While the impassibility debate has traditionally been construed in terms of whether God suffers, recent philosophy of religion has interpreted it in terms of whether God has emotions more generally. This article surveys the philosophical literature on divine im/passibility over the last 25 years, outlining major arguments for and against the idea that God has emotions. It argues that questions about the nature and value of emotions are at the heart of the im/passibility debate. More specifically, it suggests that presuppositions (...) about the dichotomy between emotions and reason (or the ‘heart and the head’) have negatively impacted the debate. It contends that the debate can only move forward in response to serious reflection on our affects as we experience them, aided by historical and anthropological as well as contemporary philosophical perspectives. (shrink)

This is the second book in a trilogy which explores major concepts in the four major scriptural faiths of the world: Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity. Part I dealt with Revelation, whilst this new book focuses on the question of creation. As well as looking at what modern thinkers across the world have had to say on the topic, the book also considers the insights of modern physics, and shows how the universe can be seen as the expression of the (...) mind and heart of God. (shrink)