Handbook of Christian Apologetics: Hundreds of Answers to Crucial Questions

This is a tremendously important "one-stop" shop for most of the crucial Christian questions. It bears re-reading since at different times of life there are different obstacles to faith. There is also an essential honesty to the work. One of my favorite quotes is: "The tension is between appealing to free choice and appealing to divine providence and grace to solve the problem of evil. Sin is explained, on the one hand, by our free will. On the other hand, God's providential plan foresaw and used even sin. God brings good out of evil, and makes all things work together for good for those who love him. The argument between those who emphasize free will and those who emphasize providence is largely one of emphasis, for both are parts of our scriptural data. The difference in emphasis is between those who see human history as a novel, written by God, and those who see it as a play, enacted by man. The two images are not exclusive. The novel, though completely the author's creation, is about free people, not trees or robots; and though the play has a script, the actors are free to obey the script or not. If the emphasis is on God's predestination, our attitude to life will emphasize trust and faith and acceptance and hope; while if the emphasis is on human free will, our attitude to life will emphasize morality and spiritual warfare and the will to make the right choices. The first emphasizes wisdom, the second morality; the first contemplation, the second action; the first seeing, the second doing; the first faith, the second works. They are two sides of the same Christian coin."

Apologetics, at least in current usage, has unpleasant connotations. In contemporary circles, the word can conjure images of manipulative charlatans seeking to obscure the truth by clever legalistic constructs and rhetorical arguments. This is in large part to the similarity to the word "apology," which can mean remorse, justification, or excuse for things good or bad. However, the true meaning, the systematic defense or explanation of Christianity, is based not on deception (at least for those who approach the subject in good faith - pun intended), but rather on a logical understanding of the essential truths of the Gospel message.Peter Kreeft, accomplished and prolific Christian author, lecturer, and Professor of Philosophy, and Ronald Tacelli, S.J., Associate Professor of Philosophy (both at Boston College), have written an invaluable reference tool that is at once comprehensive, systematic, engaging, and highly readable. The topics flow from the universal to the specific and provide a thought-provoking, truthful exploration of Christian essentials. Ideas are defended, and objections are answered intelligently, spiritually and objectively, without the diatribe and rancor of opponents of the faith.The book can be read cover-to-cover, or can be explored topically, providing significant understanding to readers of varying education and intellectual curiosity. This is an invaluable addition to anyone's library and certainly provides a wealth of knowledge to anyone who seeks to understand his or her Christian faith.

Over the years I have enjoyed reading Christian apolegetics as a counter point for reading and for clarifying the Chrisian viewpoint for non theistic philosophy where or when ever I may encounter it. While Christian apologetics will not necessarily cause an athiest or agnostic to embrace the mainstream Christian view point, it will certainly demonstrate how logical thinking can validate any view point with at least reasonable success. It can, of course, strengthen a believer's faith which is, in my opinion, it's main or central strength. So, for non believers it will present the believer's viewpoint in a logically valid argument and for the believer it will strengthen their already existing faith in Jesus Christ. In either case, Christian apologetics is, again in my opinion, is a most useful educational discipline any way we may choose to look at it. Oh and, again in my opinion, the chapter in the Handbook of Christian Apologetices on the proofs for the existence of God lists 21 such proofs. For, me that chapter alone is worth the purchase of this book although the entire book contains all very major arguments for the many of the major themes of Christian doctrine.

Great book, it serves me well as a quick reference to Apologetics.

I was fortunate enough to meet Professor Ron Tacelli when I was a student at Boston College. I took a philosophy class taught by him called 'Does God Exist?' It is a strange feeling when you see a Jesuit priest philosophically argue against the existence of God to teach his students how to perform masterful philosophical arguments. This book goes deeper than that class did; it answers some very tough questions regarding God and the Christian faith and it does so using the concept of Apologetics. If you are a Christian, this book will answer those questions that you may have about your faith that no one has been able to answer for you. Or it may help you refute someone's view point about your faith. If you are a non-believer, this book may make you question your entire belief system; it may even make you believe. It is well constructed, easy to read and enjoyable (especially if you like philosophical arguments). I would highly recommend it. My wife and I both loved reading it and bought an extra copy to give to an aetheist colleague of ours.