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Going Deeper: How Thinking about Ordinary Experience Leads Us to God
The vast majority of human beings believe in a higher power, but few can clearly and articulately explain what they believe in or why. When it comes to explaining one's beliefs, most rely on intuition or personal experience, relegating faith to the realm of subjective judgment as opposed to objective truth.
In Going Deeper, Leo Severino presents a systematic, easy-to-understand, journey that grounds the certitude of faith in logic and reason. The author maps out a train of thought that begins with everyday events, reasons its way through proofs of the existence of God, then goes on to describe the deep purpose inscribed in every human heart.
For those not well versed in theology or philosophy, this book is an accessible way to tether matters of faith to demonstrable premises and logical conclusions. For those with deeper theological formation, this book will provide fresh perspectives on the classic arguments that demonstrate how faith and reason go hand in hand.
In Going Deeper, Leo Severino presents a systematic, easy-to-understand, journey that grounds the certitude of faith in logic and reason. The author maps out a train of thought that begins with everyday events, reasons its way through proofs of the existence of God, then goes on to describe the deep purpose inscribed in every human heart.
For those not well versed in theology or philosophy, this book is an accessible way to tether matters of faith to demonstrable premises and logical conclusions. For those with deeper theological formation, this book will provide fresh perspectives on the classic arguments that demonstrate how faith and reason go hand in hand.
130 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 21, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 8, 2018
I don't read philosophy books. As in, never. But I thoroughly enjoyed this logical, reasoned approach to knowing God through a step-by-step discovery of Truth.
Perfect for those who can't reconcile faith and reason, are intellectually curious (and honest), doubters, seekers, or those who defend the faith. Or maybe you'd just like to know where that old Baltimore Catechism answer for "Why did God make me?" originates.
Chapters are short, easy to read, and understandable for people like me, whose sum experience with philosophy was limited to an introductory college course. The practical examples and chapter recaps help readers wrap their minds around heady concepts and build on each established truth.
The author sticks with fundamental concepts, but I couldn't help hoping he'd veer into a short lesson on the Theology of the Body in reference to a discussion of human design and purpose.
Recommended for teens and adults.
Oh, and Ignatius Press, you're still driving me bonkers by placing punctuation outside of quotation marks.
Perfect for those who can't reconcile faith and reason, are intellectually curious (and honest), doubters, seekers, or those who defend the faith. Or maybe you'd just like to know where that old Baltimore Catechism answer for "Why did God make me?" originates.
Chapters are short, easy to read, and understandable for people like me, whose sum experience with philosophy was limited to an introductory college course. The practical examples and chapter recaps help readers wrap their minds around heady concepts and build on each established truth.
The author sticks with fundamental concepts, but I couldn't help hoping he'd veer into a short lesson on the Theology of the Body in reference to a discussion of human design and purpose.
Recommended for teens and adults.
Oh, and Ignatius Press, you're still driving me bonkers by placing punctuation outside of quotation marks.
January 10, 2018
This is a strange book to review, because it is so decidedly sure of itself in ways that I cannot necessarily agree with. However, I will say that it is compelling, and brings very large concepts down to accessible writing. For these factors alone, I have to commend it!
Mr Severino attempts to explain how humans can, logically, "know" there is a God. I err on the theist side myself, although I perhaps have more humility about my human condition than Severino. He puts a lot of trust in deducting God's existence from the world we experience around us as humans. Especially at the beginning of the book, he does a very good job of explaining why one can be fairly sure of God's existence in ways that I had already "felt," myself. He even throws in a few surprises in his logic puzzles that I had never quite thought about and was not expecting. The influence of C.S. Lewis is obvious, but Severino is actually much clearer and more no-nonsense than what I have read of Lewis books like Mere Christianity.
However, on the negative side, the book is sometimes rhetorically annoying. There are repeated phrases that sound conversational at best, and as though he is talking down to the reader at worst. Just as well, though the author's confidence is admirable, someone with as much doubt as I have doesn't find his logic as convincing as he does. Perhaps his courage, though, wins me over on this one.
I'd still love to hear the atheists rip this one apart ;) For now, kudos, Mr Severino, and thanks for appearing on the Busted Halo radio show which led me to this work.
Mr Severino attempts to explain how humans can, logically, "know" there is a God. I err on the theist side myself, although I perhaps have more humility about my human condition than Severino. He puts a lot of trust in deducting God's existence from the world we experience around us as humans. Especially at the beginning of the book, he does a very good job of explaining why one can be fairly sure of God's existence in ways that I had already "felt," myself. He even throws in a few surprises in his logic puzzles that I had never quite thought about and was not expecting. The influence of C.S. Lewis is obvious, but Severino is actually much clearer and more no-nonsense than what I have read of Lewis books like Mere Christianity.
However, on the negative side, the book is sometimes rhetorically annoying. There are repeated phrases that sound conversational at best, and as though he is talking down to the reader at worst. Just as well, though the author's confidence is admirable, someone with as much doubt as I have doesn't find his logic as convincing as he does. Perhaps his courage, though, wins me over on this one.
I'd still love to hear the atheists rip this one apart ;) For now, kudos, Mr Severino, and thanks for appearing on the Busted Halo radio show which led me to this work.
June 9, 2022
I did enjoy the book, and I agree with many of the reviews here that the book was easy to digest and well-thought-out. That said, I have one criticism.
Something about the book, the concept of The First Cause creating the universe out of love, gnawed at me. Leo Severino explains in Chapter 11 that God “freely chose to make the universe” (74). In the same chapter, he explains that God is self-sufficient and does not need anything, and if He doesn’t need anything, He created everything out of Love.
But why couldn't God have just created us for evil reasons. He could have created us to watch us suffer for his enjoyment. Later, in Ch. 13, the author states that every choice humans make is for good or the perceived good (hedonism, selfishness). Similarly, the author asserts that God chose to create the universe, so why couldn’t he have chose evil as many humans do?
This almost presupposes that Good and Evil also exist outside of time and space, and perhaps they do. I am not a philosopher or logical expert, but I wanted to point out this flaw with the book.
Something about the book, the concept of The First Cause creating the universe out of love, gnawed at me. Leo Severino explains in Chapter 11 that God “freely chose to make the universe” (74). In the same chapter, he explains that God is self-sufficient and does not need anything, and if He doesn’t need anything, He created everything out of Love.
But why couldn't God have just created us for evil reasons. He could have created us to watch us suffer for his enjoyment. Later, in Ch. 13, the author states that every choice humans make is for good or the perceived good (hedonism, selfishness). Similarly, the author asserts that God chose to create the universe, so why couldn’t he have chose evil as many humans do?
This almost presupposes that Good and Evil also exist outside of time and space, and perhaps they do. I am not a philosopher or logical expert, but I wanted to point out this flaw with the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2019
I liked this book. It offers an explanation of why we can believe in a loving God and how we can know the purpose of life with logical certainty. It simplifies some complex philosophical arguments and makes them very easy to understand. The author uses a somewhat conversational style and reiterates his main points to make sure the reader is tracking with his logic. He also presents some objections to his arguments and provides some refutation to them. I think this book is likely to raise more questions in the minds of readers who are skeptical, especially those who may have an advanced philosophical and scientific background, but I think it is a good springboard for more in-depth questioning and searching.
January 22, 2022
Incredible, logical book. Whether you believe in God or not, if you want to entertain truth, this is a great book to read. Open to other thoughts than going along with current or popular culture, this is a thought-provoking book, for intelligent people who like to think and have conversations.
October 19, 2025
Explains arguments for the uncaused cause, unmoved mover, intelligent design, and creatio ex nihilo in a very concise and straightforward manner. Perfect for those unfamiliar with the arguments or those looking for a quick refresher on arguments for the reasonableness of God’s existence.
November 27, 2019
Love it!!!
I like this book, it is easy to read, very logical and it make more sense to believe, than not to. You Won't regret reading this one
I like this book, it is easy to read, very logical and it make more sense to believe, than not to. You Won't regret reading this one
April 22, 2020
Me gustó muchísimo, es una forma super sencilla de explicar teológica y filosóficamente la existencia de Dios y sus cualidades ....lo recomiendo ampliamente.
June 28, 2020
A very logical look at the existence of God and how a one, true, and loving God that exists out of time and space is the only conclusion for the creation of earth and everything in it
August 14, 2020
Easy read, kept me interested the whole book. Looking forward to go deeper.
September 4, 2020
Wow, what a wonderful little book! I really enjoyed the pithy and simple, but utterly profound logical steps, to show theism is necessary.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews