When Richard Dawkins published The God Delusion, David Robertson wanted an intelligent Christian response – and so he wrote it. This honest book draws on Robertson’s experience as a debater, letter writer, pastor and author to clarify the questions and the answers for thinkers and seekers, and to respond to Dawkins in a gentle spirit.
Endorsements
If you engage the people around you in conversation about spiritual things, you will quickly find that skepticism seems to be ruling the day. As with any movement, there are an elite few influential leaders who are leading the charge, especially through books and other media. One such influential leader amongst the skeptics is Oxford professor Richard Dawkins. His well-known book The God Delusion (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2006) is still wildly popular several years after its publication with some 1693 reviews on Amazon. A non-fiction book with this many reviews five years after its publication clearly has a following. As we consider the level of influence garnered by books like The God Delusion that oppose a Christian worldview, an important question Christians need to ask themselves is, "How should a Christian respond?"
One person who decided to respond to Richard Dawkins is David Robertson. During the winter of 2006-2007, he wrote a series of open letters responding to concerns raised by Dawkins in The God Delusion. The first of these letters made its way to Dawkins' web site and received numerous responses. The chord that his letter seemed to have struck, encouraged David to write more letters in response to Dr. Dawkins, which ultimately led to the creation of this book. Robertson's aim is "to challenge some of the basic myths Dawkins uses and encourages in his book, in order that you may think and consider these things for yourself." (p. 9). With the exception of the introductory letter to the reader and the final letter to Dawkins (new to the revised edition), there are ten letters in the book, each of which correspond to a chapter in Dawkins' book and responds to one or more of the atheist myths that are discussed in that chapter.
The writing style of these letters feels very conversational, coming across as humorous, friendly, and deeply pastoral. If you happen to be reading The God Delusion or have a friend or acquaintance who is reading it, I would suggest picking up a copy of The Dawkins Letters to read in conjunction with Dawkins' book in order to get a balanced perspective. The Dawkins Letters is widely available from Amazon, Westminster Books and elsewhere.
Author Information: David Robertson is a columnist, author and pastor of St. Peter's Free Church of Scotland in Dundee.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by the Christian Focus Publications for review. The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.
Shaun Tabatt - Bible Geek Gone Wild
The book does a particularly good job of point out the unending contradictions between what Dawkins wants to believe and what he must actually believe.
Tim Challies Author, ‘Seasons of Sorrow’
"...probably the book's greatest triumph is that it doesn't come across as being a knee-jerk polemic right back at Dawkins, but rather a book that deals with bigger atheist arguments (myths) and as such has more value than just for the next few months."
Gary Aston, Youth Pastor, England
"The shortest, the cheapest and in some ways the sharpest book is The Dawkins Letters ...clever, humourous and right to the point."
Ron Ferguson, Life & Work, Church of Scotland magazine
Wow, this is an intelligent and well-crafted view of RD's book.
Response from an atheist on Richard Dawkins Website
"This book is a refreshing, excellent read...I wouldn't hesitate to pass this book on to a non-Christian, atheistically-persuaded friend."
Hannah Wooley, Evangelical Magazine, Evangelical Movement of Wales
"I have read your manuscript. In a word, it is SUPERB! You really do an extraordinary job."
Samuel Logan International Director, World Reformed Fellowship
This book is a more than useful contribution to the 'Dawkins Debate' and one which has helped me to understand more about the flawed arguments contained within The God Delusion. The book comprises a series of ten letters to Dawkins, the first of which was published on Dawkins' own website, which counter the arguments in Dawkins' book chapter by chapter. Robertson is clearly well-read and marshals his arguments in a balanced and intellectually sound way. But this is not an inaccessible academic treatise; he writes clearly and understandably in such a way that most people will be able to grasp the arguments easily. He avoids the temptation to 'rubbish' Dawkins, just dismantles and challenges his arguments frankly and cohesively. The final letter (to the reader) "Why Believe", contains a very useful and extensive reading list which most will never get to read in entirety but is helpful to have.
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Note from the author: The poster, 'richarddawkins.net' (is this an official view?) accuses me of lying and gives the example of the quotes on the cover of the book having been made up. From a Christian perspective this accusation of lying by either myself or CFP is very serious. Lying for Jesus is obviously self contradictory and wrong. The example that the poster gives is just wrong. All the quotes came from the Dawkins website, were seen by many people, and I have copies of them all. However over 300 posts were removed from that particular thread - including many of my own posts and all the ones referred to in the book. Perhaps it was just a coincidence but whatever the case those quotes did exist. If the poster is writing on behalf of richarddawkins.net, they know this and therefore are themselves not telling the truth. It is not the first time that a lie is told in order to accuse others of lying. It is very strange that richarddawkins.net are so keen to accuse me of lying, it indicates a certain level of desperation. They are struggling to answer The Dawkins Letters and so have to revert to attacking the author.
David Robertson Well–known pastor and apologist
This book is a refreshing, excellent read... I wouldn't hesitate to pass this book on to a non-Christian, atheistically-persuaded friend.
The Evangelical Magazine Published by Evangelical Movement of Wales
Brief, brilliant and compelling... It is a remarkable apologetic for the Christian faith and an essential tool in winning the battle of ideas. I'd give it ten stars if I could!
Richard Morris, Wesley Owen
This book is a more than useful contribution to the 'Dawkins Debate.'
Christian Marketplace Resourcing retailers and suppliers
Thank you David for the gift you have to dismantle the arguments and myths that Dawkins presents in his book. You have given me the confidence to be able to speak up against these myths the next time I am in conversation with someone who believes in the atheist view of life and the universe. And you are a good example of how to converse with good humour and politeness!
Lizzie McClean, Peebles
Wow, this is an intelligent and well-crafted view of RD's book.
Reader on www.richarddawkins.net
The content is excellent. It's a fun, engaging read.
Ligon Duncan Chancellor and CEO, Reformed Theological Seminary
David Robertson, author of ‘The Dawkins Letters’ and ‘Magnificent Obsession’, is a well–known pastor and apologist who is passionate about engaging culture with the message of Christ.
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