Christian Apologetics

by Norman L. Geisler

Book Overview

The standard for Christian apologetics, this systematic approach presents both the methods and reasons for defending Christianity.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0801037042
• ISBN13: 9780801037047
• Release Date: January 1976
• Publisher: Baker Publishing Group (MI)
• Length: 393 Pages
• Weight: 1.53 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Great text on Christian apologetics

Dr.Geisler is a well known and respected bible scholar and apologetist. His book is used in seminary and bible colleges all over the U.S. and Canada. He is a defender of the truth of the Christian faith and world view. In this text Dr. Geisler covers these world views in his assentment and then exposes them in light of Christian world view, views like rationalism, agnosticism, fideism, experientialism, evidentialism, pragmatism, combinationalism, deism, pantheism, panentheism, atheism, theism, etc. This text will and has stand the test of time. Dr. Geisler, the church of Jesus Christ thanks you for your service to the Lord.

Standard Apologetics Textbook

This book is a standard apologetics textbook in many seminaries and schools in the U.S.. This is so for many good and obvious reasons. First, Geisler is well known and considered by many to be one of the greatest apologists of this century. Second, the contents of this book are so thorough and concise that there is actually no other book that has been published before or after this one that could be considered a viable rival. This is not to say that there are no other great apologetic texts out there. But there are very few that match this one. Geisler covers every imaginable worldview, describes the view, and proceeds to defend the Christian faith in light of the opposing view at hand. The book is philosophically rigorous, and laid out in a systematic fashion that helps the reader keep organized while tackling the many beliefs that stem from each of the views covered. Geisler covers rationalism, agnosticism, fideism, experientialism, evidentialism, pragmatism, combinationalism, deism, pantheism, panentheism, atheism, theism, etc. He has a chapter that is devoted to the formulation of adequate tests for truth, and then a section that details Christian apologetics from History to the deity and authority of Christ. This is why this book has been a standard text for classes all over the country in the area apologetics. I cannot recommend this book enough!

Excellent book

The more about philosophy you know, the more persuasive this book will be. The thorough and systematic approach was very appealing. The book divides nicely into three parts. The first and longest part establishes "undeniability" and "unaffirmability" as valid truth tests (who could argue with that?). The second part uses these truth tests to demonstrate that theism is true both deductively (demonstrating that all competing worldviews are false) and inductively (using a revised cosmological argument similar to Aquinas's Third Way). The third part establishes the truth of Christianity given a theistic universe using combinationalism as a test for truth within a worldview. When I first read this book, I had relatively little knowledge concerning philosophy and religion, but since then I've read a bit from various philosophers (e.g. Quentin Smith, William Craig, etc.). I read Geisler's book again and his anticipated objections and rebuttals make much more sense, and his conclusions are even more persuasive. Some of the strongest atheological arguments I've found on atheistic websites, are addressed in his book. On a personal note, his book was a tool in my younger years that kept me from becoming a nontheist. For that I'm very grateful!

Absolutely one of the best!

This apologetics book is only one of several excellent books by Norman L. Geisler. For me, it answered questions and solidified ideas that had bothered me ever since I began to attempt to view the world rationally, objectively, and logically. I found it completely crushing in it's weight of logic for the Christian world view as the only reasonable option. The option I have accepted and come to love.

THE Masterpiece of Apologetics!!!

After evaluating the alternatives and methods, Geisler exposes two tests (unaffirmability and undeniability) to test the worldviews without general circular reasoning. These tests are beyond the reach of postmodern criticisms! After assessing theism and refuting the other views, he thoroughly argues until Christianity. An indispensable book for seekers and Christians! See more on my detailled review on jude3.org.