From Atheism to Catholicism: How Scientists and Philosophers Led Me to the Truth [Paperback]

Kevin Vost (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2010

God was dead to Kevin Vost for most of his adult life. Baptized, confirmed, and raised Catholic, at age 17 Vost left it all behind as he immersed himself in atheism for a period that lasted over two decades.

Paralleling a successful career as a psychologist and professor, Vost allowed his clinical perspective to drive his faith perspective as well, falling into a common trap for many Catholics.

This timely book's unique approach includes the good elements in the thinking of several famous atheists.
But then from experience and logic, he shows how each of these authors falls short of the mark.

Vost also opens the door to the philosophers and psychologists whose work, implicitly or explicitly, have paved the way toward belief in God and even in Jesus Christ.

And finally, from the perspective of a clinical psychologist, Vost unveils how theologians, popes, and Catholic philosophers persuaded him to abandon his atheism and embrace faith in Christ and the Church.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Psychologist and author Kevin Vost, Psy.D., serves as a disability counselor for the State of Illinois Department of Human Services. Dr. Vost has appeared on international radio and television programs discussing his books Memorize the Faith!, Fit for Eternal Life, and Unearthing Your Ten Talents. He lives in Illinois with his family.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Our Sunday Visitor (March 15, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592766382
• ISBN-13: 978-1592766383
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #173,828 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kevin Vost, Psy.D. (b. 1961) has taught psychology at the University of Illinois at Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College, and MacMurray College. A former powerlifter and Highland Games Heavy Events competitor, Dr. Vost has also served as a weightlifting instructor, fitness writer for the International Association of Resistance Trainers, Research Review Committee Member for American Mensa (the high IQ society), lector for St. Agnes Catholic Church, and fast food fries and drink man (a few decades back). His voice (and sometimes the rest of him) travel the globe sharing themes of faith, philosophy, and fitness on radio, television, and in live presentations.

Dr. Vost's latest book is St. Albert the Great: Champion of Faith and Reason (TAN, 2011). Due this fall (with the help of co-authors Shane Kapler, Peggy Bowes, and some special guests including author and Son Rise Morning Show producer Matt Swaim) is Tending the Temple: 365 Days of Spiritual and Physical Devotions (Bezalel Books). On the plate for 2012 for TAN is Three Irish Saints: A Study in Spiritual Styles.

A self-styled Aristotelian/Stoic/Albertine/Thomist, this author lives with his wife, two sons, and their dog Mindy (who makes a cameo appearance in Chapter 1 of Unearthing Your Ten Talents).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just what I was looking for - and more, July 10, 2010

By 

Shane Kapler (St. Louis, MO United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: From Atheism to Catholicism: How Scientists and Philosophers Led Me to the Truth (Paperback)

This book is a tour de force. I came to it wanting to learn more about modern philosophy's critique of theism; and that is here - Nietzsche, Darwinism, Bertrand Russell, Ayn Rand, etc. Vost's voice throughout is honestly appreciative of, and sympathetic toward, the atheist philosophers who shaped his earlier life. (With a subtitle like "How Scientists and Philosophers Led Me to Truth," I was correct in my suspicion that it would have a completely unique take on the matter.) An atheist well into his forties, when Vost points out the shortcomings in that position he does so with keen insight. His discussion of scientist turned amateur philosopher, Richard Dawkins, was very informative and his explanation of Dawkins' theory regarding "memes" the most down to earth I've seen. Vost introduces us to the works of other converts from atheism to theism as well - Antony Flew and Mortimer Adler two who jump to mind. In short, this book gives quite an education and from the pen of a man who knows both atheism and theism from the inside. He writes as one comfortable in his own skin (unlike so many within the "new atheism").

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent., September 7, 2010

By 

Steven R. McEvoy "MCWPP" (Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: From Atheism to Catholicism: How Scientists and Philosophers Led Me to the Truth (Paperback)

This is the latest book by Dr. Kevin Vost that I have read. With each of the previous I have felt I came to know the author by his self-revelation in and through his writings. In this latest book it is even far more so. For Dr. Vost takes us with him through a journey of philosophy and through the humanities that once lead him away from God and the Church but then became tools that helped him to return to the church.

The Sections in the book Are:

Foreword: God Bless the Atheists

Introduction: Neither Bird, nor Plane, but Superman!

PART I: GOD IS DEAD?

1. Friedrich Nietzsche's Superman

2. The Lord and Lord Bertrand Russell

3. Albert Ellis: Reason, Emotion, Psychotherapy, and Jehovah

4. Aristotle Shrugged: Ayn Rand and the Intellectual Soul

5. Darwin and Dawkins: Genes, Memes, and "Me's"

PART II: SIGNS OF LIFE

6. Alfred Adler and the Fictive Goal of God

7. Stoic Strivings: The Slave, The Lawyer, The Emperor, and God

8. Mortimer Adler and the God of the Philosophers

PART III: CHRIST HAS RISEN FROM HIS TOMB!

9. St. Thomas Aquinas: The Angelic Doctor Effects a Cure

10. C. S Lewis: God Save the Queen

11. G. K. Chesterton: What Could Be Right With the World

12. Pope John Paul II: Faith and Reason, Body and Soul

Conclusion: The Real Super Man

Afterword: An Ode to the Real Super Man

By taking us on a whirlwind tour through those topics, Vost helps us to experience his own spiritual journey and some of it may mirror our own or people we know. Then by using him as an example, we will also develop the tools to argue and refute the claims of the secular humanist, and those we know who have slid away from the church and its teachings. This was not an easy book to read; philosophy is not my strong suit. But Vost presents it in such a way that almost any layman can approach the topics with confidence and faith in their interpretation. The book is well written and easily engages the reader. The personal nature of the writing makes topics that would normally be inaccessible to some readers much more accessible. It is very well written. Thank you Dr. Vost for another great tool to help us in our spiritual development. His other books also help to strengthen us in either Body, Mind or Spirit.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent source for answering the "New Atheists", February 19, 2011

By 

Daniel Paul - See all my reviews

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This review is from: From Atheism to Catholicism: How Scientists and Philosophers Led Me to the Truth (Paperback)

Mr. Vost addresses the problematic arguments of atheists without reverting to ad hominem attacks and mean spirited commentary. Vost is always respectful and professional. Vost gives us insight into atheism from the perspective of one who had embraced it for twenty years. He gives us background on the influential atheists, both past and present, and respectfully refutes their conclusions. He clearly respects many of these people, and gives them credit for their contribution to science and philosophy, even as he disagrees with their conclusions in regard to God. Unlike many atheists and fundamentalist Christians, Vost sees no conflict between faith and reason. In fact, this book demonstrates that reason can ultimately lead to faith, as it did for him.