Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
This book had its origins in a doctoral seminar on the proofs for God’s existence that I “co-taught” with Steven A. Long at Ave Maria University some years ago. In that seminar, I spent most of my time taking careful notes! Steve has profound insight not only into Thomas Aquinas but also David Hume, Immanuel Kant, and Ludwig Wittgenstein, as all those privileged to take the seminar can attest.
My chapter drafts were greatly improved by generous scholars who read portions of the manuscript on which they have expertise: Don Briel, Thomas Hibbs, Andrew Hofer, OP, Robert Koerpel, John Michael McDermott, SJ, Sean McGrath, Benjamin Myers, Kenneth Oakes, Kevin O’Reilly, OP, and Andrew Rosato. Michael Sirilla and Thomas Joseph White, OP, read the whole manuscript and saved me from many omissions and mistakes. I have incorporated a number of suggestions from all of these friends and colleagues. Francesca Murphy, Matthew Ramage, Emery de Gaál, Michael Sirilla, and Chad Pecknold testified to the viability of the project as a Baker Academic textbook. Bishop Robert Barron enthusiastically encouraged the project and inspired me by his own expertise on the topic. At Baker Academic, Dave Nelson supported the project from the outset, guided the book to publication, and offered wise counsel for improvement. Baker Academic’s Brian Bolger and the editorial staff did a superb job preparing the manuscript. My amazing research assistant, David Augustine, compiled the bibliography and indexes and provided numerous corrections and suggestions that I incorporated into the text.
I wrote this book for my children, in case it might ever be of use to them. May God, who in his infinite goodness is the meaning of life, give my beloved children eternal life in Christ Jesus. For my wife, Joy, my gratitude is so deep. The simple words of Genesis 24:67 express what I wish Joy to know: “he loved her.”
The book is dedicated to a master theologian and dear friend, born in the same year and month as myself: Fr. Thomas Joseph White, OP. Of him it may be said, “The crown of the wise is their wisdom” (Prov. 14:24). God’s blessings be upon you, Fr. Thomas Joseph.