The Blackwell Companion to Natural Theology

The last few decades have witnessed a stunning resurgence of philosophical interest in God and theology. Although much of this renaissance is focused on the rationality of theistic belief apart from evidence, there is a gathering movement in philosophical circles to re–establish natural theology′s legitimate role in justifying belief in God′s existence. The Blackwell Companion to Natural Theology gathers together original contributions from a variety of leading philosophers to provide a timely and thought–provoking exploration of the nature and existence of God as manifested in the existence, order, and character of the natural world. Each of the in–depth essays explores at length a particular theistic argument – from Contingency and Consciousness to Reason and Religious Experience – with the distinguished authors providing analysis and evaluation of each argument, offering original insights and new perspectives on perennial questions. The result is an engaging and deeply profound examination of the question of God’s existence based on human reason and evidence from the natural world.

List of figures vi Notes on contributors vii Introduction ix William Lane Craig and J. P. Moreland 1 The project of natural theology 1 Charles Taliaferro 2 The Leibnizian cosmological argument 24 Alexander R. Pruss 3 The kalam cosmological argument 101 William Lane Craig and James D. Sinclair 4 The teleological argument: an exploration of the fine–tuning of the universe 202 Robin Collins 5 The argument from consciousness 282 J. P. Moreland 6 The argument from reason 344 Victor Reppert 7 The moral argument 391 Mark D. Linville 8 The argument from evil 449 Stewart Goetz 9 The argument from religious experience 498 Kai–Man Kwan 10 The ontological argument 553 Robert E. Maydole 11 The argument from miracles: a cumulative case for the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth 593 Timothy McGrew and Lydia McGrew Index 663

William Lane Craig is Research Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, California. He has authored or edited more than thirty books and many articles in professional journals of philosophy and theology. J. P. Moreland is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, California. He has authored, edited, or contributed to thirty books and authored over 100 articles in professional journals of philosophy and theology.

"They give a good look into the condition of the field, and bring to the forefront presuppositions shaping contemporary inquiry." (Reviews in Religion & Theology, 2011) "If natural theology is overdue for a comeback, this work will help it on its way, and, for skeptical readers, there is much here to go on thinking about for months to come (making it a good catalyst for intelligent debate)." ( Reference Reviews, February 2010) "All of these essays show sophistication and deserve wide attention. Common objections to the theistic arguments are considered and logical proofs are helpfully provided when appropriate." ( Religious Studies Review, June 2010) "Laudable and timely." ( Church Times , January 2010)