In The Miracle of Theism, J.L. Mackie examines the arguments for and against the existence of God from an atheistic perspective. John Mackie is a highly respected twentieth century philosopher and along with Anthony Flew has been one of the most capable contemporary proponents of atheism. Written almost a quarter of a century ago, "The Miracle of Theism" remains a classic in the field of religious philosophy and is widely considered to be one of the best-stated arguments for atheism in print. Unfortunately, many popular works supporting the atheistic perspective come across as unduly angry and self-righteous. In contrast, Mackie's work is a much-needed breath of fresh air. One may disagree with Mackie while at the same time respecting his views.

Miracles and testimony

– Hume's argument: exposition

– Hume's argument: discussion

– Descartes and the idea of God

– The argument of the Third Meditation: exposition

– The argument of the Third Meditation: discussion

– Ontological arguments

– Descartes's proof and Kant's criticism

– Anselm's ontological proof and Gaunilo's reply

– Plantinga's ontological proof

– Berkeley's God and immaterial realism

– Berkeley's theism: exposition

– Berkeley's theism: discussion

– Cosmological arguments

– Contingency and sufficient reason

– The regress of causes

– Finite past time and creation

– Swinburne's inductive cosmological argument

– Moral arguments for the existence of a God

– A popular line of thought

– Newman: conscience as the creative principle of religion

– Kant: God as a presupposition of morality

– Sidgwick: the duality of practical reason

– God and the objectivity of value

– The argument from consciousness

– Arguments for design.

– Hume's Dialogues: exposition

– Hume's Dialogues: discussion

– Swinburne's restatement

– The problem of evil

– Survey of the problem

– Attempts to sidestep the problem

– The paradox of omnipotence

– The free will defence

– Digression: the nature of free will

– The free will defence: continued

– Religious experience and natural histories of religion

– The varieties of religious experience

– Natural histories of religion

– Belief without reason

– Pascal's wager

– William James and the will to believe

– Kierkegaard and the primacy of commitment

– Religion without belief?

– Replacements for God

– Conclusions and implications

– The challenge of nihilism

– The balance of probabilities – The moral consequences of atheism.