How do we form and modify our beliefs about the world? While accepting that what we believe is determined by evidence, and therefore is not directly under our control, Professor Helm argues that no theory of knowledge is complete without standards for accepting and rejecting evidence as belief-worthy. These standards, or belief-policies, are not themselves determined by evidence, but determine what counts as credible evidence. Unlike single beliefs, Helm argues, belief-policies are directly subject to the will, and consequently to weakness of will and self-deception. Helm reveals the importance of the idea of belief-policies in several areas of philosophy, in particular the philosophy of religion.

Product Description: The Christian life begins when we hear and respond to the call of Jesus Christ. Like the first disciples, we must 'leave everything' in order to follow him. Paul Helm shows that instead of dividing life into 'spiritual' and 'secular' compartments every moment of it can be lived fully to the glory of God...read more

John Calvin has been the subject of widespread misunderstanding and misinterpretation. He is a figure whom other theologians either seek to "capture" to endorse their own, often very different, positions or whom they seek to vilify. Calvin: A Guide for the Perplexed attempts to "re-situate" Calvin by providing a mid-level introduction to his thought. As befits the series, special attention is given to Calvin's thought, not on his character or career. The focus here is not only on Calvin's theological positions, but also on the philosophy intertwined within them, the significance of which is often overlooked.

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Product Description: The Holy Scriptures are fundamental for Christianity, providing the basis for faith and morality. They are supremely important because they contain divine revelation. Christians speak of them as the "Word of God." In this study Paul Helm, an experienced philosopher, brings his expertise to bear on such expressions as "infallible," "Word of God," and "propositional revelation," which are in common usage in contemporary Christianity...read more

Many theologians and philosophers of religion now claim that the classical Christian view that God exists in timeless eternity is incoherent. Challenging that claim, Helm argues that divine timelessness is grounded in the idea of God as creator, and that this alone makes possible a proper account of divine omniscience. He considers some of the consequences of divine timelessness, particularly as it affects both divine and human freedom, and examines some of the alleged problems about referring to God-- concluding with a connected treatment of the main concepts in philosophical theology. (view table of contents)

How does a believer articulate (and thus defend) his or her faith? While much innovative and important work in the philosophy of religion has been done on 'faith seeking understanding' this is the first modern treatment in book form. Paul Helm closely examines the stance, 'faith seeking understanding', looking at examples of philosophical work on one or other article of the Christian faith, or on some crucial underpinning of it. He discusses the various ways in which the stance has been understood through the ages and relates this understanding to individual case studies from Augustine, Jonathan Edwards, Alvin Plantinga and Anselm. Providing a modern treatment of an important theological and philosophical theme, this book is a clearly written and refreshing introduction to the subject. (view table of contents)

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Product Description: Concern for the present life has overpowered that for the life to come,' writes Paul Helm in the introduction to this timely study of the four 'last things': death, judgment, heaven and hell.

Product Description: There is a long tradition of discussion in the philosophy of religion about the problems and possibilities involved in talking about God. This book presents accounts of the problem within Jewish and Christian philosophy.