|
|
Religious Book Store > Religious books beginning with C
|
C.S. Lewis and the Search for Rational Religion (Revised and Updated) |
Author: John Beversluis
Published: 2007-11-29 |
List price: $21.98
Our price: $17.58
|
Usually ships in 24 hours
As of: January 07th, 2009 06:50:30 PM
|
|
|
Customer comments on this selection.
 Bravo Beversluis
Dr. Beversluis has presented an excellent, intelligent critique of Lewis' sometimes contradictory exposition of why one should be a christian. In this expanded and revised edition, Dr. Beversluis respectfully but without hesitation exposes Lewis' all to often poorly reasoned, ad hominem ladened apologetics offering finely reasoned explanations point to point. Beversluis also takes on his critics to the first edition demolishing their objections. The book is a joy to read, finely reasoned and written and I highly recommend it.
Beveslulis- rationalist extraordinaire!
Beversluils in this book demolishes Lewis's shallow arguments. He shows that Lewis misinterprets us naturalists. He shows that Lewis has no inkling about wide reflexive subjectivism : I find the paradox that subjectivism underpins objective morality in my thread here @covenant morality for humanity in religious discussions. He shows that the argument from reason is unreasonable. He show that Lewis's trilemma about Yeshua is a fallacy. Lewis has relevance only to reveal that Christianity has no relevance.
I hope that he will further comment on these matters in more books!
Careful, fair, thorough, and finally devastating
Beversluis considers Lewis's arguments in detail and with philosophical charity, and he points out their unmistakable flaws.
 No straw-man found...yet.
I write only to counter the statement that Beversluis attacks strawmen. Having gotten half-way through the book I have found no such thing as of yet.
To get bias out of the way, yes I am an atheist. I have, however, read most of Lewis' original apologetic works (Mere Christianity, etc.). Beversluis quotes extensively from Lewis' own works, and takes great pains to try and keep Lewis' quotes in context. If anything Beversluis is so cautious in setting up Lewis' arguments correctly that he makes the reading tedious at times.
I will not say that this critique is a devastating refutation of Lewis' primary arguments (that's your decision to make). I will say that Beversluis is careful, and honest in setting up Lewis' arguments and he takes pains to explain why the arguments don't hold up to careful scrutiny. Whether you believe or don't believe this book is a worthwhile read after you have taken a look at Lewis' apologetic works.
(UPDATE)
Having finished the book I would also like to respond to another counter-argument brought up. The idea that Lewis' popular works were somehow "dumbed down" for the common person, and that Lewis' more sophisticated arguments are found in his letters/essays has been batted around. This may, or may not, be true. Regardless, Beversluis cites a number of Lewis' essays throughout the book. I would have to say that I have yet to see a fair criticism of this book on amazon.
Like it or not Beversluis is meticulous in setting up Lewis' arguments. Beversluis then gives reasons that he believes destroys the rationality behind those arguments. If you're looking for a counter-point to Lewis' apologetics this is the best single volume on the market. Well worth your while.
The arguments of C.S. Lewis demolished
Whether you are a Christian fundamentalist, an atheist or somewhere in-between you might be surprised at the notion that the existence of God and the truth of Christian theology could be arrived at through rational reasoning and logical argument rather than through, say, faith or revelation. But amazingly enough C.S. Lewis was such a skilled and clever wordsmith that he was able to convince many people that he had done exactly that. Starting with 10 minute British radio addresses during World War II and then in numerous books C.S. Lewis presented arguments that convinced my hearers and readers that rationality and logical reasoning lead inexorably to the existence of God and (even more amazingly) to the truth of Christian theology (rather than Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu or other religious truths.)
In his book "C.S. Lewis and the Search for Rational Religion" John Beversluis convincingly and thoroughly demolishes Lewis' arguments. Beneath Lewis' rhetorical flourishes were very weak arguments that completely collapse upon critical examination. Christians may continue to believe in Christian truths and God but they can no longer claim the support of logic, reason, evidence and rationality. They must now admit that they choose to believe on the basis of faith, in spite of the evidence, rational thought and argument rather than because of them.
|
Similar Listings
|
|
Our Religious book picks:
|
|
Search the Religious Products Store
LCS Amazon Store 2.5 © 2009
|
|
|
