Moral Apologetics for Contemporary Christians: Pushing Back Against Cultural and Religious Critics

by Mark Coppenger

Have Christians grown accustomed to those who defame the Church? Whether it’s a best-selling author who claims “religion poisons everything” or an atheist comedian whose punch lines aren’t hassled by the burden of proof, foes of the faith continue to declare Christianity morally deficient without much resistance.

In Moral Apologetics for Contemporary Christians , Mark Coppenger mixes compelling references—from classic philosophers to modern entertainers—to reasonably push back against both harsh critics and less intense cultural relativists, contending that Christianity is morally superior to its competitors as well as true.

Coppenger doesn’t avoid uncomfortable realities like the misbehavior of many Christians and false teachers, but he sets the book’s course in defense of his faith with evidence that a Christian approach to life makes people and societies flourish, while those who turn their backs on genuine Christianity are more liable to behave wickedly.

“I hope to help replenish our cultural confidence,” he writes. “We have a great moral story to tell, and it surely points to the Author of Light and Life.”

Acclaim for Moral Apologetics for Contemporary Christians :

"I wish every Christian could have the opportunity of sitting in Mark Coppenger's classroom—a place of constant intellectual exchange, all aimed at developing a consistently biblical worldview. Well, reading this book is as close as many Christians may ever get to sitting in that classroom, but it is an experience not to be missed. This book is a tour de force of apologetic thought, revealing ethical issues to be apologetic opportunities. Fascinating on every page . . . get ready for a guided tour through contemporary culture and Christian apologetics."

R. Albert Mohler, Jr. , president, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

"Mark Coppenger is not only the author of a strategy for doing moral  apologetics, he is a skilled practioner. As a seminary professor, church planter, soldier, and world traveler who has never met a  stranger, Mark's method has been tested in the laboratory of personal experience from New York City to Jakarta and from Toronto to Rio de Janero."

C. Ben Mitchell , Graves professor of Moral Philosophy, Union University

"Pascal noted that 'the heart has reasons that reason cannot know.' Mark Coppenger in his extraordinary book realizes the mind has positions the brain cannot fathom. Here in poignant argumentation is the case for faith and the natural state of morality. His explanations are breathtakingly persuasive regardless of your religious conviction."

Herbert I. London , president emeritus, Hudson Institute

"Mark Coppenger has rendered a great service to the Christian church in the 21st Century. Moral Apologetics is a special gift to all of those faithful Christians who believe that Christianity brings new life to the mind as well as to the soul. Moral Apologetics should be added to every thinking Christian's bookshelf."

Richard Land , president, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention

Genres: Philosophy, Christianity

296 pages, Paperback

First published October 14, 2011

Reviews

[Steven Azzara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this book. I thought I was going to read a book that would help me address different, non-biblical worldviews about morality. But instead, the author just lists popular people, systems, and addresses their flaws and weaknesses. It's not an instructive guide for someone looking for help with apologetics. I don't think this book would be useful for open apologetics or evangelism. Bummer since the author is seminary professor.

[Joseph Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an apologetics lover, this book was hard to get through. Not because the information was bad or the conclusions were incorrect, but sheer lack of readability. Coppenger knows LOTS of information, but failed to articulate it in a way that his arguments were clearly seen and engaged the reader. Again, LOTS of good intel, but read more like an encyclopedia than a book.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an interesting read but it is not a must have. Here’s how Coppenger opens the book:
Foes of the faith often declare Christianity morally deficient… This book is designed to push back against such criticism, arguing that Christianity is morally superior as well as true.

You see the New Atheists argue against the truthfulness of Christianity based upon its perceived negative impact. Coppenger argues that ideas have consequences. If an idea is true, then it should lead to human flourishing. If it is not true, then it should be detrimental. If an idea is true and it doesn't bring about human flourishing, then something has gone wrong. Coppenger wants to push back against the New Atheists who argue that Christianity is bad for the world. He also wants to argue against the idea that the social impact of a worldview is irrelevant when discussing truthfulness.

The author makes no sustained argument for a Christian position demonstrating why the answer to the moral question should prevail. Coppenger provides a breadth of information which is helpful to the Christian defending Christianity against some of the charges laid against it however there is no death blow delivered against the arguments of the New Atheists.

Perhaps Mohler’s endorsement better sums up the intent & usefulness of this book. It reveals that ethical issues can be apologetic opportunities. I will add that as with many books on apologetics there is much here to encourage the believer that what we believe is true & beneficial on many levels.

[Katie]

Grad school read

It took me a few chapters to really get where Coppenger was going with his book, but by the end, I think he'd laid out his argument well. The idea that all moral teachers should be subject to criticism about how they live their own lives was probably the most interesting part of the read, I think. A few times, however, I thought he went into a little too much detail (like with Gandhi's *really* weird sleeping habits), which almost felt like it was only there for shock value. I also found the rhetoric a bit too strong for my liking in places, and he nitpicks sometimes (like with Lee Strobel's listing a man's qualifications but not detailed enough for Coppenger).

That being said, he presents a convicting message for Christians: why do they apologize for things they don't need to apologize for, and why are secular humanist philosophers not held to the same standard as religious ones? Why do we exaggerate the brutality of the Crusades but ignore the fact that Rousseau abandoned his own children on people's doorsteps?

[Pancho · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having for the most part good content, Coppenger fails to produce a quality source that is syntactically and stylistically sound. Disorganized, jumpy, and at times irrelevant, the book's greatest weakness is its attempt to include a comment on too many subjects. One comes to feel that the book resulted more from a compilation of teaching notes than from any organized attempt at teaching moral apologetics. The spelling, grammar, and syntax errors throughout showed poor editing that leaves readers wincing and missing the point of his otherwise good (though shallow and many) arguments. I'm glad I read it, but I cannot really recommend it, at least not until a newer edition fixes some of these issues.

[Mark A Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is right or wrong? Who determines morality? Writing from an unashamedly evangelical Christian worldview, Coppenger examines the ways in which morality can point to the presence (or lack) of genuine Christianity. Although his work is helpful, it was too subdivided and read choppily. Too little “big picture” discussion was had (needed a few well-placed strikes to vary the scattershot approach), though Coppenger proves to be an able guide through the murky waters of modern-day morality.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can we be good without God? Coppenger says no (at least not consistently anyway). An interesting blend of ethics and apologetics. Recommended for thoughtful Christians with an interest in either field.