This is a study of Spinoza's philosophy seen through his views about the existence, nature and rôle of God.

The titles of Parts I and II derive from the memorial written by Pascal in 1654: Dieu d'Abraham, Dieu d'Isaac, Dieu de Jacob, non des Philosophes et des Savants.

Part 1 looks at the God of the Philosophers: at God's existence and nature – at how God relates to us and to the rest of the world in terms of causality – at how a knowledge of God is supposed to fit in with other sorts of knowledge.

Part 11 looks at what Spinoza tells us about religion – its origins, history and practice.

Part in considers his own positive approach to God and religion: his views on religious freedom, his understanding of eternity and his puzzling use of the figure of Christ. The book ends with an assessment of Spinoza on God and religion.

Part 1 of the study is, of necessity, more philosophically technical, because the logical and metaphysical machinery requires close attention if the force of Spinoza's case is to be appreciated (in some ways, its general outline is misleadingly simple and clear). My interpretation will be controversial. A few people know a great deal about Spinoza and his work. Many people know a little, but would like to know more. This book is meant for the many as well as the few. I have tried not to slow down the discussion by including too much debate with other writers.