God? A Debate between a Christian and an Atheist

by Craig, William Lane; Sinnott-Armstrong, Walter

• ISBN13: 9780195165999
• ISBN10: 0195165993
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-09-18
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

The question of whether or not God exists is endlessly fascinating and profoundly important. Now two articulate spokesmen--one a Christian, the other an atheist--duel over God's existence in a lively and illuminating battle of ideas. In God? , William Lane Craig and Walter Sinnott-Armstrong bring to the printed page two debates they held before live audiences, preserving all the wit, clarity, and immediacy of their public exchanges. With none of the opaque discourse of academic logicians and divinity-school theologians, the authors make claims and comebacks that cut with precision. Their arguments are sharp and humorous, as each philosopher strikes quickly to the heart of his opponent's case. For example, Craig claims that we must believe in God to explain objective moral values, such as why rape is wrong. Sinnott-Armstrong responds that what makes rape wrong is the harm to victims of rape, so rape is immoral even if there is no God. From arguments about the nature of infinity and the Big Bang, to religious experience and divine action, to the resurrection of Jesus and the problem of evil, the authors treat us to a remarkable display of intelligence and insight--a truly thought-provoking exploration of a classic issue that remains relevant to contemporary life.

Author Biography

William Lane Craig is Research Professor of Philosophy at the Talbot School of Theology. His books include Theism, Atheism, and Big Bang Cosmology, Assessing the New Testament Evidence for the Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus, and God, Time, and Eternity. Walter Sinnott-Armstrong is Professor of Philosophy and Hardy Professor of Legal Studies at Dartmouth College. His books include Understanding Arguments, Moral Knowledge?, and Pyrrhonian Skepticism.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
PART 1
Five Reasons God Exists	3	(28)
William Lane Craig
There Is No Good Reason to Believe in God	31	(22)
Walter Sinnott-Armstrong
Reason Enough	53	(28)
William Lane Craig
PART 2
Some Reasons to Believe that There Is No God	81	(26)
Walter Sinnott-Armstrong
Theism Undefeated	107	(22)
William Lane Craig
Atheism Undaunted	129	(22)
Walter Sinnott-Armstrong
Index	151