ABSTRACT
There exist several and conflicting conceptions of the function of philosophy. In this book the conception of modern analytical philosophy is followed: it is the function of philosophy to analyze languages. This is not to say that other conceptions are held to be “wrong” or invalid. I am not competent to make such sweeping statements and condemnations. My purpose is different. Innumerable philosophies of religion have been written on the tacit or explicit assumption that the idealist conception of the function of philosophy is the obvious or even the self-evident method in philosophy of religion. I wish to dissociate myself from that position. I want, rather, to see how far one can go in philosophy of religion by following the approach of the analytical movement. Does it work? What does it help us see? What are its strong and weak points? Must qualifications be made, and how?
