Can Man Live Without God [Paperback]

Ravi Zacharias (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2004

In this brilliant and compelling defense of the Christian faith, Ravi Zacharias shows how affirming the reality of God's existence matters urgently in our everyday lives. According to Zacharias, how you answer the questions of God's existence will impact your relationship with others, your commitment to integrity, your attitude toward morality, and your perception of truth.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ravi Zacharias is president of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. Born in India and Cambridge educated, he has lectured in several of the world's most prominent universities, as well as in more than fifty countries. He is author of several books, including Can Man Live Without God, Cries of the Heart and Deliver Us From Evil. He and his wife, Margie, are the parents of three children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849945283
• ISBN-13: 978-0849945281
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,907 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

For over thirty-five years, Ravi Zacharias has spoken all over the world in great halls and universities, notably Harvard, Princeton, and numerous universities internationally. He is listed as a Senior Research Fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford university. He has appeared on CNN and other international broadcasts. The author of several books for adults and children, he powerfully mixes biblical teaching and Christian apologetics. His most recent works include Walking from East to West, a memoir; The Grand Weaver, an exploration of God's intention in both the ordinary and the startling elements of life; and The End of Reason, a rebuttal of the claims of the so-called New Atheists. His weekly radio program, Let My People Think, is broadcast on 1,692 stations worldwide, and his weekday program, Just Thinking, is on 412. He is founder and chairman of the board of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with additional offices in Canada, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. Dr. Zacharias and his wife, Margie, have three grown children and reside in Atlanta.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 63 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Revealing the truth about God through Christ June 1, 2004

By D. Keating VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

I should start my review by clearly stating that I am a Christian so I did not have much difficulty with the apologetic arguments put forward by Dr. Zacharias in this book. Still, I was very interested to see how he would go about trying to prove God's existence, and more importantly, explaining how God answers the tough questions of life through His son Jesus Christ. Overall, I was very impressed with the book because of the unique blending of materials that Dr. Zacharias uses. He possesses a deep understanding of his material, and is a master at communicating the message - despite recent attempts to kill off the concept of God - He is alive, and still speaks to us today through His Son, His word, and His Holy Spirit.

I read all of the reviews for this book, and I am encouraged that it has received so much attention. Although others may not agree with the author's position, at least, it gets people to talk about things that matter. Real issues that we just don't spend enough time dealing with these days like Does God exist? If so, what does that mean for me? For the world. If not, what does that mean for me, and the world? Is there such a thing as absolut truth? If so, how can we know it (or Him from the Christian perspective). I think that Dr. Zacharias makes an effective attempt at answering these questions, and ultimately, offering the Christian world view.

I especially like the fact that he argues at various levels and brings in numerous stories and illustrations to prove his point. Without these elements, it would be a pretty dry read. Some are bothered by the fact that he does not go into great detail about opposing views, but I think they miss the point. Dr. Zacharias is not writing an academic volume which covers every detail and possible outcome of the various world views.... Instead he attempts to show that ideas do have consequences, and we must pay attention to what is possible in the world if we try to make it work without God.

I highly encourage anyone who is interested in this topic to read the book. It may not answer all of your questions, but it will get you thinking. Also, it is not very long, but be warned, it is not light reading. Having said that, I am confident that the average college educated person can handle it. The copy I bought included a CD with the oral presentation that Dr. Zacharias gave upon which the book is based. I recommend listening to the CD before reading the book so that you have an understanding of the framework, and general approach that the author plans to take. Read more ›

63 of 73 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tribute to the God of Logic! February 14, 2002

By Kendal B. Hunter

Format:Paperback

I must congratulate Dr. Zacharias for putting so much into this one small book. I think the two cornerstones to this book are his faith, and his understanding of the basics of logic.

I say faith, because faith is a mode of epistemology, an way of understanding the world around us. It is quite different than what we use in the Academy or in the world, but it is a way of knowing nonetheless. It is a way of knowing by the heart, since the heat oftentimes tells you things that you mind doesn't know.

I say logic, in that he works with the fundamental Three Laws of Logic: Identity, Excluded Middle, and Non-Contradiction. This is where most of the logical confusion and chaos erupts. This is the rock-bottom of all logical discourse. Using these three laws, Dr. Zachairas illustrates the absurdities (using this is the technical sense of an incoherency) of life without God. (In fact, this book is a primer on logic, and clear thinking. We are, after all, commanded to worship God not only with our hearts, but our minds.

This is not a math book, but a book of thought written on the freshman college level. As always, ambitious people will always be rewarded. This book bridges the gap between the mind and the heart. Dr. Zacharias is neither cold Spock nor wild McCoy, but he has channeled the synergy of both.

He nails, quite correctly I might add, that Nietzsche is the greatest modern philosopher. More people believe (and prove it conclusively by their actions) that God is dead than believe that God is alive and active in our live. Most people believe that God exists, but picture him a senile Santa Clause, or a vague historical personage as relevant as Amerigo Vespucci or Ferdinand Magellan. The case the Christians make is that God is alive, active, and guiding us nowadays.

Dr.... Zacharias asks the lynchpin question: Why do antitheists believe in ethical codes that are not a direct outworking of their philosophy. In other words, how do you get from "E=mc2" to "Love your Neighbor?" I realize many antitheists have ethical codes, but why do these codes, in many instances, ape the religious ethical codes? Not to mention there is no Atonement and resurrection in antitheistic ethics, which atonement is the Central Christian Doctrine.

The only fault I would have with Dr. Zacharias is that he can be circumlocutious at times, but since he confesses that characteristically Eastern fault, we cannot hold it against him!

The appendices are quite helpful. When is the last time you heard that in a review? Read more ›

28 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book. August 17, 2004

By Mercy

Format:Paperback

As an ill-educated person (I have little more than a public high school education), I admittedly am ignorant in the area of Philosophy. It is for this reason I am very glad Ravi Zacharias did not write this book so only the pedants and PhD's could understand it. It is an intensively interesting book and a pleasure to read.

26 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly powerful, masterful work of philosophy and logic August 10, 2005

By Alexander

Format:Paperback

Ravi has probably reached the epitome of his philosophical genius with this monumental work. This is by far one of the most valuable resources and introductions to the Christian worldview in my library. Ravi sets a new course in the field of Christian apologetics by viewing and addressing secular worldviews in a way that really only he could pull off well. Instead of writing a book proving the existence of a God, a task that he has already shown he is well up to, he gives this idea very little ground in this book, really relegating that stream of argument to the Appendices. Instead, he seeks to demonstrate to the reader the consequences of their particular worldviews - he does not try to prove or disprove them (though some of that still shows up occasionally), but instead goes through the philosophies of not only atheists and Christians, but other religions as well, showing where each train of thought leads, both through logic and experience.

Here there are more than a few critics that jump in and take issue with Ravi's treatment of the subject. For example, the issue of Stalin, addressed in earlier reviews on this site. However, I note to the reviewers that Ravi never said that Stalin's path was the only path of an atheist. No, in fact, repeatedly he states that in fact many atheists are just the opposite, people who are good, fair, and kind, who view the world with goodwill, not with hatred like Stalin or Hitler. But here is the ultimate question, then: Are the actions of Stalin and Hitler products of their worldview? The answer can only be yes. There is enormous historical evidence supporting this claim. Hitler did not admire Jesus - if for nothing else, he would have hated him for being a Jew!... Hitler used false claims of personal faith in Christianity to advance his own ambition and force the Church to stay out of his affairs. Stalin did not even bother with that. Nothing in these men's worldviews were logical outflowings of the teachings of the Bible. Quite the opposite.

On the other hand, though, there is an undeniable link between the philosophy of Nietzsche and the worldviews of these two evil men, a link that Ravi clearly outlines. The issue is not whether Nietzsche was a homicidal maniac obsessed with power or not; the issue is the fact that the philosophy of Nietzsche logically led to the deadly philosophy of Hitler and Stalin. Nietzsche, in effect, did not live his life in accordance with his philosophy on life - Hitler, on the other hand, did.

The point? Ravi makes a brilliant case that the worldview of the atheist is just as ugly in its ramifications as the worldview of Hitler, whether or not its adherents are living according to the philosophy they hold or not.

On this note, then, one can refute the counter-argument used in some of the reviews on this site. What about 'Christian' atrocities? The persecution of Jews in the Middle Ages? The horrific and bloody Crusades? The answer, Ravi states firmly, is that the men who ordered and carried out these acts were not living according to the Christian worldview they professed to hold - they simply used the banner of Christianity to advance their own greed and malice. The Bible does not endorse any of these atrocities, neither does a worldview firmly grounded in the Bible allow for these crimes.

In addition to all of this, Ravi outlines a truly outstanding look at how, practically, the worldview of atheism leaves the man without God as without ultimate meaning, significance, hope, love, truth, or even lasting joy. How can there be any of these things when all we are is simply a bundle of skin, bones, muscles, nerves, and a puny brain that breaks down in a pathetic 120 years at the most, with no life after death, with no reason to live for others in a life where the most we can do is have as much fun as we can before its all over. Sure, we can have a fleeting sensation of joy, a passing stab of love, a misguided hope, but in the end, its all gone, and we are no more. How sad! How pointless an existence! Yet, logically, this is the path of atheism. Any atheist who claims otherwise, if his worldview is correct, is simply living under an illusion.

But Ravi points out the alternative - the Christian worldview. In it, we have a logical and incredibly strong foundation for ultimate knowledge, meaning, love, hope, truth, joy, and so many other benefits!

Again, as Ravi indeed reminds us, this is with the assumption that there is a God. If there is not, then Christians are merely fooling ourselves with an illusion, a fantasy land of happiness, when Hitler and Stalin had the right idea all along - live for yourself, and enjoy it while it lasts.

Thankfully, Ravi gives a short, yet very powerful, list of proofs of the existence of God to back up the foundation of his book. Indeed, I found the Appendices one of the richest parts of the book! Take his recommendations and read the books he lists as further reading. Once one has established the existence of God as overwhelmingly true (and believe me, there are arguments out there that I have yet to hear any atheist refute), then this book has all the more power and punch to its message.

In summary, this is a book to read, whether you are a Christian, Moslem, Jew, or atheist, or any other adherent to a belief system. Ravi is a masterful philosopher, an unmatched apologist, a sympathetic and easy-to-understand author, and a humble man. This is definitely one of the classics in its field. Read more ›