Reddit mentions of The Last Superstition: A Refutation of the New Atheism

Understanding St Thomas's Five Ways is quite useful - once you realize that they work even if you assume an infinitely existing universe you'll have progressed (hint - some causes are simultaneous). Understanding Aristotle's four causes is basically the entirety of philosophy in one area.

See Ed Feser's book The Last Superstition for lots more fun details and a good introduction to the entire area.

And once you realize that evolution is necessary on their side (because if you deny God created the world you have to answer how it came to be), it becomes a side-question.

But seriously, I'd recommend the book. It's good.

As to discussing with people, I find that coming from a different direction can help - most people are scared of not being able to do what makes them "happy" - so talking about how always getting your way isn't what makes you happy (exercise, work, stuff like that as examples) can get them to realize that just because God exists (and certain things shouldn't be done) doesn't mean they're doomed to a lifetime of unhappiness. Arguments don't convince people; they help answer questions. Love converts people - the Good News is what we preach: We are sinners, horrible sinners, and God loves us so much He's willing to die for us, out of no merit of our own.

Good answer, u/awoody87

u/newcommon , I just wanted to jump in and mention that Ed Feser's book is a great starting point for learning more about Aquinas and the existence of God: https://www.amazon.com/Last-Superstition-Refutation-New-Atheism/dp/1587314517/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220302362&sr=1-1

Regarding your other questions, please look up "compatibilism." This is the idea that there is no inherent contradiction between human beings having free will and God having complete sovereignty. It's a bit much to get into here, but plenty has been written on it.

If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to either ask more or PM me directly.

>Did I read this right?

No.

>Also, could you link me to where you've demonstrated the sturdiness of the unmoved mover argument?

Me? I'm going off of hammiesink (well, and Feser), who is going off of Feser, who is going off of Aquinas, who is using an Aristotelian framework.

This is a decent summary. However, as I told someone else, I recommend two other books on it-- the first is a polemical (and yet also addresses the arguments), and the second is a short guide to the arguments.

Living in a fallen world not only affects our ability to make good decisions, but it has also affected our physical world. There are biological imperfections, such as infertility, that occur due to living in a fallen world. It sucks a ton. Adam brought these terrible sufferings upon us (often my husband says he can't wait to punch Adam in the face) but our good God has given us a way to use those sufferings for good and that we can take those challenges and become better people if we continue to trust in God through them.

If you feel like you need a more intellectual basis for a belief in God, there are really good books out there explaining why God exists.

One is The Last Superstition by Edward Feser. https://www.amazon.com/Last-Superstition-Refutation-New-Atheism/dp/1587314517/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Another is Who Designed the Designer by Michael Augros. https://www.amazon.com/Who-Designed-Designer-Rediscovered-Existence/dp/1586179691/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

If you would like a great book on how to keep peace of heart during trials, I would recommend Searching for and Maintaining Peace. https://www.amazon.com/Searching-Maintaining-Peace-Small-Treatise/dp/0818909064

I think if you can get to the point where you do acknowledge there is a God due to the logical basis for Him and that this God must be good due the logical basis for what kind of God He is, you might be able to trust Him more. We can't really trust someone we don't know too well.

Prayers for you and your wife during this very stressful time. I hope you two try to find ways to relax amidst the stress.

Yes! The Last superstition by Edward Feser is a must.

"The Last Superstition" by Edward Feser? "The Existence of God" by Richard Swinburne?

Aristotle and similar metaphysics is actually a huge undercurrent in modern theistic arguments.

For example, Dr. Feser and his book The Last Superstition is the name that consistently pops up in debate. He brings out a modern Thomism as the basis of his natural theological arguments (as opposed to revealed theology, which is prophecy).

In turn most of this and ideas from other cultures (Islam, Hinduism, ect) arrive at the metaphysical scene from certain Philosophy's rejection of Materialism/Physicalism/Naturalism, most commonly from the direction of Philosophy of the Mind.

You rightly detected that biblical literalism is self-defeating nonsense. This tolerance of nonsense is what let them make empirical claims that were similarly self-defeating. However, this doesn't make the first thing you find refuting it true. It is merely true in that one vein.

The New Atheists are equally guilty of spreading misconceptions that have been thoroughly refuted.

Edward Feser (book, blog).