The Apologetics of Joy: A Case for the Existence of God from C. S. Lewis's Argument from Desire

Description: Among all the arguments for the existence of God there may be none more personal and intimate than C. S. Lewiss Argument from Desire. This book attempts to explain what the Argument from Desire is and why we believe that the argument is an inductively strong one. In the spirit of C. S. Lewis Augustine and Pascal this book invites both the head and the heart of the reader to consider the case for Gods existence. While many arguments look out to the external world for evidence of Gods existence this book calls the reader to look inward to the human heart. While learning from classical thinkers (particularly C. S. Lewis) the Argument from Desire will bring both intuition and experience together to demonstrate the truth of divine presence in the world. The reader will walk away with either a newfound faith or a reinforced conviction that has a strong intellectual and experiential dimension. Endorsements: This is a unique piece of scholarship the only book I know of that is wholly devoted to the most interesting argument in the world. Its clear and persuasive and I strongly recommend it. --Peter Kreeft author of Heaven: The Hearts Deepest Longing Pucketts book is a rich multifaceted exploration of the argument from desire. . . . It calls us to a recovery of joy awe mystery and miracle which ultimately directs us toward God--the true object of our deepest human longings. --Paul Copan author of Is God a Moral Monster? C. S. Lewis . . . argues that the best explanation for the human experience of joy and the accompanying longing for the transcendent and permanent is found in the Judeo-Christian creation narrative. . . . Until now Lewiss interesting argument has largely been neglected by apologists making a case for Christian theism. But I believe the argument from desire has a rightful place within a comprehensive cumulative-case argument for theism and I am delighted that Joe Pucketts The Apologetics of Joy fills this gap by developing the argument and defending it against its detractors. The Apologetics of Joy is to my knowledge the first book-length treatment on Lewiss argument and I am happy to commend it to its readers. --Mark Linville contributor to The Blackwell Companion to Natural Theology and coauthor and coeditor of Philosophy and the Christian Worldview I am delighted to see this work published. . . . You will learn much from and enjoy this book. Read it slowly and think along with Puckett on the trail of God. --Daniel T. Primozic author of On Merleau-Ponty Among the various arguments for the existence of God through the centuries perhaps the most neglected and unknown is the argument from human desire. . . . Puckett presents the salient elements of the argument and engages the key contributors and critics. He does so with a fervency and deftness that serves to re-present this important argument for the existence of God to our age. --Michael R. Young co-editor of The Journal of Faith and the Academy About the Contributor(s): Joe Puckett Jr. (MLitt Faulkner University) is pulpit minister for the 16th Avenue Church of Christ in Sterling Illinois. He is currently working toward his PhD in Humanities from Salve Regina University in the area of the philosophy of mind.