Awards

• Winner of C.S. Lewis Book Prize of the University of St. Thomas 2012.
• Winner of Winner of the C.S. Lewis Prize 2012.

Overview

Is there such a thing as natural knowledge of God? C. Stephen Evans presents the case for understanding theistic arguments as expressions of natural signs in order to gain a new perspective both on their strengths and weaknesses. Three classical, much-discussed theistic arguments - cosmological, teleological, and moral - are examined for the natural signs they embody. At the heart of this book lie several relatively simple ideas. One is that if there is a God of the kind accepted by Christians, Jews, and Muslims, then it is likely that a 'natural' knowledge of God is possible. Another is that this knowledge will have two characteristics: it will be both widely available to humans and yet easy to resist. If these principles are right, a new perspective on many of the classical arguments for God's existence becomes possible. We understand why these arguments have for many people a continued appeal but also why they do not constitute conclusive 'proofs' that settle the debate once and for all. Touching on the interplay between these ideas and contemporary scientific theories about the origins of religious belief, particularly the role of natural selection in predisposing humans to form beliefs in God or gods, Evans concludes that these scientific accounts of religious belief are fully consistent, even supportive, of the truth of religious convictions.

Full Product Details

9780199661077

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Reviews

lucidly written and carefully argued John Cottingham, Times Literary Supplement This is a richand rewarding book that reaffirms the rationality of belief in God, while opening up a subtly different approach to theistic apologetics that could well be of considerable value. Alister McGrath, Theology

`Review from previous edition There are many reasons to recommend C. Stephen Evans' new book... It is accessible and open in its style, and deals skillfully with what I consider to be the most important subject we can study: our ability to know God... The book can be read with proft by a wide audience, from undergraduate and graduate students to the interested general public... an engaging and stimulating work ' Owen Anderson, Conversations in Religion and Theology ` a very good book... Evans has placed philosophers and theologians further in his debt with this book... I look forward to having an opportunity to read it again. ' Graham Gould, Journal of Theological Studies

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