CENTER SANDWICH In a special presentation, Tuesday, Aug. 1, at 7:30 p.m., The Arts Center at 12 Main in Center Sandwich will feature the Rev. Marshall Davis reading from his new book, "Thank God for Atheists: What Christians Can Learn from the New Atheism." Over the last many years, Davis has published several books and essays on faith, including "A Christian Version of the Tao Te Ching," "Excusing God: A Critique of Christian Solutions to the Problem of Suffering & Evil" and "More Than a Purpose: An Evangelical Response to Rich Warren and the Megachurch Movement." He also writes a blogspot, Spiritual Reflections, Meditations on Culture, Art, Religion and Spirituality. Recently retired as pastor of The Community Church of Sandwich, Davis is a deep and eclectic thinker, who brings his informed perspective to a wide range of topics essential to living an examined life.

Regarding "Thank God for Atheists," Amazon.com reports, "Warning! This book may be dangerous to your faith! This book is not for the faint of heart. This is not a work of Christian apologetics designed to arm the believer with biblical and theological strategies to counter humanist arguments. It is not designed to buttress your Christian faith against attacks from atheists and other unbelievers.

"On the contrary, this book takes the claims of atheists seriously. It listens to the arguments of atheists against the existence of God, and it comes to the conclusion that in a number of areas, atheists are right and Christians are wrong. For that reason it may actually undermine your faith. So please, if you are a Christian, think twice before you read it.

"Drawing upon the writings of the 21st century New Atheists, as well as previous generations of atheists, the author explores the most convincing arguments that atheists make against theism. His conclusion is that the New Atheists have important things to say to todays Christians. He goes so far as to say that atheists are Gods prophets to the Church today, sent by God to purify the Church by proclaiming hard truths that Christians are not willing to hear.

This book examines the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of Christianity as exposed by the New Atheism. It also explores the responses of Christian apologists who oppose the New Atheism. In the last section of the book, Davis reimagines Christianity in the light of reason, evidence, science and historical criticism."

Admission is free, but donations are welcome and support the arts, the Arts Center, and Advice To The Players, Sandwich's Shakespeare Company. Please feel free to bring your copy of "Thank God for Atheists" (or any book of Davis') if you would like him to sign it for you.

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Arts Center hosts reading from 'Thank God for Atheists' Aug. 1 - The Laconia Daily Sun