The Philosophy of Religion of Alexander Campbell

Description

a a aWell known for the important role he played in the American Restoration Movement, AlexanderaCampbell was one of the most respected and influential religious figures of 19th-centuryaAmerica. Although CampbellOCOs legacy as a religious leader and theologian has been widelyaacknowledged and documented, his contributions as a "philosopher" of religion have been alargely neglected. "a a aThe Philosophy of Religion of Alexander Campbell" reintroduces readers to Campbell as aaphilosopher of religion and explores the philosophical basis for the views underlying hisareligious movement. It begins with a highly readable discussion of CampbellOCOs role inaantebellum American religion and proceeds to an exploration of his philosophical influences. J.aCaleb Clanton then reconstructs, explains, and evaluates CampbellOCOs philosophy of religion. Heacritically examines CampbellOCOs unique, revealed-idea argument for the existence of GodOCothat is, aif God did not exist, we could not form the distinct idea of God. Clanton goes on to exploreaCampbellOCOs defense of miracles, including the resurrection of Christ, and his responses to theaproblem of evil and the problem of divine hiddenness. The final and most speculative chapteracollects and synthesizes from scattered writings CampbellOCOs view on morality and religionOCoanamely that there is no morality without GodOCowhich has proven difficult to defend onaphilosophical grounds. a a aWith this book, the author makes a unique and important contribution to the literature ofathe Stone-Campbell movement. Clanton presents CampbellOCOs views strictly in philosophicalaterms and evaluates them from a philosophical perspective without regard to religiousaapologetics. In doing so, he illuminates previously unexplored dimensions of Campbell and hisawork, both historically and theologically, and clearly validates CampbellOCOs inclusion inacontemporary discussions of the philosophy of religion. J. Caleb Clanton is Associate Professor of Philosophy and University Research Professor ataLipscomb University in Nashville."