Why God Won’t Go Away

by Alister McGrath

Publisher:

SPCK

, 2011

In a decade embroiled in fanaticism and fear, a renewed interest in the age-old debate over the question of God has reignited, giving rise to a new group of media-savvy contenders dubbed the “New Atheists.” As expressed in the works of best-selling authors like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, the New Atheists have found a foothold in today’s cynical society, and have ramped up their efforts to debunk the existence of God.

Renowned historian, theologian, and scholar Alister McGrath is on the frontlines of this conversation, publicly debating many of these prominent skeptics. In this thoughtful and accessible volume, McGrath gives a spirited rebuttal to the claims of the New Atheists, critiquing the New Atheism on its own merits and exploring the fundamental questions:

• Who are the New Atheists, and what do they believe?
• Is religion delusional and evil?
• Are human beings fundamentally good?
• How do reason and science prove or disprove faith?
• Is the best hope for humanity a ‘New Enlightenment’?

Why God Won’t Go Away explores how the movement’s ideas are defined and propagated, helping us understand the agendas and anxieties of this global movement and its appeal to society as a whole. Why God Won’t Go Away explores what is “new” about New Atheism, critiques the movement on its core themes of violence, reason, and science, and asks, “where does the New Atheism go from here?”

Key Features

• Discusses agenda and mass appeal of the New Atheism movement
• Examines the messages of the four leading representatives of New Atheism
• Engages the Christian reader providing them with solid understanding and a new way to communicate

Contents

• Part 1: What Is the New Atheism?
  • The New Atheism: How It All Started
  • What’s ‘New’ about the New Atheism?
• Part 2: Engaging the New Atheism: Three Core Themes
  • When Religion Goes Wrong: Violence
  • Reason: The Rationality of Beliefs
  • A Question of Proof: Science
• Part 3: Where Does the New Atheism Go from Here?
  • Where Is the New Atheism Now?
  • God Won’t Go Away: Beyond the New Atheism

Top Highlights

“First, he declares that faith is fundamentally irrational. There’s no evidence for the existence of God” (Page 9)

“The 9/11 attack turned out to be the intellectual and moral launch pad for the New Atheism.” (Page viii)

“If Darwinian evolution is indeed a random process, how can we speak about ‘accidental’ or ‘unintended’ outcomes?” (Page 12)

“four leading representatives: Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens” (Page viii)

“the second major theme in Dawkins’ critique of religion: its propensity towards violence. Religion” (Page 10)

Endorsements

A robust defense of the God of the Bible . . . This is a book for serious thinkers who wish to make God real in a world that has forgotten its creator and maker.

—Joni Eareckson Tada, author, A Place of Healing

Product Details

• Title: Why God Won’t Go Away: Engaging with the New Atheism
• Author: Alister McGrath
• Publisher: SPCK
• Print Publication Date: 2011
• Logos Release Date: 2013
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Apologetics; Christianity and atheism
• Resource ID: LLS:WHYGODGOMCGRATH
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-09-24T16:46:01Z

About Alister McGrath

Alister McGrath (Ph.D.) is a scholar and writer who is presently Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at Oxford University. After his initial studies in natural science at Oxford, taking a doctorate in molecular biophysics under the supervision of Prof Sir George Radda, McGrath moved into the field of Christian theology. He was Oxford’s Professor of Historical Theology from 1999 to 2008. He then moved to King’s College London as Professor of Theology, Ministry, and Education, before returning to Oxford as Idreos Professor in 2014. He also served as Gresham Professor of Divinity, a position established in 1597, from 2015-18. He retired in September 2022.

He is best known for his definitive and widely used textbooks on Christian theology and his authoritative biography of C. S. Lewis. As a former atheist, McGrath is fascinated by the interaction of faith, science, and atheism, and writes regularly on these themes. McGrath was born in Belfast in 1953, and holds both Irish and British citizenship. He lives in the Cotswolds near Oxford.

For McGrath’s website, including details of his weekly Youtube postings and videos helping you use his theology textbooks, go to alistermcgrath.net