Dawkins' God: From The Selfish Gene to The God Delusion

I've read a few books by Alister E. McGrath before and was impressed, so had high expectations of this book. It exceeded them. It got me thinking about a whole lot of things that I wouldn't've considered before. It helps to have a little bit of theological/philosophical knowledge to understand it but could be read by someone new to the subject. This book can be helpful to atheists and Christians alike who want to hear a response to Dawkins' views from someone who is highly qualified in both the scientific and theological fields.McGrath is at pains to be objective and fair to Dawkins, often giving him the benefit of a doubt where other responders haven't. He has lots of good things to say. But also he is firm in his critique. He does this in a strictly rational manner.A chapter each is devoted to each of Dawkins' major works, starting from the Selfish Gene and ending with the God Delusion. This was helpful for me because it shows the progression of Dawkins' thought, which I wasn't aware of before since I have only read the God Delusion.The only reason it doesn't get five stars is because the final chapter (addressing the God Delusion) wasn't as amazing as the preceding chapters, although this is probably largely due to the sprawling rantiness of the God Delusion itself rather than McGrath's inability to address its arguments. I think McGrath just got a bit impatient with it by the end.This book has given me heaps to think about and has inspired me to go on to read Mere Apologetics by the same author.If you are a Christian and you have a mate who is a Dawkins fan, encourage them to read this book. Alternatively, if you are a Christian/atheist/whatever who has a Christian/atheist/whatever mate who buys into the whole "mainstream scientific thought is incompatible with religion" idea, get them to read this book too.

The world-class theologian Alister McGrath cannot go wrong. He tackles Dawkins' argument from perspectives of not only both a scientist and a theologian but also provides criticism from Christian and atheistic viewpoints. His criticism of the atheist biologist is all rounded. Christian and non-Christian readers will appreciate how science and religion are not inherently hostile to each other and may actually enrich their own discipline by taking notes of what's happening on the other side. My only criticism of this book is that I could not help noticed a strong sense of disdain from the author for Dawkins towards the end, but I wonder if that is common among academics when it comes to giving critique to "intellectual sloppiness" as referred by the atheist philosopher of science Michael Ruse.

A book that is easy to read, but sets out clearly the good parts of Dawkins early thinking, and provides a really good insight to Darwin and his perspective on God. It then provides strong material to address some of Dawkins extreme attacks on religion.

Great counter arguments

This is an interesting work from a theologian who has filed dockets career since the 70s. He engages deeply with The selfish Gene and the God delusion the most as well as the rest of Dawkins works. McGrath pulverizes The theory of the meme on Scientific grounds. McGrath clearly shows that Dawkins dogmatic pronouncements on atheism are not scientific but ideological presuppositions.

The author fails to make a compelling argument for the existence of God. But he does point out that Dawkins’ arguments against are mostly groundless.

INTELLIGENT AND CRITICAL REVIEW WHICH POINTS OUT THAT DAWKINS IS DISRESPECTFUL OF ANYTHING CONCERNING PEOPLE WHO CHOSE TO HAVE "FAITH".

Reading it with a group. A bit academic in places, and I thought it was a direct reply to _The God Delusion_, but it actually critiques a lot of Dawkins' work.

I was so appalled by the quality of this book that I sent it straight back to Amazon. It is shoddily produced on cheap paper. The print is tiny. There are virtually no inner margins to the pages. It looks and feels like a cheap self-published book by some amateur writer. Someone of the calibre of Alister McGrath should be published by a reputable publisher, I would have thought. All his other books have been of a high quality. I thought this book sounded interesting but there was no incentive to read it in this format.

In more recent days, the argument for and against God has centred around two men. Richard Dawkins, self-proclaimed leader of Atheism, and Alister McGrath, one time atheist and now a champion for the Christian Faith. Read and decide for yourselves who makes the better case.

Great overview and critique of Dawkins' works and essential reading. McGrath displays his usual style and insight. Recommended.

Refreshing outlook or critique on Mr Dawkins literature. A bit one-sided as it is very much from a Christian perspective. Other religions are available.

McGrath's books are always worth a look- although he can occasionally misfire, more often than not he is an expert at dismantling the principles of atheism, particularly the 'new atheists' of late, who once they get away from their soundbites, can all too often be exposed as naked emperors.This brief book concentrates on Richard Dawkins, and his literary output. As a slim volume, it is necessarily more of a 'journalistic' exercise than a deeply academic one, but the issues raised are soundly presented and argued. Dawkins is clearly a very good biologist [and perhaps even better self-publicist] and his books have created a healthy debate over a number of social and scientific issues, but when he strays away from science into areas such as philosophy and theology, he is found very wanting indeed, and can make some horrendous gaffes- many of which his acolytes in their sunny unquestioning hero worship [which actually seem to be reducing in numbers these days, it has to be said], are more often than not completely unaware of. McGrath succinctly in this book lays bare those shortcomings, and is therefore a must for whatever side of the atheist/theist debate you reside, or are indeed, are just plain curious.