In Defense of Miracles

Co-edited with Gary Habermas

InterVarsity Press (1997)

Product Description:

In response to arguments against miracles raised by David Hume and Antony Flew, the editors have assembled a distinguished team of scholars to rebut the objections and set forth the positive case for God's action in history--both in theory and actuality.

Contemporary Perspectives on Religious Epistemology

Co-edited with Brendan Sweetman

Oxford University Press (1993)


Reviews:

"A book of this kind is needed....Should be a good market at the graduate and upper-class undergraduate level."--John Hick, Claremont Graduate School

"An excellent, fascinating and accessible series of recent essays. The selection and organization of the readings is almost flawless."--Stephen T. Davis, Claremont McKenna College

"Appropriate for introductory courses in philosophy of religion as well as for more advanced courses focusing more specifically on epistemology of religion."--Richard Purtill, Western Washington University

"With something old and much that is recent, this collection successfully covers the contemporary state of philosophical analysis."--Shalom Carmy, Yeshiva University

"An excellent and well-balanced collection of provocative essays for students and scholars."--Bruce R. Marino, Valley Forge Christian College

"Important collection of seminal texts on such problems as Atheism, Wittgensteinian Fideism, Nahal Theology, etc. Most appropriate for background reading in preparation for class discussion. Excellent choice of texts."--Edgar C. Polome, University of Texas at Austin

"A good and provocative collection of recent thought concerning religious belief and related issues."--Kelly Nicholson, Westminster College

"Quite sophisticated--better suited to upper level course."--Regina Hobaugh, Holy Family College

"The book will prove its value by allowing both the serious student of philosophy and the novice to closely compare competing epistemic views. The format chosen by the editors has not stacked the deck towards one viewpoint. Therefore teachers from any background may profitably use the text....Apart from philosophy of religion courses, the book is also useful for classes in epistemology, theism, and a host of others. The editors have read widely and chosen well."--Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society

"[A]n excellent volume....Scholars and students who seek guidance into recent work on the rationality of belief in God now have the volume they need. The high quality of the essays will repay careful analysis on this profound issue. It will make an excellent text for philosophy of religion courses, and will also serve well as corollary reading in systematic theology or religion courses."--Bibliotheca Sacra

Book Description:

This unique textbook—the first to offer balanced, comprehensive coverage of all major perspectives on the rational justification of religious belief—includes twenty-four key papers by some of the world's leading philosophers of religion. Arranged in six sections, each representing a major approach to religious epistemology, the book begins with papers by noted atheists, setting the stage for the main theistic responses—Wittgensteinian Fideism, Reformed epistemology, natural theology, prudential accounts of religious beliefs, and rational belief based in religious experience—in each case offering a representative sample of papers by leading exponents, a critical paper, and a substantial bibliography. A comprehensive introductory essay and ample cross-references help students to contrast and evaluate the different approaches, while the overall arrangement encourages them to assess the full range of philosophical positions on the issue.

Carefully selected to provide both a comprehensive overview of current work and a series of modern perspectives on many classic sources—Swinburne's detailed discussion of Hume's critique of the design argument, for example, as well as an entire section evaluating and extending Pascal's famous Wager—the essays also provide a uniquely readable survey that will be useful in a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses in philosophy of religion and epistemology.

Evil and the Evidence for God

Temple University Press

Reviews:

"By appealing to recent scientific opinion that the universe may well have had an absolute beginning, Geivett develops an interesting, forceful argument for the rationality of belief in God. He then expounds the Augustinian free will theodicy and defends it against Hick's criticisms."
—William L. Rowe


"Moving from a comparison of the Irenaean and Augustinian traditions in theodicy to a powerfully original critique of Hick's influential 'soul-making' theodicy, Geivett presents a richly developed natural theology drawing on contemporary scientific opinion in support of an ex nihilo creation. Geivett's writing on natural theology is lucid and informed, honestly engaging many of that tradition's critics....This work is notable for its exceptionally thorough documentation and references, making it a valuable sourcebook for reflection on God and evil. A stimulating afterword by Hick himself significantly enriches this book's provocative analyses."
—Religious Studies Review


"Geivett details a natural theology and develops a way of understanding the existence of evil that places the fact of evil within, rather than in opposition to, a theistic view. Both the natural theology and the theodicy are rich and complex."
—Keith E. Yandell, University of Wisconsin

Product Description:

How to reconcile the existence of evil with the belief in a benevolent God has long posed a philosophical problem to the system of Christian theism. John Hick's book, Evil and the Love of God, is perhaps the best known work to redress this difficulty in modern terms. Sharing Hick's interest in responding to the question of evil, R. Douglas Geivett constructs his own new "theodicy for today." But Geivett departs from Hick by embracing the Augustinian tradition of free will and returning the responsibility for evil to human beings themselves.

Faith, Film and Philosophy: Big Ideas on the Big Screen

Co-edited with James S. Spiegel

InterVarsity Press

Product Description:

''THOSE WHO TELL STORIES RULE SOCIETY.'' PLATO.... So who today are our principal storytellers? Not philosophers, but filmmakers. For those who know both the enormous entertainment potential and the culture-shaping power of film, this book will stir mind and imagination. For great stories freight world-sized ideas, ideas worthy of contemplation and conversation. Great cinema inspires wonder. But another philosopher, Aristotle, reminds us that wonder is the true source of philosophy. So perhaps Plato or Aristotle might have a shot at ruling society, even today - if they took an interest in film. These fourteen essays offer wonderful reflection on classic and contemporary films following several major philosophical themes, all within the context of Christian faith: (1) the human condition, (2) the human mind and the nature of knowing, (3) the moral life, and (4) faith and religion. Citizen Kane, Big Fish, Pretty Woman, Legends of the Fall and The Bridges of Madison County contribute to an in-depth consideration of the human condition. The Truman Show, The Matrix, Being John Malkovich and It's a Wonderful Life, among others, illuminate reflection on the human mind and the nature of knowing. Looking at the moral life, contributors interact with such notable films as Pleasantville, Bowling for Columbine, Mystic River and The Silence of the Lambs. The final section pursues the theme of faith and religion traced through a number of Hong Kong martial arts films, Contact, 2001: A Space Odyssey and U2's music documentary, Rattle and Hum. A veritable film festival for all those who want to nurture the wonder of philosophical inquiry and the love of Christian theology through an engagement with big ideas on the big screen.

Encyclopedia of Philosophy

http://www.amazon.com/MIRACLES-ADDENDUM-entry-Encyclopedia-Philosophy/dp/B001SCJTPQ/?tag=douggeivettblog-20

This is a published addendum to the original essay by Antony Flew for the 1960s edition of the Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

Does God Exist—The Craig-Flew Debate

Edited by Stan W. Wallace

This book includes the text of the debate between William Lane Craig and Antony Flew on the question, "Does God Exist?" Additional chapters by theists and non-theists evaluate the debate. My chapter is titled

Abstract of the book: William Craig and Antony Flew met in 1998 on the 50th anniversary of the famous Copleston/Russell debate to discuss the question of God's existence in a public debate. The core of this book contains the edited transcript of that debate. Also included are eight chapters in which other significant philosophers - Paul Draper, R. Douglas Geivett, Michael Martin, Keith Parsons, William Rowe, William Wainwright, Keith Yandell and David Yandell - critique the debate and address the issues raised. Their insights complement and further the debate, helping the reader delve more deeply into the issues that surfaced. In the two final chapters, Craig and Flew respond and clarify their positions, taking the debate yet one step further. The result of these many contributions is a book which provides the reader with a summary of the discussion and allows one to enter into the dialogue on this central question in the philosophy of religion.

The Rationality of Theism

Edited by Paul Copan and Paul Moser

My chapter contribution to this book is titled "The Evidential Value of Religious Experience."

Book Description: The Rationality of Theism is a controversial collection of original papers by thirteen outstanding philosophers and scholars. Its aim is to offer comprehensive theistic replies to the traditional arguments against the existence of God, making a positive case for theism and rebutting recent influential criticisms of theism.

The Rationality of Theism

Edited by Paul Copan and Paul Moser

My chapter contribution to this book is titled "The Evidential Value of Religious Experience."

Book Description: The Rationality of Theism is a controversial collection of original papers by thirteen outstanding philosophers and scholars. Its aim is to offer comprehensive theistic replies to the traditional arguments against the existence of God, making a positive case for theism and rebutting recent influential criticisms of theism.

Christianity and the Postmodern Turn

http://www.amazon.com/Christianity-Postmodern-Turn-Six-Views/dp/1587431084/?tag=douggeivettblog-20

I contributed two chapters to this book edited by Myron B. Penner.

In Defense of Natural Theology: A Post-Humean Reassessment

Edited by Douglas Groothuis and James F. Sennett

My chapter contribution to this book is titled "A Cumulative Case for Theism in Response to David Hume"