Overview
In recent years the Christian faith has been challenged by skeptics, including the New Atheists, who claim that belief in God is simply not reasonable. Here prominent Christian philosopher C. Stephen Evans offers a fresh, contemporary, and nuanced response. He makes the case for belief in a personal God through an exploration of natural "signs," which open our minds to theistic possibilities and foster belief in the Christian revelation. Evans then discusses why God's self-revelation is both authoritative and authentic. This sophisticated yet accessible book provides a clear account of the evidence for Christian faith, concluding that it still makes sense to believe.
Table of Contents
Contents
1. Who Are the New Atheists, and What Are They Saying?
2. The Value of Natural Theology
3. The Concept of a Natural Sign for God
4. Natural Signs for God and Theistic Arguments
5. Can We Trust the Natural Signs for God?
6. Recognizing God's Self-Revelation
7. Criteria for a Genuine Revelation from God
8. Conclusions: Making the Case for Christian Faith
Index
1. Who Are the New Atheists, and What Are They Saying?
2. The Value of Natural Theology
3. The Concept of a Natural Sign for God
4. Natural Signs for God and Theistic Arguments
5. Can We Trust the Natural Signs for God?
6. Recognizing God's Self-Revelation
7. Criteria for a Genuine Revelation from God
8. Conclusions: Making the Case for Christian Faith
Index
Endorsements
"This small book is much bigger than it appears. Decades of first-rate philosophical scholarship and deep Christian reflection on the faith are here pressed with astonishing delicacy into an elixir of apologetics. Professor Evans brilliantly summarizes a wide range of arguments on behalf of the rationality of the Christian religion so that beginners are well introduced to the discourse. But in the spirit of his mentor Kierkegaard he also offers a trio of arguments from miracles, 'paradoxicality,' and existential power that sings a much fresher and more vital song than the grim, thin plaint of the New Atheists. Highly recommended for classrooms, small groups, personal consideration, and friendly discussion with your favorite atheist."
John G. Stackhouse Jr., Sangwoo Youtong Chee Professor of Theology and Culture, Regent College, Vancouver
"Written by a seasoned Christian philosopher, this book is a marvelous overview of the reasonableness of biblical faith in a skeptical age. Evans's work is fresh and engaging, and the case for Christianity is further illuminated by his inclusion of Kierkegaard's reflections on reason, paradox, and belief. A delight to read!"
Paul Copan, Professor and Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics, Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, Florida
"Lucid and accessible, this would be a great book to give to students and laypeople who wish to understand how reason supports Christian faith in the light of modern challenges."
George M. Marsden, professor of history emeritus, University of Notre Dame
"Evans is one of the foremost philosophers of religion in the world today. In this book, a synthesis of some of his more detailed earlier work, he has given us an accessible, lucid, and well-ordered analysis of the New Atheism and, what is far more important, expositions of the best historic and contemporary philosophical and theological responses. Any intelligent layperson can read this book with pleasure as well as profit, and it would make a great text for general-level courses as well."
David Lyle Jeffrey, Distinguished Professor of Literature and the Humanities, Baylor University
"The so-called New Atheists have set the context for much contemporary disbelief in any god at all. Evans knows this but digs much deeper into much more problematic objections. His profound response is orderly, clear, and persuasive. I am most impressed by his explanation of how our perception of God relates to evidence, reason, and the witness of Scripture."
James W. Sire, author of The Universe Next Door and Apologetics beyond Reason: Why Seeing Really Is Believing
Author
C. Stephen Evans
C. Stephen Evans (PhD, Yale University) is University Professor of Philosophy and Humanities at Baylor University. He is also a Professorial Fellow at the Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry at Australian Catholic University and is a widely traveled speaker. Evans is the author or editor of more than two dozen books, including Natural Signs and Knowledge of God: A New Look at Theistic Arguments, Faith Beyond Reason, Why Believe? Reason and Mystery as Pointers to God, and God and Moral Obligation.