The Predicament of Belief: A Reflection
Philip Clayton & Steven Knapp, Predicament of Belief: Science, Philosophy, Faith (Oxford University Press: Oxford, NY, 2011. I want to invite you to reflect upon the difficulty and dilemma we face in our secular setting with holding a set of convictions that include a religious dimension. Secularity presents no challenge to all forms of such commitments, for one can hold passionately held ideological or political views. Our historical setting does present some a dilemma for religious community, for their reference to and their commitment to a divine reality around which they are willing to organize their lives has become increasingly doubtful.Churches of many denominational traditions need to be going through some wrestling with their relationship with the secular culture and the mindset it forms in minds and hearts. First, the challenge from the scientific mind-set is deeper than many devotees of religions will admit. All religions face a difficulty in t...