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The Handbook of Christian Apologetics
406 pages, Unknown Binding
First published March 22, 1994
383 people are currently reading
3031 people want to read
About the author
Peter Kreeft
201 books1,081 followersPeter Kreeft is an American philosopher and prolific author of over eighty books on Christian theology, philosophy, and apologetics. A convert from Protestantism to Catholicism, his journey was shaped by his study of Church history, Gothic architecture, and Thomistic thought. He earned his BA from Calvin College, an MA and PhD from Fordham University, and pursued further studies at Yale. Since 1965, he has taught philosophy at Boston College and also at The King’s College. Kreeft is known for formulating “Twenty Arguments for the Existence of God” with Ronald K. Tacelli, featured in their Handbook of Christian Apologetics. A strong advocate for unity among Christians, he emphasizes shared belief in Christ over denominational differences.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
March 5, 2010
My advice to the reader: As with any apologetics piece, this handbook contains theory and philosophy galore. Be prepared to spend some time with it. If you keep an open mind while reading (no matter what "level" of Christian you are) then you will gain a lot of insight from Kreeft and Tacelli's arguments. However, those looking for faults within the arguments will find as many as they want. This does not discount Kreeft and Tacelli's logic, only perhaps their writing style, which at some times is patronizing and at some times is eye-opening. Catholics and Protestants alike will find the majority of this apologetics handbook useful; only the last chapter deals with the differences between Catholicism and Protestantism. I recommend this for any curious person looking to understand more about the logic of Christianity. I encourage you to accept Kreeft and Tacelli's premises then mull them over on your own.
December 28, 2007
A book probably meant to be used as a reference, but I will admit I read the whole thing straight through and consider it in my top five favorite books of all time. Given its rather short length relative to its task (defending the major tenets of Christianity against all counterarguments), you will forgive it for giving just an overview of the major substantive points. But it's an excellent overview of both sides of many timeless discussions and can lead to further reading. Well written and as concise as it could be.
October 15, 2012
I read this book under our church's Reading Programme 2009, and I am so glad I picked it. It is an excellent compilation of the main topics of Christian apologetics.
I find it an excellent read, and amongst the sections that stood out for me was this from the chapter on "The Bible: Myth or History?":
"This book is about rational, logical, objective apologetics, not about subjective psychological motivations. But it's important to know what is really going on in the soul of the person to whom apologetic arguments are addressed, and to know the irrational forces behind unbelief ... all arguments against all the doctrines of Christianity are rationally refutable. Having said that, the most important task remains still undone. Arguments destroy ignorance and irrationality, but the real enemy is sin. Sin can be destroyed only by sanctity, prayer, faith, hope, charity, the blood of Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit." (p.203)
And I thought this statement so true and creatively constructed:
"God did not design the Bible to be a dark puzzle for bright scholars but to be a bright lamp for travelers through a dark world." (p.213)
If you need a succinct book that tells you all the major points of Christian Apologetics without going too much into the varied details, this book is for you. It will do well as both an introductory level material as well as a handy reference book on Christian Apologetics. Each chapter comes with quite an extensive list of "Questions for Discussion", and this makes it good for use in a group study.
It comes highly recommended -- in fact, a must-have and a must-read for every believer.
I find it an excellent read, and amongst the sections that stood out for me was this from the chapter on "The Bible: Myth or History?":
"This book is about rational, logical, objective apologetics, not about subjective psychological motivations. But it's important to know what is really going on in the soul of the person to whom apologetic arguments are addressed, and to know the irrational forces behind unbelief ... all arguments against all the doctrines of Christianity are rationally refutable. Having said that, the most important task remains still undone. Arguments destroy ignorance and irrationality, but the real enemy is sin. Sin can be destroyed only by sanctity, prayer, faith, hope, charity, the blood of Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit." (p.203)
And I thought this statement so true and creatively constructed:
"God did not design the Bible to be a dark puzzle for bright scholars but to be a bright lamp for travelers through a dark world." (p.213)
If you need a succinct book that tells you all the major points of Christian Apologetics without going too much into the varied details, this book is for you. It will do well as both an introductory level material as well as a handy reference book on Christian Apologetics. Each chapter comes with quite an extensive list of "Questions for Discussion", and this makes it good for use in a group study.
It comes highly recommended -- in fact, a must-have and a must-read for every believer.
September 2, 2016
Details the full breadth of Christian Apologetics. Kreeft’s specialty is in this field. Here he lays out the extent of his knowledge. A very logical account that demonstrates the rational coherence of Christian doctrine. Apologetics is Greek for defense.
Kreeft outlines in the first chapter the nature of apologetics, then in the next chapters the existence or nature of God.
He presents 20 arguments ranging from the five proofs of Aquinas to modern cosmological arguments to arguments from psychology. The cases for and against are presented in systematic fashion.
The next sections deal with Cosmology. For instance, the problem of evil, reconciling religion with science, in addition to the theory of evolution, have rigorist treatments here.
Then Kreeft examines historical evidence with regard to the key events in Christian history. The Incarnation, or divinity of Christ, the Resurrection or the validity of Biblical history.
His conclusions have a degree of fairness. The proofs here lack the substance of the other chapters. The historical complexities are too great to fully embody in just two or three chapters.
The final sections examine the last things, Heaven, Hell, Death and Purgatory.
Kreeft covers the vast majority of the territory that there is to cover. He presents the pure doctrines with rational clarity so that the faith feels reasonable to the reader who is starting with doubt.
In sum, this is an amazing book that deserves close attention for the thoughtful Christian humanist. Kreeft is an excellent scholar for the layman. His philosophical depth is matched in many ways by his Christian faith.
Kreeft outlines in the first chapter the nature of apologetics, then in the next chapters the existence or nature of God.
He presents 20 arguments ranging from the five proofs of Aquinas to modern cosmological arguments to arguments from psychology. The cases for and against are presented in systematic fashion.
The next sections deal with Cosmology. For instance, the problem of evil, reconciling religion with science, in addition to the theory of evolution, have rigorist treatments here.
Then Kreeft examines historical evidence with regard to the key events in Christian history. The Incarnation, or divinity of Christ, the Resurrection or the validity of Biblical history.
His conclusions have a degree of fairness. The proofs here lack the substance of the other chapters. The historical complexities are too great to fully embody in just two or three chapters.
The final sections examine the last things, Heaven, Hell, Death and Purgatory.
Kreeft covers the vast majority of the territory that there is to cover. He presents the pure doctrines with rational clarity so that the faith feels reasonable to the reader who is starting with doubt.
In sum, this is an amazing book that deserves close attention for the thoughtful Christian humanist. Kreeft is an excellent scholar for the layman. His philosophical depth is matched in many ways by his Christian faith.
January 22, 2017
A good overview of the major arguments for Christianity, however there is a certain arrogance displayed by the authors in contending that it is the nonbelievers who are the irrational ones for not accepting these arguments. Really?
April 20, 2021
My brother is an atheist (I am a practicing Catholic), so I spend a lot of time debating with him. This book is a good primer, but I felt it only accomplished making an atheist or materialist argument just as dubious as an argument for God. Which is fine, if you want us both to end up agnostic. I don’t think this would ever convince an open-minded atheist if I’m being honest, but it does a good job of showing how the atheist argument is just as fundamentalist as religious fundamentalists.
It’s also not as smug as Kreeft’s other books, but the smugness is there, which I think would be a huge turn off to any inquisitive agnostic or atheist. There’s a presumption that materialists are smug, which is not true a lot of the time. Obviously the heavy hitters can be, but meeting smug with smug is not compelling. I’m also really over the “we are being attacked” rhetoric. No, we’re being called to actually adequately explain our beliefs after centuries of occasionally using these beliefs in toxic ways. Let’s not be Pharisees about it. Many solid, intelligent Catholics are even questioning the hierarchy and the legitimacy of what the hierarchy told us....
I thought the resurrection arguments were interesting- something weird happened. As some other reviews mentioned, some arguments are strong, some are really weak.
Kreeft and Tacelli also recommend further reading sources like Evolution: A Theory in Crisis, which scientists claim is a ridiculous misinterpretation of evolution. That said, the authors of this book also claim evolution is most definitely plausible, and that religious zealots make a huge mistake writing it off. So, I’m not sure what to think of that, but the book rec made me trust other arguments less, and I think the same for a conscientious atheist or agnostic. Kinda just makes you not want to waste your time.
Also, many of the books in the bibliography seem woefully outdated, but that’s because this is an old book.
I’m planning to look up Bishop Barron’s recommendation for fresher, more scientifically up to date arguments.
It’s also not as smug as Kreeft’s other books, but the smugness is there, which I think would be a huge turn off to any inquisitive agnostic or atheist. There’s a presumption that materialists are smug, which is not true a lot of the time. Obviously the heavy hitters can be, but meeting smug with smug is not compelling. I’m also really over the “we are being attacked” rhetoric. No, we’re being called to actually adequately explain our beliefs after centuries of occasionally using these beliefs in toxic ways. Let’s not be Pharisees about it. Many solid, intelligent Catholics are even questioning the hierarchy and the legitimacy of what the hierarchy told us....
I thought the resurrection arguments were interesting- something weird happened. As some other reviews mentioned, some arguments are strong, some are really weak.
Kreeft and Tacelli also recommend further reading sources like Evolution: A Theory in Crisis, which scientists claim is a ridiculous misinterpretation of evolution. That said, the authors of this book also claim evolution is most definitely plausible, and that religious zealots make a huge mistake writing it off. So, I’m not sure what to think of that, but the book rec made me trust other arguments less, and I think the same for a conscientious atheist or agnostic. Kinda just makes you not want to waste your time.
Also, many of the books in the bibliography seem woefully outdated, but that’s because this is an old book.
I’m planning to look up Bishop Barron’s recommendation for fresher, more scientifically up to date arguments.
August 3, 2009
Comprehensive, straightforward, convincing. Covers all of the main arguments for the basic elements of Christianity. Exactly what I was looking for and needed at this point in my journey of faith - and I think it could be really great for lots of folks looking to for a scaffolding of concrete, reasonable philosophic arguments to hold up a more emotional, intuitive, or 'born-and-raised' sense of faith.
March 1, 2020
This is my 2nd time through this book. It's a very well-written overview of Christian apologetics with a strong emphasis on confronting post-modern doubt about the existence of objective truth of any kind. The presentation is solid without being overly serious. The authors' desire to see others embrace the Christian faith is easy to sense, as is their love for others who are searching or even just thinking about searching for the truth.
It's not a book to be read from cover to cover as I did, and they admit that from the outset. It is a very valuable resource to have when someone presents you with a question that they have about the reasonableness of Christianity and you don't have a strong reply ready off-the-cuff. Not only is the logic of C.S. Lewis and G.K. Chesterton lingering just below the surface, so it the cleverness and playfulness of these two. It thus makes for an enjoyable read even when the reading is ploughing through some of the deep philosophy involved. I don't expect I'll ever part with this book, unless it were to give it to an inquirer while I ordered a new copy for myself.
It's not a book to be read from cover to cover as I did, and they admit that from the outset. It is a very valuable resource to have when someone presents you with a question that they have about the reasonableness of Christianity and you don't have a strong reply ready off-the-cuff. Not only is the logic of C.S. Lewis and G.K. Chesterton lingering just below the surface, so it the cleverness and playfulness of these two. It thus makes for an enjoyable read even when the reading is ploughing through some of the deep philosophy involved. I don't expect I'll ever part with this book, unless it were to give it to an inquirer while I ordered a new copy for myself.
December 9, 2024
Fantastic!! This is truly written so beautifully and is so comprehensive. I would recommend to anyone looking to understand the faith, in a general sense, and strengthen their apologetics!
January 6, 2023
This is a full version of the Pocket Handbook for Christian Apologetics written by the same authors. Recently updated with a fresh new cover, it doesn't appear that much else changed. Yet this has been considered a classic on the subject since its publication back in 1994. Used extensively in Campus ministries, and in both Catholic and Evangelical traditions, this book is very unique. This book used to be required reading for Campus Crusade for Christ Staff in Canada, and because it is an Intervarsity Press book, is used widely in that campus ministry also. Even the Navigators of Canada Resource center always keeps it in stock.
With such wide usage and varied acclaim, this book hardly even needs more of a plug. But it is truly a treasure. It answers hundreds of questions crucial to a deep understanding of Christianity and the claims of Christ. It tackles such large issues as: Do faith and reason conflict? Does God exist? Is the bible myth? Was Jesus more than a man? How can God allow evil to exist? Is there life after death? Miracles? And there are many more.
The sections of the book are:
Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: God
Part 3: God & Nature
Part 4: God & Grace
Part 5: God & Glory
Part 6: Conclusions
The chapters are nearly the same as the Pocket Handbook, and it also contains an extensive bibliography, scriptural index and subject index. These two indexes make the book great as a quick reference guide or for research purposes.
This book will become indispensable in your Christian toolbox. It is a valuable resource and well worth reading through, then going back to again and again. It will give you all the basics of the Christian faith in one book that has all the answers you will need. Check it out. Like all of Kreeft's other works I have reviewed, I would have to highly recommend this book. And I doubt that you will have a complaint after you have worked through it.
With such wide usage and varied acclaim, this book hardly even needs more of a plug. But it is truly a treasure. It answers hundreds of questions crucial to a deep understanding of Christianity and the claims of Christ. It tackles such large issues as: Do faith and reason conflict? Does God exist? Is the bible myth? Was Jesus more than a man? How can God allow evil to exist? Is there life after death? Miracles? And there are many more.
The sections of the book are:
Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: God
Part 3: God & Nature
Part 4: God & Grace
Part 5: God & Glory
Part 6: Conclusions
The chapters are nearly the same as the Pocket Handbook, and it also contains an extensive bibliography, scriptural index and subject index. These two indexes make the book great as a quick reference guide or for research purposes.
This book will become indispensable in your Christian toolbox. It is a valuable resource and well worth reading through, then going back to again and again. It will give you all the basics of the Christian faith in one book that has all the answers you will need. Check it out. Like all of Kreeft's other works I have reviewed, I would have to highly recommend this book. And I doubt that you will have a complaint after you have worked through it.
January 27, 2016
According to the scribble in the inside cover, I've owned this book since 1996. since then, I've referenced it several times regarding specific topics, but this is the first time I've read it cover to cover. It works fabulously both ways. Who was it who said that if you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough? That. Heavy philosophy, but accessible.
I'm a Christian, so I read works on apologetics to strengthen my faith not in search of a conversion experience. I'm surprised just how much this book ministered to my heart while speaking to my mind. Our God is a God of order, reason, logic, beauty. He wants to be known. He wants to be sought. He promises to be found. We can't know everything, but we can know much. He doesn't ask for faith without reason. Reason abounds. The elegance of classical apologetics is is just another way of appreciating how magnificent he is.
I'm sure that many critics will say many things, but any true seeker must be moved at least to further seeking by the arguments in this book. It is masterfully done. Concise. The Summa style perfect. It tells you everything you need to know without being unnecessarily pretentious. I found it profound, yet easy to follow. This is one I own in hardcopy for a reason. I'm glad it's on my shelf. It's not the last time I'll pick it up.
Highly recommend for anyone who appreciates reason and seeks truth.
I'm a Christian, so I read works on apologetics to strengthen my faith not in search of a conversion experience. I'm surprised just how much this book ministered to my heart while speaking to my mind. Our God is a God of order, reason, logic, beauty. He wants to be known. He wants to be sought. He promises to be found. We can't know everything, but we can know much. He doesn't ask for faith without reason. Reason abounds. The elegance of classical apologetics is is just another way of appreciating how magnificent he is.
I'm sure that many critics will say many things, but any true seeker must be moved at least to further seeking by the arguments in this book. It is masterfully done. Concise. The Summa style perfect. It tells you everything you need to know without being unnecessarily pretentious. I found it profound, yet easy to follow. This is one I own in hardcopy for a reason. I'm glad it's on my shelf. It's not the last time I'll pick it up.
Highly recommend for anyone who appreciates reason and seeks truth.
March 28, 2008
If you're an aplologetiphile like I am then this book is that type of book that one looks to read to discover new angles or approaches to arguments; new strategies for dealing with the hard questions; new arguments that can contribute to the older, classical approaches. And in this book there are a ton of arguments, some strong and some weak; but the authors admit that and do a good job showing how a cumulative case for Christianity is well supported with a flood of evidence that isn't found in too many books.
I waver do between three and four stars with this book because it may be a bit of a bore to some people, but the reader has to understand what type of book it is before the reading starts. It is a Summa-style book (a summary of the arguments) packed in between these pages. The book doesn't read like a list of cold and impersonal facts, but it does compress an argument and distill its core; so the reading is a succint look at many types of approaches and arguments.
Kreeft is my favorite Catholic apologist, along with Jimmy Akin, and everything in this book can be agreed to by both denominations.
I waver do between three and four stars with this book because it may be a bit of a bore to some people, but the reader has to understand what type of book it is before the reading starts. It is a Summa-style book (a summary of the arguments) packed in between these pages. The book doesn't read like a list of cold and impersonal facts, but it does compress an argument and distill its core; so the reading is a succint look at many types of approaches and arguments.
Kreeft is my favorite Catholic apologist, along with Jimmy Akin, and everything in this book can be agreed to by both denominations.
July 31, 2015
This book reads like a reference book, but it is not a bad book to add to your collection. I do believe that people should be able to offer some logical reasons for some of their beliefs, and this book helps people to do that. Another book that I believe should be taught if you are attending a Catholic school, or if you want to learn about your faith, since you cannot defend your faith without learning about it.
June 27, 2010
A must read for those who want to become an apologist or for those who wish to understand their faith more fully. This book uses both philosophy and theology to address the fundamentals of the faith, as well as answering the common objections to the faith. Kreeft and Tacelli expect the reader to think, to use reason, and to apply the intellect and will to how they live the faith.
July 27, 2011
I had to read this for my philosophy class this semester. It is a thorough examination of the logical defense of Christianity. To be honest, it was far more logical and analytical than books I care to read, but it absolutely has its place. If you want to examine Christianity from a logical position, check out this book.
January 24, 2016
This handbook provides an impressive depth of knowledge about the Christian faith. From the reliability of the New Testament to the question of Jesus' resurrection, this book covers many of the topics so many Christians and skeptics face. I highly recommend it for anyone seeking knowledge about Christianity.
March 18, 2016
A great catalog of classical Cosmological, Psychological, and Forensic apologetics. Using it currently as one of the readings in an upper school rhetoric course. This offers a good beginning toward appreciating scholastics like Anselm, Salisbury or Aquinas. Kreeft is an anachronism - and I mean this in the best way.
August 16, 2009
If you like philosophy, logic, and reason, you'll enjoy this rather dry study. It presents arguments and answers in an easier-to-read version but same vein as the middle ages scholars like Acquainus.
Want to read
December 26, 2009Listed by Patrick Madrid in the Reading Plan of Search and Rescue in Phase 2 (Intermediate). ("most comprehensive, most useful, and most irrefutable collection of Catholic apologetics arguments in a single volume in the area of atheism")
June 29, 2010
didn't read all the way through, and kind of shied away when it looked like it was going to talk about "science and God." so i didn't give this book a fair chance, and maybe ill pick it up again later.
December 20, 2010
Philosophy asks questions. Theology answers them. This is the go-to reference book for both common answers and logically sound, 'tried and true' answers. Only for those who ask important questions.
January 31, 2008
Great compendium of answers to the most commonly offered questions about Christianity. I read it fron to back, but it can be just as enjoyable one question at a time over a number of years.
March 1, 2008
Very thorough and well written
Read
October 11, 2008This is such a good essential book - it is my second one.
Read
February 4, 2009A handy reference on christian apologetics. Covers just about every well known argument you can think of in a very logical and easy to find method.
September 16, 2010
Book was an assigned reading for Classical Apologetics class. The book covers the primary apologetic subjects, and as is typical of Kreeft, the ideas are clearly explained and cleverly expressed.
September 6, 2011
A very good introduction to apologetics.
December 27, 2011
A comprehensive intro to the philosophical arguments of apologetics. Personally, I wasn't convinced by most, but I'm an amateur at philosophy.
February 26, 2012
Very well laid-out logical arguments. Love it!
December 12, 2013
Read this! Defend the faith!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews