Customer Reviews

Hard Questions, Real Answers

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

With 2 Ph.D.'s in his hip pocket and many scholarly writings to his name, William Lane Craig could go through life as a pompous ivory tower dweller. Instead, Craig has made himself available to the common man. From the information he provided Strobel in his layperson works to works like Hard Questions, Craig is understandable for any Christian willing to hear. This is a simple, 8-chapter book that hits issues like doubt, unanswerer prayer, and suffering and evil that would be a benefit to anyone struggling with these issues. The book is not meant to be comprehensive, and certainly with only 8 topics, there is much left out of the book. But what is here is very concise and straightforward. I don't agree with Craig every step of the way, though I understand the process of his thinking. (If you have ever heard him debate, from atheists to Muslims, you would understand why it would be intimidating to disagree with him to his face!) Overall, I recommend this book--have it on the shelf--and when an issue comes up (such as abortion, homosexuality, or whether or not a person can reach God through Christ alone), you will be ready with good information.

"Don't judge a book by its cover." Everyone has heard that phrase a few times in their life, right? Well, this book -- which upon first sight appears to be a soft evangelical text for teenagers, ala those found in your local Christian book store -- is actually very deep in its thought, and thorough with every area it covers. That is to be expected from Dr. William Lane Craig.

Craig addresses all eight subjects covered in "Hard Questions, Real Answers" very well (the two chapters on the 'problem of evil' were simply top-notch). Contrary to another reviewer who expressed a somewhat incoherent disagreement with Craig's chapter on homosexuality, I believe Craig tackled homosexuality (which is a very difficult topic in the first place) with insight, and showed none of the alleged ignorance.

He also tells of his own personal experiences in several chapters (e.g., the conversion of his two parents nearing the end of his father's life, and how his first attempt at getting a Doctorate in theology failed, despite prayer). Besides merely illustrating a topic, personal sories such as these let the reader know that Craig has experienced and is hence familiar with at least most of the subjects he writes about in his book.

In conclusion of a brief review, this is not typically the type of book one would expect from Dr. Craig, the author of such titles as "The Kalam Cosmological Argument" and "Atheism, Theism, and Big Bang Cosmology". But it is a good read nonetheless for insightful answers to a few specific (but very significant) questions.

I have always respected the brain power of William Lane Craig. He is quite simply one of the most brilliant Christian men alive today. For this reason, I was afraid to read this book because I thought that his thinking would be so superior to my own that I would never be able to grasp his thought.

But alas, I am happy to report that this book was a delightful read, a beautiful collection of messages that Craig gave on hot potato topics such as the problem of evil, abortion, homosexuality, doubt, failure, and unanswered prayer. Craig is very practical and pastoral (and often quite humorous).

This book encouraged my faith so much that before I was done, I ordered a copy for my mom and a copy for my sister in law.

I especially appreciated the powerful chapter on unanswered prayer, where Craig gives a number of solid reasons why a person's prayers often go unanswered (personal sin, lack of passion, lack of persistence, self-centered praying, and praying for something that isn't God's will (1 John 5:14). He also highlights some New Testament prayers as paradigms for how we should pray.

I also profited greatly from the two chapters dealing with the problem of evil, as this issue has always stumped me when trying to reason through this issue with atheists and agnostics.

The chapter on failure was also insightful, as I learned how God's most profound lessons in life are learned through failure.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is easily one of the best books I have read in the year 2006.

Rev. Marc Axelrod

The only reason that I haven't given this book 5 stars is because I am working under the assumption that any man-made work can be improved.
However, Craig has outdone himself with this book. Much of his earlier writing contains the same concise logic and strong argumentation, but "Hard Questions, Real Answers" accomplishes this in language anyone can understand. Perhaps this is the book's greatest strength, it does not sacrifice intellectual reasoning and Craig's ability to analyze problems from a variety of perspectives, for popular approval. I mean, it is one thing to write on the relationship of God to Time or to defend the physical resurrection of Jesus; but it is another to tackle the most complex and volatile social issues from a standpoint that is both Christian and scholarly.
Also, this book does not deal merely with 'Christian' problems. The chapters probe the depths of the modern human struggle. The chapter on failure is extremely poignant and insightful in its analysis of how one should react to and come back from personal disappointments and tragedies.
Ultimately, this book is not only a great read, it is an excellent tool for evangelism and discipleship in our postmodern world.

I came from a communist country (Cuba) where you can not even dream buying books like this one. I will not mention the church, because the church in Cuba is an arm of the security services to spy on people's frustrations. Mr Jaime Ortega (the top figure at the catholic church) is the perfect example. He's a communist agent very well accepted at the Vatican and in the Central Commitee of the Comunist Party. People like him should read this book and learn a bit about Jesus and the Bible. In Cuba, for example, is easier to perform abortions than to buy a condom.

Why does God allow pain, evil, etc? Why doesn't God answer my prayers? William Lane Craig is a Phd (I think a dual PhD) and he clearly explains, in a very logical manner, the most difficult answers to the toughest questions. I've read 20 or more books similar to this one but put this near the top of my list. The all time classic is "I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist" by Geisler. Get that one too! Read these books and not only will you better understand all the "whys" but you will also be better equiped to explain the answers to people you come across in the future who may have the same questions. God is Great but not always easily understood!

This book is awesome! (as is every other piece of literature or media which I've read/listened to by Dr. Craig)

This book gives scientific and biblical insight/answers to the topics which Church leaders tend to shy away from because they are so volatile.

One of the most prominent theologians of our day, Dr. William Lane Craig has written a studied, well thought out, and entirely accessible Q&A book for both the faithful and seekers alike. This is the kind of read that both I, as a student of philosophy, and my wife, whose interest in such topics is marginal, but has been slowly increasing due to her reading of Craig, both pick up on occasion, read before bed, and feel inspired in our faith as well as deepened in our knowledge and devotion to Christ.

Interesting hot topic issues jump from the pages and are addressed with a balance of clear language and philosophical rigor. Insightful sections include a compassionate analysis of homosexuality from an orthodox perspective as well as a firm defense of Christian exclusivism, and answers to burning questions such as the problem of evil. All comments are delivered skillfully and with respect.

Following Craig's career, and hearing both his academic debates and his Sunday sermon teachings, he is a man who is as comfortable in front of thousands of atheists or adherents to different faiths as he is teaching to a class of ten during Sunday school. Craig studied under the eminent German theologian Wolfhart Pannenberg and John Hick. If you are only used to Q&A books from popular pastors who feed on emotion and a verse-and-chapter approach to the Word, but are seeming to lack that "put-away punch," Craig's book rises to the occasion with a strong philosophical emphasis bolstering traditionally held theological commitments.

yes WLC does it again - this time he uses all the years of questions and responses and brings the answers together.
i like craig and i like his style - he never backs down and has the phil. goods to overtake all phil. opposition.
he wins and helps u win, but with care and truth.
never a dull moment.

craig, craig, craig,
was it the chicken or the egg?
truth be told,
it must be from the one of old,
the ancient of days,
are't u glad he alone is the one who pays.

William Lane Craig has helped my faith incredibly with his books and debates. I am not satisfied with "simple" faith, and Dr. Craig gives amazing answers to the questions we all have.