Christian Philosophy

"Christian Philosophy" contains seven essays that provide evidence of the diversity of subjects considered to be part of Christian philosophy today. Originally presented at a Conference on Christian and Theistic Philosophy (sponsored by the Notre Dame Center for Philosophy of Religion and held at the University of Notre Dame in 1988), these essays represennt the efforts of seven of the major thinkers in the field to reflect upon and/or exhibit what they take to be Christian philosophy. In the first essay Norman Kretzmann focuses on the defensibility of engaging in Christian philosophy. Richard Purtill then examines three objections to the Christian belief that Christ suffered and died to save us from our sins. Eleonore Stump follows with a piece that asks the question: Why does a good God permit undeserved suffering? In the fourth essay Alan Donagan examines three problems that he feels educated Christians who live in our current post-Christian culture are likely to encounter with regard to accepting the Nicene creed. Nicholas Wolterstorff then presents a philosophical reflection on Christian Liturgy, focusing on the point that hymns used liturgically are written in the present tense. Jorge Garcia's "Love and Absolutes in Christian Ethics" offers an example of how one might see Christianity as guiding moral theory. And, lastly, Merold Westphal recommends in his essay that Christians give sin centre stage in their epistemological theorizing.