Customer Reviews

Skeptics Answered

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Okay, I spoke with a good chaplain for nearly 3 hours and he sent me this book. I am now looking for another to buy for a friend. It really is a useful book. It hasn't converted me to the faith (I am still a skeptic), but it has (fortunately or unfortunately?) brought to me irrefutable proof of the Bible's viability, of Jesus Christ's existance, and better understanding of the Christian view of God.
I may not have been converted, but it has definately strengthened any arguments I might have with Christians. It has also made it nearly impossible to argue this faith because, as the book will show the open-minded, there is paradoxic proof of God's existance. It is a difficult concept, but true.
Unfortunately, the author does have a few logic gaps and is somewhat condenscending. His manner of presentation, however, is excellent and the proof he details is irrefutable.
Just to remind the reader of this reveiw, I am still not a believer in God, but that is only due to my rebellion to the idea that he exists, not because there is no proof to his existance. Skeptic or Christian, I encourage you to read this book.

I read this book as part of a college bible study; as a Christian, I am somewhat dismayed that this sort of work is often the only association many people have with Christianity! This book is intended to convince people of the truth of the faith and the validity of the Bible; if you have any background in science, history, or religion, it will probably do neither.

As a paleontology student, I can honestly say that Kennedy's approach to evolution is incomplete at best. When the scientific evidence is overwhelmingly against a fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible, he resorts to a "straw man" tactic. For instance, the theory of natural selection says *nothing* about the ultimate origin of life, yet he continually states that it does.

Regardless of one's opinion on Christianity, some glaring problems are present in the text. For instance, Kennedy attributes the panspermia origins hypothesis to Francis Crick--the idea was actually originated in the work of a number of earlier scientists (although Crick did refine the hypothesis to "directed panspermia"). Additionally, Kennedy relies almost exclusively on secondary literature (typically other Christian apologetics books, which also frequently rely on the secondary literature, ad infinitum!). I wonder how many of Darwin's (and others') quotes were taken of context.

Another major problem is the total omission of recent work--most of the scientists, historians, and religious scholars quoted within the book have been dead at least 50 years.

Finally, I take major issue with the condescending tone of most of the book. Kennedy's continued references to "disarming," "defeating," and letting your "opponent" "hit the sand on his back," left a bad taste in my mouth. Religious disagreements are no reason for humiliation of another human being (and I would argue this method goes against the message of the Gospel!).

If you are looking for undebatable, factual information on Christianity, I cannot recommend this book. Most of the arguments contained within it are incomplete at best, and dead wrong at the very worst; attempting to use them in debate with an educated non-Christian would invariably be futile. Needless to say, I enjoyed reading it--I was kept very busy in tracking down errors and finding alternative interpretations!

Does God Exist? Can you prove that Christian Theism (CT) is exclusively true as a worldview? Why is there suffering? In Skeptics Answered, the late D. James Kennedy provides the reader with countless evidential reasons that affirm CT. This book is aimed more for believers and he utilizes simple to understand arguments in non-technical language.

In this very readable volume Kennedy looks at:

- The Trustworthiness of the Biblical test
- Proof for God existence
- Suffering, pain, and the problem of evil
- The powerful and compelling evidence for CT
- Heaven and life after death
- Mathematical proof from fulfilled prophecies
- Evidence for Intelligent creation
- And more.

Skeptics Answered is an evidential book suited for new believers or those new to apologetic issues. Easy to read and loaded with outstanding answers to a host of difficult skeptical questions. Nice Study Guide is included to assist personal or group learning.

Dr. D. James Kennedy was the long-term senior minister of the influential Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and host of "The Coral Ridge Hour" television program as well as the speaker of the national radio program "Truths that Transform." Kennedy authored more than thirty books, including the most important book on witnessing in the 20th century "Evangelism Explosion."
God Does Exist!: Defending the faith using presuppositional apologetics, evidence, and the impossibility of the contrary

I purchased this book looking for true insight into Christianity. Kennedy's goal is not to give answers to skeptics but to give Christians ammunition to win an argument. He is more concerned about ridiculing non-Christians than trying to help them understand his point of view. Some of his claims are absurd, his logic is filled with gaping holes, and his tone is arrogant and condescending. Kennedy gleefully charges through the book building one flimsy argument on top of another. If you are already Christian, you may claim that this book helps to solidify your beliefs. If not, don't expect Kennedy to give you a single argument change your mind.

The book answers many of the questions that most skeptics start with. It may not be a good book to give to a skeptic as it can be condescending towards some skeptics. A must for Christians who have trouble in debates with skeptics.

I recommend this book to those interested in both the work of Dr. Kennedy and Christianity. Inside, there is both excellent argument and defense to fend off the naysayers and attempting defeaters of Christianity. Many questions are addressed, e.g. "Did Jesus Christ really exist?", "If there is a God, why is there suffering?", "Is there a Heaven and Afterlife?", and Dr. Kennedy uses his vast resources of information to provide solid backing in support of his viewpoints. Readers should keep in mind that it is easier to say that something didn't/doesn't exist than to prove that it does. The burden is on those who say that:

*Both God AND Jesus Christ exist.
*Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
*Heaven exists and there is eternal life.
*God created the world.

Basically, both religion and science will be forever embattling each other over the origin of Man and the aforementioned questions. Each bases its arguments by referring to events from thousands/millions of years ago; though compelling evidence can be presented, they both fall under non-falsifiable hypotheses (can neither be concretely proven/disproven). Theories can be constructed, inferences made and conclusions even drawn....Even so, this book is a "fortress" in support of God and Christianity. Moreover, what it boils down to is faith, belief and what each and every one of us will discover on that grand and glorious day when our eternal lives begin.

Right before reading this, I read "Beginning Again" by Dr. Kennedy which inspired me to read this work. While some may see Dr. Kennedy as being condescending and perhaps arrogant, he was a genius and a brilliant man. In fact, he was one of the most influential people in the spread of modern Christianity.

Again, this book is recommended.

A well put-together outline which addresses many common "objections" to Christianity. It really opened my eyes to the existence of the mountain of irrefutable evidence about the deity of Christ, his life, death and resurrection. The notes/references and the study questions make this book a good place to begin your studies. I will be using it for a small group study on defending the Christian faith.

I agree with the reader immediately below this review, in that Kennedy has a tendency towards being condescending. However, he is a friendly, easy-to-read writer who is both capable and humorous. This book is not the cream of the intellectual crop (although Kennedy probably is), but it is a fair introduction into apologetics.

I recommend it.

Peace,

Christinaphylus

This is an older book, but I hadn't read it... and now that I have, I must say I expected more when I picked up this book... with a name like D. James Kennedy I expected solid evidence to be given in defense of the faith, but this book turned out instead to be a very good example of the blind arrogance Christians resort to when presented with questions that challenge their faith. Example... in the very first chapter he gives instruction on how to use what he calls the "Judo Technique" to beat up(?) the non-believer... what the heck. He also uses many other arrogant descriptions throughout the book such as "Freely translated, this argument can be summed up as follows: I am so ignorant of the facts, I really shouldn't be opening my mouth." Well Dr.(that's funny) Kennedy should live by his own words because the book is devoid of facts but is instead filled with ridiculous ranting and cheering that may encourage other believers but for skeptics I think the only thing this book does is give them one more reason... not to believe.

Much like Rev. Kennedy's book, Why I Believe, but not told in first person. He takes skeptics questions and answers them with historical references or biblical references.