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The Analytic Theist: An Alvin Plantinga Reader

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I was recently thumbing through an overview book of philosophy, and the writers made passing mention of how theism is a viable intellectual option, simply by virtue of the defense of theism that has been mounted by the great Christian thinkers. The author's three examples were Descartes, Reid, and Plantinga. Alvin Plantinga's philosophical work has spanned half a century and has influenced the whole of the philosophical world, among theistic and non-theistic thinkers alike. Books like God and Other Minds, The Nature of Necessity, and God, Freedom, and Evil have not only stood the test of time, but their influence continues to be felt across a variety of disciplines. In The Analytic Theist (hereafter TAT), editor James Sennett has collected the most forceful and significant of his writings.

One of the benefits of such an anthology is that it shows the development of a philopher's thought over time. Here are the roots of the movement now known as Reformed Epistemology, from Plantinga's argument that belief in God is no more unjustified than belief in other minds to his monumental essay, "Reason and Belief in God," where he begins laying the groundwork for his later work on why theistic belief has legitimate epistemic warrant.

But there is more to Plantinga than epistemology. Sennett includes his "free will defense" on the problem of evil, his modal version of the ontological argument for God's existence, a few chapters on philosophical theology, and even a review of a book of New Testament criticism. In all of these selections Plantinga's trademarks are evident: his sharp wit, his use of humor, his lucid writing style and, most importantly, a weighty clear-headedness that is the mark of any good analytic philosopher. For those unfamiliar with analytic philosophy or the type of meticulous logical argumentation that Plantinga utilizes, there will be some chapters that will seem difficult, if not downright opaque. As is the case in any highly specialized academic field, this is to be expected, but the general reader - and especially the general Christian reader - should not be turned off by Plantinga's rigor. There are other selections in TAT that are much easier going for the casual reader but are as equally important as some of the more technical chapters.

The only potential complaint I have about TAT is that it contains no chapters on Plantinga's work in the area of epistemic warrant, either from Warrant: The Current Debate or Warrant and Proper Function, both of which were published five years prior to TAT. No study of Plantinga is complete if it ignores his notion of warrant, but that is a minor quibble. TAT is essential reading for any Christian who endeavors to be an intellectual of faith. There is something here for not only Christians in academia but for every believer. Most Christian scholars and writers - if they are worth their weight in paper - are already familiar with Plantinga, but it's a shame that many Christian leaders and teachers seem not to have discovered his inestimable value. Pastors, knuckle down and pick up anything by Alvin Plantinga. Begin either with The Analytic Theist or Warranted Christian Belief. It's time to move into the big leagues.

Published in the late 1990s, The Analytic Theist is a collection of writings by Alvin Plantinga edited by James Sennett. Plantinga is one of the leading contemporary philosophers and arguably the most significant philosopher of religion in recent times.

Overall, this is an excellent selection of Plantinga's work touching on most key areas of his thought. I offer minor comments in two areas for potential buyers. First, although it is a convenient and broad compilation this is not original material - it has all been previously published. For those with other Plantinga works in their collections, I recommend a quick look at the on-line table of contents prior to purchasing. Second, the text was published a decade ago. Plantinga remains active and has written extensively during the intervening period - including perhaps his magnum opus Warranted Christian Belief.

I highly recommend this text to all students of philosophy and religion. It is an outstanding and accessible collection from a truly noteworthy thinker

I really do not belong to the analytical school of philosophy, being more into what is known as continental philosophy. Still, I have to highly reccomend this book for both theists and atheists alike. For theists, it will help strengthen some of your beliefs, while force you to think about other beliefs you hold. For atheists, it will do something similar, though it will obviously challenge more than it affirms. The greatest strength of this book, however, is that the articles are not all easy, nor are they all so difficult that only a person who's a master of esosteric terminology can grasp it. The essays range from easy (such as Advice to Christian Philosophers, as well as his treatment on the problem of evil) all the way to very challenging (his essay on Ockhams way out is one of the most challenging things I've read to date). In summary, Plantinga is one of the leading Christian thinkers today, and it would benefit everyone to read some of his writings, if for nothing else than to get a different (Christian) point of view.

This is a collection of Plantinga's writings on some of the big issues concerning Christianity, suffering and a just God, free will, rationality of belief in God. I've usally been disappointed by 'philosophical' discussions about God, we've all heard the watchmaker argument, but if you find that lacking in substance pick up a copy of Plantinga's writings, its an entirely different plane of thought. I will warn you, this is not light reading, you may have to put some effort into this.

Herein James F. Sennett furnishes a rich and keen collection from the work of the great Christian philosopher Alvin Plantinga. In "The Analytic Theist: An Alvin Plantinga Reader" Sennett compiles many of the best-known and most significant texts that helped launch a renewal of Christian philosophy (CP). This compilation is 12 years old and is gathered from source material some of which is over two decades old, nevertheless, since it is a comprehensive overview from such an outstanding thinker it maintains powerful relevance and efficacy.

As Kelly James Clark states of Plantinga's (AP) epistemic accomplishment: "The Christian has as much right to start with Christian assumptions as secular thinkers have to start from the assumption of naturalism" (p. 12). This comment is based on AP's groundbreaking notion: "There is no epistemological theory that rules out theistic belief as a category of epistemologically appropriate belief" (p. xvi).

"Is Naturalism Irrational?" is my favorite chapter. AP comes out swinging: "Suppose you believe that there really is such a thing as proper function for our cognitive faculties (or for any natural organs or systems). And suppose you also believe that there is no naturalistic account, reduction, or analysis of the notion of proper function: then you have the materials for a powerful argument against metaphysical naturalism (MN). This is an argument for the falsehood of naturalism: if your premises are true, naturalism is false" (p. 72). This is true inasmuch as "a reasonable posture would be to think it very unlikely that the statistical probability of their belief-producing mechanisms' being reliable, given that they have been produced in the suggested way, is very high; and rather likely (on N&E&C). R is less probable than its denial" 9p. 85). Plantinga further demonstrates that MN is a circular pragmatic argument trapped in question begging (p. 92).

Additionally AP presses the truth that MN depends on Christian presuppositions and the epistemic environment it alone provides as MN "flourishes best in the garden of supernaturalistic metaphysics" (p. 96).

The editor offers AP's essay employing his Free Will Defense (FWD) to defend theism against the idea that the problem of evil refutes theism. Plantinga writes: "I therefore conclude that the FWD successfully rebuts the charge of inconsistency brought against the theist" (p. 48).

I enjoy reading and rereading this excellent and cogent presentation of AP's useful and intriguing thought. This is an important volume for all CP's and Christian epistemologists; furthermore it is an outstanding resource for non-CP's searching for an immovable epistemic base and solid epistemic rights.
The Necessary Existence of God: The Proof of Christianity Through Presuppositional Apologetics

Plantinga is not for anyone who is not willing to think and read carefully. It would probably help to have a degree in philosophy, but for those who do not, be prepared to gird your loins and read and re-read and think.

And yet...when one is dealing with matters of ultimate importance, i.e. God or the lack thereof, why would one think it would be easy? Plantinga gives us his reasons to think Christian theism is rational. It is welcome to have a heavyweight intellect on the side of the angels.

Regardless of how one feels about Plantinga's work in general, this is THE collection to keep on the shelves for reference. A philosopher as controversial as Alvin Plantinga is bound to spur fierce disagreement as well as strong commitment, but any serious philosopher (or, as in my case, serious student of philosophy) owes it to him/herself to study Plantinga's works in depth.

This collection is essential and yet comprehensive, well edited and well presented, with an afterword by Plantinga himself. Sennett divides entries in four major categories: Natural Theology and Atheology; Reformed Epistemology; Divine Nature and Attributes; and Christian Philosophy. Nearly all of Plantinga's most relevant contributions are included, especially his evolutionary argument against naturalism and his discussion of warranted Christian belief.

The beginner student of religious epistemology (again: regardless of personal worldview or affiliation) cannot start with anything better.