In the preface of the 4th edition (p. xiii), Rowe relates the developmentof philosophy of religion in the 21st century with the ability of religiousthinkers to demonstrate that religious belief supports rational arguments,growth in the understanding of non-Western religious traditions and continuedinterest in the problem of evil. He indicates his intention to addressthe reasons behind the development of this field of study. Rowe divides thetopics of discussion into eleven chapters. In the introduction, the author indicatesthat philosophy of religion examines basic religious beliefs as well asthe major conceptions of God that emerged in Western civilization, namelytheistic ideas of God (p. 1-3).