Reason
To Believe
Why Faith Makes Sense
Availability:
In Stock
ISBN: 9781586170882
Author: Richard Purtill
Length: 230 pages
Edition: Paperback
Code: RTB-P
Price:: $14.95
ORDER HERE - ORDER INFORMATION
Is religious belief reasonable? Of course the so-called New Atheists, such as Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris, energetically say, "No!," Many others, including some believers, insist that faith is utterly beyond reasoned argument. Faith, they declare, is believing something that reason tells you can't be so. In this way they think they shield belief from rational criticism.
But philosopher Richard Purtill will have none of that approach to religion. In this newly updated classic work, Purtill carefully applies the power of the mind to understanding whether there is a rational basis for certain religious beliefs. His focus is on widely held Christian beliefs, although much of what he says applies also to other religious traditions. Purtill assesses the common objections to religious belief the claims that religious tenets are nonsensical, wishful thinking, the result of gullibility, immoral, or refuted by modern discoveries. Then he considers the arguments in favor of Christian belief by studying the nature of faith, of the universe, of morality, of happiness, and the world with God in it. He also scrutinizes certain beliefs involving claims of Christian revelation — the credentials of revelation, the idea of God, Jesus as God's Son, organized religion, and the last things (death, judgment, heaven and hell). The two appendices tackle the Christian doctrine of the Atonement and the influence of certain Christian writers on the revival of Christian belief in the 20th century. An updated For Further Reading section is included.
Reason to Believe is not a work of revealed theology or religious devotion; it is a highly readable book on the philosophy of religion, aimed at the reader who wants to think seriously about religion but who doesn't know all the philosophers’ and theologians’ jargon and who may or may not be a committed believer.
"Sound
atheists cannot be too careful of their reading, remarked C.S. Lewis. Richard
Purtill gives the reason to believe that Lewis was right. Atheists will read
this book at their peril. With Lewis-like lucidity, Purtill demolishes the case
for atheism systematically and makes the case for Christianity with the logic
of the true philosopher. In the pages of this majestic book, Christians will
find their faith illuminated with the flare of a truly great thinker and communicator
of ideas; atheists will discover that their unbelief flies in the face of the
rationally provable foundations of reality "
— Joseph Pearce, author, The Quest for Shakespeare
"Reason
to Believe is a clearly-written, philosophically rooted work that will help
readers better understand and appreciate the rational nature of Christian faith,
and will help them to respond to questions and challenges from skeptics. Highly
recommended!"
— Carl Olson, author of The Da Vinci Hoax
"Richard
Purtill writes with a lucidity reminiscent of Frank Sheed. The ability to show
the support of faith by reason is crucial for evangelizing in today’s
skeptical world. As Sheed walked the common man through theology, so Purtill
guides us through a philosophical reasoning of faith."
— Joe Tremblay, Veni.sanctespirit.us, "The Permanent Things in a
Bookcase".
New Roman Catholic Book, DVD and CD Releases
Creation
And Evolution
A Conference with Pope Benedict XVI
Darwin's
Dilemma
The Mystery of the Cambrian Fossil Record
From
Aristotle To Darwin And Back Again
A Journey in Final Causality, Species and Evolution
International Theological Commission, Vol I and II
Marriage
The Rock on Which Which The Family is Built
Be
A Man!
Becoming the Man God Created You to Be
Called
And Chosen
The Never Changing Face of the Priesthood
Socrates
Meets Kant
The Father of Philosophy Meets his Most Influential Modern Child
What Were The Crusades? (4th Edition)
Mother
Benedict
Foundress of the Abbey of Regina Laudis
Reason To Believe - Why Faith Makes Sense
Rediscovering
God In America
Reflections on the Role of Faith in Our Nation’s History and Future
The
Scarlet And The Black
The True Story of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, Hero of the Vatican
Underground
A
Song For Nagasaki
The Story of Takashi Nagai – Scientist, Convert, and Survivor
of the Atomic Bomb
Miracle
On The Hudson
And Other Extraordinary Air Crash Events
Joy To The World - Artist: Faith Hill
I Dreamed A Dream - Artist: Susan Boyle
Best DVDs on Padre Pio and Sr. Faustina:
New DVDs - 3 Documentary Films in one DVD
Other Documentary Videos on
Sr. Faustina, Padre Pio and Objective Report on Alleged Apparitions at Medjugorje
St. Pio of Pietrelcina and St. Faustina
Pious
Publications
"Seeing Is Believing" Video Library
From San Giovanni to Heaven - Documentary Film on Canonization of Padre Pio - St. Pio
The Beatification of Padre Pio
The Life of Sister Faustina - The Apostle of Divine Mercy
Spanish Edition - La Historia De Sor Faustina
A Celebration of Padre Pio - Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry
Spanish Edition - Homenaje Al Padre Pio
St. Padre Pio - At The Gates of Heaven
Medjugorje - The Miracles and The Message
Sister Faustina - The Promise of Mercy
The Beatification of Sister Faustina - Join the Celebration
Padre Pio's San Giovanni - "I Can Refuse No One"
HLI Pro-life Books, Audio CDs, Catholic Prolife Video DVDs