The Shortest Leap: The Rational Underpinnings of Faith in Jesus

by A.L. Van Den Herik

All worldviews require a leap of faith, but not all leaps of faith are the same. A “one-stop shop” for the rational evidence for Christianity, The Shortest Leap presents the scientific, historical, biblical, and explanatory underpinnings of the Christian faith, demonstrating that faith in Jesus requires the shortest leap. In addition to providing proactive evidence for Christianity, The Shortest Leap responds to the numerous shots fired at biblical Christianity by atheists, critics of Christianity, and other skeptics. The Shortest Leap answers a wide range of difficult questions, • Is the Bible consistent with the findings of cutting edge, secular science?
• Was there really a man named Jesus, or is he just a myth?
• And even if he did exist, aren’t the events of Jesus’ life and his teachings as described in the New Testament merely fabrications of the earliest Christians?
• Does the historical evidence support the claim that Jesus rose from the dead?
• To understand who Jesus really was, why shouldn’t we consider other documents outside the Bible, such as the Gnostic gospels?
• Why were some documents excluded from the New Testament?
• Did Jesus really claim to be God, or did the earliest Christians just want to believe that?
• Is the Old Testament still relevant? Does it really point to Jesus hundreds to thousands of years before he lived?
• How does the salvation by grace of Christianity differ from the salvation by works of all other religions?
• Why can’t I just believe in the Jesus that I like the best?
• How can I be sure I have eternal life?

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Faith, Christian, Christianity

744 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 2020

Reviews

[Adam Kareus · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good apologetic work which seeks to demonstrate the rational evidences of the biblical faith. This work builds a great culminative case for Christianity, or as the author puts it a strong castle of evidence or the dart board of evidence. While I might disagree with the author of what the strongest pieces of evidences are or even the best explanation of some of the evidence, this work provides a great foundation for classical apologetics.

[C.S. Wachter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift and have thoroughly enjoyed reading it slowly. The subtitle says it all. Here is a comprehensive look at the logical and rational reasoning behind why the author left his atheistic belief system, took The Shortest Leap, and came to belief in Christ. It is an excellent, well-written resource for those who are seeking and mature Christians alike.

[Michael Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource

This book is the most comprehensive tool I've seen for those seeking God and for those Case Makers for Christ. I'm keeping this as an often used resource in my library. I bought this originally in paperback for a friend in his server's journey. I decided I should read it first and bout this second kindle version not long after for myself. I shall refer to it often for encouragement and reminders.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title comes from the notion that it takes more faith (i.e. a longer leap of faith) to disbelieve the message of the Bible as it does to believe it. Compare with Evidence That Demands a Verdict, 2 A worthy effort. The evidence from archaeology and history is pretty good. Science, not so much. If you have zero tolerance for intelligent design or creationism, this book is probably not for you.