This volume presents fourteen of William E. Mann's essays on three prominent figures in late Patristic and early medieval philosophy: Augustine, Anselm, and Peter Abelard. The essays explore some of the quandaries, arguments, and theories presented in their writings. The essays in this volume complement those to be found in Mann's God, Modality, and Morality (OUP, 2015). While the essays in God, Modality, and Morality are primarily essays in philosophical theology, those found in the present volume are more varied. Some still deal with issues in philosophical theology. Other essays are aporetic in nature, discussing cases of philosophical perplexity, sometimes but not always leaving the cases unresolved. All the essays display, directly or indirectly, the philosophical influence that Augustine has had. His Confessions is a rich source for philosophical puzzlement. Individual essays examine his reflections on the alleged innocence of infants, which raises questions about cognitive, emotional, and linguistic development; his juvenile theft of pears and its relation to moral motivation; and his struggle with and resolution of the problem of evil. One essay presents the rudiments of an Augustinian moral theory, rooted in his understanding of the Sermon on the Mount. Another essay illustrates the theory by discussing his writings on lying. Mann argues that Abelard amplified Augustine's moral theory by emphasizing the crucial role that intention plays in wrongdoing. Augustine bequeathed to Anselm the notion of "faith seeking understanding." Mann argues that this methodological slogan shapes Anselm's "ontological argument" for God's existence and his efforts to explicate the doctrine of the Trinity.

This volume is a collection of fourteen of William E. Mann's essays in the philosophical interpretation of the writings of Augustine, Anselm, and Peter Abelard. Directly or indirectly, Augustine sets the agenda for all of these essays.

Is it possible to find God beyond the distorted images and empty words? Can we even speak about God at all? The author claims that it is more important than ever to look for a truer image of God. A person who seeks God's face will be compelled, at the same time, to seek his or her own face. Conversely, those seeking to find themselves are often compelled to search for God. The book describes faith as a spacious landscape in which one can breathe freely and engages the rich imagery of the Bible to help the individual breathe freely and find orientation without feeling imprisoned. "This openness and freedom are to be found in the Gospel itself," says the author. "They were lived by the Master himself, who portrayed the face of God by meeting human beings where they actually were-not where they ought to have been." +

People have questions. The darkness of approaching death, the fear of financial futility, the mess of difficult marriages, the wreck of unfulfilling work - long is the list of those things that bring people, even God's people, to despair. Add to this the relentless pressures and grievous sinfulness of our day, and sometimes it is all too much.For some, the sense of anxiety, the fearsomeness of life, leads to panic attacks - shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, clammy sweating fear and inward horror.Christian people are not exempt from all this. In the struggle to grow in grace and walk with Christ, there are many kinds of deep and dark valleys. In these valleys - in these times of intense difficulty, we have questions. We even have complaints. We are perplexed by what is going on and our own passions in the midst of it. And there is no darkness like that which comes when we cannot seem to find God. We are so bent to believe the certainties of our difficulty that we flirt with despair. The slow fire of our misery consumes us leaving ashes and smoke in place of our joy. So we are baffled - perplexed.The Psalms give us voice in these times. They help us to speak to God in the midst of these situations of life. This study in nine of these Psalms will encourage and challenge you. They will help you to bring your questions, perplexity and troubles to God.For there you will find help and hope.

This may well be the most practical, inspiring book on Job you'll ever read. The book of Job comes alive, portraying Job's spiritual journey as a template for those who are in God's refining fires in this hour. Let God lead you to higher heights than you ever imagined!

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.

From the author of A New Kind of Christianity comes a bold proposal: only doubt can save the world and your faith. ONE of the Best Spiritual Books of 2021—Spirituality & Practice "Will help you live fuller and breathe easier..” —Glennon Doyle Sixty-five million adults in the U.S. have dropped out of active church attendance and about 2.7 million more are leaving every year. Faith After Doubt is for the millions of people around the world who feel that their faith is falling apart. Using his own story and the stories of a diverse group of struggling believers, Brian D. McLaren, a former pastor and now an author, speaker, and activist shows how old assumptions are being challenged in nearly every area of human life, not just theology and spirituality. He proposes a four-stage model of faith development in which questions and doubt are not the enemy of faith, but rather a portal to a more mature and fruitful kind of faith. The four stages—Simplicity, Complexity, Perplexity, and Harmony—offer a path forward that can help sincere and thoughtful people leave behind unnecessary baggage and intensify their commitment to what matters most.