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 PrintableVersion The Case For GodTHE CASE FOR GOD This attractively-written book surveys arguments for the existence of God. It is designed as a persuasive piece rather than a textbook, using the arguments to conclude that God does exist. On the other hand, it is thick enough to be fairly comprehensive, with given lines of argument to follow through, not mere sketches. It covers the whole range of traditional arguments (with the notable exception of the ontological argument), even if we don't have all the pros and cons of debate within each of those arguments. It is worth noting that there is a range of issues that Williams does not touch on. High levelThe book is written to appeal to those who think, even though they are not philosophy specialists. It will be more useful to such a non-Christian than many popular Christian books are, and, by the same token, be hard going for some who are less intellectual. The author gives a good defence of the usefulness of reason and argument in support of Christianity. Indeed, he strongly makes the case that reason is unavoidable in all of life. He rightly conveys the impression that it is unbelievers who retreat from the use and consequences of reason when faced with God, more than Christians do! We should have every encouragement to take the offensive in intellectual engagement. Cumulative argumentThe arrangement of the book has a definite order be-cause of Williams's apologetic purpose. He sees the arguments are related and cumulative. His understanding of this relation (not shared by all, of course), can be seen when they are treated in the sequence he uses. Certainly this makes the book easier to read, as well as more persuasive and interesting. He deals with the problem of evil, and the standard moral, cosmological and design theistic arguments. In a section that could have been expanded he concludes by reviewing a potpourri of 'other' arguments, from consent, authority, experience, desire, and from the disaster of absurdity. This last relates to the whole question of purpose and meaning in the universe, and gives Williams a chance to mention some deeper apologetic conceptions. There are, of course, many specific points where another philosopher, particularly a reformed one (or an atheistic one), will want to take issue with the steps in the argumentation. This is inevitable with any book on such a topic, though here the philosophical manner of discussion draws it to one's attention. For Williams, the state of nature with its evils and attendant suffering, is 'necessary for the evolution of a people free to choose between good and evil over a lifetime at one step removed from the presence of God' (p.56). Freewill, and actual evil, are needed for it to be ultimately possible for there to be a heaven of shared love between God and human beings. The author gives a good statement of a moral argument for God's existence (morality exists, and therefore, the God from whom it derives, exists). This moral argument forms something of a centrepiece, and he refers to it frequently, especially to make up lacks in other arguments. At the end, Williams points out that to be convinced of the existence of God is not yet to act upon that truth. To make the case for commitment, believers can use other arguments as an addendum to the theistic ones. Michael Peat,
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