Faith and Will: Voluntariness of Faith in Analytic Theism

This study is a critical examination of the views about the voluntary

element of religious faith in contemporary analytic theistic philosophy

of religion. The background of the question is the variety of opinions

regarding the voluntariness or involuntariness of religious faith. The

study examines different propositional attitudes, such as belief, hope,

and acceptance, which are taken to be involved in the cognitive aspect

of religious faith. Another central theme concerns the practical aspect

of religious faith and the attitudes it involves. Questions having to do

with the emotional and evaluative aspects of religious faith are also

touched upon. In addition, certain traditional theological topics

pertaining to voluntariness of faith, namely, topics having to do with

such notions as merit of faith and grace, are addressed. Apart from the

critical evaluation, this study develops one model of faith, that is,

faith as propositional hope.