Reason to Believe: A Response to Common Objections to Christianity

by R.C. Sproul

Does Christianity Have Good Answers for the Really Tough Questions?

Dr. R. C. Sproul believes it does. In this book, the founder of Ligonier Ministries deals with the most common objections to the truths of the Christian faith, including:


Has science disproved the existence of God?
Will non-Christians who never hear of Christ go to hell?
Is it narrow-minded and bigoted to believe Christ is only one way to God?
Why do people need God when life is going smoothly?
Isn't Christianity just a crutch for people who can’t handle life’s pressures?
Is heaven real or just "pie in the sky"?
Do Christians have a good answer to evil and suffering?
How does the church explain all its hypocrites?
Reason to Believe is no collection of pat answers and proof texts. It addresses each objection in a separate chapter—rigorously and biblically—and includes a special capsule summary that gives the kernel of each argument.

This is a superb resource for those in visitation and calling programs, and a must for anyone who wants to do more than scratch the surface of Christian truths.

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

160 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1982

About the author

Dr. R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship organization located near Orlando, Fla. He was founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.

Ligonier Ministries began in 1971 as the Ligonier Valley Study Center in Ligonier, Pa. In an effort to respond more effectively to the growing demand for Dr. Sproul’s teachings and the ministry’s other educational resources, the general offices were moved to Orlando in 1984, and the ministry was renamed.

Dr. Sproul’s radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online. Dr. Sproul produced hundreds of lecture series and recorded numerous video series on subjects such as the history of philosophy, theology, Bible study, apologetics, and Christian living.

He contributed dozens of articles to national evangelical publications, spoke at conferences, churches, and academic institutions around the world, and wrote more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He signed the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and wrote a commentary on that document. He also served as general editor of the Reformation Study Bible, previously known as the New Geneva Study Bible.

Dr. Sproul had a distinguished academic teaching career at various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and Jackson, Miss. He was ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.

Reviews

[Adam Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought to replace Tim Kellers: The Reason for God as an easy introduction to apologetics. Much more comfortable with my boys reading and more importantly learning from Sproul than Keller.

[Kirwan Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book on apologetics, focusing primarily on philosophical answers to contemporary questions regarding the Christian faith. The point of the book is to introduce the reader to basic formal logic in the philosophical realm.

I feel that some of the answers were left in vague spots (although, it is a short book), so I'm not sure if this would be helpful to unbelievers investigating the faith, or new Christians. I think it would be more useful to train commited believers to interface with common objections (which is indeed part of the target audience).

[Emma Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that addresses a bunch of the questions that people bring up as reasons not to follow Christ. I was in most cases very happy with the answers that were given. I try to read each chapter as a skeptic and not be quick to accept every answer. Most of the chapters adequately cover the topic and I would find myself intrigued as a skeptic. This is a great book for beginning apologetics.

[Jen Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this alongside my son who was reading it for school. I thought it was a great book for him as he embarks on the journey of learning to defend his faith and knowing why he believes what he believes.

[Luke Koskinen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent read combating some of the objections of Christianity. I appreciate that each chapter has the quick end notes or overview.

[Cole Mire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much. R.C. Sproul just knows how to communicate issues in clear and understandable ways. Those who knows about these issues already and those who are looking for answers will both enjoy this work.

[John Schomers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise and well done

[Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid resource.

[Dalton Prather · Rating 1 out of 5]

Most of the arguments boil down to, "My friend and I disagreed. I proved them wrong. Therefore, I am right." Without actual examples or detailed arguments.

[Jennifer Radtke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book called to me from my bookshelf to be read next. I thought it would be a nice read. Small in stature, less than 200 pages, and a how-to on belief. For it's size, I think I took the most time to read this book. Not because it's boring or a difficult read but because it's meaty. I couldn't have read through this book fast if I wanted to get anything out of it. I couldn't even get through a chapter at a crack without missing something. I'd end up reading the same sentence over and over again if I tried going fast.

My hubby borrowed the book one day because he forgot his book at home. He asked me if the author was trying to make a case for God or against him. I really enjoyed that part. R C Sproul took ten of the main arguments against God and Christianity and dissected them. He would start each chapter out with the argument and what "they" base their argument on. Then he disproves all of the parts of the argument and shares the facts for believing.

It was amazing traveling through these thought processes. It encourages you to dig in and dissect the ideas that come across your path. Just because something has been told this way or thought of this way, doesn't mean that it is necessarily true. You may just be hanging out with the wrong group of thinkers.

As much as I enjoyed the book, I am glad to be done so that I can read something a little leaner with all of the other things going on in life right now.

If you know someone that has doubts of faith and is willing to read through the arguments, this is a good book for them.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book for someone searching for answers to different questions against following Christ. The book may be small, but it is not a simple read. There is not a lot of fluff to fill the literary cracks. It is very concentrated and may need to be reread for a full comprehension. I really enjoyed this book and plan on rereading it.

[Cory Byrd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book on Apologetics (answering questions concerning faith). RC just uses the right words and examples to bring his point across. He is also very honest and won't state any bias opinion but sticks to the facts whether it is biblical or historical (in most cases both). Good for seekers or people who are curious about the Christian faith.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't think Christianity is reasonable? RC Sproul is a master at making complex things simple to understand for most people. This is an important book everyone, Christians or not, should give an honest read!

[Dr. Paul T. Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one, even with its overlap with his other book "If there is a God, why are there Atheists?" It wasn't as thorough of an apologetic as I was expecting, but there were key insights that helped me, especially related to justice.

[Lady Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. R.C. Sproul draws upon his own background as one who had angry questions about Christianity, studied philosophy and then ultimately graduated from seminary to become a preeminent author and speaker--teaching theology to laypeople--to address "common objections to Christianity."

[Philip Meinel · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a non-Christian, this may give you further insight into the Christian faith. For a Christian, this is a great step toward knowing why you believe what you believe. If you enjoyed this book and want to dive deeper, check out "I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist" by Norman Geisler.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't like trying to prove Christianity but this book lends considerable comfort to the faithful both in our own belief and in our ability to talk to others about Chritianity.

[Rod Horncastle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great starting book on Christian philosophy and apologetics. Just the beginning though. It'll get you thinking deeper than you ever have before.

[Tyrell Mentzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serves it's purpose effectively. it's great for Bible nerds like me, but I wonder if it would keep the interest of the more common, non-philosophical reader.

[Ryan Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. Recommended for new Christians.

[Spencer Ferrari-Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Find the full review here:

https://spencerferrari-wood.com/book-...

[Msmithclan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to acquire a copy, but it is worth it.

[Leslie Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great source for basic apologetics