Why I Am a Christian: Leading Thinkers Explain Why They Believe

by Norman L. Geisler (Editor)

Finally, the expertise of leading scholars and apologists of today collected into one resource! Topics such as relativism, miracles, the problem of evil, and the identity of Jesus are explored with imagery and humor, intelligence and respect by recognized Christian authors. Each contributor also provides a helpful bibliography for additional reading on his particular subject. Why I Am a Christian is a great book for believers needing assurance that their faith is not only true but reasonable. Noted contributors include William Lane Craig, J. Budziszewski, Norman L. Geisler (also a coeditor), Gary Habermas, J. P. Moreland, Hugh Ross, Peter Kreeft, Ravi Zacharias, and Josh McDowell. This resource will also interest spiritual seekers and skeptics because of its credible contributors and their willingness to share personal stories of how their lives were changed. Chapters are arranged in a logical argumentative order to aid in breaking down, one by one, intellectual obstacles of faith. The work will draw a broad audience by its unprecedented breadth and depth of apologetic expertise. Contributors Francis J. Beckwith Walter Bradley J. Budziszewski Winfried Corduan William Lane Craig John S. Feinberg Norman L. Geisler R. Douglas Geivitt Gary Habermas Paul K. Hoffman Peter Kreeft Barry Leventhal Josh McDowell J. P. Moreland Hugh Ross Ravi Zacharias

Genres: Nonfiction, Christianity, Christian, Theology, Faith, Religion

320 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2001

About the author

Norman L. Geisler (PhD, Loyola University of Chicago) taught at top evangelical colleges and seminaries for over fifty years and was a distinguished professor of apologetics and theology at Veritas Evangelical Seminary in Murrieta, California. He was the author of nearly eighty books, including the Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics and Christian Ethics. He and his wife lived in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Reviews

[Mu-tien Chiou · Rating 4 out of 5]

I assigned several chapters of this book as required reading for small seminary class (effective missions for internet theologians).

even though not every chapter is equally good (in particular Normal L. Geisler is heavily set on the correspondent view of truth and a positivist mode of apologetics thinking which fails to appreciate the theological contributions of other views, such as those of Kant and Kierkegaard), the book is organized (presumably also by Geisler as the editor) in a helpful way to take students thinking logically through the hurdles (of our time) towards a sound Christian faith. Through reading the first several chapters, readers will be equipped to tell the problems that lies in the atheisms and agnosticisms in their popularly alleged and professed forms.

Personally, I think most of the "leading thinkers" have presented their arguments in a quite accessible way; the phrase "in other words" is employed quite frequently to begin the last sentence of an argumentative paragraph lest casual readers find it hard to understand/assure the meaning of the argument in the first time. But were you a philosophical novice and were tricked by the simplicity of this book's title, i can also understand if you consider the reading unpleasant.

[Kathy Penrod · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I like about this book is that it is written by multiple authors in different fields of study and disciplines. And while I didn't understand all the chapters equally, due to the fact that some of the topics were new to me, and there were a couple of chapters that were a little over my head, I did learn from every author. I am glad I persevered till the end. These author's stories of faith are examples of how God speaks to us all in personal and different ways to draw us to Himself.

[Irina Trancă · Rating 2 out of 5]

Phew...it was a relief to finally finish it. It was a huge disappointment as many of the arguments were difficult to follow (especially in part III), which sometimes made them unconvincing. It clearly wasn't meant for average readers, its discourse level being quite high. 2 and a half stars in my book, sorry...

[Andreas F · Rating 3 out of 5]

O livro é bem legal, e o Norman L. Geisler é um apologista cristão muito conhecido. A linguagem às vezes é bem técnica, o que faz com que você tenha que ler pausada e reflexivamente, mas nada que afete a compreensão (bem, vai depender do seu nível de conhecimento e de sua reflexão). No geral, um bom livro.

[James Barr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides sound intellectual arguments for the validity of Christianity. It covers an excellent variety of topics. I do not agree with all the denominational doctrines evidenced by some of the authors, but generally, this is a good book and I am glad I spent the time reading it.

[Kimmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me forever to finish this because the majority of it was at such an academic reading level, my brain couldn’t comprehend it. I did learn from and enjoy parts of it, but overall, it was a bit too intellectually written for me.

[Rafael Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for anyone wondering about Christianity's uniqueness or validity. These are leading thinkers, including former agnostics and atheists writing about why they believe. Some chapters: The Existence of God, the Historicity of the New Testament - as well as the reliability of the New Testament. Addresses many of the issues that have arisen in the past couple of years with the hoopla given to "New Christianities", etc.

[Rod Horncastle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think everyone should be handed one of these books along with every bible purchase. Lots of great info to take you to the next level of Christian thinking.
It still didn't answer all of my questions though...very close.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent information. Difficult to read. A philosopher may find this fascinating reading. The average reader will find it a struggle to slog through. But it makes the essential point that belief in Christianity is reasonable, and in fact the only belief that makes the best sense.

[Sandu Andronic · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Dintre toate cărțile sfinte ale religiilor lumii , numai afirmațiile Bibliei cu privire la creația cosmică sunt comptaibile cu teorema spațio-temporală a relativității generale." - Hugh Ross

[Shane Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent rebuttal to Russell!