I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist | Norman Geisler & Frank Turek

Title: I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist
Authors: Norman Geisler & Frank Turek


In I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist, Norman Geisler and Frank Turek argue that Christianity provides the most logical explanation for our existence. They tackle big questions like the origin of the universe (cosmological argument), the idea of the universe being designed for us (teleological argument), and the connection between morality and a divine lawgiver (moral argument).

The book delves right into the cosmological argument, acknowledging the Big Bang theory. The authors ask what caused this beginning. Their explanation hinges on a concept of "nothingness" that clashes with modern physics. For a deeper understanding, check out Lawrence Krauss's A Universe from Nothing.

The teleological argument has two parts: universal design and biological design. The "fine-tuning" argument suggests the universe is perfectly suited for life. This seems to ignore the vast, uninhabitable areas of space, however. It's like a person discovering a key that fits perfectly into a house's lock and assuming the house was built just for them because the key worked.

The book also rejects macroevolution, a cornerstone of modern biology. Their portrayal of evolution is outdated and inaccurate. There's a wealth of evidence for evolution, including transitional fossils like Homo Habilis and Tiktaalik, which the book downplays.

The final argument centers on the existence of an objective moral law based on human conscience. The book suggests morality comes from a divine lawgiver. However, I find it more convincing to view morality as a social construct that helps us function as a society.

My biggest concern with the book is its handling of science. The book's explanations of physics, biology, and evolution are inaccurate in some areas. This weakens the foundation for the book's arguments. If the core arguments for theism aren't convincing, the arguments for Christianity that follow become irrelevant.

While I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist explores significant philosophical questions, its treatment of science raises doubts. The book leans heavily on misinformation, leading me to award it one out of five stars.

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