I mentioned not long ago that I had some contact with Jim Spiegel of Taylor University. Jim kindly offered to have a copy of his new book The Making of an Atheist sent to me, and I’ll be posting a review here. I’m not alone, actually, and a number of really good blogs on Christian apologetics and related subjects will be having their say on the book too. They are as follows:
| Blog Name | Blogger | Posting Date | Content of Post |
| EPS Blog | Joe Gorra | February 10-12 | Interview |
| Cloud of Witnesses | Chris Reese | February 14-16 | Interview |
| Apologetics.com | Rich Park | February 22-24 | Review |
| Truthbomb Apologetics | Chad Gross | February 25-27 | Review |
| Triablogue | Peter Pike | March 1-3 | Review |
| Apologetics 315 | Brian Auten | March 4-6 | Review & Interview |
| Mike Austin’s blog | Mike Austin | March 8-10 | Review |
| The Seventh Sola | Joel Griffith | March 11-13 | Review |
| EPS Blog | Steve Cowan | March 15-17 | Review |
| Evangel and TeamPyro | Frank Turk | TBD | Review/Interview |
| Doug Geivett’s blog | Doug Geivett | March 22-24 | Interview / Giveaway |
| Say Hello to my Little Friend | Glenn Peoples | March 25-27 | Review |
| PleaseConvinceMe.com | Jim Wallace | March 29-31 | Review |
| Just Thinking | William Dicks | April 1-3 | Interview & Review |
| Oversight of Souls | Ray Van Neste | April 5-7 | Review |
| Constructive Curmudgeon | Doug Groothuis | April 8-10 | Review |
| A-Team Blog | Roger Overton | April 12-14 | Review |
Do check these blogs out as the book does the “blog tour.”
Elizie
Clever way to promote a new book. Will definitely have to check it out.
Glenn
Yes, I must do the same!
Rob R
I just read a part spiegal’s book at apologetics.com. He points out that many unbelievers disbelieve in order to justify (or detract the shame from) their immoral behavior. Even though he quotes those unbelievers, I’m not sure this is accurate. Perphaps it is for some people, but I suspect that the relationship goes the other way and I say this reflecting on the life of John Loftus.
Loftus doesn’t use his unbelief as an excuse and he regrets this failure in his life (if I recall and interpret correctly) even though it is part of his unbelief that he suggests that it was inevitable for him.
I think the the important relationship here of his immorality to his unbelief is that this kind of failure was a contributor to the lack of emotional fortitude to persevere through the intellectual problems he had with his faith toward a more satisfactory understanding.
Glenn
Rob, I think the events you refer to have an obvious interpretation that aligns with Spiegel’s observations.
John Heller
Sounds like Ray Comfort’s attack on atheism.
Glenn
John, wait, you think this is an attack on the truth of atheism?
John Heller
Do you like Ray Comfort? He would be one of the most well known Kiwi theologians.
Glenn
John, among New Zealand theologians, Ray Comfort is – while accepted as a well meaning brother – not regarded as a “theologian.”
Why the interest in Ray Comfort, if I may ask?
John Heller
Just exploring NZ Christian theology and philosophy of religion-why I am here on your site.
Perhaps a post on Ray?
Glenn
Well, Ray Comfort is well liked by some evangelical readers of popular (“fluff”) Christian books, but his name would never even come up in a more serious or academic context. He is seen by many as a bit of a clown.
With all due respect to him, I’m unlikely to devote a blog post to him unless he says something interesting.
Glenn
… Still waiting for the book to arrive, I hope it’s here in time for me to read it before my timeslot arrives!