Faith and Rationality

Arguments about the "evidences of Christianity" have consumed the talents of believers and agnostics. These arguments have tried to give—or to deny—Christian belief a "foundation." Belief is rational, the argument goes, only if it is logically derived from axiomatic truths or is otherwise supported by "enough evidence."Arguments for belief generally fail to sway the unconvinced. But is this because the evidence is flimsy and the arguments weak—or because they attempt to give the right answer to the wrong question? What, after all, would satisfy Russell's all for evidence?Faith and Rationality investigates the rich implications of what the authors call "Calvinistic" or "Reformed epistemology." This is the view of knowledge-enunciated by Calvin, further developed by Barth-that sees belief in God as its own foundation; in the authors’ terms, is it properly "basic" in itself.

“This compilation of perceptive and in-depth essays . . . examines the epistemological topic of the rationality of Christian belief. These particular essays take a problematic approach in their criticism of contemporary analytic objections of theistic belief, and in the process make a contribution to general epistemology.” —Faith & Reason, “This is an important book by members of what can be loosely called the school of contemporary Calvinist philosophers of religion. It is worthy of study by everyone concerned with the epistemology of religion.” —The Journal of Religion, “The essays are exceptionally well written, clear, and stimulating. They explicate what it means to be rational in general and to hold a rational belief in particular. For those interested in the vexing but crucial issues of how reason relates to faith, this is a probative and illuminating study.” —Theological Studies, “. . . an important new approach to the philosophy of religion. . . . The contributors are sophisticated and able.” —The Journal of Philosophy, “This volume, which represents the best philosophical theology being done today, is a fascinating step in a largely unrecognized dialogue between Reformed and Roman Catholic philosophers.” —New Oxford Review

Alvin Plantinga is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and former director of the Center for Philosophy of Religion at the University of Notre Dame. He is the author of several books, including Where the Conflict Really Lies: Science, Religion, and Naturalism.Nicholas Wolterstorff is Noah Porter Emeritus Professor of Philosophical Theology in the Divinity School at Yale University. He is the author of several books, including Justice: Rights and Wrongs and Justice in Love.