I've answered this question in depth before:
http://atheistforums.org/thread-22860-po...#pid570496
Interestingly enough, the deeper I dig into the philosophical traditions of the Christian faith the more astounded I am of the subtlety of thought and careful distinctions the Schoolmen and Church Doctors made. The more I study, the certainty that God exists becomes increasing confirmed in my mind. Modern philosophy has made some important contributions particularly with respect to language and sign systems. Yet so much has been lost. The flippant responses to a great intellectual tradition bother me but part of me understands. I've been there so I know well the resistance. Many atheists assume, based on modern analytic approaches, that all previous demonstrations in favor of theism have been refuted. I have seen little evidence for this. It appears to be an argument from authority and an authority that doesn't even exist, no less. There are legitimate challenges to Scholastic philosophy, which I find wanting, but no one on AF, except perhaps Nestor, has a good grip on what those might be.
http://atheistforums.org/thread-22860-po...#pid570496
Interestingly enough, the deeper I dig into the philosophical traditions of the Christian faith the more astounded I am of the subtlety of thought and careful distinctions the Schoolmen and Church Doctors made. The more I study, the certainty that God exists becomes increasing confirmed in my mind. Modern philosophy has made some important contributions particularly with respect to language and sign systems. Yet so much has been lost. The flippant responses to a great intellectual tradition bother me but part of me understands. I've been there so I know well the resistance. Many atheists assume, based on modern analytic approaches, that all previous demonstrations in favor of theism have been refuted. I have seen little evidence for this. It appears to be an argument from authority and an authority that doesn't even exist, no less. There are legitimate challenges to Scholastic philosophy, which I find wanting, but no one on AF, except perhaps Nestor, has a good grip on what those might be.
