The Elusive God
Reorienting Religious Epistemology

This book argues that evidence of God's existence is purposively available to humans.

Paul K. Moser (Author)

9780521889032, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 7 April 2008

308 pages
23.4 x 15.8 x 2.4 cm, 0.55 kg

'… a substantial and challenging book on religious epistemology … [It is] courageous, and may take some philosophers of religion by surprise … The book pushes the boundaries, with implications for both philosophy and theology.' Milltown Studies

Three questions motivate this book's account of evidence for the existence of God. First, if God's existence is hidden, why suppose He exists at all? Second, if God exists, why is He hidden, particularly if God seeks to communicate with people? Third, what are the implications of divine hiddenness for philosophy, theology, and religion's supposed knowledge of God? This book answers these questions using a new account of evidence and knowledge of divine reality that challenges scepticism about God's existence. The central thesis is that we should expect evidence of divine reality to be purposively available to humans, that is, available only in a manner suitable to divine purposes in self-revelation. This lesson generates a seismic shift in our understanding of evidence and knowledge of divine reality. The result is a much-needed reorienting of religious epistemology to accommodate the character and purposes of an authoritative, perfectly loving God.

Introduction
1. Doubting sceptics
2. Knowing as attunement
3. Dying to know
4. Philosophy revamped
5. Aftermath
6. Appendix: scepticism undone
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Christian theology [HRCM], Philosophy of religion [HRAB], Philosophy [HP]