating Christian Religious Epistemology introduces core questions in the philosophy of religion by bringing five competing viewpoints on the knowledge of God into critical dialogue with one another. Each chapter introduces an epistemic viewpoint, providing an overview of its main arguments and explaining why it justifies belief. The validity of that viewpoint is then explored and tested in a critical response from an expert in an opposing tradition. Featuring a wide range of different philosophical positions, traditions and methods, this introduction: - Covers classical evidentialism, phenomenal conservatism, proper functionalism, covenantal epistemology and traditions-based perspectivalism - Draws on MacIntyre's account of rationality and ideas from the Analytic and Conservatism traditions - Addresses issues in social epistemology - Considers the role of religious experience and religious texts Packed with lively debates, this is an ideal starting point for anyone interested in understanding the major positions in contemporary religious epistemology and how religious concepts and practices relate to belief and knowledge.

Reviews

There is perhaps no issue more debatable, and yet simultaneously more fundamental, than the question of what is it to know God. Debating Religious Epistemology is both a fantastic introduction and a great model of charitable but spirited dialogue about this fascinating topic. * Travis Dickinson, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Christian Apologetics, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, USA *
DePoe and McNabb succeed in doing what can be especially difficult; they have managed to produce something that is both clarifying and insightful. Their book will serve as a much-needed point of reference for those interested in discussions of religious epistemology. This highly accessible contribution will be beneficial for students and scholars, alike. * Brett Coppenger, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Tuskegee University, USA *
Many peopleincluding Christians and scholarsare unaware that there is a growing treasure trove of philosophical explorations in Christian epistemology: the study of how one might know, or rationally believe, that Christianity is true. In an engaging debate format, this book provides up-to-date explanations and defences of some of the main views in contemporary Christian epistemology. A careful study of the book will be personally fruitful for Christians considering the rationality of their own beliefs and will also have apologetic value in response to those who think Christian belief is stupid and irrational. * Andrew Moon, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA *
Both in-depth and accessible, this book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the epistemology of religion and its application to Christian belief. * Kenneth Boyce, Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of Missouri, USA *

Author Bio

John M. DePoe is Academic Dean of the Schools of Logic and Rhetoric at Kingdom Preparatory Academy, USA. Tyler Dalton McNabb is Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of Macau, Macau.