ABSTRACT
As we have noted, in philosophical theology (as with all areas of philosophy) it is important to avoid hostile or question-begging methods, which, in the case of this book, involves avoiding them in the description and evaluation of theological traditions. It may be especially important in philosophical theology because of the tremendous impact religion has had historically, sometimes as the source of great goods but sometimes as the source of authoritarian control, including censorship and persecution. The great philosopher-astrologer Giordano Bruno, for example, was executed for his speculative philosophy by being burned to death in 1600 under the Inquisition. For some contemporary philosophers, there is a lingering suspicion about the value and reasonability of religion. Passions can (and have) run high at the intersection of religion and philosophy.
