Christianity For Skeptics: An Understandable Examination of Christian Belief

by Steve Kumar

Looking for the perfect book to place in the hands of a skeptical friend or co-worker? Wishing you had answers to tough questions people are raising about the viability of Christianity? Christianity For Skeptics attempts to provide a basis for belief by enlisting scholars—both Christian and non-Christian—who have come to the conclusion that there is a strong argument and basis for belief in God and in Christianity. Dr. Kumar responds to questions often asked by skeptics such • Does God exist?
• If there is a God, why is there evil?
• Is atheism rational?
• Is the Bible the word of God?

Genres: Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Tintinrulz · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Christianity for Skeptics" by Dr. Steve Kumar with Dr. Jonathan Sarfati is a brilliant book where using reason and logic, Christianity is proven to be the only reasonable, logical, viable worldview. The first chapter begins by asking if God exists. The following chapters ask these questions and then answer them: If there is a loving God then why is there evil? Is atheism rational? Is Jesus truly God? Is the Bible the Word of God? What about other religions? The book concludes with two chapters on answering the Eastern mind and challenging Islam. Included herein, are copious quotes from Christians and non-Christians from many different fields of expertise. I'm very much a Christian and this book intrigued me. I think it's essential that Christians know what they believe and why they believe what they do and reading this would go some way to helping Christians to reason their faith and to think, speak and act biblically. "Christianity for Skeptics" is an excellent and comprehensive (but concise and easy-to-read) resource for both Christians and non-Christians. Highly recommended.

10/10

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A VISUALLY-RICH PRESENTATION OF ARGUMENTS FOR CHRISTIANITY

Author Steve Kumar wrote in this 2000 book [in response to the argument that the universe is cruel and unjust], “Firstly, the skeptics presuppose subjectively without a proof that evil is incompatible with the existence of God…. Secondly, it is still logically possible that God… may allow evil for a very good purpose, and for some wise reason has not disclosed that truth… A logical response to the atheistic argument is: 1. God is omnipotent; 2. God is benevolent; 3. Since God is not yet finished with the world, 4. Evil will remain until God eliminates it.” (Pg. 44)

He states, “Atheism is essentially a religion based on blind faith---it takes greater faith to be an atheist. The atheist by faith believes the universe was uncreated. With no absolutes he believes in morality. Without a foundation he believes in value and without God he believes in life. Atheism is a religion without God, a faith without reason, and a journey without a destiny. An atheist is not a person without beliefs but one who upholds a variety of beliefs.” (Pg. 74)

He observes, “Man needs a divine revelation, but only God can provide such a revelation. Nature is inadequate to act as a guide for the existence of man. It takes an infinite being to provide infinite truth. We need absolute truth to be absolutely true, but man is finite and limited, because he cannot act as an authority on, not possibly ascertain any notion of, ultimate truth. If there is no absolute truth or ultimate authority to appeal to, we have no obligation to do anything!” (Pg. 103)

He argues, “the Scripture is reliable material, a fact accepted by leading historians. Its reliability is supported by the findings of archaeology. Hence, one could logically affirm that the Scriptures are historically reliable. We could argue that the Scriptures, which are reliable, provide information about Jesus Christ who claimed to be God and probed his claims by rising from the dead. Only God has the power of resurrection; Jesus had the power of resurrection, therefore Jesus is God. Whatever God says is true. Jesus who is God says the Bible is God’s Word, therefore the Bible is God’s Word.” (Pg. 115)

He asserts, “Christianity is unique. There is no faith like the Christian faith. Christianity differs from all other religions in its basic teaching regarding who God is, what man is, how God redeems man, and what sin is. All other religions teach salvation by good works, but Christianity offers salvation by grace alone through faith. In other religions man is constantly seeking God, but in Christianity God is in search of man… In the world’s religions we have man’s answer to man’s problems, but in Christianity we have God’s answers to man’s problems. What man has long hoped for religiously through the centuries has taken place in Christ. The infinite has become finite, the abstract concrete, the invisible visible; God became man. This position should not be regarded as narrow-minded exclusivism but as an invitation to share the joy of Christ.” (Pg. 133-134)

This book will be of interest those studying Apologetics.

[Rebekah Mugenyi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christianity for skeptics is a great read for everyone that is interested in religion, and everyone that is not.

This work explores question such as: Does God exist? If there is God, why do bad things happen? Is atheism rational? Is Jesus truly God? Is the Bible the word of God? What about other religions? These questions form the chapters of the book as well as ‘Answering the Eastern mind’ and ‘the Challenge of Islam’.

Dr. Steve Kumar and Dr. Jonathan Sarfati (armed with extensive references) engage the reader in an attempt to get to the bottom of why we believe what we believe and weather these views are logical or not.

I personally enjoyed studying this book and intend to read it again.

[Please note: I read a different edition of the book. Amazon link here: https://www.amazon.com/Christianity-S... ]

[Erin Burnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be an informative and well-written book. I am reading it from a faith perspective, so I fully acknowledge my bias.
The authors systematically tackle the big issues of suffering, the Bible, other religions and the historicity of Jesus. The chapters are brief and succinct with plenty of recommendations for extra reading around the topic.
Not all of the arguments were convincing to me, but that is to be expected - different arguments will resonate with different people.

[Richard Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent in its presentation and handling of various ungodly worldviews, which entrap and deceive people unto death. The book does a good job of exposing how flimsy and useless many secular ideologies and philosophies really are, and how powerful but useless all of the various false religions are at addressing the human condition.

[Neh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very resourceful. The authors are not only exceedingly intelligent but have been diligent and thorough also in writing this. It is a very cogent presentation of biblical Christianity.

[Michael Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good introduction to the subject. I personally would have liked it to be more in-depth, but still it’s a good starting point.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book gives some satisfactory answers to the existence of God.

[Alex Sarmiento · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction to the notion that one needn’t leave their intellect at the door in accepting Christianity as a world view. May it inspire further exploration and understanding.