Christian Philosopher Alvin Plantinga Wins Templeton Prize

His work "put theistic belief back on the philosophical agenda."

Alvin Plantinga became the 47th recipient of the Templeton Prize Tuesday. The prize is one of the world’s largest awards. Each year it honors someone whose work helps affirm “life’s spiritual dimension.”

Now 84, the Christian philosopher is credited with promoting the acceptance of religious belief in philosophical circles.

In the 1950s, religious belief was mostly absent from philosophy, The John Templeton Foundation notes. Plantinga changed that by writing “a variety of arguments for the existence of God.” His work “put theistic belief back on the philosophical agenda.”

Because of his “pioneering” scholarship, it’s now common for professors around the world to “bring their religious commitments to bear on their work.”

Plantinga encouraged religious scholars to lead with their spiritual intuition in his most significant work, the Warrant Trilogy. In it, he also argues against the idea that one must justify religious belief with other forms of evidence.

He knew that religious belief “could make crucial contributions” to philosophy, foundation president Heather Templeton Dill said.

Plantinga was born in Michigan. His parents, both Dutch immigrants, raised his family in the Calvinist tradition. Even at a young age, he discussed questions of faith, God and philosophy with his friends. 

After studying for a short time at Harvard University, he graduated in philosophy from Calvin College. He received his masters degree from the University of Michigan and his doctorate from Yale.

Plantinga has been a sought-after international speaker throughout his career. In 1980, Time Magazine described him as “America’s leading orthodox Protestant philosopher of God.”

Plantinga said he was “honored” to receive the Templeton Prize. He will formally accept it in Chicago this September.

Past winners include Mother Teresa, Billy Graham and in 2016, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks. Read the full list of past prize winners. Read more about Plantinga’s background and career.