Why I Believe [Paperback]

D. James Kennedy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 23, 1999

In this powerful declaration of what Christians believe and why, Kennedy explores the foundations of the Christian faith. For new believers and seasoned Christians alike, this book will strengthen their faith by answering that all consuming question, "Why?"

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson; Revised edition (April 23, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849937396
• ISBN-13: 978-0849937392
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #324,153 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why I Believe by Dr. Kennedy, June 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Why I Believe (Paperback)

This book will help open the door to understanding and knowledge for all those earnest seekers of God's truth. The information and insight provided in this book will turn on many light bulbs for most open minded readers. The power of this information is undeniable at establishing and proving that the Bible and Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ is true and the most powerful event in human history. I haved used this book to help many unbelievers and nay-sayers see the Light. God Lives and Loves us!

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but not great., July 10, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Why I Believe (Paperback)

I inherited this book from my late grandfather, and have just started reading it yesterday. I am nearly through with the book-it is a very quick read. Dr. Kennedy writes in a very clear and concise style that the average reader can understand. I do not agree with everything he writes though, keep in mind that he is a Presbyterian minister.

I do have one major gripe about the book though-Dr. Kennedy sources are usually not primary. He writes that Darwin said this, or Pliny the younger wrote that, yet he does not cite a primary source. As a trained historian and a serious seeker I would like to know exactly when and where a person said this or that. I do not want to be directed to a Josh McDowell book.

If it is serious apologetics that you are after then pick up Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. I also reccommend reading the works of the early Church fathers. I am grateful that I inherited this book instead of buying it.

21 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Writing style is a detriment to an otherwise good book, April 5, 2001

By 

Chris in Maine (Portland, ME United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Why I Believe (Paperback)

This was the very first Christian apologetic book I read. I first read the original edition, borrowed from a friend, and later purchased the revised edition.

One thing that I had hoped would be updated was Kennedy's writing style. I don't know what he had in mind, but if he considered at all that this book may have been read by informed critics or even marginally intelligent people, he would have refrained from making such absurd claims about the people he cites.

Common to this book is such language as "Source x, who is without a doubt the smartest man to ever live", and "this man, undoubtedly the most brilliant mind of his time...", etc. In most cases, he makes these claims about people I've never heard of. Others I have. The problem is, when you make such sweeping claims, it hurts your credibility as an objective researcher and writer. He'd have done better to just cite his sources and give a brief presentation of their credentials and leave it at that.

That being said, he does cover a lot of material, and though sometimes he's unable to resist resorting to Bible-thumping, many of his arguments are very good. I wholly agree, for instance, with his chapter on Moral Absolutes. Doctrinally, I have very few problems with the book and the defenses he gives.

I was a bit troubled by his brief yet harsh treatments of Catholicism. For instance, he overstates somewhat the happenings of the Inquisition, filing those involved as "non-Christians persecuting Christians." I wish he'd have addressed the Peasants Revolt, Protestant witch hunts, and the English reformation to offer some balance, but that is probably wishful thinking. However, a comment on page 147 is absolutely laughable: "I'm quite sure that no Christian would ever torture anyone." Well congratulations, Mr. Kennedy, you just called John Calvin, your mentor, a non-Christian (see: Michael Servetus, tortured and executed by John Calvin in Geneva). I appreciate your candor in denoucing the father of Presbyterianism - your denomination - as a non-Christian. I also found that his implication that Catholics are illiterate (p.156) to be absurd and offensive. Its too bad emotional bias got in the way of scholarly honesty, but sadly this happens all to often in this camp.

I hesitate to give this to anyone, as I believe his writing style is a turnoff that serves to repel, not witness.