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What's So Great About Christianity [Hardcover]

Dinesh D'Souza
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (258 customer reviews)

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Book Description

September 25, 2007
Is it reasonable to have faith in God? Can intelligent, educated people really believe what the Bible says? Or do the atheists have it right—has Christianity been disproven by science and discredited as a guide to morality? Best-selling author Dinesh D'Souza (The Enemy at Home; What's So Great about America) responds head-on to the anti-God arguments of prominent atheists such as Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens and defeats them on their own terms. What's So Great about Christianity provides believers with a straightforward tool kit for meeting the challenge of modern atheism and secularism; for nonbelievers, it offers a compelling apologetic that will challenge their assumptions and affirm that there really is something great about Christianity.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

D'Souza offers "sharp and poignant observations on...freedom and opportunity." --Wall Street Journal --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

From the Inside Flap

Is Christianity obsolete? Can an intelligent, educated person really believe the Bible? Or do the atheists have it right? Has Christianity been disproven by science, debunked as a force for good, and discredited as a guide to morality?

Bestselling author Dinesh D'Souza (What's So Great About America) looks at Christianity with a questioning eye, but treats atheists with equal skepticism. The result is a book that will challenge the assumptions of both believers and doubters and affirm that there really is, indeed, something great about Christianity. D'Souza reveals:

*Why Christianity explains what modern science tells us about the universe and our origins--that matter was created out of nothing, that light preceded the sun--better than atheism does
*How Christianity created the framework for modern science, so that Christianity and science are not irreconcilable, but science and atheism might be
*Why the alleged sins of Christianity--the Crusades, the Inquisition, the Galileo affair ("an atheist's fable")--are vastly overblown
*Why atheist regimes are responsible for the greatest mass murders of history
*Why evolution does not threaten Christian belief, but actually supports the "argument from design"
*Why atheists fear the Big Bang theory and the "anthropic principle" of the universe, which are keystones of modern astronomy and physics
*How Christianity explains consciousness and free will, which atheists have to deny
*Why ultimately you can't have Western civilization--and all we value from it--without the Christianity that gave it birth.

Provocative, enlightening, a twenty-first-century successor to C. S. Lewis' Mere Christianity, Dinesh D'Souza's What's So Great About Christianity is the perfect book for the seeker, the skeptic, and the believer who wants to defend his faith.


Product Details

  • Hardcover: 348 pages
  • Publisher: Regnery Publishing (September 25, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1596985178
  • ISBN-13: 978-1596985179
  • Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 1.2 x 9.3 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (258 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #303,589 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dinesh D'Souza has had a 25-year career as a writer, scholar, and public intellectual. A former policy analyst in the Reagan White House, D'Souza also served as John M. Olin Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, and the Robert and Karen Rishwain Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. He served as the president of The King's College in New York City from 2010 to 2012.

Called one of the "top young public-policy makers in the country" by Investor's Business Daily, D'Souza quickly became known as a major influencer on public policy through his writings. His first book, Illiberal Education (1991), publicized the phenomenon of political correctness in America's colleges and universities and became a New York Times bestseller for 15 weeks. It has been listed as one of the most influential books of the 1990s.

In 1995, D'Souza published The End of Racism, which became one of the most controversial books of the time and another national bestseller. His 1997 book, Ronald Reagan: How an Ordinary Man Became an Extraordinary Leader, was the first book to make the case for Reagan's intellectual and political importance. D'Souza's The Virtue of Prosperity (2000) explored the social and moral implications of wealth.

In 2002, D'Souza published his New York Times bestseller What's So Great About America, which was critically acclaimed for its thoughtful patriotism. His 2003 book, Letters to a Young Conservative, has become a handbook for a new generation of young conservatives inspired by D'Souza's style and ideas. The Enemy at Home, published in 2006, stirred up a furious debate both on the left and the right. It became a national bestseller and was published in paperback in 2008, with a new afterword by the author responding to his critics.

Just as in his early years D'Souza was one of the nation's most articulate spokesmen for a reasoned and thoughtful conservatism, in recent years he has been an equally brilliant and forceful defender of Christianity. What's So Great About Christianity not only intelligently explained the core doctrines of the Christian faith, it also explained how the freedom and prosperity associated with Western Civilization rest upon the foundation of biblical Christianity. Life After Death: The Evidence shows why the atheist critique of immortality is irrational and draws the striking conclusion that it is reasonable to believe in life after death.

In 2010, D'Souza wrote The Roots of Obama's Rage (Regnery), which was described as the most influential political book of the year and proved to be yet another best seller.

In 2012, D'Souza published two books, Godforsaken and Obama's America: Unmaking the American Dream, the latter climbing to #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and inspiring a documentary on the same topic. The film, called "2016: Obama's America," has risen to the second-highest all-time political documentary, passing Michael Moore's Sicko and Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth. In addition, 2016 has risen to #4 on the bestselling list of all documentaries.

These endeavors--not to mention a razor-sharp wit and entertaining style--have allowed D'Souza to participate in highly-publicized debates about Christianity with some of the most famous atheists and skeptics of our time.

Born in Mumbai, India, D'Souza came to the U.S. as an exchange student and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Dartmouth College in 1983.

D'Souza has been named one of America's most influential conservative thinkers by the New York Times Magazine. The World Affairs Council lists him as one of the nation's 500 leading authorities on international issues, and Newsweek cited him as one of the country's most prominent Asian-Americans.

D'Souza's articles have appeared in virtually every major magazine and newspaper, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic Monthly, Vanity Fair, New Republic, and National Review. He has appeared on numerous television programs, including the The Today Show, Nightline, The News Hour on PBS, The O'Reilly Factor, Moneyline, Hannity, Bill Maher, NPR's All Things Considered, CNBC's Kudlow Report, Lou Dobbs Tonight, and Real Time with Bill Maher.

Customer Reviews

I recommend this book to any agnostics, atheists, or Christians. Emil L. Zenk  |  70 reviewers made a similar statement
I found this book very well researched and very well written. Kathryn Bemowski  |  71 reviewers made a similar statement
Mr. D'Souza does a great job of showing what's so great about Christianity. Ruth Thompson  |  37 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
215 of 250 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I found this book to be wonderfully refreshing. We live in a time when books promoting atheism and attacking religion (especially Christianity) are best sellers and promoted nearly everywhere. This book stands up for Christianity, but in an intellectual and systematic way. D'Souza has not provided a book of testimony or a scriptural defense of faith. He spends twenty-four chapters examining the arguments made against religion and answers them using history, philosophy, and careful reasoning. Chapters 25 & 26 are the closest the author comes to promoting Christianity and inviting you to examine its benefits. However, it is hardly an aggressive missionary approach.

D'Souza presents the basic material examining Christianity in seven parts (the eight being the last two chapters). The first is "The Future of Christianity". The author lays out the current bump in popularity in militant atheism, but why it is really a long term loser. Despite atheism's best efforts, outside narrow intellectual circles religion is growing in most places in the world. In particular, Christianity is growing the fastest of all and in its future is bright. The second part looks at the historical rise and contributions of Christianity to Western Civilization and again demonstrates that many popular notions are simply wrong or fabrications.

The third part looks at science as a wonderful tool and a very poor faith. I particularly loved the chapter correcting the popular notion that Galileo was imprisoned by the Church because the Church was trying to suppress scientific truth. In fact, he was put under house arrest because he published a book he had promised not to publish and insulted the pope in a very egregious way. However, Galileo's scientific truths were being examined by the leading intellects of the day, who were in the Church, and while much was accepted, it did turn out that Galileo was wrong about some details.

The fourth part examines the various arguments against the Church because of evolution and natural selection. D'Souza shows the evidence for creation, that evolution per se says nothing against religion or faith, and how what is understood in the natural record comfortably corresponds to religious teaching over the millennia. Yes, all human knowledge has expanded, but the core religious truths have not been overthrown.

Part five is an interesting examination of the limits of the reason that the atheists say overthrows faith. D'Souza makes an interesting use of Kant to demonstrate a problem in Hume's thought. We also get treated to an interesting discussion of why miracles are reasonable and the skeptic's wager. That is, if there really is nothing, one hasn't lost much by believing in God and yet if there is a God not believing in him presents a great cost.

Part six looks at the notion of suffering as an argument against God and Christianity. The author corrects the notion that religion is responsible for the great mass murders in history and exposes the lame attempts by atheists to try and keep their skirts clean by pushing Hitler, Stalin, Lenin, and Mao in the camp of believers.

Part seven spends several chapters examining the problem of morality for atheists, despite their great efforts to construct their own morality, the notion of spirit, why so many find unbelief (even a passive unbelief) so appealing, and the problem that evil in the world presents to those who believe in God. I think D'Souza does a good job with each topic.

I recommend this book to any Christian of any sect to get great information about the history, power, and strength of your history and faith. No, it is not a replacement for your communion with the Spirit or the nourishment of your faith in the scriptures. However, it will help you deal with the nagging frustrations you feel when you see Dawkins, Harris, Hitchens, and others on TV or read their words in articles and books. While they are very confident in their faith (and that is exactly what atheism is at its core), most of what they are presenting is testimony rather than fact and sound reasoning.

If you are in doubt about choosing between a search for faith or giving up and accepting materialism, I also urge you to read this book, but to also seek to join yourself with a community of believers who can help you on your journey. My faith is strengthened by worshiping and living in faith with others and you probably will, too.

If you are an atheist, I also think you should read this book. No, I don't expect that it will open a mind already committed to an opposite point of view, but it will give you a good look at the strength of argument on the other side. If you simply dismiss them out of hand or disdainfully push them away, you haven't won anything because you haven't actually participated in an exchange of ideas. Sure, you have every right to do so, but I don't find such pride and contempt of others to be very becoming.

Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Ann Arbor, MI
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237 of 323 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars the right book at the right time October 1, 2007
Format:Hardcover
I had the chance to read a review copy of this book, and it is excellent. D'Souza engages the arguments of Dawkins, Dennett, Hitchens and other atheists with arguments for the existence of God in general, and the Christian God in particular by arguing on their turf--through an examination of scientific evidence. It is fascinating, detailed, and convincing. It is an important book written at a critical time.
Was this review helpful to you?
13 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 CD Library Binding
I have to give D'Souza credit for making the best arguments that I've heard in defense of Christianity. As an atheist, I don't agree with his arguments, but I am still impressed with the way he intelligently presents his case. I can't tell you how many Christian apologists just come across as just plain superstitious and unconvincing.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent writing and insight
The author addresses areas of society and history that are not normally covered in a book about Christianity. Read more
Published 5 days ago by Tommy Hill
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
Great for us Christians. It would be a good read for non believers and would most likely make them at least think.
Published 10 days ago by Donald M Alldredge
5.0 out of 5 stars Solid answers to the modern challenges of Atheism
It's nice to see a great Christian apologist give solid answers the modern challenges from the more militant atheist. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Craig Richardson
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
It takes every view if atheism and shows why it can't be true. Honestly one of the best books I've read in a while. Thought provoking.
Published 2 months ago by JDM
5.0 out of 5 stars Impressed
This book was written for the non-Christian audience but Christians will find it inspiring. This book gives very sensical answers to the objections others, especially atheists,... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Robin J. Zaleski
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Read
Delves into history, science, and philosophy. It will broaden your horizons, unless you're already a professional in one of those fields. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Warren Dunklin
5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing, Interesting
I had the opportunity to read "What's So Great About Christianity" by Dinesh D'Souza and LOVED IT. I really enjoy his writings and the way he challenges us to look at things... Read more
Published 3 months ago by M. Brinson
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource
I'm reading this book again (second time). Very insightful. Explains various world views. Very encouraging and thought provoking. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Gary White
5.0 out of 5 stars A great defense of the faith
Too often people who have faith are viewed as nieve or guilty of superficial reasoning and thinking. Read more
Published 3 months ago by David C Garver
5.0 out of 5 stars Bridget
This book was fantastic! I found myself laughing often, quite like you do when you see a movie and the good guy does something clearly "righting" what the bad guy has "wronged". Read more
Published 3 months ago by Unknown
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Conservatives don't really believe this nonsense.
Have you two read this book? Dinesh gives HUGE amounts of it to his opponent's positions. He is never disrespectful or dismissive. Hyperbolic and divisive statements such as, "every conservative christian" and "propaganda about atheists" really reveals that your objection is... Read more
Feb 21, 2008 by Michael Phillips |  See all 7 posts
The Reason for God or What's So Great About Christianity?
I would HIGHLY recommend D'Souza's book, it is amazing. I consider it to be possibly the best apologetics book ever written, especially considering that he uses the questions/arguments of the atheist and answers them directly with science facts. D'Souza realizes that those who are not Christians... Read more
Feb 21, 2008 by Michael Phillips |  See all 3 posts
The Power of Now is the Power of Self Be the first to reply
Ain't going to heaven
The question you have to ask is - why do you and your family behave that way? Where did that ideal you seem to pattern your life after come from? Out of nothing? People cling to "irrational and outmoded beliefs" because they are neither. Your life has been governed by the very rules... Read more
Feb 27, 2008 by Roger C. Delaney |  See all 10 posts
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