The Heavenly Father: Lectures on Modern Atheism

"The Heavenly Father: Lectures on Modern Atheism" by Ernest Naville is a series of talks that explores, in the backdrop of 19th-century thought, the author’s concerns about the rise of atheism. Naville, originally delivering these lectures in Geneva and Lausanne, highlights the significance of having faith in a God who loves us, aiming his arguments against an increasing tide of disbelief. He notes that this disbelief does not mean religion is dead, but rather that it is under attack by modern thinkers. Naville builds his case on humanity’s spiritual necessities—love, hope, and justice—pointing out that God is fundamental for humanity. Without God, Naville worries that morals, awareness, and contentment suffer, leaving individuals and societies without meaning and filled with despair.