Against Atheism

Author(s): Ian S. Markham

Philosophy and Religion

In this new book, Ian Markham analyzes the atheistic world view, opposing the arguments given by renowned authors of books on atheism, such as Richard Dawkins. Unlike other responses to the new atheism, Markham challenges these authors on their own ground by questioning their understanding of belief and of atheism itself. The result is a transforming introduction to Christianity that will appeal to anyone interested in this debate. This title offers a fascinating challenge to the recent spate of successful books written by high-profile atheist authors such as Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris. It tackles these authors on their own ground, arguing that they do not understand the nature of atheism, let alone theology and ethics. It draws on ideas from Nietzsche, cosmology, and art to construct a powerful response that allows for a faith that is grounded, yet one that recognizes the reality of uncertainty. Succinct, engaging, but robustly argued, this new book by a leading academic and writer contains a wealth of profound insights that show religious belief in a new light.


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"Markham's comparison of Nietzsche to the New Atheists is particularly insightful … .This book will be enjoyed by academically minded believers looking to bolster their arguments against atheism." (Library Journal, April 2010) "Ian Markham ... offers a moral argument for faith. Markham accuses the so-called New Atheists--Dawkins et al.--of not facing up to the conse­quences of their atheism. Markham argues the case very well." (Church Times, April 2010)

Ian S. Markham is the Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and Professor of Theology and Ethics. He is the author of numerous books, including: Encountering Religion (2000), A Theology of Engagement (2003), Do Morals Matter? (2006), Understanding Christian Doctrine (2007), A World Religions Reader, 3rd edn (2009), and the 2-volume reference work, The Blackwell Companion to the Theologians (2009), all published by Wiley-Blackwell.

Contents Acknowledgments Introduction: Meeting Fred and Natalie 1 Getting inside Fundamentalist Atheism: The Gentle Atheism of Dawkins, Hitchens, and Harris 2 Nietzsche: The Last Real Atheist Interlude: The Perspective from God 3 Appreciating the Faith Discourse 4 Physics: The Grown-up Science 5 A Revealing God 6 Christianity 7 Islam 8 Suffering, Providence, and Horrid Religious People 9 Religion and the Future 10 Faith and Uncertainty - Believing the Truth Conclusion Notes Select Bibliography Index

General Fields

  • : 9781405189637
  • : John Wiley & Sons, Limited
  • : UNKNOWN
  • : 0.244
  • : January 2010
  • : 217mm X 141mm X 15mm
  • : United Kingdom
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Ian S. Markham
  • : Paperback
  • : English
  • : 210
  • : 176