Atheism Remix: A Christian Confronts the New Atheists [Hardcover]

R. Albert Mohler Jr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 25, 2008

A leading Christian intellectual explores the newest strain of atheism, its foremost thinkers, the cultural conditions that have bred it, and how Christians should respond.

Something has changed in American culture. What for years was a little-regarded belief system-atheism-has now gained a large, and increasing, national hearing through the writings of "new atheists" such as Dawkins, Dennett, Harris, and Hitchens.

Wanting to both inform and equip serious-minded Christians regarding this cultural shift, R. Albert Mohler Jr. explores the environment that has bred the "new atheism" while also introducing readers to the movement's four leading thinkers and the contours of their arguments. Mohler-deemed "the reigning intellectual of the evangelical movement in the US" by Time magazine-then uses this foundation to pinpoint eight major distinctives that make the new atheism new, and to discuss the future of Christianity in relationship to it.

At school and in the community, Christians are sure to encounter people who have been shaped by this strain of atheism. Here is keen insight that any believer can use to understand and challenge the new atheists.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Thoughtful and insightful, this readable work illuminates for scholars, pastors, and students alike the key issues that must be addressed in order to engage the thinking of Dawkins, Harris, Hitchens, and others. I applaud Albert Mohler for his clarity and conviction in helping us understand that biblical theism is the only true alternative to the New Atheism. I gladly recommend this book!"
—David S. Dockery, President, Union University

"Instead of becoming just one more voice in the rising debate between Christians and the New Atheists, Dr. Mohler has chosen to provide us with masterful coverage of the dominant writers on both sides. I know of no other introduction to this crucial debate that is as comprehensive and clear in such brief compass. Mohler tells us what's going on, shows us how much depends on the outcome of this titanic cultural shift, and provides guidance to the resources Christians need to challenge the New Atheism root and branch."
—D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

"The New Atheism needs a clear-headed, straightforward analysis. Atheism Remix does this, and does it well. Al Mohler is clear and concise in his critique, and the readability of this book makes it accessible to a wide audience. This is a fine introduction and overview of the self-proclaimed 'Four Horsemen' of atheism. They are examined and exposed for the vacuous arguments they offer."
—Daniel L. Akin, President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

About the Author

R. ALBERT MOHLER JR. (PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) serves as the ninth president of Southern Seminary and as the Joseph Emerson Brown Professor of Christian Theology. Considered a leader among American evangelicals by Time and Christianity Today magazines, Dr. Mohler hosts a daily radio program for the Salem Radio Network and also writes a popular daily commentary on moral, cultural, and theological issues. Both can be accessed at www.albertmohler.com.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Crossway (July 25, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1433504979
• ISBN-13: 978-1433504976
• Product Dimensions: 0.5 x 6.2 x 7.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #196,735 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

R. Albert Mohler Jr. (PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) serves as the ninth president of Southern Seminary and as the Joseph Emerson Brown Professor of Christian Theology. Considered a leader among American evangelicals by Time and Christianity Today magazines, Dr. Mohler hosts a daily radio program for the Salem Radio Network and also writes a popular daily commentary on moral, cultural, and theological issues. Both can be accessed at www.albertmohler.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative, but Mistitled October 17, 2008

By Brian G Hedges

Format:Hardcover

This short book (108 pages) is an informative guide to the challenge of the New Atheists and their challenge to Christian theism. Mohler targets the "four horsemen of the New Atheism" - Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennet, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens.

Chapter one briefly surveys the history of atheism and situates the new atheism within secularism.

Chapter two is the most helpful chapter of the book; it discusses New Atheism's assault on Theism by giving thumbnail sketches of the "four horsemen,"then pointing out eight common features of their assault on theism: (1) The New Atheism is marked by an unprecedented new boldness; (2) There is a clear and specific rejection of the Christian God of the Bible; (3) The New Atheists explicitly reject Jesus Christ; (4) The New Atheism is specifically grounded in scientific argument; (5) The New Atheism is new in its refusal to tolerate moderate and liberal forms of belief; (6) The New Atheism attacks toleration; (7) The New Atheists have begun to question the right of parents to inculcate belief in their own children; and (8) The New Atheists argue that religion itself must be eliminated to preserve human freedom.

Chapters three and four discuss the defense of theism poised against by the New Atheists by various theologians and philosophers, including Alistair McGrath, Alvin Plantiga, Tina Beattie, and John F. Haught. While agreeing with some points of their arguments (especially McGrath and Plantiga), Mohler's primary criticism is that these responses represent various levels of accomodation.... In contrast, Mohler argues that "Evangelical Christians simply cannot surrender biblical authority, propositional revelation, and biblical theism in order to meet the various challenges presented to us in the twenty-first century" (102). There are only two alternatives, atheism or biblical, Christian theism.

Unfortunately, this book does not itself present an argument for biblical theism. The book doesn't deliver on its subtitle, "a Christian confronts the New Atheists," for there isn't much confrontation with, and no detailed argumentation against, the New Atheists. That was disappointing. Readers who want thoughtful engagement with the New Atheists will have go elsewhere. (I'd suggest Timothy Keller's The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism.)

That said, the second chapter of this book made it worth reading for me. I appreciated the review and summary of the various NA books. Read more ›

24 of 29 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed September 2, 2008

By Norm Macdonald

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I cannot say for certain what I expected from Dr. Mohler's book. However, I will say I was disappointed to learn that the lecture series was really only a history of atheism and not comments related to the current trend in atheism. If you are a student of apologetics and need a historical background and trends for atheism, than this book may be a decent addition to your studies. Otherwise, your money might be better spent elsewhere.

The sub-title says "A Christian confronts the new Atheists." If that's the case, the publishers left those lectures out of the book.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Very Substantial April 18, 2009

By Lothe

Format:Hardcover

Albert Mohler's Atheism Remix is divided into four sections. In the first, he examines the history of atheism, from its presence in the Bible ("The fool says in his heart, `There is no God'") to Nietzsche and beyond. He explores how the "conditions of belief" in our world have changed from "impossible not to believe" to "impossible to believe," and how this paves the way for the New Atheists.

The second chapter profiles the "Four Horsemen of the New Atheism," viz., Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens, touching on their lives and work. The third chapter examines the responses to these writers by Alister McGrath and Alvin Plantinga, while the final section touches on more liberal responses to the New Atheism. Mohler is dissatisfied to some extent with all of the responses, as even McGrath and Plantinga allow for the possibility of evolution; in the book's last few pages, Mohler asserts that Christians must make a stand for biblical theism, not any accomodationist form of theism that would seek to appease the New Atheists.

The book serves as a decent review of the state of the debate, in that the middle two chapters consist more of long quotations from other authors' work than Mohler's own analysis or argumentation. However, his objection to McGrath's and Plantinga's otherwise cogent arguments is only barely sketched, rather than advanced, and he ultimately fails to make a case that in no form can evolution and God co-exist. In the end, Mohler's work may be a rallying point for conservative evangelicals who share his views, but does little to "confront" the New Atheists--or persuade others of his ideas.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars More of an anthology than an argument May 19, 2012

By Danni102

Format:Hardcover

I am giving this book a low rating, but not because I disagree with anything substantial in it. Out of all the books I've read in the New Atheism debate, this is the worst of the Christian replies. Like other reviewers posting here, I was surprised that the book read like an anthology of what the major players in the debate have said, rather than an argument against atheism. Mohler has little, if anything, original to say. In fact, I estimated that around 1/3 of the book is composed block quotation--skim through it and you will find almost every few pages with half-page and sometimes full-page, small font block quotation. This by itself is not a problem, but the other 2/3rds of the book are not much better.

This is Mohler's structure of virtually every section of the book: First, he introduces a figure in the debate with a few long paragraphs of (mostly irrelevant) biographical information. Second, he gives a short summary of their book, position, or relevant aspect of their life (e.g. Dawkins's career). Third, he provides some long block quotation from the relevant author. Finally, he usually adds in a terse comment of his own and then moves on to another author.

When Mohler does give his opinion, he doesn't provide much argument for it (for one, because the book is so short) and often his comments are just complaints. For instance, Mohler repeatedly complains/bemoans that all sides in the debate, Christians and atheists alike, believe in evolution.

One of the only arguments Mohler himself gives comes at the end of the book. Mohler summarizes a couple of liberal or mainline theological responses to the New Atheism movement, replies that deny large portions of Christian theology.... To argue against one such proponent, Mohler quotes him speaking about his favorite theologians, one of which is Paul Tillich. Mohler then argues that Tillich has many views that are incompatible with this writer, and Tillich was even accused of being an outright atheist (and, yes, Mohler needlessly summarizes Tillich's views over 2-3 pages with many long block quotations). So, the argument seems to be, this theologian has compromised too far and likes theologians accused of atheism like Tillich--massive guilt by association. It is difficult to summarize the argument, because it is not made very clearly, but Mohler takes himself to have shown the futility of anything besides an evangelical reply to the New Atheists. At the end of the book, Mohler even claims he has proven that atheism and biblical (by which he means evangelical) Christianity are the only actual options, and I completely fail to see how he even started a case for this. I've tried to keep up with all the books being written in the New Atheism debate on all sides, and so far this is the worst of the Christian reples. Read more ›