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Debating God’s Existence: Believers and Skeptics in Friendly Conversation

Publisher:
, 2026
ISBN: 9781467470179
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Overview

A better way to argue about God

When a Christian philosopher and a well-known atheist debated each other at an atheist convention, many expected a hostile showdown. Instead, what happened was something rare in today’s polarized world: a genuine, respectful exchange between friends pursuing truth together.

In Debating God’s Existence, the memorable debate is reproduced in full. More importantly, it serves as the starting point for new conversations. In the chapters that follow, the two debaters reflect on their public exchange and explore questions they didn’t have time to address on stage. Then some of today’s most influential theist and nontheist thinkers—including both professional academics and respected public intellectuals—weigh in with their own perspectives, commenting on the debate and offering fresh insights on God’s existence. The original debaters then respond to these expert essays, creating a rich, multilayered dialogue.

This book serves beginners with clear, accessible explanations of complex ideas while offering experienced readers the intellectual depth they expect. Whether readers are skeptics, believers, or undecided, they will here find honest engagement across genuine differences—a refreshing departure from the destructive mischaracterizations that too often dominate discussion of God’s existence.

Contributors:

David Baggett, Dan Barker, Robin Collins, Andrew Drinkard, David Enoch, Joe Folley, Philip Goff, Adam Lloyd Johnson, Robert C. Koons, Daniel Linford, Alex Malpass, Dolores G. Morris, Joshua Rasmussen, Benjamin Watkins

Table of Contents

Foreword: The Road to Theism 
      Paul Copan

1.   Disagreeing Well
     An Introduction to the Big Questions
      Dolores G. Morris

2.   Does God Exist?
     A Debate
      Dan Barker and Adam Lloyd Johnson

3.   Expanding on the Debate
     Additional Points and Arguments for Theism
      Adam Lloyd Johnson

4.   Expanding on the Debate
     Additional Points and Arguments for Atheism
      Dan Barker

5.   Theist Responding to the Debate
     Is God Hiding from Us?
      Andrew Drinkard

6.   Nontheist Responding to the Debate
     Why Is God Hiding from So Many?
      Joe Folley

7.   Theist Responding to the Debate
     God Best Explains a Fine-Tuned Universe
      Robin Collins

8.   Nontheist Responding to the Debate
     God or the Multiverse?
      Philip Goff

9.   Theist Responding to the Debate
     Does the Immaterial Mind of God Make Sense?
      Joshua Rasmussen

10. Nontheist Responding to the Debate
     All Minds Are Material Things
      Benjamin Watkins

11. Theist Responding to the Debate
      Can We Be Good Without God?
      David Baggett

12. Nontheist Responding to the Debate
      Objective Morality Doesn’t Need God
      David Enoch

13. Theist Responding to the Debate
      Does the Universe Have a Cause?
      Robert C. Koons

14. Nontheists Responding to the Debate
      Did the Universe Have a Cause?
      Daniel Linford and Alex Malpass

15. Response to the Contributors
      Concluding Remarks for Theism
      Adam Lloyd Johnson

16. Response to the Contributors
      Concluding Remarks for Atheism
      Dan Barker

Afterword: Your Philosophical Journey
      Joseph C. Schmid

Contributors

Bibliography

Index of Authors

Index of Subjects

“Books on God’s existence have, of course, been written. But rarely have they been written by such a thoughtful and erudite collection of individuals, as is the case in this book. The volume is a great resource for both introducing and thoroughly engaging with some of the most important arguments surrounding the question of God’s existence. With entries from both believers and nonbelievers, the book aims to help you figure out for yourself how to think about the question.” 
—Alex O’Connor, host of the podcast Within Reason 

“Debating God’s Existence is my new go-to book for believers and skeptics who want to understand the arguments for and against God. Both the tone and content of the dialogue are first-rate. Authors cover the big issues at the center of the debate about God’s existence—the origin and fine-tuning of the universe, morality, and the hiddenness of God. This book strikes a rare balance of being understandable for nonexperts while offering fresh insights for scholars.”
—Sean McDowell, associate professor of Christian apologetics, Talbot School of Theology 

“This book feels like sitting at the table with deep thinkers on both sides of the God question—and actually getting somewhere. The book doesn’t try to force conclusions but invites readers to think more clearly, listen more charitably, and disagree more honestly. It’s thoughtful without being stuffy, deep without being preachy, and respectful without pulling punches. I recommend it to anyone who wants more light than heat in these conversations.” 
—Michael Licona, professor of New Testament Studies, Houston Christian University

“Too often discussions between theists and nontheists assume a competitive, ‘I win, you lose’ mentality. How might truth be better served if disagreements about God were conducted with more respect for the other side—even, as appropriate, more empathy and compassion? This fascinating book models a better way forward, not only containing contributions from both theists and nontheists but involving some of the leading and most influential philosophers of religion of our time. In sum, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone engaged in conversation about the existence of God.”
—Gavin Ortlund, president of Truth Unites; theologian in residence at Immanuel Nashville

“This book is a unique resource for anyone struggling with (or merely wondering about) the reality of a divine creator. Almost every known argument is put forward and subjected to criticism from the other side. As Paul Copan says in his preface, these criticisms are far from the useless harangues one sees on internet debates; instead, they are scholarly, respectful, and worthy of consideration. In our increasingly bitter and divisive culture where civilized debates have become rare, this book stands as a model for how we might return to a more harmonious, loving, and Christ-centered way of thinking, discussing, and living.”
—Sy Garte, former director of physiological and pathological sciences, NIH Center for Scientific Review

“Civilized debate aimed at truth and mutual understanding is a rarity today. How refreshing, then, is this carefully curated, robust yet respectful interchange between leading proponents of atheism and theism! The format provides a level playing field for exploring the great questions of God’s existence, the problem of evil, divine hiddenness, fine-tuning, the foundation of morality, and the possibility of immaterial beings. Readers will gain both greater understanding of the issues and greater respect for those with whom they disagree.”
—Angus J. L. Menuge, professor of philosophy, Concordia University of Wisconsin; past president of the Evangelical Philosophical Society

“This book brings together a diverse range of thinkers to debate the existence of God. Senior and junior scholars, philosophers of science, ethicists, and more are brought into an engaging conversation over one of life’s biggest questions. Readers will learn a great deal from this insightful exchange.”
—R. T. Mullins, lecturer and researcher in philosophy, theology, and religions, University of Lucerne

“Healthy debate is important. Healthy debate about God is of supreme importance. Whether you believe that God exists or not, this book will challenge, inspire, frustrate, press, and hopefully help you come to your own conclusion about ultimate reality. Don’t let the friendly tone of the initial debate between Johnson and Barker fool you: Sophisticated arguments and counterarguments about God’s existence and nature, as the extended discussions in this volume reveal, demand our sustained attention. Read the book, follow the arguments, weigh the evidence, and consider afresh the question of God.”
—Paul M. Gould, professor of philosophy of religion, director of the Master of Arts in philosophy of religion program, Palm Beach Atlantic University

“The most striking thing to me about this collection of essays is the impressive lineup of Christian theists writing in support of God’s existence. Truly, as a result of the renaissance of Christian philosophy over the last generation, Christian thinkers no longer find themselves beleaguered and on the defensive, but quite the contrary, are now better equipped to make their case than their opponents.” 
—William Lane Craig, Emeritus Research Professor of Philosophy, Talbot School of Theology

“The response essays provide an accessible but cutting-edge introduction to some of the most important points of contact between theism and atheism. Well worth a read.”
—Luke Barnes, astrophysicist and lecturer, Western Sydney University

“Debating God’s Existence is a superb example of atheists and theists seeking to collaborate in pursuit of truth. I highly recommend this book; it’s a model of collaboration on an all-important topic with implications for us all.”
—Corey Miller, president of Ratio Christi 

“Debating God’s Existence is a must read for anyone interested in contemporary philosophy of religion—especially those engaging its central question: Does God exist? Drinkard has assembled an all-star cast of contributors who argue their respective positions with clarity and rigor. The book accomplishes a rare feat: It functions equally well as a college textbook and a truly novel contribution to the field.”
—Michael DeVito, lecturer in philosophy, University of Maine; former NFL player for the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs

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    $24.99

    Digital list price: $38.99
    Save $14.00 (35%)

    Ships Jul 2026