Who is Antony Flew, and why should you care?

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Antony Flew – His History

Antony Flew, a British philosopher, Oxford professor, and leading champion of atheism for more than fifty years, honestly followed the evidence and renounced his naturalistic faith in 2004. In a published interview with another philosopher, Flew said, "My whole life has been guided by the principle of Plato's Socrates: Follow the evidence, wherever it leads."

After chewing on his scientific worldview for more than five decades, Flew concluded, "A super-intelligence is the only good explanation for the origin of life and the complexity of nature."


Antony Flew – His Central Work


Previously, in his central work, The Presumption of Atheism (1976), Flew argued that the "onus of proof [of God] must lie upon the theist." However, at the age of 81, Flew shocked the world when he renounced his atheism because “the argument for Intelligent Design is enormously stronger than it was when I first met it." In his same 2004 interview, Flew shared, "It seems to me that the case for an Aristotelian God who has the characteristics of power and also intelligence, is now much stronger than it ever was before."

The story of Antony Flew reminds us that physics and metaphysics are not mutually exclusive. True science asks us to follow the observational evidence, no matter what the destination. Does life really occur in a naturalistic vacuum? Or do its design, order, and complexity necessitate something more?

Antony Flew – His Conclusion

Antony Flew is an honest thinker who ultimately acknowledged the existence of God. Like many of us, recognition is a huge step. However, when it comes to the questions of God, purpose, meaning, origins, and destinies, can we rest in mere recognition? What about Dr. Flew’s observations of Intelligent Design -- the immensity, intensity, and intricacy of it all -- don’t they compel us to move forward and seek additional signposts for truth in our life journeys?

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Brief Biography of Antony Flew





Atheist Becomes Theist Exclusive Interview with Former Atheist Antony Flew






Antony Flew discusses what made him rethink his atheism, 2005

Professor Antony Flew
22nd March 2005

My conversation about belief is with someone who was until recently one of Britain's most resolute unbelievers. A philosopher who for many decades has proclaimed his lack belief in any kind of God. Then late last year Professor Antony Flew declared that he had changed his mind, and was now a deist, and believed in God. This position appeared to come quite suddenly. In response to internet rumours in 2001 of his change of heart, he declared 'Sorry to disappoint, but I'm still an atheist.' His volte-face since then has intrigued his philosophical colleagues, and been hailed by believers as giving support to their world view. Atheists have felt betrayed.

The story began in 1950 when Professor Flew, then still a Probationary Fellow wrote 'Theology and Falsification', a paper that was published later that year. Over the years since then he's continued to argue the lack of evidence for God while teaching at Oxford, Aberdeen, Keele and Reading universities. His classic treatise, 'God in Philosophy' is due to be republished, but with a new introduction. It's one of the most high profile conversions of modern theological debate.

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Does God Exist?: The Craig-Flew Debate

This book presents the most recent debates by leading contemporary philosophers of enduring themes and issues concerning the question of God's existence. William Craig and Antony Flew met on the 50th anniversary of the famous Copleston/Russell debate to discuss the question of God's existence in a public debate. The core of this book contains the edited transcript of that debate. Also included are eight chapters in which other significant philosophers - Paul Draper, R. Douglas Geivett, Michael Martin, Keith Parsons, William Rowe, William Wainwright, Keith Yandell and David Yandell - critique the debate and address the issues raised. Their substantial and compelling insights complement and further the debate, helping the reader delve more deeply into the issues that surfaced. In the two final chapters, Craig and Flew respond and clarify their positions, taking the debate yet one step further. The result of these many contributions is a book which provides the reader with a summary of the current discussion and allows one to enter into the dialogue on this central question in the philosophy of religion.