Thanks to the generosity of the publisher, today we're giving away FIVE copies of the a great new book from Randal Rauser and Justin Schieber, titled An Atheist and a Christian Walk into a Bar: Talking about God, the Universe, and Everything. Learn more and enter below!
 

An Atheist and a Christian Walk into a Bar: Talking about God, the Universe, and Everything

by Randal Rauser and Justin Schieber
Prometheus Books, 220 pages, paperback

The question of God is simply too important--and too interesting--to leave to angry polemicists. That is the premise of this friendly, straightforward, and rigorous dialogue between Christian theologian Randal Rauser and atheist Justin Schieber. Setting aside the formality of the traditional debate, the authors invite the reader to join them in an extended, informal conversation. This has the advantage of easing readers into thorny topics that in a debate setting can easily become confusing or difficult to follow.

Like any good conversation, this one involves provocative arguments, amusing anecdotes, and some lively banter. Rauser and Schieber begin with the question of why debates about God still matter. They then delve into a number of important topics: the place of reason and faith, the radically different concepts of God in various cultures, morality and its traditional connection with religious beliefs, the problem of a universe that is overwhelmingly hostile to life as we know it, mathematical truths and what they may or may not say about the existence of God, the challenge of suffering and evil to belief in God, and more.

Refreshingly upbeat and amicable throughout, this stimulating conversation between two friends from opposing points of view is an ideal introduction to a perennial topic of debate.
 
 

 
We're using Gleam to help with the giveaway, which is cool because it allows you multiple entries for posting on Facebook, sharing on Twitter, etc. Click below to enter:

(If you're reading this through email or RSS and don't see the giveaway widget, click here.)

 
The winner(s) will be randomly selected next Friday and the books will be sent out, free of charge, shortly thereafter.

(Since I'm covering the shipping costs, only residents within the continental United States are eligible to win.)

Atheism is on the rise. Skeptical thinkers like Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris vigorously attack belief in God as irrational or, even worse, dangerous. The so-called New Atheism has attracted millions of young people thanks to bestselling books such as The God Delusion and God Is Not Great.

In The Mystery of God, a new six-part film series and study program, Strange Notions contributor Bishop Robert Barron responds to this trend by teaching into the rich intellectual tradition of the Catholic Church. Using the insights of St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, Pope Benedict XVI, and more, he uncovers a clear yet sophisticated understanding of what Catholics mean by “God".

Who is God? And why does he matter? Watch this series and find out.
 

 
The six lessons in the film series cover:

• Lesson 1 - Atheism and What We Mean by "God"
• Lesson 2 - St. Thomas Aquinas and the Paths to God
• Lesson 3 - The Divine Attributes
• Lesson 4 - Providence and the Problem of Evil
• Lesson 5 - Exploring the Trinity
• Lesson 6 - The God Who Is Love

Click below to watch a sample of the entire Lesson 1 on "Atheism and What We Mean by 'God'":
 

 
The DVD/Blu-ray series also features an accompanying study guide by another Strange Notions contributor, Trent Horn, staff apologist at Catholic Answers. Click below to download a sample from the study guide:

Thanks to the good folks at Bishop Barron's Word on Fire ministry, today we're giving away 5 sets of the Mystery of God Leader's Kit. Each Leaders Kit comes with the Mystery of God DVD set, the Leaders Guide, and the Pocket Guide to Answering Atheists.
 


Whether you win or not, learn more about the series and pick up your copy at MysteryOfGod.com.

Shortly after we posted the excerpt, the publisher, Image Books, asked if I'd like to give away some copies at Strange Notions. At first I was hesitant, thinking the book would only appeal to our Catholic commenters, but the more I thought the more I realized it would be helpful for our atheist commenters, too. Understanding the Pope's background and thinking is crucial to understanding the Catholic Church today, so even atheists should find this book interesting and insightful.

Thanks to Image Books, I have FIFTEEN copies to giveaway. Whether you're a Catholic or an atheist, read below and learn how to enter!
 

On Heaven and Earth: Pope Francis on Faith, Family, and the Church in the Twenty-First Century

by Jorge Mario Bergoglio

Image, 256 pages, hardcover
Released on April 19, 2013

From the man who became Pope Francis, Jorge Mario Bergoglio shares his thoughts on religion, reason, and the challenges the world faces in the 21st century with Abraham Skorka, a rabbi and biophysicist.

For years Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, archbishop of Argentina, and Rabbi Abraham Skorka were tenacious promoters of interreligious dialogues on faith and reason. They both sought to build bridges among Catholicism, Judaism, and the world at large.

On Heaven and Earth, originally published in Argentina in 2010, brings together a series of these conversations where both men talked about various theological and worldly issues, including God, fundamentalism, atheism, abortion, homosexuality, euthanasia, same-sex marriage, and globalization. From these personal and accessible talks comes a first-hand view of the man who would become pope to 1.2 billion Catholics around the world in March 2013.
 

 
I'm using Rafflecopter to help with the giveaway, which is cool because it gives you multiple entries for commenting, posting on Facebook, sharing on Twitter, etc. Click below to enter:

(If you're reading this through email or RSS and don't see the giveaway widget, click here.)

 
The winners will be randomly selected next Friday and the books will be sent out, free of charge, shortly thereafter.

In the future we'll be giving away more books and resources, so subscribe via feed reader or email to ensure you never miss your chance to win.

(Since we're covering the shipping costs, only residents within the continental United States are eligible to win.)