Philosophy of Religion in 21st Century

This edited volume presents a comprehensive survey of contemporary analytic philosophy of religion at the turn of the millennium, examining how traditional questions about God's existence and nature have evolved in response to late twentieth-century philosophical developments. Phillips assembles contributions that collectively demonstrate the field's methodological sophistication while revealing persistent tensions between naturalistic and theistic worldviews in academic philosophy.

The work traces how analytic philosophy of religion has moved beyond the classical proofs and disproofs that dominated mid-century discussions. Contributors examine how developments in epistemology, philosophy of language, and metaphysics have reshaped arguments about divine attributes, religious experience, and the rationality of theistic belief. The volume particularly highlights how reformed epistemology, following Plantinga, has challenged evidentialist assumptions about religious knowledge, while naturalistic philosophers have developed increasingly sophisticated critiques of supernatural explanations.

A central theme throughout is the question of whether philosophy of religion can maintain neutrality when examining theistic claims. Several contributors argue that the field inevitably operates within competing paradigms that shape what counts as legitimate philosophical questions and acceptable answers. The volume explores how feminist philosophy, continental thought, and non-Western philosophical traditions have challenged the Anglo-American analytic framework's assumptions about rationality and religious discourse.

Phillips's editorial vision emphasizes dialogue between opposing positions rather than partisan advocacy. The collection includes both defenders and critics of theism, with particular attention to how each side has refined its arguments in response to objections. Notable is the treatment of religious diversity and pluralism as philosophical problems requiring new theoretical frameworks beyond traditional exclusivism or inclusivism.

The volume's significance lies in its documentation of philosophy of religion's institutional and intellectual maturation. It demonstrates how the field has developed sophisticated technical vocabularies and argumentative strategies while remaining engaged with perennial questions about God's existence and nature. By presenting diverse methodological approaches within the analytic tradition, the work reveals both the vitality and fragmentation of contemporary philosophical reflection on religion. The collection serves as both a state-of-the-field report and a roadmap for future developments, suggesting that twenty-first century philosophy of religion must grapple with religious diversity, scientific naturalism, and alternative conceptions of rationality while maintaining rigorous philosophical standards.