ABSTRACT
This chapter contrasts two ways of thinking about God: one that seeks to derive the concept of God from the concept of perfection and another that builds up the concept of God from certain particular considerations. The chapter argues that the proposal of perfect-being theology is neither necessary nor sufficient for articulating a concept of God. The chapter goes on to suggest that even if the perfect-being theologians were to be proved correct about perfect-being theology, that theology would not be very helpful in the articulation of a concept of God fully acceptable to a Christian. The reason for this is that it provides too little direction for the philosophical theologian; perfection is too indefinite a perspective, and also too a priori. The Christian philosopher of religion cannot neglect the particularities of Christianity.
The chapter concludes by suggesting a reason why this is, a reason why the particular must be preferred to the perfect.
