Solved by sacrifice : Austin Farrer, fideism, and the evidence of faith / by Robert MacSwain.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

MacSwain, Robert, author.

Contributor:

Charlton Yarnall Fund.

Yarnall Collection (University of Pennsylvania)

Series:

Studies in philosophical theology ; 51.

Studies in philosophical theology ; 51

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Farrer, Austin Marsden, 1904-1968.

Farrer, Austin, 1904-1968.

Farrer, Austin.

Faith and reason--Christianity--History of doctrines--20th century.

Faith and reason.

Religion--Philosophy.

Religion.

Faith and reason--Christianity.

Local Subjects:

Farrer, Austin Marsden, 1904-1968.

Physical Description:

xiii, 275 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Leuven, Belgium : Peeters, 2013.

Summary:

Austin Farrer (1904-1968), Warden of Keble College, Oxford, was a remarkably creative and significant figure in twentieth-century theology. Robert MacSwain argues that one explanation for Farrer's relative obscurity is that most commentators have focused on his metaphysics, and in particular on Finite and Infinite (1943), his monumental treaties of 'rational theology'. By contrast, MacSwain proposes an epistemological analysis that takes seriously the neglected but crucial theme of fideism in Farrer's thought. MacSwain charts the development of Farrer's thinking on the proper relation between faith and reason from 1924 to 1968 - including his engagements with Karl Barth, logical positivism, Thomism, and Wittgensteinian philosophy - and offers a reading of Farrer that resonates with contemporary religious epistemology and the growing focus on spiritual praxis. The final chapter considers Farrer's provocative claim that the logical paradoxes of religious belief are 'solved by sacrifice' in the lives of those whom we recognize as 'saints': as Farrer puts it, 'Such a life, then, is evidence, and what other evidence could you hope to find?' Book jacket.

Contents:

Chapter 1 "The Believer's Reasons' 11

I Mitchell's Concern 11

A 'The Reasonable Man' 12

B Did Farrer Become a Fideist? 17

C Neutrality and Commitment 21

D The Justification of Religious Belief 24

II The Case Against (All) Fideism 28

A The Grounds of Theistic Belief and the Rationality of Revelation 29

B The Believer's Reasons: Hebblethwaite's Version 35

III The Case For (Moderate) Fideism 40

A Faith Seeking Understanding 41

B The Believer's Reasons: Allen's Version 48

IV Conclusion 52

Chapter 2 'A Sort of Fideist' 55

I The History and Definitions of Fideism 55

A The Religious History of 'Fideism' 56

B 'Semi-fideism': An Essential Excursus 65

C Philosophical Definitions of 'Fideism' 70

II Reason Itself on Trial: Another Essential Excursus 75

III Interim Conclusions on 'Fideism' 79

IV Conclusion: What 'Sort of Fideist? 85

Chapter 3 'A Viable and Sophisticated Natural Theology' (1904-1948) 91

I A Swift Among Swallows 91

II An Undergraduate Writes Home 102

III 'Possessed by the Thomist Vision' 113

A Preparation 113

B A Philosophical Essay 121

1 The Whole Mechanism of Mind 122

2 Knowledge of Substance 134

3 Faith and Argument 138

C Knowledge by Analogy 140

IV Conclusion 145

Chapter 4 'Can Reasonable Minds Still Think Theologically?' (1949-1968) 149

I The Freedom of the Will and the Mind of Christ 149

II Faith and Evidence 160

III 'Your ideas keep expanding in my head' 173

A From New Haven to Oxford 174

B Motives, Rationales, and Religious Beliefs 177

IV The Believer's Reasons: Farrer's Version 183

V Conclusion 196

Chapter 5 'Solvitur Immolando' 201

I Striking the Balance: From Past to Present 201

II The Evidence of Faith: Contemporary Voices and Farrer 213

III Conclusion: 'It is solved by sacrifice' 221.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Charlton Yarnall Fund.

ISBN:

9042927380

9789042927384

OCLC:

844684721

Publisher Number:

99962724439