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Preface

We are all believers. Every one of us has many and varied beliefs. We seldom think about this most interesting fact, concerned as we are with what we are, at the moment, believing. You, the reader, could very easily provide many examples. Pick up any book or newspaper. There you will have myriad opportunities to address the question, ‘Can I believe that?’ You will often find yourself saying, ‘But that I can’t believe!’ When you find examples of what you can believe, you will, given a little thought, realise that you have a further belief: namely , ‘I believe that what I believe is reasonable.’ Or contrariwise, ‘I believe that what I cannot believe is either unreasonable or not established.’ So what do we believe about what we believe and about the act of believing? That is our fascinating and intricate question.

This book is intended to be an introduction to themes that concern anyone who thinks about belief, any kind of belief but in particular Christian belief. In the first instance that will be those who hold some such beliefs. But these are not the only ones who are interested in the philosophical issues which the existence of a theistic faith raises. Indeed it is often the non-believers who have the edge over the frequenters of the pew, when it comes to more consistent and prolonged thinking. This writing is for them too.

Simply let’s say it is an introduction to some themes that interested persons will face and hopefully will find profitable to consider seriously. Observations that apply generally to belief will also apply to religious belief. So the writing is of general interest in elucidating those widely applicable general philosophical principles, and illustrating them in different ways. The term ‘believer’ has both general and specific meaning. All are believers. Some are religious believers.

The aim of the book is to state clearly some of the basic issues. If the writer achieves clarity of presentation, that does not mean that the themes will simply roll off the page into the mind of the reader. At certain points, real effort will be needed. A paragraph well understood is therefore better than a chapter skimmed and forgotten. A point well digested is progress and leads to further progress.

With each chapter, we try to provide incentives to exercise the grey cells. We do this by suggesting questions for reflection, discussion and for exercise with the pen. Write something and then hold it up for scrutiny! With some of the early chapters, we provide extensive vocabulary to suggest how the process of understanding might begin: by mastering the terms. At any rate, we shall hope that that is the way the process will also end. But we are always in media res. It is well to remember that and keep moving forward.