Experience of God and the rationality of theistic belief
Book Description
In a world where faith and reason often seem at odds, philosopher Jerome I. Gellman presents a compelling case for the rational foundation of belief in God. Drawing upon the profound experiences of countless individuals who report direct encounters with the divine, Gellman argues that these mystical experiences provide legitimate grounds for theistic belief.
At the heart of this philosophical exploration lies a fundamental question: Can personal experiences of God's presence serve as valid evidence for divine existence? Gellman methodically examines the epistemological principles that connect human perception with reality, demonstrating how the sheer volume and diversity of reported divine encounters creates a rational basis for belief. Rather than dismissing these experiences as mere subjective phenomena, he treats them as meaningful data worthy of serious philosophical consideration.
The author confronts the most challenging objections to his thesis head-on. He addresses the complex landscape of diverse religious experiences across world traditions, evaluates reductionist attempts to explain away divine encounters, and tackles the formidable problems of evil and logical coherence that critics often raise against theism. Through careful analysis, Gellman shows how these challenges fail to undermine the evidential value of mystical experiences.
This rigorous yet accessible work offers readers a fresh perspective on one of humanity's most enduring questions, providing intellectual tools for those seeking to understand the relationship between spiritual experience and rational belief.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~6 hours)
🕉️ Tradition: Comparative Religion
📄 Length: 211 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore God, proof, empirical
- ✓ Explore Empirical Proof
- ✓ Explore Gottesbeweis
- ✓ Explore Proof, Empirical
- ✓ Explore God
- ✓ Explore Theism
- ✓ Explore Experience (Religion)
- ✓ Explore Theïsme
