Review Of "The Elusive God: Reorienting Religious Epistemology" By P. K. Moser

Document Type

Book Review

Publication Date

10-1-2008

Published In

Choice

Abstract

Critics of traditional religion often charge that not enough evidence exists to support belief in God. Contemporary defenders sometimes agree, but content themselves with faith (or the hope) that God exists. The distinctive claim of Moser's book is that critics and defenders alike use the wrong epistemic paradigm. God's reality can be known, but not if one takes scientific reasoning and empirical experience as the models of existential evidence. Rather one should look for the kind of evidence suitable to God's purposes in self-revelation. God's reality cannot be recognized unless people's wills are reoriented from destructive selfishness to an affirmative response to God's call to share in that love of which God is the perfect exemplification. Moser fleshes this notion out with an exposition of Pauline theology. This is an exciting thesis that merits further study and analysis. Moser (Loyola Univ. Chicago) is well known for his several books on epistemological issues; he is also editor of The Oxford Handbook of Epistemology (CH, Oct'03, 41-0861) and Rationality in Action (1990). Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-level undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty/researchers.

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This work is freely available courtesy of Choice Reviews. The review has been reproduced in full in the abstract field.

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