The prestigious Templeton Prize is awarded to someone who makes significant contribution to the advancement of progressive religion. Alvin Platinga, an American Philosopher, whose writings over a half century have made the belief in a divine reality or God as a serious concern for academic philosophy was selected for the said award this year. He now joins an esteemed group of 46 prize recipients including Mother Teresa, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama. On his selection for the award, he said: “The field of philosophy has transformed over the course of my career. If my work played a role in this transformation, I would be very pleased. I hope the news of the prize will encourage young philosophers, especially those who bring Christian and theistic perspectives to bear on their work, towards greater creativity, integrity and boldness.” In an era where religious belief in a personal God was found unacceptable, Dr Platinga’s revolutionary ideas gave rational foundations and respectability to belief in God.

In a 1984 paper, “Advice to Christian Philosophers,” Platinga challenged Christian philosophers to commit to developing sound philosophy based on specific Christian vision. As a result of his contributions today we find across the world philosophers in universities giving expression to their religious belief. Alvin Platinga’s position was that there cannot be any conflict between religious belief and serious philosophical work, and religious belief can make contributions to addressing the problems in philosophy.” A recommendation of Platinga for the Prize, stated, “Alvin Platinga’s intellectual discoveries have initiated novel inquiry into spiritual dimensions. His precise and carefully developed insights have opened up intellectual-spiritual space. In the 1950s there was not a single published defence of religious belief by a prominent philosopher; by the 1990s there were literally hundreds of books and articles … defending and developing the spiritual dimension. The difference between 1950 and 1990 is, quite simply, Alvin Platinga.”