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Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions

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Mr. Samples has given us a clearly written, well-documented, and deeply helpful book on why anyone should believe the Christian worldview to be true and rational. Books on this topic--Christian apologetics--are fairly plentiful, but few of them are as theologically and philosophy astute as this volume. Unlike many introductory to intermediate level books on this topic, Samples articulates a consistently Reformed approach to Christianity (which comports with my own), even offering a concise but astute chapter on the value of creeds to apologetics. I know of no other apologetics book with such a chapter.

The book is organized around twenty questions broken into three sections: (1) Thinking Through Questions about Faith in God (2) Thinking Through Questions about Faith in Jesus Christ (3) Thinking Through Objections to Christian Faith. Most all the pertinent topics of apologetics are covered, with a few minor exceptions. The two chapters on the relationship of Christianity to other religions are superb and highly pertinent, since this is one of the major issues facing Christians today. (Even so, many texts on apologetics sadly ignore this issue.) His chapter on Blaise Pascal and the wager was much appreciated by this Pascalian! (See my book, "On Pascal.")

Samples says his apologetic method is "eclectic" and simply asks us to discover it as he answers questions. That is allowable, but one wishes for a short statement on his basic means of argumentation. Although Samples' chapter on Christianity and science nicely covers the Christian basis of modern science and the problems with scientism, he says nothing directly about the problems with Darwinism (although has some helpful comments about philosophical naturalism, the philosophy that artificially props up Darwinism) or how one might reconcile Genesis and the deliverances of science.

But these are minor complaints. "Without a Doubt" is one of the best one-volume introductions to apologetics published in recent years. May it become a textbook in colleges, seminaries, and churches around the country and the globe. I am using it as a supplemental text for "Defending Christian Faith" at Denver Seminary.

Many books attempting to answer tough questions in the Christian faith are either simplistic or too academic. In this book, Mr. Samples has produced an outstanding work which is as useful for the untrained layman as it is for the advanced scholar. The answers are intellectually satisfying, sufficiently deep, and span enough breadth to engage the problems meaningfully and thoughtfully.

This book will give you honest, well-researched answers that fall within all the major traditions of the historic Christian faith. Because it answers many of the questions that skeptics have asked recently and through the ages, this book is useful for non-Christians who really want to know the intellectual basis for many of Christianity's major beliefs. It's also tremendously useful for Christians who have honest questions that they haven't got answered in their own church.

The book is in an ideal format for group study or Sunday school class, and it's easy enough to read to engage anyone from High School on up.

A critic of Samples writes that there is nothing new in this book and that he is more convinced it is Christianity that is wrong, not atheism. Pardon me, but did this fellow read the book? Samples offers some of the very best in Christian apologetic responses to humankind's most pressing questions. If the fellow was expecting a centerfold with pictures of God, Jesus leaving the tomb, etc., then I'm afraid this is never going to happen. But the evidence is clearly there to show that, while we don't have full knowledge of all spiritual inquiries, the information we do have available very clearly shows that there are plausible answers to even the tough questions. We just don't have easy answers, and this is because we lack omniscience. (Yet even science does not have all the answers, or I ask, "How many planets are there?" Nine, all textbooks say, even the most up-to-date. But could there be 10, as a recent discovery in July 2005 shows? And really, how do we know that there are not 11 or 12 planets?)

While the information in this book is certainly available elsewhere (When Skeptics Ask by Geisler and Handbook of Chrsitian Apologetics by Kreeft come to mind), I believe Samples did a wonderful job by making "Without a Doubt" very understandable. I really believe that the typical layperson should be able to pick this up and, in three weeks (one chapter a night), have better answers to give those who ask these questions (1 Peter 3:15-16). Therefore, I recommend the book, even to the skeptical atheist. But then, if you remain atheistic in your belief system, I would love to see your answers to these questions.

I have been fortunate enough to be exposed to Kenneth Samples teaching in a class setting in the past. He taught a series on logic and 'learning how to learn' at a local church. He is just as lucid in his teaching as he is in this book.
When he told the class about the book before it was released, I was really looking forward to reading it. I had no doubt that it would be a vital resource in my library of apologetics studies. My optimism was proved correct. I can't put it down!
He has a way of clearly articulating the point without going into overkill. Some philosophers try too hard to show their scholarship by dragging a point out. He knows his stuff well enough to be able to communicate it back and educate those who would call themselves laymen and academics, alike. He is a good teacher and anyone who has the pleasure of reading this book or studying under him will see the blessing in their own lives.
Pick up this book. It answers some of the questions I have not seen approached in other volumes that I own on the topic. It is truly a great resource. Definitely add this to your collection.

Kenneth Samples' work provides a clear, systematic resource for a wide spectrum of inquiring minds. For the intelligent seeker, this book thoroughly analyzes and answers the most common questions about the faith. For the long-time Christian, it will sharpen the mind and instill wholesome habits of logical thinking.

Samples' inclusion of moral apologetics is especially welcome. Christians are often well prepared to show the historical accuracy of the Scriptures, but lack the same zeal and confidence to show the corruption of human nature -- the radical problem requiring the radical solution.

In Ken Samples' book, he takes us beyond simple Sunday school answers and takes us to the heart of questions that many Christian's either don't have good answers for or need help articulating such issues to unbelieving friends and family.

Truly a must read book for any Christian.

I still have wonderfull memories of professor Samples' classes at Cerritos College. One of which is the first day of his World Religions class. As with C.S. Lewis, students filled the entire room and lined the walls just to hear him deliver his lecture. Samples has wonderful way of delivering his material and certainly stands in the tradition of C.S. Lewis, Calvin, Luther and, of course, St. Augustine.

In Without a Doubt, Samples demonstrates years of solid reflection on some of the toughest questions about historic Christianity. A few of the questions addressed are: "How can anyone know that God exists?" "Aren't the creeds a thing of the past?" "Are the Gospels trustworthy accounts of Jesus' life?" along with questions regarding the nature of the trinity, religious pluralism, and Christianity and science. Since each chapter addresses a question the text can work as a kind of catechism. In essence, this is a work that helps the lay person understand the central doctrines of the Christian faith.

One of the nicest surprises about Samples' book is his defense of creedal Christianity. The ecumenical creeds (Apostles', Nicene, Athanasian, and Chalcedon) are often overlooked in works of apologetics. Nonetheless, the creeds have always defined authentic Christianity against heresies, sects, theological renegades, and schismatics. In the sense that the creeds serve to defend and present correct Christian teaching, they are apologetic in nature. Professor Samples thoughtfully addresses concerns that some from nonconfessional or noncreedal churches may have:

Some Christians oppose the use of creeds altogether. The expressions "No creed but Christ" and "No book but the Bible" emerged among certain American Christian groups in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Their concern was that creeds may somehow eclipse the biblical revelation of Christ. However, four brief points should be considered. First, the assertion that a person has no creed but Christ is itself a "creed," a personal creed. Creedal statements are hard to avoid. Second, creeds appear in Scripture and were used by the apostles. Third, creeds serve a very important function in identifying and clarifying beliefs. Fourth, having no formal and written statement of one's beliefs can be problematic. Groups can conveniently conceal deviant doctrinal views, and those unwritten beliefs can be open to unhealthy subjective interpretations of Scripture.

Nevertheless, it is a helpful reminder to know the role and purpose the creeds play when presenting and defending historic Christianity. We are further reminded that though the creeds themselves will not save anybody from eternal destruction, the Christ presented in the historic creeds does save. It is the Christ of the creeds that saves. The creeds present the significance of Christ and Christian truth in a powerful and succinct way.

Professor Samples presents a sound understanding of the historic nature of Christianity. When reading Without a Doubt, one is reminded of the words of the historian U.B. Phillips "We do not live in the past, but the past in us." We learn from Samples how the creeds and important Christian teachers of the past shape our current understanding of doctrine and theology. Professor Samples draws insights from such historic figures as Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus, Augustine, and C. S. Lewis. He critiques the ideas of David Hume, Karl Barth, and Bertrand Russell from the vantage point of classical Christian teaching. Samples is also fluent in the current research in apologetics and often draws from significant thinkers such as Alvin Plantinga, Alister McGrath, and John Warwick Montgomery to name a few.

Without a Doubt opens with questions about faith in God, and how one can reasonably believe in a theistic universe. Samples addresses the anthropic principal (the unique character of the earth to support life) and the Kalam cosmological argument (the universe has a cause for its coming into being). Samples explains that only God can account "for the order, complexity, and design evident in the universe" (24). After presenting the case for a divine Creator of the universe (the God of the Bible), the second part of the book focuses directly on questions regarding the person and work or Christ. Interestingly, Without a Doubt parallels what Paul accomplishes at the Areopagus in Acts chapter 17. There, Paul addressed the Athenians and presents to them the "God who made the world and everything in it" (17:24). Then the apostle explains that they must place their faith in Christ or face judgment (17:31). Although no apologetic method is given in scripture - we see an evidential and empirical emphasis on the use of the senses in Luke 24:39 - 40, Matthew 28:6, and I John 1:1-2. The use of the mind and rationality is affirmed in 1 Corinthians 10:15, 2 Corinthians 10:5 and 1 John 4:1. And Romans 1:18 -23 teaches that the truth of God is clearly perceived by unbelievers. What we can learn from Paul on Mars Hill, is that whatever apologetic method one uses to establish the reasonableness of a divine Creator, the apologist should move to Law and Gospel as soon as possible (as Paul does in Acts 17:30 - 31). Samples draws his arguments from a variety of philosophical and historical sources and admits to being somewhat eclectic in his methodology. This should not be a concern, however. The thoughtful apologist should be able to draw upon many valid arguments for the truth of Christianity and to seek "many proofs" taught in Acts 1:3.

Without a Doubt needs to be read thoughtfully and carefully. The truth presented in its pages is written for anyone wanting to know more about historic Christianity. Although written for the layman, Samples does not shy away from using technical language, but definitions are always given and it shouldn't be too hard for anyone to follow the text. Without a Doubt demonstrates that Christianity alone makes more sense out of reality than any other religion and provides real answers for anyone with genuine questions.

"Although Ken Samples takes on some very difficult philosophical and theological questions, his responses are clear, carefully reasoned, and accessible to ordinary people. Ken, correctly, sees the Christian worldview, as not simply a loosely-connected series of subjective assertions about `religion,' but a full-orbed worldview, a cluster of interdependent beliefs that has implications for every aspect of the human experience including ethics, political theory, and our study of the natural world. But Ken offers not only a description, but a defense, of this worldview. And he does so with a sense that today's Christian community is part of a noble, and sophisticated, theological tradition that has its roots in an early church who learned at the feet of Jesus himself. Ken's sense of ecclesiastical continuity on doctrinal matters is rare among Christian apologists, even though it is a vital component in any defense of our historic faith. Ken exhibits the virtues of charity and intellectual integrity along with a deep understanding of the sorts of challenges to Christian faith that are offered in our contemporary world and must be met by the serious Christian. Without A Doubt is a wonderful work."

---Francis J. Beckwith, MJS, PhD
Associate Professor of Church-State Studies
Associate Director, J. M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies
Baylor University

When I went on a binge of apologetics book to further my study, I purchased many books by authors such as Norm Geisler, William Lane Craig, JP Moreland and many others and as much as I appreciate those book, there is something special about this book. I tend to prefer books that allow you to flip from one chapter to another all the while focusing on the topic at hand and this book does that in a great way. It does progress in the topics at hand and I enjoyed it so much I gave it out to around three people. I can appreciate any book that adheres to the Bible and you will find multiple Scripture references throughout and it will definitely strengthen what and why you believe. I highly recommend!

I normally am not a very big fan of books that try to answer multiple questions because they often fail to give enough information on each to be worthwhile. However, this book does a commendable job of condensing answers to difficult questions while not insulting the readers intelligence. Some will undoubtedly criticize the book for not addressing all relevant points on each subject but that is not the purpose of it. This book can be read by just about anyone but give a level of detail to each question that will satisfy many who do not have the time/desire to read an entire book on each subject. In many ways this is the perfect "pocket book" because you can go back and easily pull out the main points or answers that would come up in a conversation with a friend or family member. Some will want to pursue further reading on the subjects after going through this.