New Proofs for the Existence of God: Contributions of Contemporary Physics and Philosophy [Paperback]

Robert J. Spitzer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 29, 2010

With the incredible popularity of recent books championing agnosticism or atheism, many people might never know that such books almost completely ignore the considerable evidence for theism uncovered in both physics and philosophy over the past four decades. New Proofs for the Existence of God responds to these glaring omissions. / From universal space-time asymmetry to cosmic coincidences to the intelligibility of reality, Robert Spitzer tackles a wealth of evidence. He considers string theory, quantum cosmology, mathematical thoughts on infinity, and much more. / This fascinating and stunning collection of evidence provides solid grounding for reasonable and responsible belief in a super-intelligent, transcendent, creative power standing at the origins of our universe.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robert J. Spitzer, S.J. is president of Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington. His other books include The Spirit of Leadership, Healing the Culture, and Five Pillars of the Spiritual Life.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (June 29, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802863833
• ISBN-13: 978-0802863836
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 0.9 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,970 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #75 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Science & Religion

More About the Author

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii on May 16, 1952, Fr. Robert J. Spitzer is a Catholic Priest in the Jesuit order, and is currently the President of the Magis Center of Reason and Faith and the Spitzer Center. He has taught courses on faith and reason, metaphysics, philosophy of God, and philosophy of science to graduate and undergraduate students at Georgetown University, Gonzaga University, Seattle University, and St. Louis University. He was President of Gonzaga University from 1998 to 2009, during which he led the efforts to build 20 new facilities, increased the student population by 75%, and raised more than $200 million for scholarships and capital projects. Fr. Spitzer has produced two television series for EWTN and received a Templeton Grant for teaching physics and metaphysics. He has made multiple media appearances including: Larry King Live (debating Stephen Hawking, Leonard Mlodinow, and Deepak Chopra on God and modern physics), the Today Show (debating on the topic of active euthanasia), The History Channel in "God and The Universe," and a multiple part PBS series "Closer to the Truth," and the Hugh Hewitt Show. He has also appeared on dozens of nationally syndicated radio programs. For more information, please visit the Magis Center of Reason and Faith website at www.magisreasonfaith.org

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

438 of 474 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth My First Review Ever November 7, 2010

By Peter P Lackey Jr

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I will keep this review short and sweet. I have personally been building a research library of science, Philosophy, theology, and books on the cults and occult for the past 15 years. One topic that I continuously find myself reading and listening to debates on the most is the area of God's existence. I enjoy the various approaches and 'faith assumptions' brought to the raw materials of physical data by naturalists/materialists/atheists and deists/theists. I do not like fluffy works which is why I avoid the childish rants of the "new-atheists" and the unbiblical liver-quiver approaches of some Christians. There is one thing that I always notice regarding books like this: the illogical 1-star reviews of some atheist who turned off the porn for a minute to provide a thoughtless review in order to impact the aggregate of the rating who I promise NEVER read the book. On this particular topic, I have read works of theists like William Lane Craig, John Polkinghorn, Alvin Plantigna, etc. and this is the best book yet. I have to admit that this book was such a surprise to me given that I have never heard of Robert Spitzer until he wrote a rebuttal to Steven Hawking a few months ago in the Wall Street Journal. Hawking no doubt has a brilliant mind and I love how he shows the world that a physical handicap cannot a stop powerful mind. But as with most Physicists who do not continuously develop the philosophical he commits fallacies in logical thinking that most would miss; i.e., equivocating on the word "nothing" and a category mistake confusing physical laws and causal agents (which ties into the equivocation of 'nothing').

NOW TO THE BOOK THAT CAUSED MY FIRST REVIEW ON AMAZON AFTER PURCHASING HUNDREDS OF BOOKS: In short, the book is broken down into 3 sections: (Part-1) Indications of Creation and Supernatural Design in Contemporary Big Bang Cosmology (Part-2) The Philosophical Proofs of the Existence of God and (Part-3) The Transcendentals: The Divine and Human Mysteries. I have not seen "The Transcendentals" added to a book like this since Thomas Aquinas--the baby that unfortunately got thrown out with the Medieval bathwater. This topic is so well developed that I was in Thailand for work with jet lag and could not put it down. My eyes literally swelled with tears one night as I pondered the richness of what I just read. Some people are moved by music but I am moved by powerful ideas. This section alone is worth the price of the book and the good news is that although the first two parts are helpful, part-3 stands alone. In fact, I would jump to that section first because it would provide an appreciation for the data provided in the first two sections. If you honestly like ideas even if you are an atheist or agnostic you will appreciate this book

I hope that this review was helpful and I do hope that most of you understand what I have come to learn: VERY FEW Atheists reject God intellectually, most of them reject him emotionally. The "intellectual" just sounds sexier!

105 of 114 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Physics Evidence, Philosophy Proof September 3, 2010

By Robert

Format:Paperback

Here's the ultimate praise any reviewer could give: "I wish I could have written that". I was particularly impressed by the use of the Second Law of Thermodynamics argument and the Borde-Guth-Vilenkin theorem about finite past time in all reasonable cosmologies, to demonstrate a beginning for the Universe. With regard to the anthropic coincidences that are used to demonstrate an intelligent designer for our universe, Fr. Spitzer's exposition has the virtue of being focused and well organized, in contrast to some others on this subject, where the coincidences are piled one on top of another, until at the 378th coincidence one's eyes begin to glaze. And he has the ethos of science nailed down, that is to say, he marks science as an empirical enterprise that can give evidence for an intelligent designer (that is, be a sign-post to God), but, unlike metaphysics, cannot "prove" the existence of God.

The philosophy was heavy going for me, but presented clearly and convincingly. (The second and third readings will be even more valuable I assume.) I was particularly impressed by Fr. Spitzer's demonstration of an unconditioned reality ("First Cause"?) and by the categorization of the several kinds of infinity, and why Hilbert disavowed Kantor's infinite set theory (the Hotel that can never be filled?). Thank you Fr. Spitzer; I'm looking forward to your next book on the intersection of science, philosophy and faith, in which some of the topics that couldn't be covered in detail in "New Proofs" might be discussed: evolution, mind and soul, and quantum mysteries.

45 of 47 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "New Proofs" has changed my life March 6, 2011

By Ryan Kinler

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Everyone should read this work before deciding whether they believe in a Creator or not! I have just finished reading this book within the last couple weeks, and have found myself consumed by the most paralyzing and profound awe that I have ever experienced in my life. Father Spitzer has proved that he is undoubtedly one of the greatest allies of God and humanity as a whole as he seeks to humbly, yet sharply, argue the unmistakable truth of our Creator's existence. What I love most about this work is that Father Spitzer revolutionizes pro-theistic arguments by boldly vindicating the Creator on the very stages of modern scientific and philosophical thought where His presence is most ardently (and often successfully) refuted. The result of Father Spitzer's labors is the most beautiful, inspiring, and awesome collection of multi-disciplinary proofs of a Creator and an ultimate creation event, giving a profound and unshakeable legitimacy to the foundations of theism that our world desperately craves.

I ironically sought out Father Spitzer's work after reading another work by a very prominent modern physicist proclaiming that all of existence as we know it can be explained without making recourse to a God or Creator. My studies as an engineer and a Catholic have always led me to the belief that the fields of modern physics (especially the branches concerned with universal origin) and modern faith must be different sides of the same coin, since, if the Creator exists (as I have always believed), then all modern physical studies and theories of the natural world (the product of His creation) can only ultimately affirm His presence. Suffice it to say I was greatly shaken when I was confronted by the modern physicist's work previously mentioned that presented a modern physical theory of our universe's creation WITHOUT any need for a Creator or a creation. The solace I sought out in "New Proofs" did more than just blunt the pain the atheistic physicist's work had inflicted - it has imprinted my consciousness with the most profound and unshakeable ideas imaginable, and has gifted me with the most reassuring affirmation I will ever need that the Maker undeniably exists.

Father Spitzer diligently speaks very generally in this book from the faith perspective, making no special recourse to a specific religion (Judaism, Christianity, Muslim, etc.), nor does he rely on any references to any sacred religious texts (The Bible, Koran, etc.), in order for him to powerfully make his case. In other words, existing faith groups or belief standards are not a platform for the evidence presented in this work....the Creator's existence is proven in its most raw form without the entanglements that thousands of years of human interpretation on faith have brought to the picture. Part One of the book presents proof for an initial creation event in all credible cosmological origin theories, and also shows the extreme improbability of the multitude of "cosmic coincidences" that coalesce to allow life in our universe, which will lead any logically functioning human intelligence to conclusion that an intelligent, purposeful Creator exists. Father Spitzer clearly commands an authoritative knowledge of today's modern scientific arenas, and gives fair and comprehensive consideration to all aspects of these arenas. Part Two of the book presents formal philosophical evidence of a Creator, drawing on concepts of conditioned and unconditioned realities, notions of intelligence and intelligibility, and concepts of time and infinity itself to make logical arguments in favor of the Maker. Part Three takes the scientific and philosophical proofs to their logical conclusion, and begins to explore the mysteries of Divine and Human Purpose (The Transcendentals) as a direct result of belief in a Creator (this belief having been established in Parts One and Two of the book). Above all, Father Spitzer maintains a humble tone throughout the work, and is never pushy, preachy, defensive against some invisible atheist "enemy," nor does he ever proclaim that people should "just believe" what he's saying. The work humbly presents undeniable evidence of a Creator, and invites all to accept this knowledge and enter into a joyous life dedicated to understanding our Creator's loving purpose for us.