Why God Won't Go Away by Alistair McGrath

A book review

Why God Won't Go Away is a short book by a world renown apologist, Alistair McGrath, on the subject of New Atheism. New Atheism is a movement that has predicted before that religion would be extinct by now, something which has clearly not happened. It is characterised by a hatred of religion; indeed, more than atheist, it is anti-theist. As well as hating religion, New Atheists seem to hate anyone who disagrees with them on this, saying that any belief in God is irrational, and using all sorts of unpleasant names to characterise believers of any faith. McGrath also points out the difference between atheists and New Atheists which I thought was insightful and helpful.
McGrath has an informed point of view as a biology professor at Oxford University who has read a great deal of books on the subject from both sides of the argument, himself gone from being an atheist to a Christian, debated with the Four Horsemen (Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett and Christopher Hitchens) and been a regular reader of New Atheist online forums, which is where the majority of the debate and talk is going on.
Though I have heard a fair amount about the New Atheism before, I cannot say that I know all about it, nor about how it came to be what it is. I have only read a couple of other books on the subject of apologetics, and only one of those dealt with New Atheism. This book was an excellent introduction to its protagonists and to its (short) history. Through the pages of this short, very readable book, McGrath sought to enlighten those who perhaps think that Christianity is silent or has no valid, logical and rational answer to New Atheism's beliefs and claims. He does this in layman's terms, while most other books on the subject seem to be significantly more scholastic in their style. I particularly benefited from the first few pages introducing some of the main ideas of the New Atheism and the Four Horsemen, using their own work and debates that McGrath himself has had with these men. Though McGrath disagrees with them, the tone of the book is courteous and respectful throughout, and argues rationally with their beliefs.

*I was provided this book for free through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program in exchange for my unbiased review.

A Plethora of adventures

I have stories to tell and anecdotes to recount. But first, I must go and drink tea and eat cupcakes at JoJo's Danish Bakery.

My favourite person in the world.

That's him, and I get to sit (or stand in this case) next to him. :)

Ah, C.S.Lewis.

'When I first became a Christian, about fourteen years ago, I thought that I could do it on my own, by retiring to my rooms and reading theology, and wouldn’t go to the churches and Gospel Halls; I disliked very much their hymns which I considered to be fifth-rate poems set to sixth-rate music. But as I went on I saw the merit of it. I came up against different people of quite different outlooks and different education, and then gradually my conceit just began peeling off. I realized that the hymns (which were just sixth-rate music) were, nevertheless, being sung with devotion and benefit by an old saint in elastic-side boots in the opposite pew, and then you realize that you aren’t fit to clean those boots. It gets you out of your solitary conceit.'
 - C.S. Lewis on going to church. What a legend.

Let's Get Real by Dale & Jena Forehand

A book review.

Dale and Jena got married, divorced and remarried one another. This is a book directed at married people. I am not married. And yet I found it hugely helpful and challenging. And emotional. Both in the happy, excited sense, and in the "stop-reading-now-before-you-burst-into-tears-on-the-bus" sense. It is easy to read, with many examples from their own experience which they honestly and humbly give, and practical questions with space to answer for yourself. They give advice that is Biblical and gentle, without sugar coating.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is ready to let God use their relationships to sanctify them. There is a lot of thought provoking material and practical application to be had in this book and I know that God will use it for His glory and your benefit. Obviously, this is primarily directed at your marriage relationship and some of the points are not altogether appropriate or applicable to any relationship other than that between a husband and wife. However, authentic forgiveness, humility, conflict resolution and accountability all have a place in other relationships, and this book helps make positive changes towards these things. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."