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Peter Boghossian, Atheist Tactician: A Preliminary Response to A Manual for Creating Atheists
Peter Boghossian has energized atheists with his recently published Manual for Creating Atheists—and for good reason, in part. He's a master of rhetoric and persuasion theory. He outshines other contemporary atheists in his understanding of strategy and tactics. He is a force for Christians to reckon with, and believers ought to be aware of him.
Other than his rhetorical and strategic skills, there's very little in him for Christians to fear. He takes direct aim at the concept of religious faith—and he misses. He wants to re-define faith as "belief without evidence," and "pretending to know what one doesn't know." When it comes to Christian faith, though, he has no real evidence to support his definitions, and his arguments against the faith are almost laughably weak.
They are weak, that is, for those who are equipped with real, solid answers—a dangerously small proportion of believers. Those who lack such equipping are really quite vulnerable. This book provides the necessary answers, along with an overall assessment of Boghossian's position and what Christians must do to be ready to respond.
Other than his rhetorical and strategic skills, there's very little in him for Christians to fear. He takes direct aim at the concept of religious faith—and he misses. He wants to re-define faith as "belief without evidence," and "pretending to know what one doesn't know." When it comes to Christian faith, though, he has no real evidence to support his definitions, and his arguments against the faith are almost laughably weak.
They are weak, that is, for those who are equipped with real, solid answers—a dangerously small proportion of believers. Those who lack such equipping are really quite vulnerable. This book provides the necessary answers, along with an overall assessment of Boghossian's position and what Christians must do to be ready to respond.
88 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 24, 2013
5 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Tom Gilson
11 books25 followersTom Gilson writes on the truth of Jesus Christ for a world that's more and more confused about spiritual reality every day. His areas of special interest include sexuality, science rationality, and above all, Jesus Christ himself.
He's a senior editor at the highly respected Christian news and commentary website The Stream (stream.org). Since 2007 he's also run the widely praised Thinking Christian blog at thinkingchristian.net, where he developed a reputation for consistent strength combined with grace in his many interactions with people from all over the spiritual spectrum, and from all over the world.
Tom has served as Vice President for Strategic Services at the campus apologetics ministry Ratio Christi. Prior to that he was on staff with Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) for 34 years, serving in HR leadership and internal strategic consulting, as well as a two-year stint on loan with the (Chuck) Colson Center for Christian Worldview, writing and working on strategies.
He holds an M.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Central Florida, and a B.Mus. in Music Education from Michigan State University.
Tom lives near Dayton, Ohio where he enjoys canoeing, walking in the woods, and playing his trombones. His wife, Sara, and he have two grown, both married, one living nearby and the other married to an Army captain and living where they're assigned.
Find out more about Tom's speaking and writing at thinkingchristian.net.
He's a senior editor at the highly respected Christian news and commentary website The Stream (stream.org). Since 2007 he's also run the widely praised Thinking Christian blog at thinkingchristian.net, where he developed a reputation for consistent strength combined with grace in his many interactions with people from all over the spiritual spectrum, and from all over the world.
Tom has served as Vice President for Strategic Services at the campus apologetics ministry Ratio Christi. Prior to that he was on staff with Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) for 34 years, serving in HR leadership and internal strategic consulting, as well as a two-year stint on loan with the (Chuck) Colson Center for Christian Worldview, writing and working on strategies.
He holds an M.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Central Florida, and a B.Mus. in Music Education from Michigan State University.
Tom lives near Dayton, Ohio where he enjoys canoeing, walking in the woods, and playing his trombones. His wife, Sara, and he have two grown, both married, one living nearby and the other married to an Army captain and living where they're assigned.
Find out more about Tom's speaking and writing at thinkingchristian.net.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 6, 2014
A great short read exposing tactics of the "New Atheist". The body of Christ needs to be more intellectually prepared especially those teaching the next generation.
October 28, 2020
Check my profile for a review of Peter Boghossian's book "A Manual For Creating Atheists".
Tom Gilson wrote this book in response to Peter Boghossian's book "A Manual For Creating Atheists". His approach is to be critical of what Boghossian wrote in the book and not a full critique of the "street epistemology" approach that Boghossian fosters. However, within this short book, Gilson does a good job in critiquing many of the parts of Boghossian's book that are the most troubling. A big focus is on the awful job Boghossian of making up his definitions for "faith". That is what a majority of the book is on especially for the first part of the book.
A little of the focus for the second half of part one is responding to someone using those definitions to "trap" Christians. This is done from an evidentialist point of view and so some of the good responses that a presuppositional method would give for this part aren't available. That's not to say that Gilson does make some good and worthwhile points on the evidence supporting belief and thus holding to a faith (trust/confidence).
The second half is a challenge for churches to learn from how easily Boghossian's method works on those within the church that have a false idea of what faith is or not examining how they know what they know. The shortness of the book doesn't give a complete picture of what someone might need to do to accomplish that but it is an important point.
Overall, this was a good book even with the short length as important points are made for those who want to make sure they are focusing on good responses to Boghossian's book. Having other perspectives available (like a presuppositionalist) to provide some additional content would have been helpful and addressing points outside of just Boghossian's presentation and more on the responses that stem from his system would have been very helpful. Still, worth a read for the information and the critique. Final Grade - B
Tom Gilson wrote this book in response to Peter Boghossian's book "A Manual For Creating Atheists". His approach is to be critical of what Boghossian wrote in the book and not a full critique of the "street epistemology" approach that Boghossian fosters. However, within this short book, Gilson does a good job in critiquing many of the parts of Boghossian's book that are the most troubling. A big focus is on the awful job Boghossian of making up his definitions for "faith". That is what a majority of the book is on especially for the first part of the book.
A little of the focus for the second half of part one is responding to someone using those definitions to "trap" Christians. This is done from an evidentialist point of view and so some of the good responses that a presuppositional method would give for this part aren't available. That's not to say that Gilson does make some good and worthwhile points on the evidence supporting belief and thus holding to a faith (trust/confidence).
The second half is a challenge for churches to learn from how easily Boghossian's method works on those within the church that have a false idea of what faith is or not examining how they know what they know. The shortness of the book doesn't give a complete picture of what someone might need to do to accomplish that but it is an important point.
Overall, this was a good book even with the short length as important points are made for those who want to make sure they are focusing on good responses to Boghossian's book. Having other perspectives available (like a presuppositionalist) to provide some additional content would have been helpful and addressing points outside of just Boghossian's presentation and more on the responses that stem from his system would have been very helpful. Still, worth a read for the information and the critique. Final Grade - B
February 24, 2021
Gilson gets it.
Mr. Gilson correctly summarizes the tactics of the atheists Peter Boghossian (PB). PB uses a biased definition of “faith” with Socratiic questions; he tries to lower religious adherents trust in their worldview.
Mr. Gilson correctly summarizes the tactics of the atheists Peter Boghossian (PB). PB uses a biased definition of “faith” with Socratiic questions; he tries to lower religious adherents trust in their worldview.
January 27, 2014
I have not yet read Peter Boghossian's book, but it is on my list to read. However, I've heard much about his book, and wanted to read a solid response from a Christian perspective. Gilson provides that. Gilson does a great job of thinking critically about Boghossian's claims and responding appropriately.
January 27, 2014
I'm so grateful to Peter Boghossian for writing his "Manual for creating atheists" so that I and many others could have the pleasure and privilege of reading Tom Gilson's response. Absolutely brilliant: clear, cogent and parsimonious in stark contrast to Boghossian's self-indulgent, rambling drivel on a false premise.
March 12, 2019
Succint and well written response to peter boghosians book: 'A manual for creating Atheists'
While reading Peter Bhogossians book I couldn't help agreeing with certain things he said. I also couldn't help feeling like some other things weren't correct or at least inaccurate even though I couldn't articulate or put my finger on it. We'll Tom Gilson beautifully articulates the main problems and I consistencies with Peter's book.the main one being calling him out for having the temerity of redefining the meaning of the word 'Faith' without giving reason or evidence. Tom logically and accurately argues what the common use of the word 'faith' is and has been for a long time. While nobody can stop a person from redefining words as they wish, Tom shows that the rest of us don't have to accept the new definition or start using it.
While reading Peter Bhogossians book I couldn't help agreeing with certain things he said. I also couldn't help feeling like some other things weren't correct or at least inaccurate even though I couldn't articulate or put my finger on it. We'll Tom Gilson beautifully articulates the main problems and I consistencies with Peter's book.the main one being calling him out for having the temerity of redefining the meaning of the word 'Faith' without giving reason or evidence. Tom logically and accurately argues what the common use of the word 'faith' is and has been for a long time. While nobody can stop a person from redefining words as they wish, Tom shows that the rest of us don't have to accept the new definition or start using it.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews