God, Actually

The Age

Saturday July 19, 2008

Fiona Capp

God, Actually

Roy Williams

ABC Books, $35

ROY WILLIAMS IS neither theologian nor historian. But he rightly believes that every person's reasons for their faith deserve consideration. Whether these reasons stand up to interrogation is another matter. Fortunately, Williams has not only done a lot of hard thinking and reading, he has the literary skills to do justice to his views. In one sense, this book is a reply to the trenchant critiques of religion by writers such as Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins. It is also the story of Williams' own journey from atheism to Christianity. While informed by this personal perspective, Williams argues his case like the lawyer that he is. Why is it that we can even ask the question "Is there a God?" Why is it that we have the "inner voice" of conscience? Williams even argues for the existence of heaven and hell. The value of the book, whether you agree with it or not, is that it forces you to take up the challenge and justify your own views on God's existence.

© 2008 The Age

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