C.S. Lewis vs the New Atheists counters the ‘new atheist’ movement using the arguments of C.S. Lewis, thereby appealing to readers interested in both loci and showing that there is nothing especially ‘new’ about the new atheism. How might C.S. Lewis, the greatest Christian apologist of the twentieth century, respond to the twenty-first century ‘new atheism’ of Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens and company? Might Lewis’ own journey from atheism to Christian belief illuminate and undercut the objections of the new atheists? Christian philosopher Peter S. Williams takes us on an intellectual journey through Lewis’ conversion in conversation with today’s anti-theists.

A free sample chapter is available here

This book is also available in Polish and in Portuguese Brazilian

Praise for C.S. Lewis vs the New Atheists:

“Given the New Atheists’ confident rejection of religious belief, one might have thought that their case would stand up to scrutiny when compared with the most prominent Christian apologist of the twentieth century, C.S. Lewis. In this book, Peter Williams clearly demonstrates that this is not the case at all. He shows that Lewis rejected his earlier atheism as a result of an in-depth consideration of the nature of reality, whereas the New Atheists fail to back up their rhetoric with any serious evaluation of the arguments. This highly readable book will be of interest to all who wish to evaluate the New Atheism and to understand the enduring legacy of C.S. Lewis.” – David Glass, author of Atheism’s New Clothes

“While they terrify many an unprepared soul, the new atheists are really paper tigers. Their roar rings hollow, their swagger lack intellectual rigor. Their arguments, while strident, are really hapless and hollow. Williams carefully exposes their fallacies and rebuts their arguments with biblical and intellectual rigor. This is a savvy work of apologetics for our day.” – Douglas Groothuis, Professor of Philosophy, Denver Seminary

“This book shows the breadth, depth, and durability of Lewis’s Christian apologetics.” – Dr. Michael Ward, Senior Research Fellow, Blackfriars Hall, Oxford

“Very helpful [for engaging in the debate between Christianity and Atheism]” – Prof Alister McGrath, Professor of Theology, Kings College, London

“Peter Williams is a bright, young British philosopher and a skilful debater with whom I had the privilege of partnering in our Cambridge Union Society debate in 2011. I recommend his work enthusiastically.” – Prof. William Lane Craig, Research Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, California.

Related Resources

Audio:

C.S. Lewis vs the New Atheists – Oxford C.S. Lewis Society Book Launch (2013)

Are we Restless for Heaven? Defending C.S. Lewis’s Argument from Desire (2016)

C.S. Lewis on Atheism Today (2016)

C.S. Lewis vs. Richard Dawkins (with occasional Norwegian translations & comments) (2016)

Lecture: What Would C.S. Lewis say to Richard Dawkins? (ELF 2015)

Interview: What would C.S. Lewis say to Richard Dawkins? (ELF 2015)

Video: