religious experience – Diversity Reading List

Ekstrom, Laura W. Suffering as Religious Experience

2004, in Peter Van Inwagen (ed.) Christian Faith and the Problem of Evil. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Press: 95-110.

Categories: Arguments for Theism, Epistemology of Religion, Metaphysics & Epistemology, Philosophy of Religion, Religious Experience, The Argument from Evil

Keywords: arguments for God's existence, philosophy of religion, problem of evil, religious experience, suffering

Expand entry: Added by: Emily Paul

Summary: In this paper, Ekstrom argues that some instances of suffering might reasonably be viewed as religious experiences that serve as a means of intimacy with God. Thus, where atheologians typically take suffering as evidence against the existence of God, Ekstrom argues that it might in fact be a route of knowledge to God.

Comment: This chapter would probably be most useful in arguments for/against the existence of God. In particular, it could follow on from a unit on the problem of evil. It is of particular interest because it's commonly argued that suffering is an argument against God's existence, but Ekstrom argues to the contrary.

Difficulty: Easy-Intermediate

Recommended use: Specialised

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