Have you ever wondered where religion is concerned, what you really believe? In FAITH, REASON & COMMON SENSE the interdependence of religion and culture is examined with care and insight. Readers with strong religious convictions may be surprised to discover that the history of religion - every religion - is both a chronicle of heresy and a reconfiguration of belief. In his examination of the relationship between Faith and Reason, the author rejects the familiar premise that a life guided by one must exclude the other. Although he stresses the importance of examining `the faith of our fathers' he is respectful of those who, in a world dominated by science, find guidance and reassurance in their religion. Far ranging and insightful, drawing on a wealth of sources and opinions, there is something for everyone in this challenging and though-provoking study.

"Thorndike Press Striving Reader Collection."

The relationship between faith and reason is multifaceted. Faith transcends reason in that it is more than reason alone can contain or fully guarantee, yet it is neither unreasonable nor something to which reason is irrelevant--and reason says some pretty fine things about it! This volume updates nine previously published articles on faith and reason by a Christian philosopher who has been studying these matters for two decades, alongside one new essay and a philosophical dialogue. These articles explain and integrate key ideas on faith and reason, including Alvin Plantinga's account of how Christian belief can be knowledge even without evidence; defenses of faith from Augustine and William James; accounts of empirical evidence for faith from different world religions; the distinction between faith and sight in the New Testament; the structure of the evidence for the authority of the Bible; the idea that faith transcends reason because some articles of faith are beyond human comprehension, even if we have evidence that they are true; and the nature of faith as a total commitment beyond what the evidence alone can guarantee.

Catharine Esther Beecher's work, 'Common Sense Applied to Religion; Or, The Bible and the People,' serves as a compelling examination of religious beliefs and practices in 19th-century America. Beecher employs a straightforward and practical writing style, making complex theological concepts accessible to a wide audience. The book delves into the intersecting realms of religion and society, emphasizing the role of individuals in interpreting and applying religious teachings in everyday life. Beecher's emphasis on the importance of reason and critical thinking in matters of faith reflects the influence of the Enlightenment era on her work. This book stands as a testament to Beecher's commitment to promoting religious literacy and encouraging personal reflection on spiritual matters. Beecher's own background as a prominent educator and social reformer likely informed her perspective on the relationship between religion and public life. Her deep insights and thoughtful analysis make this book a valuable resource for readers interested in exploring the complexities of religious belief in the American context.

Written in a simple, accessible style, Commonsense Darwinism offers a clear, critical examination of the subject. Assuming that the diversity of life, including human beings, is the result of evolution from common origins and that its driving force is natural selection, the book explores what this might mean for issues in ethics, philosophy of religion, epistemology, and metaphysics. The author’s defense of free will makes this an especially stimulating read.