Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics (Baker Reference Library) (Hardcover)

~ Norman Geisler (Author) "Accommodation Theory..." (more)
Key Phrases: finite godists, divine essentialism, nothing cannot cause something, Old Testament, Holy Spirit, Van Til (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics by Norman L. Geisler is the ultimate one-volume reference for Christians who seek meaningful responses to criticisms of their faith. Geisler, a professor of theology and apologetics at Southern Evangelical Seminary, is the encyclopedia's sole author. His previous books--Answering Islam and When Cultists Ask--help qualify Geisler to respond to a wide range of challenges to Christian belief. And this encyclopedia covers almost every conceivable philosophical challenge to Christianity, from "Agnosticism" to "Zen Buddhism." It also summarizes the key points regarding oft-challenged Christian doctrines and beliefs ("Adam, Historicity of," "Virgin Birth of Christ"). Each article is cleanly written and clearly organized. Indeed, Geisler's greatest talent is for logical thinking. Whether he is considering Jesus' view of the Bible or the tenets of Deism, he writes with confident assurance, so that no reader will feel lost.

Product Description

Providing Christians with a comprehensive reference volume covering every key issue, person, and concept related to Christian apologetics, this work offers extensive coverage of apologetics with articles on key individuals, philosophical systems and concepts, biblical controversies, contemporary issues, and perennial apologetic arguments. Valuable information and advice are provided for to a wide audience, including pastors and Christian leaders, students on college campuses, those involved in counter-cult ministries.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 841 pages
• Publisher: Baker Academic (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801021510
• ISBN-13: 978-0801021510
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.3 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #133,054 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Give him credit, he attempted the impossible, March 1, 2004

By	Jacob Aitken (Pineville, LA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Before I go any further I will state my background and possible presuppositions concerning the book. I am reformed, broadly pressuppositional in apologetics, and non dispensational in eschatology; therefore, I understand that Dr Geisler and I will probably not see eye to eye on some issues.

The book is a handy reference despite one's outlook in this area. He attempted the impossible and nearly succeeded. I agree with others that he should have incorporated other scholars to help. Here are the faults that I have with the book: He intends to view most major theologians of the past as *classical* in outlook, Calvin being the major example. Even more ironic is the fact that given his (Geisler) "cold neutrality" towards the Reformed faith, he warmly reivewed Reformed scholars who happened to employ a Classical outlook on apologetics (Machen, Warfield, etc.). Now don't get me wrong, those were good articles that he did. The last problem I have with the book is his treatment of Van Til. Some legitimate criticisms of VT maybe employed (although I certainly wouldn't try) but Geisler gives several columns in praise of VT and 4 pages, double columned in critiquing VT. He even uses John Robbins as a legitimate source on VT (this is nothing against Mr. Robbins, it just should be noted that he is antagonistic towards VT). He also misrepresents Jonathan Edwards.
The Good aspects of the book: Geisler writes with logical precision. He answers most challenges to the faith, and he spends OVER 40 PAGES, DOUBLE COLUMNED in defense of miracles. Obtain a copy of this volume if only for that! Despite my above criticisms of this book, I use it every day and would gladly recommend it to others

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best reference tool for Christian Apologetics, July 11, 2000

By	Paul R. Shockley (Stafford, Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In my opinion, Geisler's Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics is by far the best reference tool and study of Christian apologetics available to the church and society as a whole. I turn to this book to not only gain his insight and opinions in apologetics, but in theology, philosophy, and world religions as well-all in one volume! His bibliography alone is worth the price of this book! And his work concerning important or influential thinkers and their beliefs are well-balanced, fair, and very insightful. Indeed, this is a tremendous work and should be a required purchase for every Christian's library; its value is worth its weight in gold. If one cannot study under Dr. Geisler at Southern Evangelical Seminary in Charlotte, N.C., then studying this work is the next best thing. Because of his use of logic, years of study and experience in teaching the Scriptures, theology, and philosophy, and having multiple debates and friendships with some of the brightest scholars known world-wide, this book provides a wonderful source for those who have questions about the fundamental of the Christian faith including the existence of God, the factual resurrection of Jesus Christ, the inspiration and inerrancy (is the Bible without error?) and other subjects like the preservation of the Bible, the actual knowability of truth, infant salvation, existentialism, evolution, higher criticism, and the Person and work of the God of the Bible. He entertains questions like how can Christ be fully God yet fully man? Is Jesus Christ the only path or plan for salvation-are there more paths leading to salvation? What about the other world religions--are their claims legitimate and factual? How do other world religions measure up to the facts of the Bible? What is relativism? Is God the originator of evil? This is not only an excellent book for theologians, pastors, teachers, and students who are attending high school, colleges, universities, and seminaries as a reference tool for both personal and professional study, but for those Christians who are experiencing doubts concerning Christian truths or who were never taught the deep truths of the Bible and factual reasons to believe what the Bible proclaims. This book is also for those people who are curious about what Christians believe and why they believe the things they do. And for those who are afraid they will not understand the terminology or definitions, please don't worry. His definitions are clear and easily understandable; Dr. Geisler doesn't waste words to try to appear scholarly or impressive to academia. My hope is that Dr. Geisler will continue to add more information including charts with every future reprinting of this work.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Very Good Reference Work With A Few Needed Additions, November 25, 1999

By	James S. Taylor (Scarborough, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This work is both important and extensive. A number of the articles are near definitive. The buyer should, however, be aware of a few shortcomings. First, this is a best of Mr. Geisler, so it's strong where he's strong (particularly if he has previously written a book on the subject), but weak on things he's not focused on in the past. Actually, it's surprising that Baker would let one person write an entire volume on apologetics in this series when other volumes have benefited from multiple authors and there are other writers available who could have written more authoritatively on some subjects, particularly the science issues. Second, it desperately needs an index. A number of issues are handled under headings which are not obvious, and sometimes over multiple separated articals that haven't been cross-referenced, making them difficult to relocate. This sometimes involves major topics (such as Postmodernism and the Brain/Mind problem) which amazingly have no separate entries, though they certainly deserve them. Advanced readers will also wish he had dealt more extensively with the entire issue of non-foundationalist apologetics, particularly since his work is so solidly foundational. Don't let any of this scare you away, however, as it's well worth the read.