Customer Reviews

Bridge Building

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This is a good little overview of McGrath's apologetic program. It starts slow as the professor of historical theology cannot help but open with 50 pages of historical apologetics (see also his systematic theology which is ~40% historical). While I am a huge fan of historical theology it is not my primary interest in apologetics, a branch of theology that must be, more then any other, rooted in the contemporary milieu. He then turns to some thoughts on cultural points of contact and the nature of faith and conversion as these ideas inform an apologetic approach. And that is the first 100 pages - 3 stars.

The rest however is excellent. McGrath's insightful discussions of barriers to faith and hostile world views are insightful and helpful. It is all cast in his, by now familiar premise, that the transition from modernity to post-modernity is, on the whole, a positive development for Christian discourse and should be capitalized on in the apologetic enterprise. On the whole a recommended book, but if you are short on available pages to read, you could catch the best material by starting with Part II.

Overall, a good book.

For a while now I have observed and participated in completely futile apologetic exercises, and I think that this book should assist not so much in answering the highly techical questions that some have, but more so in focusing on the importance of my attitude and the attitude and underlying psychology of the person being witnessed to.

In a word "Person Centered" apologetics and identification of the *real* issues rather than smokescreens.

Content is good. If I had to critize, it would be that the layout of the book is a bit haphazard and it tends to jump around a little, fortunately in a more 'macroscopic' fashion, so it doesn't obscure the message too much...