Chesterton, the New Atheism, and an Apologetics of Common Sense

Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874-1936) defended the Christian and Roman Catholic faith. His apologetic work was highly regarded in his own day and has continued to inspire other thinkers ever since. This study investigates whether his apologetics is still valuable today. It explores its value as the basis of an apologetic response to the new atheism, a popular contemporary movement that is highly critical of religion. The author appeals in particular to Chesterton’s understanding of common sense. For Chesterton, common sense is a way of thinking that calls us to see things as they are. Satisfying common sense leads to a worldview that is more plausible than a worldview that is not in line with common sense. This study compares the rival worldviews of the new atheism and Christianity and argues that the Christian worldview is more in line with common sense and is, therefore, more plausible.