David A. Pailin – författare

This study looks at the various ways in which theological conclusions are affected by the rationality of those who produce them. The author's critique of the study of theology arises out of a conviction that theology has to establish its credibility as a mode of understanding if it is to be of value. In considering what follows once it is recognised that - since theologians are human - their conclusions are affected by the nature of human thought, Dr Pailin offers a clarification of faith, belief and reason, and how they are related to each other. The book shows that while theology can no longer credibly pretend to divine authority in determining the truth in all disciplines, it is committed to understanding the fundamental character of reality as a whole. Against the conservative backlash in religious thought, and the secularist trend towards scepticism when references are made to the reality of God, the author takes up the challenge of current thinking to show that it is possible for theology to affirm God's reality in a positive way which is, at the same time, self-critically aware of the human character of thought.

This study looks at the various ways in which theological conclusions are affected by the rationality of those who produce them. The author's critique of the study of theology arises out of a conviction that theology has to establish its credibility as a mode of understanding if it is to be of value. In considering what follows once it is recognised that - since theologians are human - their conclusions are affected by the nature of human thought, Dr Pailin offers a clarification of faith, belief and reason, and how they are related to each other. The book shows that while theology can no longer credibly pretend to divine authority in determining the truth in all disciplines, it is committed to understanding the fundamental character of reality as a whole. Against the conservative backlash in religious thought, and the secularist trend towards scepticism when references are made to the reality of God, the author takes up the challenge of current thinking to show that it is possible for theology to affirm God's reality in a positive way which is, at the same time, self-critically aware of the human character of thought.

Can belief in God be rational? David A. Pailin identifies the reasons behind this questioning of theistic faith in his book God and the Processes of Reality (originally published in 1989) and demonstrates how the supposed incoherences in the concept of God are due to the generalization of partial insights. He establishes the basic character of the concept of God, and examines the nature of the major attributes of the divine and of the relationship of God to the processes of reality, looking at God as creator, the relation of God to historical events, and the role of God as the basis for individual fulfilment.The book takes up many of the insights developed by Whitehead and Hartshorne in what is commonly known as process thought. Pailin explains these insights and counters common misapprehensions about them critically, sometimes radically so, to present a credible understanding of the God of theistic belief and a coherent understanding of the relationship of that God to the processes of reality. This book will be of interest to students and researchers of religion and philosophy.

Can belief in God be rational? David A. Pailin identifies the reasons behind this questioning of theistic faith in his book God and the Processes of Reality (originally published in 1989) and demonstrates how the supposed incoherences in the concept of God are due to the generalization of partial insights. He establishes the basic character of the concept of God, and examines the nature of the major attributes of the divine and of the relationship of God to the processes of reality, looking at God as creator, the relation of God to historical events, and the role of God as the basis for individual fulfilment.The book takes up many of the insights developed by Whitehead and Hartshorne in what is commonly known as process thought. Pailin explains these insights and counters common misapprehensions about them critically, sometimes radically so, to present a credible understanding of the God of theistic belief and a coherent understanding of the relationship of that God to the processes of reality. This book will be of interest to students and researchers of religion and philosophy.