Basil Mitchell (1917–2011)

The enforcement of morals by the criminal law was a hot topic for debate in the 1960s. In the UK at least it is now generally accepted that there is a strong presumption against the use of criminal sanctions. This book gives a good analysis of the arguments deployed on both sides at a time when the issue was still being contested.

If you picked up Basil Mitchell’s book, The Justification of Religious Belief (1973), you might think that you stumbled upon a book about the Reformation. Mitchell, however, presented a small book about whether one can discuss or not discuss the existence of God. Since this book was more about the argument and less about the content, this book falls under the rubric of philosophy of religion than apologetics. After the author showed the traditional pro and con arguments deficient for show more today, he presented the problems and the new ideas as one of worldview, especially theism. For Mitchell, to justify religious belief, dogmatic or apologetic theology must stand aside to systemic understanding presented by Christian theism. For all interested in the debate between atheism and theism or science and faith, this book will help sharpen the dialogue. show less