Customer Reviews

Reasons for Faith: Making a Case for the Christian Faith

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Reasons for faith contains a lot of background information about apologetics--a nice 400 pages in a text that feels good to handle. This work includes a thoughtful background for the reason for apologetics, about 60 pages. I like the essays on historical theology and literature's role in apologetics--more needs to be done on this topic. I was pleased that the Editor Norman Geisler offered a good chapter on the essentials of the faith. This was well written and a missing piece in many apologetics works. I found the science articles technical yet a simple sample of the standard design arguments covered in many other texts. If you want a book that goes beyond easy answers and into essays on a wide variety of topics than read this book. I'd recommend this for the seasoned apologist and maybe not for the novice.

"Reaons for Faith" is informative, thought-provoking, and relevant. What impresses me most about the book is how Geisler and Meister (editors) have succeeded in striking the difficult balance between scholarship and accessibility. There's plenty of meat to chew on for the non-specialist yet relatively informed apologist. On the other hand, the novice will find introductory chapters exlaining what apologetics is and why it's important.

The Christian who's been timid about engaging difficult questions and intellecutal obstacles will find encouragment and instruction in this book, while the open-minded seeker will find peruasive arguments for the existence of God, objective, aboslute truth, and a reponse to the problem of evil and suffering. I found the chapters critiquing many of today's major religious movements in light of Christian teaching extremely informative.

Bottom line? For all those interested in giving a defense for the hope that is them, this is a must-have handbook!

One spring morning in L.A. I walked to an empty field and sat down and declined on the grass to rest. I looked to my side and I focused on some blades of grass next to where I was positioned on the ground. The grass appeared blurry and unclear because it was so close to my eyes. This short-ranged focus not only strained my peepers but it made everything beyond the tip of my snout blurry and indistinct. I needed to rise up to a higher position as I adjust my sights to clear my focus, and in "Reasons for Faith: Making a Case for the Christian Faith" one can discover outstanding apologetic essays that exhibit clear precision intermixed with a few that lack lucidity for they should arise and find a loftier epistemic position. Herein prolific author Norman L. Geisler and Chad V. Meister edit a fine but at times flawed compilation of Christian apologetic essays. Geisler presents a wide variety of essential topics encased in a mostly classical and evidential approach.

Within this very readable volume one can find chapters on:

- The reason for apologetics

- Historical theology

- Essentials of the Christian faith (Geisler)

- The need for apologetics suited for young people and method one should employ (Josh McDowell)

- An appreciation of Bob Passantino by inimical anti-Van Tilian E. Calvin Beisner

- Postmodernism and Truth (JP Moreland)

- Aslan in the Public Square

- An essay opposing an inchoate version of Bahnsen's TAG by Sean Choi

- Faith and the Separation of Church and State by former evangelical Beckwith

- An exceptional but brief essay on Mormonism by Kurt Van Gorden

- And additional material.

Within the 400 pages are distinctive and important essays covering vital apologetic subjects from several top scholars. Various chapters present difficult philosophical answers in a simple-to-understand manner; this work is geared for the layman who desires short essays on wide ranging issues.

This volume is endorsed by:

- John Ankerberg

- Hank Hanegraaff

- Chuck Colson

- Harold J. Netland

- R. Phillip Roberts

This book is a collection of essays in honor of the Bob and Gretchen Passantino with the Forward by Lee Strobel.

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See the New Book that contends for the existence of God using moral absolutes by Mike Robinson:

There Are Moral Absolutes: How to Be Absolutely Sure That Christianity Alone Supplies

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or additionally see the dynamic new book on apologetics:

"Presuppositional Apologetics Examines Mormonism: How Van Til's Apologetic Refutes Mormon Theology"

or

One Way to God: Christian Philosophy and Presuppositional Apologetics Examine World Religions

Very insightful essays from leading Christian apologists. Many intelligent arguments for the existence of God. Perfect resource for anyone who wants to take their knowledge to new levels and have more ammunition in their pocket for sharing the reason for the hope that they have in Jesus with gentleness and respect. Some essays are a little difficult to comprehend in a quick read, but take the time to study and learn. It is worth it!

Sometimes it's fun reading a book that involves a group of essays from a variety of writers, and this work (dedicated to the Passantinos) was a delight to read. For those who enjoy apologetics works, there might not be a whole lot new here, but getting different perspectives on some key issues is always good. A few of the articles were dry, but overall, I'd have to give this book a top rating--definitely worth the time.

Top Christian scholars consider some of the great questions, carefully and with articulate precision. A few of these essays are better used in grad-school classrooms, but most are approachable, readable, cogent.

The editors have selected some of our most pressing questions, which are considered here without resorting to hyperbole, straw men, or false arguments. There is a humility of approach that graces these essays, helping all of us better understand the Christian mindset.

Students of apologetics will find some excellent work here; including modern revisions of Anselm's argument. Well-reasoned, well-written and well-assembled.

Dr. David Frisbie

The Center for Marriage & Family Studies

Author of The Soul-Mate Marriage: The Spiritual Journey of Becoming One