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I've never debated with an atheist, though I have listened to
a bitter agnostic rant about the follies of Christianity, from
his perspective. To be honest, if I had found myself in a conversation
with an atheist, I wouldn't have debated him. I'd have tried my
best to keep the conversation on safe topics, because I knew I
was not equipped to discuss my faith with a hostile nonbeliever.
Many Christians would do the same thing, avoiding conflict and
debate for fear of failing.
Ray Comfort of The Way of the Master ministry isn't afraid to
debate with atheists and evolutionists. He converses with them
daily via the Internet, and has debated them publicly. The
Defender's Guide for Life's Toughest Questions is Ray's collection
of real questions and challenges from atheists. But he doesn't
just provide the atheist argument; he also writes his response
in this book so that any Christian can read it and be better equipped
to " give the reason for the hope that you have" (1 Peter 3:15).
Written in a question-and-answer format, The Defender's Guide
for Life's Toughest Questions is divided into five different
segments of questions:
- Humanity: Rights and Suffering
- The Bible: Biblical and Theological Issues
- Science: Scientific Thought and Evolution
- Philosophy: Beliefs and Worldviews
- Religion: God and Atheism
Each chapter contains questions related to its theme. There are 13 - 26 questions
in each section, and Ray answers each one thoughtfully and logically. He addresses
such issues as:
- If God is good, why didn't He stop Hitler or other
mass murderers?
- If God sends people to Hell, then He must be evil.
- How can anyone "know God"?
- Evolution proves there is no need for God.
- The Bible is an ancient
book with no relevance today.
This short paperback book has benefits that go beyond preparing yourself to
interact with atheists. It has usefulness in a much closer realm--your own
family. Because this book is intended to be read by those preparing themselves
to debate with atheists in the world around them, it would be perfect for
high school students to read before they graduate. It could help answer any
doubts they might have, strengthen their faith, and prepare them for the
types of confrontation they might face in a secular university. It would
also be an excellent resource for parents of preteens to read in order to
be able to answer their children's questions. Read it early, before they
start asking the tough questions. I'm not a theological expert, and I can't tell you whether Ray
Comfort is teaching from a Calvinist or Arminian point of view.
However, I do believe that the content of this book is useful to
any Christian, regardless of their particular theological background.
There is much in this book that is applicable to ALL Christians.
Of course, parents should preview this book before handing it to
their teen so that they can address any theological differences
they might have with it.
Though the topics in The Defender's Guide for Life's Toughest
Questions are difficult issues, the book is not intimidating.
It's a straightforward book that would be a benefit to any Christian.
Product review by April Elstrom, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine,
LLC, July 2011
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