What Can Be Known About God Is Plain: A Reformed-Epistemological Response to the Problem of Divine Hiddenness

by Gijsbert van den Brink; Tyler M. Taber

Publisher:

Cascade Books

, 2024

Overview

Why is God’s existence not more obvious? Why does he seem hidden? This is commonly known as the Problem of Divine Hiddenness. In What Can be Known about God is Plain, Tyler Taber seeks to elucidate these questions from a Christian perspective. Drawing from the work of noted Christian philosopher Alvin Plantinga, Taber addresses the Problem of Divine Hiddenness with theological acumen as well as with resources from the Reformed tradition. Taber argues that the problem has an answer when these questions are analyzed in conjunction with Plantinga’s epistemology and alongside certain Reformed doctrines (for instance, the doctrines of general revelation, sin’s noetic effects, the internal witness of the Holy Spirit, and so forth).

Praise for What Can Be Known About God Is Plain

“In this lucid and thoroughly researched monograph, Taber not only provides a detailed overview of the current debate on the problem of divine hiddenness but also creatively relates it to an influential school in the philosophy of religion, namely Reformed epistemology, and shows how the latter may provide various resources to think about and live with the problem of God’s hiddenness.”

—Rik Peels, professor of religion and theology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam



“The problem of divine hiddenness, brought to prominence most recently by the work of J. L. Schellenberg, has provoked no end of discussion and debate among philosophers of religion of all stripes. It represents one of the most significant challenges to belief in God and especially to the strong claims about God’s self-revelation found in the Christian Scriptures. Various responses have been offered and defended, some more concessive than others, but until now there has been no extended treatment of the problem that draws self-consciously from the Reformed theological tradition and from Alvin Plantinga’s influential work on ‘Reformed epistemology.’ Tyler Taber’s book fills that conspicuous gap and does so with intellectual rigor and theological depth, yet in a way that is accessible even to non-specialists. Not only does this volume provide a robust Reformed-epistemological response to the problem of divine hiddenness, it also serves as a helpful introduction to Plantinga’s ‘Aquinas/Calvin model’ for warranted Christian beliefs. An impressive work of philosophical theology in its own right, it has valuable application to Christian apologetics and pastoral counseling. It should be considered essential reading for anyone perplexed by the problem of divine hiddenness.”

—James N. Anderson, Carl W. McMurray Professor of Theology and Philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte

Product Details

• Title: What Can Be Known About God Is Plain: A Reformed-Epistemological Response to the Problem of Divine Hiddenness
• Authors: Gijsbert van den Brink, Tyler M. Taber
• Series: Re-envisioning Reformed Dogmatics
• Publisher: Cascade Books
• Print Publication Date: 2024
• Logos Release Date: 2024
• Pages: 262
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBNs: 9781666718799, 9781666718782, 1666718785, 9781666718775, 1666718777, 1666718793
• Resource ID: LLS:9781666718799
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2025-04-23T00:18:08Z

About the Authors

Tyler Madden Taber (PhD) is minister of Redeemer Presbyterian Church (Presbyterian Church in America) in Amarillo, Texas. Before pursuing ministry, he practiced as a Registered Nurse.