​                                                     The author gets a final word

            I actually liked the personal elements which were included in the book; evidently the reviewers were not enamored with it.

            The review itself acknowledges the personal aspects of the book stating, “Nelson’s work, though deeply philosophical in content, is meant from the beginning to have a personal impact on the reader and not just be merely theoretical in nature.”

In another instance the review states, “In closing, the author provides a case not merely for a creator(“watchmaker”) God, but for a personal God who continues to be involved with creation.” It was my intention to have the title itself point to the work having personal overtones; where, A Conversaunt Existence is to be viewed as a ‘talk’ about existence. That does reflect upon personal elements and I can only hope that the readers agree.

I do, however, want to take this opportunity to thank the reviewers for their honest opinion of the book, for releasing and making this information available to yours truly.

Sincerely,

G. Bradley Nelson  

                                       KIRKUS                                                                               REVIEW

​TITLE INFORMATION

A CONVERSAUNT EXISTENCE
An Argument for the Determination of God's Ontology--His Being Real
By
G. Bradley Nelson

Westbow Press (124 pp.)
$28.95 hardcover, $11.95 paperback, $3.99 e-book
ISBN: 978-1-49-087505-7; April 17, 2015

 BOOK REVIEW

       A short treatise on existence with an emphasis on the existence of God. Nelson harkens back to a premodern era by using the archaic word “conversaunt” in place of “conversant” in his title. In doing so, he honors the fact that humankind has always experienced existence as a common form of knowledge.
       Nelson’s work, though deeply philosophical in content, is meant from the beginning to have a personal impact on the reader and not just be merely theoretical in nature. Moreover, his overarching goal is to demonstrate the existence of a personal and involved God. Such authors as C.S. Lewis and Søren Kierkegaard help lead the way.    
       In order to show that the human race is capable of understanding and even connecting with a God figure, Nelson coins a new term—intercomplexicate—which describes a self-consciousness that is able to make quick evaluations of complex ideas, leading to moral understanding. The author discusses both the strengths and weaknesses of ontological arguments for God’s existence and also attempts to disprove popular scientific arguments against the existence of a deity. The idea of contingency (that existence can only occur due to a prior cause) is of great importance in later chapters, as Nelson argues that existence must be contingent on a “necessary being,” such as a primary mover or first cause.
       In closing, the author provides a case not merely for a creator (“watchmaker”) God, but for a personal God who continues to be involved with creation. Nelson has a penchant for mixing theoretical and philosophical verbiage with nonstandard language (such as using “by da vey” instead of “by the way” or comparing God with Jean-Luc Picard of Star Trek: The Next Generation). He seems to be seeking a balance between the often opaque material he presents and the personal effect he hopes to have on readers. This balance, unfortunately, is rarely found.            
       Nevertheless, Nelson provides sound arguments worthy of further reflection. Review questions after each chapter are helpful for guiding and focusing the reader.

 A thoughtful, refreshing argument for God’s existence.

CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS-DEFENDING THE FAITH