Is There Evidence for God?
An Economist Searches for Answers
Is There Evidence for God? is a spiritual memoir about how questioning the existence of God changed one man’s life.
Robert Genetski’s spiritual memoir covers his personal inquest into the existence of God.
Genetski was raised in a Catholic family, and questions about God were not encouraged by his parents or his church. Later, though, he learned that his devout mother no longer believed in God or the afterlife. He felt unable to comfort her, but he was also spurred to investigate what science, philosophy, logic, and human nature had to say about God’s existence. His research shook his personal foundations; this book is a record of his investigation, complemented by outward encouragements to his audience to do their own investigations and come to their own conclusions.
In total, the book addresses a bevy of questions, including whether there is evidence for a world beyond the physical one, for life after death, or for miracles. It asks whether there are consequences for unbelievers or rewards for the faithful, and it explores topics like near-death phenomena. Stories about healing, stigmata, and bleeding hosts and statues are included; they are shared sans scientific explanations and alongside encouragements for further investigation. And in its search for answers, the book also draws on the positions of other religions that affirm the existence of God and on arguments from atheists too.
Genetski’s style is conversational, but this results in a superficial overview of his multidisciplinary research. Still, his conclusions are shared in accessible language and are bolstered by chapter-linked references for those who share his curiosity. They favor a Western, intellectual, and academic approach, though they also gesture to other paths, including Eastern spiritual practices that emphasize personal experiences of the divine. Nonetheless, the book slants in favor of Catholic doctrine throughout, including in addressing incarnation and resurrection.
In the end, the book’s attempt to establish whether or not God exists by way of logic, history, religious teachings, and the experiences of others limits it. Its takeaways have more to do with understanding what God represents than they are proof of God’s existence. Further, its assertion that popular acceptance of a belief is evidence of its truth is an unconvincing one that invites obvious counterexamples.
Though its account of a personal search for the truth may not convince others, the book reaches a conclusion that represents satisfaction and comfort for its author. Sympathetic as it recounts an emotional personal struggle to reconcile personal doubts with faith, Is There Evidence for God? is a spiritual memoir about how questioning the existence of God changed one man’s life.
Reviewed by
Kristine Morris
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the publisher will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
