Essay on Divine Authority

Mark C. Murphy is Professor of Philosophy at Georgetown University. He is the author of Natural Law and Practical Rationality, Natural Law in Jurisprudence and Politics, and Philosophy of Law, and editor of Alasdair MacIntyre.

I recommend his excellent book very highly to all philosophers of religion. And even moral and political philosophers who are not interested in religion are, I think, likely to find parts of it worth studying.- Philip L. Quinn (Philosophical Quarterly) In this book, Mark C. Murphy explores the question of God's rule over created beings. He challenges the view—widely held by theists and non-theist alike'that, if God exists, human beings must be bound by obligations of obedience to Him.' He argues that this view—what he calls the 'authority thesis'—is not sustained by any of the arguments usually made in its behalf.... The whole book is argued with admirable courage, rigor, and thoroughness.- Phillip E. Devine (The Thomist) Murphy's book on the nature and extent of God's rule over human beings is a welcome addition to an impressive series.... While those without familiarity with philosophical argumentation will find this book to be very difficult reading, readers willing to follow Murphy's arguments carefully will find the experience valuable and thought-provoking.- James Beilby (Religious Studies Review) The topic of divine authority has not been addressed much at all in recent years, and no work of which I am aware comes even close to the depth and creativity that this excellent book exhibits.... Murphy's book, then, is one of those rare achievements—a breaking of genuinely new ground that lives up to its promise. It is a superb text that is likely to serve, and that ought to serve, as the seminal work on which discussion of divine authority will centre for years to come.- Thomas P. Flint (Religious Studies)

• What divine authority is -- The compliance -- Divine authority and divine perfection -- Divine command metaethics and the authority thesis -- Moral arguments for the authority thesis -- The authority thesis and orthodox Christianity -- A solution to the problem of divine authority.