Book Update

Today, although I'm still far from finishing, I read a considerable amount of Alister McGrath's 'Dawkins' God' - and very interesting it is, too. For those who know of the author - a Christian academic - it won't come as a surprise that the book is essentially a polemic of Dawkins' theories on religion.

In chapter one, after providing some background details on Dawkins, McGrath sets about introducing Darwin's theory of evolution. After placing it in its proper academic context, he then goes on to describe the subsequent developments in Biology since 'The Origin of Species' was first published - namely, and most importantly for Dawkins - the discovery of the gene. McGrath then explains how the gene's discovery has important ramifications - i.e. it coheres strongly with Darwin's theory, as well as explaining further the actual processes that power it. Having outlined the theory for us, MacGrath then briefly explores its philosophical implications - e.g. are we forced to reassess morality in the light of the world having no apparent purpose, indeed, what status should we give ourselves as humans if we have simply evolved from apes?

In chapter two, (the one I have just finished) McGrath assesses Dawkins' proposition that Darwinism is necessarily atheistic - i.e. if one accepts the theory - as one must, in the light of overwhelming evidence - then one must abandon any form of religious faith. He strongly refutes this notion by putting forward that theistic belief is not mutually incompatible with an acceptance of Darwin's theory. As evidence of this, he cites the views of numerous respected scientists and theologians, and, indeed, Darwin himself. In addition, he understandably puts forward the objection that Dawkins uses a 'straw man' (i.e. a parody of faith) when attacking religious belief. Indeed, McGrath tries to show how Dawkins' attack on God, as it is strongly based on objections to William Paley's Design Argument, is quite unfair - not least because his views were discredited by fellow Christians well in advance of Darwin even conceiving of his theory! At worst, McGrath argues, Darwin should force us into agnosticism - his theory is not the superhighway to atheism that Dawkins makes out to be.

At the start of chapter three, where I am now, McGrath starts to examine the issue of faith in Dawkins' arguments. Anway, I've waffled on for long enough - I must get back to reading the thing.