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The Big Ten
Why Should I Believe Christianity?
Some people boldly claim, "Christianity is fine for some, but it isn't for me." Others feel it is just outdated and irrelevant. For better or worse, everyone in the Western world has come into contact with Christianity: we all have some opinion on it.
James Anderson, with a clear, humorous logic, explores what Christianity really claims, and shows the underlying reason and consistency behind these claims. By the end of Why Should I Believe Christianity?, while you may not agree with the Christian worldview, it is impossible to be left sitting on the fence.
James Anderson, with a clear, humorous logic, explores what Christianity really claims, and shows the underlying reason and consistency behind these claims. By the end of Why Should I Believe Christianity?, while you may not agree with the Christian worldview, it is impossible to be left sitting on the fence.
240 pages, Paperback
Published July 20, 2016
36 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
February 15, 2021
If you want a reasonable response to the question in the title—read this book. Thank you Dr. Anderson for this helpful + enjoyable book on understanding the Christian worldview and responses to opposition.
January 20, 2025
I’m not the biggest fan of Apologetics, but this book is excellent. It quickly and convincingly deals with the most vital issues and questions of worldview and Christianity. It is written in understandable language and would be a great book to give to those who struggle to see Christianity as an intellectually viable worldview. I love me a simple and helpful book.
December 31, 2019
Looking for an apologetics’ book on why believe in Christianity that would be biblically sound in its doctrine and also clear and reasonable in its worldview analysis? This book might be for you. Written by a professor of philosophy and theology and Christian Apologetics at Reformed Theological Seminary this book presents arguments and reasoning from someone that is quite capable and qualified to discuss the veracity of the Christian worldview. I also like how the author’s presentation is shaped by Presuppositional apologetics!
The book consists of eight chapters and a suggested reading at the end. It starts off with an introductory chapter of why believe anything in which James Anderson talks about the goal of belief should be directed towards truth and that we evaluate reasons for the merit of why we believe something. Chapter two is titled “The Big Picture” and discusses about the nature of truth and refutes relativism and skepticism. I also enjoyed this chapter for its discussion about worldviews (what it is, how everyone has them) and three tests for any worldview. Chapter three presents to us that Christianity is a worldview. I was immensely blessed by the author’s presentation of a sound biblical Christianity and it was refreshing because sometimes I find Christian apologists somewhat biblically anemic in terms of knowing what the Bible actually teaches. Its encouraging to see a fully orbed Christian worldview unapologetically and unashamedly presented! I was rejoicing reading that chapter! Chapter four goes over why believe that God exists which I immensely enjoyed as well. His argument is rigorous and I appreciate he explains it as nontechnical as possible (you should see the author’s academic papers!). Chapter five then argues that God has revealed Himself and why we should expect God to reveal Himself verbally and publicly in written form. With the foundation laid the next chapter then goes over how Christ is God incarnate and the following chapter after that is on Christ’s resurrection. Chapter 8 concludes the book by summarizing the previous chapters and also challenges readers who still won’t believe to consider their own worldviews that is influencing them to reject Christianity and the reasons given here.
I enjoyed this book a lot. The combination of good theology, rigorous argumentation, consciousness of worldviews and the framework of Presuppositional apologetics made this book very rich. I enjoyed it so much I talked to my wife and others in my church how much I found delight in reading it. In fact I ordered four copies of this book for our church as future gift books to our visitors and guests on Sunday! Order your copy today.
The book consists of eight chapters and a suggested reading at the end. It starts off with an introductory chapter of why believe anything in which James Anderson talks about the goal of belief should be directed towards truth and that we evaluate reasons for the merit of why we believe something. Chapter two is titled “The Big Picture” and discusses about the nature of truth and refutes relativism and skepticism. I also enjoyed this chapter for its discussion about worldviews (what it is, how everyone has them) and three tests for any worldview. Chapter three presents to us that Christianity is a worldview. I was immensely blessed by the author’s presentation of a sound biblical Christianity and it was refreshing because sometimes I find Christian apologists somewhat biblically anemic in terms of knowing what the Bible actually teaches. Its encouraging to see a fully orbed Christian worldview unapologetically and unashamedly presented! I was rejoicing reading that chapter! Chapter four goes over why believe that God exists which I immensely enjoyed as well. His argument is rigorous and I appreciate he explains it as nontechnical as possible (you should see the author’s academic papers!). Chapter five then argues that God has revealed Himself and why we should expect God to reveal Himself verbally and publicly in written form. With the foundation laid the next chapter then goes over how Christ is God incarnate and the following chapter after that is on Christ’s resurrection. Chapter 8 concludes the book by summarizing the previous chapters and also challenges readers who still won’t believe to consider their own worldviews that is influencing them to reject Christianity and the reasons given here.
I enjoyed this book a lot. The combination of good theology, rigorous argumentation, consciousness of worldviews and the framework of Presuppositional apologetics made this book very rich. I enjoyed it so much I talked to my wife and others in my church how much I found delight in reading it. In fact I ordered four copies of this book for our church as future gift books to our visitors and guests on Sunday! Order your copy today.
October 12, 2022
Dr. James Anderson does a complete job in presenting the positive reasons one should believe in Christianity. It is clear and concise the the occasional nugget of dry humor thrown in there. The non humorous parts are far from dry themselves and make for easy, understandable, yet intellectual reading. A good little book that anyone should give a read.
April 15, 2021
"It is reasonable to believe in Christianity, but it is not natural to believe it". This is basically what he's trying to argue for; and, fair to say, he succeeds. The preliminary discussion is useful in establishing how Christianity ought to be treated (that is, as an all-encompassing worldview). From there on, he provides the "Big picture" of Christianity, clearly presenting the act of Creation, the Fall, the Redemption through Christ and the Consummation of all things.
He is coming along the "presuppositional" strand of the apologetic realm hence the "not only is Christianity reasonable to believe but without it, there are no grounds for reasonableness." And there is more to it: to believe it is, indeed, not natural - it's supernatural!
It is a profitable read: short, written in a very easy-to-understand manner and provides enough reasons for Christianity's coherence for the reader not to dismiss it as simply "irrational".
He is coming along the "presuppositional" strand of the apologetic realm hence the "not only is Christianity reasonable to believe but without it, there are no grounds for reasonableness." And there is more to it: to believe it is, indeed, not natural - it's supernatural!
It is a profitable read: short, written in a very easy-to-understand manner and provides enough reasons for Christianity's coherence for the reader not to dismiss it as simply "irrational".
July 9, 2019
I cannot recommend this book enough. Dr. Anderson was one of my professors in Seminary and is a phenomenal Christian philosopher. Yet in this book he writes for an audience that is just being introduced to the Christian faith for the first time. If you know Dr. Anderson you know this book is packed with very fine logic and argumentation. I highly recommend giving this to a skeptic or someone that is struggling with their faith.
February 15, 2020
Concise and clear positive case for the Christian faith. The book contains many helpful illustrations and keeps to the most essential topics. A valuable tool for every disciple of Christ.
January 24, 2025
Very simple and easy to read with sound theology.
October 7, 2017
Great book! A beginning investigation on why Christianity makes sense. From a presuppositional perspective without being too philosophical but just enough to get the basics of the reasonableness of Christianity. Highly recommended
October 22, 2025
If you've listened to Dr. Anderson in interviews or debates you realize the caliber of mind he possesses. You also know he's able to present difficult material in different ways including simpler ways and with gentleness and respect.
This book is a great primer for those questioning Christianity or even new believers. Let them borrow it or head over to the Cave To The Cross Apologetics show and go through it with them ([https://cavetothecross.com/category/w...).
Almost under disguise as a philosophy book, Dr. Anderson addresses simple questions like, "Why should be believe things?" and "Why do things exist?" From there, he builds out how people see the world through their own sets of presuppositions - no one is a blank slate or could even pretend to be. This develops a person's worldview and what they allow into that worldview as evidence for things. His challenge is that Christianity offers the best answers to those questions all worldviews have to answer. For example, "Is there a God?"; "Why is there something rather than nothing?"; and "Are there things we ought to do or must not do?" He puts forth that a worldview that is most consistent, and actually perfectly consistent, and has full explanatory power is going to be the best reason to believe it is true. Shockingly, Dr. Anderson puts forth that Christianity offers the best explanatory power and is consistent within itself.
From there, he gives a very good overview of the Christian worldview which is just a walk through The Bible. He picks out answers to those worldview questions and answers a few more he highlights. If you know Dr. Anderson from presuppositional teaching or transcendental argumentation (TAG) you'll see elements of those in this book although TAG not so much. He finishes by covering who Jesus is and the Resurrection as they are the central point of the Christian worldview. He also presents a final chapter in what to do after reading the book. As it is the first in a series of books, he points you to answers in the other books that he didn't address in this book.
Overall, this is a well-put-together book. It is short and not overly complicated which seems like a daunting task for a book trying to answer the biggest questions mankind has facing it. The fact that Dr. Anderson commands the material so well is a testament to his teaching acuity. If you're looking to get into presuppositional apologetics this is a good start to dip your toe into the water and get use to some of the terminology and topics. Pick up a copy just to give friends who are new Christians and let them know that we don't leave our mind at the door of Christianity - Christianity is the basis for the science, logic, and morality we experience and perceive in our lives. Final Grade - A
This book is a great primer for those questioning Christianity or even new believers. Let them borrow it or head over to the Cave To The Cross Apologetics show and go through it with them ([https://cavetothecross.com/category/w...).
Almost under disguise as a philosophy book, Dr. Anderson addresses simple questions like, "Why should be believe things?" and "Why do things exist?" From there, he builds out how people see the world through their own sets of presuppositions - no one is a blank slate or could even pretend to be. This develops a person's worldview and what they allow into that worldview as evidence for things. His challenge is that Christianity offers the best answers to those questions all worldviews have to answer. For example, "Is there a God?"; "Why is there something rather than nothing?"; and "Are there things we ought to do or must not do?" He puts forth that a worldview that is most consistent, and actually perfectly consistent, and has full explanatory power is going to be the best reason to believe it is true. Shockingly, Dr. Anderson puts forth that Christianity offers the best explanatory power and is consistent within itself.
From there, he gives a very good overview of the Christian worldview which is just a walk through The Bible. He picks out answers to those worldview questions and answers a few more he highlights. If you know Dr. Anderson from presuppositional teaching or transcendental argumentation (TAG) you'll see elements of those in this book although TAG not so much. He finishes by covering who Jesus is and the Resurrection as they are the central point of the Christian worldview. He also presents a final chapter in what to do after reading the book. As it is the first in a series of books, he points you to answers in the other books that he didn't address in this book.
Overall, this is a well-put-together book. It is short and not overly complicated which seems like a daunting task for a book trying to answer the biggest questions mankind has facing it. The fact that Dr. Anderson commands the material so well is a testament to his teaching acuity. If you're looking to get into presuppositional apologetics this is a good start to dip your toe into the water and get use to some of the terminology and topics. Pick up a copy just to give friends who are new Christians and let them know that we don't leave our mind at the door of Christianity - Christianity is the basis for the science, logic, and morality we experience and perceive in our lives. Final Grade - A
June 11, 2020
I was expecting this to be a more robust defense of the faith, but it reads more like an introductory overview of Christian worldview. That's not a critique, just an error in my expectation. It's a good book.
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December 23, 2019I will not give a rating for I truly tried to grasp and keep an open mind to the worldview exposed in this book. But it left me mostly unsatisfied with the reasons given and the explanations more so.
The one thing I try really hard to grasp is why would an omnipotent God introduce sin and create humanity to worship and glorify him? Why would a God that is so perfect and good, care about trivial things like that?
I cannot understand how could he make us sinners and condemn us as such for it all came at his choosing and his knowing. Why then go through all this hassle? Why send Jesus to absolve us of the sin that he put into us in the first place? Did he not introduce the serpent? The Devil so to speak? For us to be his puppets?
And another point. Since we were made in God's image. Does it also mean that the sin we carry is as well part of him? But again I am just another sinner that finds hard to wrap his small mind around his grandiose master plan. And that is my fault. I cannot hear him speak, perhaps I am beyond salvation at this point.
Surely what would be an alternative then? If not faith and belief in this story. I don't know what the alternative is for we know nothing. And I guess it's more about which illusion we put our faith in - all or nothing. Why am I drawn to nothingness so much more then?
The one thing I try really hard to grasp is why would an omnipotent God introduce sin and create humanity to worship and glorify him? Why would a God that is so perfect and good, care about trivial things like that?
I cannot understand how could he make us sinners and condemn us as such for it all came at his choosing and his knowing. Why then go through all this hassle? Why send Jesus to absolve us of the sin that he put into us in the first place? Did he not introduce the serpent? The Devil so to speak? For us to be his puppets?
And another point. Since we were made in God's image. Does it also mean that the sin we carry is as well part of him? But again I am just another sinner that finds hard to wrap his small mind around his grandiose master plan. And that is my fault. I cannot hear him speak, perhaps I am beyond salvation at this point.
Surely what would be an alternative then? If not faith and belief in this story. I don't know what the alternative is for we know nothing. And I guess it's more about which illusion we put our faith in - all or nothing. Why am I drawn to nothingness so much more then?
January 23, 2021
A wonderful entry-level apologetics book in the broad presuppositional tradition. Dr. Anderson writes with an ease and humor that makes the content easy to digest for a newcomer to Christianity or a skeptic, but that same writing style makes a grad student like me enjoy it as well.
I especially appreciate the numerous analogies and illustrations scattered throughout.
I would not hesitate to give this book to a skeptic, a young person (as young as middle school, really) or someone with absolutely no background in apologetics or theology. But, it's also a good refresher book for more experienced Christians.
I think the other books in the series are more pointed towards specific issues in apologetics, such as Evil, Christian behavior, the God of the Old Testament, etc. Anderson doesn't get into those issues in this volume.
I especially appreciate the numerous analogies and illustrations scattered throughout.
I would not hesitate to give this book to a skeptic, a young person (as young as middle school, really) or someone with absolutely no background in apologetics or theology. But, it's also a good refresher book for more experienced Christians.
I think the other books in the series are more pointed towards specific issues in apologetics, such as Evil, Christian behavior, the God of the Old Testament, etc. Anderson doesn't get into those issues in this volume.
March 27, 2018
This is a tough book to rank because it is so many good things but it also could have gone deeper. I settled on 5 stars because for it's brevity and simplicity, it presents a very cogent, logical, and Biblical case for Christianity. Dr. Anderson argues from a presuppositionalist perspective, that the best evidence for Christianity is the impossibility of the contrary. From that thesis, he shows the superiority of Christianity to answer basic worldview questions (consistency, coherence, etc) and the inability of other worldviews to provide any answers. This is an excellent book for someone new to apologetics as well as for a non-believer who is seeking answers.
February 22, 2025
This a brief yet very cogent and persuasive argument for the Christian faith. Anderson sees the Christian faith in broad terms as a worldview, a gird upon which a person interprets reality and the world around him. He understands belief in God as properly basic; that one cannot really understand anything unless God is ultimate and real. He compares this to Naturalism by demonstrating that Naturalism is self-defeating. Anderson hooks you and, in the end, asks, "What is the alternative?" The book has a limited but positive purpose in giving the reasons for the faith.
April 3, 2025
This is an excellent introduction to the Christian faith. It is for people looking to understand/explain their faith better or for a non-Christian who is interested in looking for a reason to be compelled by Christianity. Anderson takes a worldview starting point and a nuanced Presuppositional apologetic approach while giving thoughtful insights and illustrations on the speech of God and of course, the resurrection.
My advice is to buy copies of this and hand it out to your church members. It's an excellent resource.
My advice is to buy copies of this and hand it out to your church members. It's an excellent resource.
May 22, 2018
Good book that say why we should believe Christianity. It is accessible to anyone, in fact Anderson adresses unbelievers. He deals with all the classic problems : miracles, resurrection, incarnation, science, naturalism, relativism, truth. Besides he presents the christian worldview : the story of the Bible, the Gospel, Man created in the image of God, God and his attributes. It is very concise and readable.
So it is an excellent book to offer to unbelievers and to read.
So it is an excellent book to offer to unbelievers and to read.
December 31, 2021
This is an indirect positive defense of the Christian faith. By indirect, I mean that he is not answering specific objections raised against Christianity. He presents the Christian’s coherent worldview which automatically rules out, for example, more person-variable conversations like the diety of Christ against (fill in your heretical cult). This is an easy read for any type of person, unbeliever or believer.
June 20, 2018
A bit more technical and philosophical than I thought it would be, which made it a slower read for me than I was expecting, but overall, this was an excellent book. Unlike most books, it could have benefited from being LONGER. As a short defense of the faith, it does a great job interacting with other worldviews, and doing so while showing respect and without being simplistic.
January 28, 2019
A brilliant brief book with numerous helpful analogies on why anyone should believe in Christianity. Presuppositional in approach which I loved, showing how every other worldview simply fails to explain life as we live it each day. Winsome, easy to read and engaging, well worth getting a bunch and handing out to inquiring skeptics
July 10, 2019
Good Inteo
This is a very good intro to apologetics. It’s clearly written, moves quickly (but not too quickly) and has plenty of suggestions for further reading. Would be good for church groups, high school seniors going into college, and beginners.
This is a very good intro to apologetics. It’s clearly written, moves quickly (but not too quickly) and has plenty of suggestions for further reading. Would be good for church groups, high school seniors going into college, and beginners.
December 24, 2019
This is an excellent apologetic book. It is designed for someone who is interested in thinking as opposed so someone who wants purely emotive arguments. Thus, the book is a more general simplification of the types of arguments made by people like Plantinga, Lennox, Pearcey or Geisler.
April 5, 2020
Presuppositional Apologetics made palatable for the layperson. Short and accessible to what could otherwise become convoluted. One of the first books I would put into the hands of an unbeliever. It got redundant in spurts but overall really solid read.
May 16, 2020
Conversation and thoughtful, this book feels like the product of many conversations with people who did not agree with him. Highly recommended for someone open to investigating Christianity, but still skeptical of the rationality of faith.
August 25, 2024
I really enjoyed this book, but it took a while for me to get into it as it was very slow and confusing at the start, but it definitely picked up and I understood it better towards the end. I will be doing a further study of this book to see if I can understand it even more.
September 17, 2025
Great introduction to the transcendental argument for the existence of God, as well as the weaknesses in worldviews opposing Christianity, particular naturalistic atheism.
Recommend for high school seniors and up.
Recommend for high school seniors and up.
July 30, 2019
Surprisingly helpful.
February 5, 2021
Great introductory book for any questioning the Christian worldview!
January 31, 2022
My Dad told me to read this when I was having a horrible existential crisis. It really helped a lot. Thanks James N. Anderson! :)
October 22, 2021
If I were to build a case for why someone should believe Christianity, this is probably the way I would do it. Anderson begins by laying out some rules of engagement. He is not going to assess particular propositions, but instead take entire worldviews and assess them on consistency with the world around us and internal consistency. Along with some other criteria, he then begins to briefly assess the major worldviews on offer.
Firstly, a Christian worldview is outlined. As usual, Abraham doesn’t get mentioned once (disappointing)! Atheism is rejected based on the traditional arguments for God (Ontological, Cosmological, Teleological. The big names are impressive, aren’t they?). A personal God is then determined to be necessary, so all non-personal philosophies about God are rejected (Buddhism of all kinds, Hinduism, new age). We are left with Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. I forget why exactly, but Judaism and Islam are rejected. Looks like it only makes sense to be a Christian.
Anderson then goes on to discuss some particulars about Christianity, including sin and the necessity for forgiveness. Would I recommend this book? It’s good for a teenager to gain exposure to this type of discourse, but I probably wouldn’t recommend it.
Firstly, a Christian worldview is outlined. As usual, Abraham doesn’t get mentioned once (disappointing)! Atheism is rejected based on the traditional arguments for God (Ontological, Cosmological, Teleological. The big names are impressive, aren’t they?). A personal God is then determined to be necessary, so all non-personal philosophies about God are rejected (Buddhism of all kinds, Hinduism, new age). We are left with Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. I forget why exactly, but Judaism and Islam are rejected. Looks like it only makes sense to be a Christian.
Anderson then goes on to discuss some particulars about Christianity, including sin and the necessity for forgiveness. Would I recommend this book? It’s good for a teenager to gain exposure to this type of discourse, but I probably wouldn’t recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews