The author, a Scotsman, is a faculty member of Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, North Carolina. The book is part of an apologetics series called ‘The Big Ten: Critical Questions Answered’. Its purpose is clear from the title: to persuade unbelievers of the truth of Christianity and lead them to faith in Christ. It is a small format and could slip easily into a pocket or handbag.
This is a book I wish I had had in the mid-1970s when involved in student evangelism. The author is clear and straightforward, moving through why it is important to believe what is true and consistent with reality. He shows that everyone has a worldview which determines their behaviour.
Christianity is presented as a worldview. The difference from other worldviews is that it is internally self-consistent and explains why the world is as it is. Atheism and its failure to explain anything is shown to be irrational, something which comes as a shock when pointed out to professed atheists.
He explains the reality of a personal God, who communicates with his creatures through the Bible. He moves on to deal with the reality of sin and the need for God to become man in Christ. There is a short bibliography of relatively recent books (the oldest is 1998) for further information.
The writing style is straightforward and easy to read, but some might struggle with some of the concepts employed. I tried using arguments similar to his with some mid-teens a while ago and they were completely over their heads.
This is not a book anyone would want to hand out willy-nilly. It is written for people who are prepared to think. I would happily give it to an unbeliever I had been having serious discussions with, which is, I think, the intended audience. That being the case, I wonder what the value is of including commendations from theological worthies from five US seminaries.
Believers who struggle to find what to say to unbelievers would do well to read this. As well as improving their knowledge and understanding of basic gospel truths, it will give them more confidence when seeking to evangelise. Often, unbelievers raise objections to the gospel, many of which are answered here.
We always need to remember that the gospel is the power of God for salvation, but, in an age of dumbing down, it is all the more important for believers to know the truth of Scripture and how best to communicate it to the lost.
Digby L. James
Weston Rhyn, Shropshire
