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Evidence of Christianity
William Paley's classic brings depth to the history of intelligent design arguments. The contrivance of the eye, the ear, and numerous other anatomical features throughout the natural world are presented as arguments for God's presence and concern. While there are distinctive differences between Paley's argument and those used today by intelligent design theorists and creationists, it remains a fascinating glimpse of the nineteenth-century's debate over the roles of religion and science.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 24, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 29, 2023
For Holy Week, I decided to read this 1794 Christian apologetics book, by Rev. William Paley, (Anglican) Archdeacon of Carlisle. What struck me most is how contemporary the arguments sound. Paley spends great length on the historical reliability of the New Testament, the readiness of the Apostles for martyrdom, the high regard in which the early church held the Scriptures, the prophecies, and similar topics which I've seen in numerous modern apologetics books. It's sad but unsurprising that the arguments on both sides have scarce progressed in the last two centuries.
The main difference I see (aside from mere style) is how Paley argues. More modern apologists, when appealing to secular support, usually quote multiple contemporary historians and summarize conclusions from archaeology. Paley, living before modern archaeology and perhaps being better-read than modern apologists, at least as often quotes ancient sources at great length to support his points. In addition, one argument Paley goes into more than many modern apologists is the consistency in character between New Testament books. The four Gospels, he shows at length, show Christ as being the same sort of person. Similarly, Acts and the Epistles show Paul as the same sort of person, the Gospel and Epistles of John are believably written by the same person, and so on. Perhaps this should be argued more in the modern day?
The main difference I see (aside from mere style) is how Paley argues. More modern apologists, when appealing to secular support, usually quote multiple contemporary historians and summarize conclusions from archaeology. Paley, living before modern archaeology and perhaps being better-read than modern apologists, at least as often quotes ancient sources at great length to support his points. In addition, one argument Paley goes into more than many modern apologists is the consistency in character between New Testament books. The four Gospels, he shows at length, show Christ as being the same sort of person. Similarly, Acts and the Epistles show Paul as the same sort of person, the Gospel and Epistles of John are believably written by the same person, and so on. Perhaps this should be argued more in the modern day?
January 5, 2026
The content is amazing and extremely thorough. This truly is a master work of Christian apologetics - and those deeply interested in understanding the history and detail behind the truth of Christianity should strongly consider.
However, the late 18th century vernacular combined with a penchant for long sentences made this a very difficult read. Additionally, the digital version I had was a very poor smashed together PDF with no chapter breaks and the footnotes (thankfully in smaller print) amidst the rest of the text.
Great content, absolutely horrible overall reading experience.
However, the late 18th century vernacular combined with a penchant for long sentences made this a very difficult read. Additionally, the digital version I had was a very poor smashed together PDF with no chapter breaks and the footnotes (thankfully in smaller print) amidst the rest of the text.
Great content, absolutely horrible overall reading experience.
May 5, 2017
Well worth the time invested
Paley's Evidences provides a clean, well thought-through, and in many ways common-sense defense of the truth of Christianity. Common-sense, that is, of a form not commonly seen even among apologists today. This book has value not only for the arguments it puts forth but for training in the manner of thinking that led to them.
Paley's Evidences provides a clean, well thought-through, and in many ways common-sense defense of the truth of Christianity. Common-sense, that is, of a form not commonly seen even among apologists today. This book has value not only for the arguments it puts forth but for training in the manner of thinking that led to them.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews