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When Skeptics Ask
When skeptics ask tough questions, believers can turn to this helpful, user-friendly guide for thoughtful, up-to-date answers. Readers will also learn to identify and respond to the misuse of Scripture by nonbelievers and help detractors see the fullness, beauty, and truth of Christianity.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 1990
46 people are currently reading
907 people want to read
About the author
Norman L. Geisler
226 books315 followersNorman 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 5, 2015
This book covers a lot of topics such as the existence of God, the nature of God, evil, miracles, the resurrection of Jesus Christ and more. The book is not meant to be an exhaustive study on these topics, but it does provide foundational knowledge for discussing these topics and defending the historic Christian view of these topics. The reasoning is sound and this book will help someone get on the right path if knowing the truth is the goal. I would recommend reading the chapter on truth first, because I believe understanding the different aspects of truth and knowledge is important to asking the right questions when evaluating truth claims. When it comes to matters of religion or faith, we always must evaluate truth claims in the context of what we already know to be true. Chapter 3 on world-views is good for understanding the 6 major worldview categories that every religion or belief falls into including atheism. Understanding this will go along to quickly discerning systems of faith when you encounter them. Ultimately this book should lead you to answering the ultimate question asked by Jesus: "who do you say that I am?" Because Jesus claimed to be the only way to God and His resurrection from the dead is considered to be the most verifiable event of antiquity, it is a question that every person must answer for themselves. There is a Suggested reading list which has a lot of good resources to do a more exhaustive study of these issues. I would also refer you to my Apologetics bookshelves on GoodReads as well as my Resurrection bookshelf for an updated list of resources.
October 30, 2019
Covers a range of topics, but doesn't go very deep into any of them. Fortunately, each chapter ends with several suggested books on the chapter's subject.
Topics covered: God, evil, miracles, Jesus, the Bible, Bible difficulties, archaeology, science, the afterlife, truth, morals.
Notes
Questions about God
Cosmological argument (argument from creation)
1. Universe had beginning.
2. Anything that had a beginning must have been caused by something else.
3. Therefore, universe was caused by something else, which we call God.
Teleological argument (argument from design)
1. All complex design implies a designer.
2. Universe (especially life) has complex design.
3. Therefore, universe must have had designer.
Moral argument (argument from moral law)
1. All people are conscious of an objective moral law.
2. Objective moral laws imply a moral lawgiver.
3. Therefore, there must be a supreme moral lawgiver.
Ontological argument 1 (argument from idea of a perfect being)
1. Whatever perfection can be attributed to the most perfect being possible/conceivable must be attributed to it (otherwise it wouldn't be the most perfect being possible).
2. Existence is a perfection that can be attributed to the most perfect being.
3. Therefore, existence must be attributed to the most perfect being.
Ontological argument 2 (argument from idea of a perfect being)
1. God is by definition an absolutely necessary being.
2. By its very nature, a necessary being must necessarily exist.
3. Therefore, God necessarily exists.
Questions about Miracles
Miracles aren't violations of natural law; they simply have a cause that transcends nature.
Natural laws tell what usually happens (what's statistically probable); they don't tell us what must happen. So, miracles aren't impossible.
"If there is anything beyond the universe that might cause something to happen in the universe, then there is a chance that it will do so." If a God exists outside the universe, then miracles are possible.
"Miracles are God-ordained supernatural interventions; human magic is human manipulation by normal or supernormal forces."
Questions about Jesus Christ
Acts contains nearly 100 accurate details about events, places, people, etc., showing that Luke was an accurate historian. He was a contemporary of eyewitnesses who wrote before AD 62 (because he doesn't record fall of Jerusalem, Jewish War, deaths of Paul or James).
Internal signs of authenticity
1. Authors made no attempt to harmonize accounts.
2. They included material that put Jesus in a bad light.
3. They left many difficult passages in their text.
4. They retained many self-incriminating details.
5. They include many demanding sayings of Jesus.
6. They distinguished their words from Jesus' words.
7. They didn't deny their testimony under threat of death.
8. They claimed their record was based on eyewitnesses.
9. They record women witnessing resurrection before men, in a patriarchal culture.
10. They challenged readers to check out facts for themselves.
11. They discarded long-held Jewish beliefs overnight.
12. They include more than 30 historical persons who've been verified by history.
Jesus claimed to be God/Yahweh. Compare John 10 to Ps 23; Matt 25:31-46 and John 5:27-30 to Joel 3:12; John 17:5 to Isa 42:8; Matt 25:1 to Isa 62:5 and Hos 2:16; Rev 1:17 to Isa 44:6; John 8:12 to Ps 27:1; John 8:58 to Ex 3:14. Jews understood Jesus' claim to be God, and wanted to kill Him for blasphemy (John 8:59; 10:31-33; 18:5-6).
Jesus claimed to be Messiah (God). Compare Matt 22:43-44 to Ps 110:1. Jesus called Himself Son of Man (compare Mark 14:61-64 to Dan 7:9, 13, 22).
Only God may be worshipped (Ex 20:1-5; Deut 5:6-9). Jesus accepted worship, showing that He considered Himself God (Matt 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; 20:20; Mark 5:6; John 9:38; 20:28).
Jesus claimed authority equal to God (Matt 5:18; 21-22; 24:35; 28:18-19; John 12:48; 13:34).
Jesus taught His followers to pray in His Name (John 14:13-14; 15:7; 1 Cor 5:4; Acts 7:59).
Disciples believed Jesus was God
• Disciples used titles of deity for Jesus (Rev 1:17; 2:8; 21:2; 22:13; John 1:9; 4:42; 1 Cor 10:4; 1 Pet 2:6-8; 5:4; Eph 5:28-33; Heb 13:20; Acts 5:31; Col 3:13; 2 Tim 4:1).
• Disciples considered Jesus Messiah (God) (Matt 1:1; John 19:37; Rev 1:7; Phil 2:10-11).
• Disciples considered Jesus to have God's power (John 1:3; 11; Acts 5:31; 13:38; Col 1:16-17).
• Disciples associated Jesus' Name with God's Name (1 Cor 5:4; Acts 7:59; Gal 1:3; Eph 1:2; Matt 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14).
• Disciples called Jesus God (John 1:1; 20:28; Col 1:15; 2:9, 13; Heb 1:3, 8; Phil 2:5-8).
• Disciples said Jesus was superior to angels (Eph 1:21; Rev 22:8-9; Heb 1:5-6).
How Jesus' miracles confirm He's God
1. A miracle is an act of God that confirms the truth of God associated with it.
2. Jesus offered 3 lines of miraculous evidence to confirm His claim to be God: fulfillment of prophecy, miraculous and sinless life, and resurrection.
3. Therefore, Jesus' miracles confirm He's God.
Questions about the Bible
Argument for the Bible
1. God exists.
2. Miracles are possible.
3. The New Testament is a historically reliable document.
4. Miracles concirm Jesus' claim to be God.
5. Whatever Jesus (who is God) teaches is true (Num 23:19; Heb 6:18; 1 John 1:5-6).
6. Jesus (who is God) taugth that the Bibile is the Word of God by confirming the Old Testament and promising the New Testament.
7. Therefore, the Bible is the Word of God.
Why the Bible can't err
1. God can't err (Heb 6:18; Titus 1:2; Rom 3:4).
2. The Bible is the Word of God (Matt 4:4).
3. Therefore, the Bible can't err (John 10:35; 17:17).
Why OT Apocrypha was rejected
1. They don't claim to be inspired.
2. They weren't written by prophets of God (1 Macc 9:27).
3. They weren't confirmed by supernatural acts of God (Heb 2:3-4).
4. They don't always tell the truth (2 Macc 12:46; Tob 12:9).
5. They weren't accepted by God's people (Jews).
6. They weren't accepted by Jesus, Son of God (Matt 5:17-18; Luke 24:27).
7. They weren't accepted by apostles (who didn't quote them).
8. They weren't accepted by early church.
9. They weren't written during period of OT prophets.
1 John 5:7 is only in 1 Greek manuscript out of 1,520. John 7:53 - 8:11 may be a late addition because earliest manuscripts, translations, and church fathers omit it, and copies that have it put it in 4 different locations.
Mark 16:9-20 probably isn't original.
Questions about Bible Difficulties
Guidelines for handling difficult passages
• Be sure you know what text says. Reference good commentaries.
• Be sure you know what text means. Consider context.
• Realize that Bible can be imprecise without being wrong.
• Realize that Bible can give partial reports without being wrong.
• Realize that Bible uses everyday language, not scientific or scholarly language.
Fact that Jesus is traced to 2 different sons of David (Solomon and Nathan) and from 2 different grandparents (Jacob and Heli) shows genealogy in Matt is of Jesus' legal father, Joseph, and genealogy in Luke is of Jesus' actual mother, Mary.
Questions about Archaeology
There are records of regular censuses in Egypt, Gaul, Cyrene. It's likely that Luke means censuses were taken throughout empire at different times, and Augustus started this process. It's likely that Luke is distinguishing the census in Herod's time from the more well-known census of Quirinius in Acts 5:37.
Appendix 2: Reasoning to Christianity from the Ground Up
1. The truth about reality is knowable.
2. The opposite of true is false.
3. It is true that the theistic God exists.
4. If God exists, miracles are possible.
5. Miracles can be used to confirm a message from God.
6. NT is historically reliable.
7. NT says Jesus claims to be God.
8. Jesus' claim to be God was miraculously confirmed by His fulfillment of many prophecies about Himself, His sinless and miraculous life, His prediction and accomplishment of His resurrection.
9. Therefore, Jesus is God.
10. Whatever Jesus (who is God) teaches is true, is true.
11. Jesus taught that the Bible is the Word of God.
12. Therefore, it is true that the Bible is the Word of God, and anything opposed to it is false.
Topics covered: God, evil, miracles, Jesus, the Bible, Bible difficulties, archaeology, science, the afterlife, truth, morals.
Notes
Questions about God
Cosmological argument (argument from creation)
1. Universe had beginning.
2. Anything that had a beginning must have been caused by something else.
3. Therefore, universe was caused by something else, which we call God.
Teleological argument (argument from design)
1. All complex design implies a designer.
2. Universe (especially life) has complex design.
3. Therefore, universe must have had designer.
Moral argument (argument from moral law)
1. All people are conscious of an objective moral law.
2. Objective moral laws imply a moral lawgiver.
3. Therefore, there must be a supreme moral lawgiver.
Ontological argument 1 (argument from idea of a perfect being)
1. Whatever perfection can be attributed to the most perfect being possible/conceivable must be attributed to it (otherwise it wouldn't be the most perfect being possible).
2. Existence is a perfection that can be attributed to the most perfect being.
3. Therefore, existence must be attributed to the most perfect being.
Ontological argument 2 (argument from idea of a perfect being)
1. God is by definition an absolutely necessary being.
2. By its very nature, a necessary being must necessarily exist.
3. Therefore, God necessarily exists.
Questions about Miracles
Miracles aren't violations of natural law; they simply have a cause that transcends nature.
Natural laws tell what usually happens (what's statistically probable); they don't tell us what must happen. So, miracles aren't impossible.
"If there is anything beyond the universe that might cause something to happen in the universe, then there is a chance that it will do so." If a God exists outside the universe, then miracles are possible.
"Miracles are God-ordained supernatural interventions; human magic is human manipulation by normal or supernormal forces."
Questions about Jesus Christ
Acts contains nearly 100 accurate details about events, places, people, etc., showing that Luke was an accurate historian. He was a contemporary of eyewitnesses who wrote before AD 62 (because he doesn't record fall of Jerusalem, Jewish War, deaths of Paul or James).
Internal signs of authenticity
1. Authors made no attempt to harmonize accounts.
2. They included material that put Jesus in a bad light.
3. They left many difficult passages in their text.
4. They retained many self-incriminating details.
5. They include many demanding sayings of Jesus.
6. They distinguished their words from Jesus' words.
7. They didn't deny their testimony under threat of death.
8. They claimed their record was based on eyewitnesses.
9. They record women witnessing resurrection before men, in a patriarchal culture.
10. They challenged readers to check out facts for themselves.
11. They discarded long-held Jewish beliefs overnight.
12. They include more than 30 historical persons who've been verified by history.
Jesus claimed to be God/Yahweh. Compare John 10 to Ps 23; Matt 25:31-46 and John 5:27-30 to Joel 3:12; John 17:5 to Isa 42:8; Matt 25:1 to Isa 62:5 and Hos 2:16; Rev 1:17 to Isa 44:6; John 8:12 to Ps 27:1; John 8:58 to Ex 3:14. Jews understood Jesus' claim to be God, and wanted to kill Him for blasphemy (John 8:59; 10:31-33; 18:5-6).
Jesus claimed to be Messiah (God). Compare Matt 22:43-44 to Ps 110:1. Jesus called Himself Son of Man (compare Mark 14:61-64 to Dan 7:9, 13, 22).
Only God may be worshipped (Ex 20:1-5; Deut 5:6-9). Jesus accepted worship, showing that He considered Himself God (Matt 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; 20:20; Mark 5:6; John 9:38; 20:28).
Jesus claimed authority equal to God (Matt 5:18; 21-22; 24:35; 28:18-19; John 12:48; 13:34).
Jesus taught His followers to pray in His Name (John 14:13-14; 15:7; 1 Cor 5:4; Acts 7:59).
Disciples believed Jesus was God
• Disciples used titles of deity for Jesus (Rev 1:17; 2:8; 21:2; 22:13; John 1:9; 4:42; 1 Cor 10:4; 1 Pet 2:6-8; 5:4; Eph 5:28-33; Heb 13:20; Acts 5:31; Col 3:13; 2 Tim 4:1).
• Disciples considered Jesus Messiah (God) (Matt 1:1; John 19:37; Rev 1:7; Phil 2:10-11).
• Disciples considered Jesus to have God's power (John 1:3; 11; Acts 5:31; 13:38; Col 1:16-17).
• Disciples associated Jesus' Name with God's Name (1 Cor 5:4; Acts 7:59; Gal 1:3; Eph 1:2; Matt 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14).
• Disciples called Jesus God (John 1:1; 20:28; Col 1:15; 2:9, 13; Heb 1:3, 8; Phil 2:5-8).
• Disciples said Jesus was superior to angels (Eph 1:21; Rev 22:8-9; Heb 1:5-6).
How Jesus' miracles confirm He's God
1. A miracle is an act of God that confirms the truth of God associated with it.
2. Jesus offered 3 lines of miraculous evidence to confirm His claim to be God: fulfillment of prophecy, miraculous and sinless life, and resurrection.
3. Therefore, Jesus' miracles confirm He's God.
Questions about the Bible
Argument for the Bible
1. God exists.
2. Miracles are possible.
3. The New Testament is a historically reliable document.
4. Miracles concirm Jesus' claim to be God.
5. Whatever Jesus (who is God) teaches is true (Num 23:19; Heb 6:18; 1 John 1:5-6).
6. Jesus (who is God) taugth that the Bibile is the Word of God by confirming the Old Testament and promising the New Testament.
7. Therefore, the Bible is the Word of God.
Why the Bible can't err
1. God can't err (Heb 6:18; Titus 1:2; Rom 3:4).
2. The Bible is the Word of God (Matt 4:4).
3. Therefore, the Bible can't err (John 10:35; 17:17).
Why OT Apocrypha was rejected
1. They don't claim to be inspired.
2. They weren't written by prophets of God (1 Macc 9:27).
3. They weren't confirmed by supernatural acts of God (Heb 2:3-4).
4. They don't always tell the truth (2 Macc 12:46; Tob 12:9).
5. They weren't accepted by God's people (Jews).
6. They weren't accepted by Jesus, Son of God (Matt 5:17-18; Luke 24:27).
7. They weren't accepted by apostles (who didn't quote them).
8. They weren't accepted by early church.
9. They weren't written during period of OT prophets.
1 John 5:7 is only in 1 Greek manuscript out of 1,520. John 7:53 - 8:11 may be a late addition because earliest manuscripts, translations, and church fathers omit it, and copies that have it put it in 4 different locations.
Mark 16:9-20 probably isn't original.
Questions about Bible Difficulties
Guidelines for handling difficult passages
• Be sure you know what text says. Reference good commentaries.
• Be sure you know what text means. Consider context.
• Realize that Bible can be imprecise without being wrong.
• Realize that Bible can give partial reports without being wrong.
• Realize that Bible uses everyday language, not scientific or scholarly language.
Fact that Jesus is traced to 2 different sons of David (Solomon and Nathan) and from 2 different grandparents (Jacob and Heli) shows genealogy in Matt is of Jesus' legal father, Joseph, and genealogy in Luke is of Jesus' actual mother, Mary.
Questions about Archaeology
There are records of regular censuses in Egypt, Gaul, Cyrene. It's likely that Luke means censuses were taken throughout empire at different times, and Augustus started this process. It's likely that Luke is distinguishing the census in Herod's time from the more well-known census of Quirinius in Acts 5:37.
Appendix 2: Reasoning to Christianity from the Ground Up
1. The truth about reality is knowable.
2. The opposite of true is false.
3. It is true that the theistic God exists.
4. If God exists, miracles are possible.
5. Miracles can be used to confirm a message from God.
6. NT is historically reliable.
7. NT says Jesus claims to be God.
8. Jesus' claim to be God was miraculously confirmed by His fulfillment of many prophecies about Himself, His sinless and miraculous life, His prediction and accomplishment of His resurrection.
9. Therefore, Jesus is God.
10. Whatever Jesus (who is God) teaches is true, is true.
11. Jesus taught that the Bible is the Word of God.
12. Therefore, it is true that the Bible is the Word of God, and anything opposed to it is false.
June 23, 2024
this is an amazing resource for Christians to refer to when dealing with tough questions about why they believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life ❤️
this book goes over:
- questions about God
- the basic beliefs of other religions
- how to address and answer the existence of evil
- whether miracles are possible
- historical evidence of Jesus Christ and the Bible
- what does it mean when people claim that the Bible is inerrant
- whether science affirms Christianity as true or not
- questions about the afterlife
- and arguments for truth and morality being relative or absolute
I have learned so much reading this resource!! To be honest, it has awakened the need to explore more and dig deeper into apologetics because this is only the tip of the iceberg! Apologetics is the defense for why we believe, and we are called to be ready to give reason for the hope that is within us with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15)
I am excited to expand my horizons in Christian literature regarding the many topics of apologetics! Highly recommend for anyone who wants answers to tough questions whether you are Christian or skeptic!
this book goes over:
- questions about God
- the basic beliefs of other religions
- how to address and answer the existence of evil
- whether miracles are possible
- historical evidence of Jesus Christ and the Bible
- what does it mean when people claim that the Bible is inerrant
- whether science affirms Christianity as true or not
- questions about the afterlife
- and arguments for truth and morality being relative or absolute
I have learned so much reading this resource!! To be honest, it has awakened the need to explore more and dig deeper into apologetics because this is only the tip of the iceberg! Apologetics is the defense for why we believe, and we are called to be ready to give reason for the hope that is within us with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15)
I am excited to expand my horizons in Christian literature regarding the many topics of apologetics! Highly recommend for anyone who wants answers to tough questions whether you are Christian or skeptic!
June 21, 2008
I picked up this book at ayard sale while in Japan for $0.50. I think that it is a very good book and its arguments should be read and re-read. One draw back is Geisler's apologetic method, he is more akin to the evidentialist method of apologetics, whereas I am more akin to the presuppositionalist persuassion.
July 19, 2012
Great if enjoy basing your beliefs on fallacious reasoning and incorrect information. Aside from that though, this book doesn't have much to offer. I was unable to actually read through from start to finish, and routinely highlighted fallacies when I was able to read a few pages without getting too tired of reading illogic.
May 14, 2017
As with so many of these "clever retort" books, the so-called answers only work on other believers. True skeptics will not be persuaded by your citing a few more Bible verses.
November 25, 2013
It was filled with...lots of examples of poor logic. If you're going to use philosophy and logic structures stemming from philosophical thought, at least use it correctly. Oh, and I didn't quite relate to this book because I'm not very familiar with philosophy in the first place. My reasons for being an atheist and skeptic are not bound up in philosophical arguments. This book missed it's mark and was filled with weasel words and misrepresentations of concepts as well as blatantly putting down other religions. I found it distasteful. That being said, I'd like to read other books which argue for the existence of God, just not any by this author.
May 14, 2010
Great book for dealing with the issues of the faith. This is a well-researched book and it answers questions that I have asked over the years and could never quite get a good answer.
If you are searching through religions, check this book out.
If you are searching through religions, check this book out.
January 31, 2015
Geisler briefly touches on the different schools of thought regarding Christian apologetics. This is great for an introduction, but I found most of the author's explanations lacking enough material for an adequate understanding.
October 28, 2019
Most books are rated related to their usefulness and contributions to my research.
Overall, a good book for the researcher and enthusiast.
Read for personal research
- found this book's contents helpful and inspiring - number rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs.
Overall, a good book for the researcher and enthusiast.
Read for personal research
- found this book's contents helpful and inspiring - number rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs.
February 20, 2016
Excelente
Recomendado para todo el que dese introducirse en la defensa de la fe, una lectura amena, no pretende agotar estos bastos temas pero si te introduce para seguir investigando.
Recomendado para todo el que dese introducirse en la defensa de la fe, una lectura amena, no pretende agotar estos bastos temas pero si te introduce para seguir investigando.
December 12, 2008
not much better than "When Critics Ask" - but a hair...2.5 stars
April 3, 2013
Quite dry but logically built, starts with the question of the feasibility of God and moves from there. I like the flow, and understand the need for the detail.
October 5, 2009
A must have for every Christian either to just read through or have as a reference. Norman L. Geisler has the abitility to make what is difficult to understand very simple. Love his work!!
January 27, 2010
This book was the precursor to my conversion to Christianity. Not an easy read but worth the effort.
April 12, 2011
Interesting to say the least, but tedious to read.
May 26, 2011
Though I lean towards presuppositional apologetics, I still found Geisler's book helpful.
CB
CB
July 28, 2011
I used it just recently to teach apologetics to the kids.
May 31, 2012
Teaching apologetics.
July 20, 2012
Good handbook for beginners like me on apologetics.
May 15, 2014
This book is a good primer, but I would have preferred less topics with more in depth answers.
September 25, 2016
2/10/12 Pastor Greg W recommended
April 21, 2025
This book was a four-month journey for me to complete because I didn't want to just sit and read it all in one sitting. Rather than trying to read a chapter a day or tackle entire chapters at a time, I took my time picking apart each one slowly in attempt to get the fullest understanding possible. I'm glad I did.
I consider this book as a handbook for all the topics mentioned - God, truth, Jesus, the Bible, scientific and archeological evidence, etc. It was like an introduction to each topic. I know a lot of reviews I read about this book complained that "there wasn't enough on each topic," but the book wasn't intended to be an exhaustive coverage of each topic. How could a book take huge topics such as the existence of God, the proof of Jesus His Son and the reliability of Bible, science, archeology and more, and talk about it in great depth and still come out under 500 pages? It was written to give us the answers on the go, then urges us into a deeper study, which is what it did for me. The second chapter was about the existence of God and upon reading it, I learned so much about God. It really caused me to think deeper about Him and it really brought home how great, infinite, big, limitless, necessary and awe-some He is. I read it in January and haven't stopped thinking about it, since. The perspective changed my outlook on God Almighty into something deeper. You can't go wrong with that.
And that's just scratching the surface.
I will admit that it takes me a while to read and comprehend, so there were quite a few philosophical answers that brought out the "huh?" in me. Especially during the chapters about God and truth. But again, it helped me think and it swelled my pea-brain into the size of maybe a grape, so that's a plus!
The one disagreement that I had with Geisler and Brooks is that they approached creationism from an old-earth creation standpoint. It threw me into a bunny trail, as I've been a Young-Earth Creationist since I first understood the concept about the "isms" of science. Upon further reflection, I have decided that I still am a Young-Earth Creationist, despite what this book taught. The entirety of chapter two (which was ultimately the first in evidence presentation, the first was an introductory.) was defining who God is - infinite, limitless and not bound by any rules such as time. I believe that if the authors worked so hard to paint that picture of Him, then it should not be any trouble to believe that God can easily speak something into being - such as the start from millions/billions of years away reaching our planet. When an author sits down to write a story that takes place during the 19th century, they don't have to stop and wait for time to catch up - they can create characters right then and there in 1800 in a world that operates as it has from the beginning of time. God is the author of life, and isn't bound by any limits.
That's not the only reason I'm a Young-Earth Creationist, there are others but I'm not reviewing this book to discuss my view on the age of the earth and how I believe God created it. I just wanted to point out why I still believe in a Young Earth even after the book taught otherwise. It wasn't that the book was unsatisfactory in its explanation - it's just a difference of beliefs founded on different evidences.
Other than that, I recommend this book for Christians everywhere. Just remember it's not Geisler's phonebook sized-exhaustive theology, it's a basic step-by-step guide which lays a great foundation for why we believe what we believe. And it gives you food for thought and leaves the reader seeking more. You can't go wrong with that.
I will read it again,and I recommend it for Believers, especially if you guys have questions. One of my favorite things was that in the beginning of the book, he said. "Skeptics have good questions." Yes. Yes, they do. I love how the authors of this book didn't condemn skeptics for asking what they do. They have good questions. And as stated, "Christianity has good answers." "Christianity is true. That means that reality will always be on our side, and we just need to find the appropriate evidence to answer whatever question is being asked." This quote (Taken from page 11 in my copy) drastically improved the way I looked at things. This read sure made for a great first quarter read of the year. Can't wait to dig into it again!
I consider this book as a handbook for all the topics mentioned - God, truth, Jesus, the Bible, scientific and archeological evidence, etc. It was like an introduction to each topic. I know a lot of reviews I read about this book complained that "there wasn't enough on each topic," but the book wasn't intended to be an exhaustive coverage of each topic. How could a book take huge topics such as the existence of God, the proof of Jesus His Son and the reliability of Bible, science, archeology and more, and talk about it in great depth and still come out under 500 pages? It was written to give us the answers on the go, then urges us into a deeper study, which is what it did for me. The second chapter was about the existence of God and upon reading it, I learned so much about God. It really caused me to think deeper about Him and it really brought home how great, infinite, big, limitless, necessary and awe-some He is. I read it in January and haven't stopped thinking about it, since. The perspective changed my outlook on God Almighty into something deeper. You can't go wrong with that.
And that's just scratching the surface.
I will admit that it takes me a while to read and comprehend, so there were quite a few philosophical answers that brought out the "huh?" in me. Especially during the chapters about God and truth. But again, it helped me think and it swelled my pea-brain into the size of maybe a grape, so that's a plus!
The one disagreement that I had with Geisler and Brooks is that they approached creationism from an old-earth creation standpoint. It threw me into a bunny trail, as I've been a Young-Earth Creationist since I first understood the concept about the "isms" of science. Upon further reflection, I have decided that I still am a Young-Earth Creationist, despite what this book taught. The entirety of chapter two (which was ultimately the first in evidence presentation, the first was an introductory.) was defining who God is - infinite, limitless and not bound by any rules such as time. I believe that if the authors worked so hard to paint that picture of Him, then it should not be any trouble to believe that God can easily speak something into being - such as the start from millions/billions of years away reaching our planet. When an author sits down to write a story that takes place during the 19th century, they don't have to stop and wait for time to catch up - they can create characters right then and there in 1800 in a world that operates as it has from the beginning of time. God is the author of life, and isn't bound by any limits.
That's not the only reason I'm a Young-Earth Creationist, there are others but I'm not reviewing this book to discuss my view on the age of the earth and how I believe God created it. I just wanted to point out why I still believe in a Young Earth even after the book taught otherwise. It wasn't that the book was unsatisfactory in its explanation - it's just a difference of beliefs founded on different evidences.
Other than that, I recommend this book for Christians everywhere. Just remember it's not Geisler's phonebook sized-exhaustive theology, it's a basic step-by-step guide which lays a great foundation for why we believe what we believe. And it gives you food for thought and leaves the reader seeking more. You can't go wrong with that.
I will read it again,and I recommend it for Believers, especially if you guys have questions. One of my favorite things was that in the beginning of the book, he said. "Skeptics have good questions." Yes. Yes, they do. I love how the authors of this book didn't condemn skeptics for asking what they do. They have good questions. And as stated, "Christianity has good answers." "Christianity is true. That means that reality will always be on our side, and we just need to find the appropriate evidence to answer whatever question is being asked." This quote (Taken from page 11 in my copy) drastically improved the way I looked at things. This read sure made for a great first quarter read of the year. Can't wait to dig into it again!
May 19, 2021
Note: I read the 1990 first edition of this book, so it may not reflect the contents of more recent versions.
Geisler and Brooks’ stated aim is to equip believers to give an answer to those who question them. The subtitle, A Handbook on Christian Evidences, indicates that it is meant to be viewed as a ready reference for Christians seeking to do apologetics but wanting a resource at hand. They are writing for Christians in need of quick access to evidence, facts, arguments, and resources to answer unbelievers’ objections to the faith. They aim to acquaint those who have no experience or knowledge of the apologetic task with the basic questions and proposed responses. They do not write for experienced apologists looking for in-depth analysis of apologetic issues, nor do they set forth any practical guidance for meaningful conversation about these issues. They focus on content, not method.
The authors organize the book around broad categories in which common questions and objections from unbelievers are examined along with proposed responses. Each chapter examines the various questions and issues associated with that topic: God, Other Gods, Evil, Miracles, Jesus Christ, The Bible, Bible Difficulties, Archeology, Science and Evolution, The Afterlife, Truth, and Morals.
As an introduction to common questions encountered in apologetic conversations, the authors accomplish their goal. In a very well-structured and clear way, they examine many common issues and potential response. The book is a handy ready reference. As such, I would recommend the book to someone beginning to explore apologetics. It does provide a valuable, quick overview of an immensely broad and variegated discipline.
However, it’s important to understand the limitations of a handbook approach like this. The book is a mile wide and an inch deep. It covers far too many topics to provide anything more than cursory, undeveloped answers.
Since the purpose of the book is it to equip believers to do apologetics, one of the best avenues to accomplish that would be to direct them to other resources. Chapter endnotes do cite a few works (some apologetic but some critical), but without explanation of their contents or value. At the end of the book (in some appendices to which readers are not directed), there are suggested readings (many of which are books Geisler wrote), but the reader is never urged to continue learning by reading these books. A push to “learn more about it” would be helpful.
Introducing vitally important topics then providing summary responses without the proper caveat to learn more, could leave a believer feeling like he or she now has “the answers,” and is fully equipped. Unfortunately, this can lead believers to think unbelievers who don’t immediately agree with these arguments either lack intelligence, are intellectually dishonest, or willfully stiff-necked. Unbelievers deserve a more honest dialogue than that. So, while I would recommend the book to those seeking to do apologetics, I would urge them to be ready to dig deeper.
One further note, not all Christians will agree with all their arguments. They espouse an old earth apologetic and, while they believe God directly created new life including man, they do believe that life has been around on earth for billions of years.
Geisler and Brooks’ stated aim is to equip believers to give an answer to those who question them. The subtitle, A Handbook on Christian Evidences, indicates that it is meant to be viewed as a ready reference for Christians seeking to do apologetics but wanting a resource at hand. They are writing for Christians in need of quick access to evidence, facts, arguments, and resources to answer unbelievers’ objections to the faith. They aim to acquaint those who have no experience or knowledge of the apologetic task with the basic questions and proposed responses. They do not write for experienced apologists looking for in-depth analysis of apologetic issues, nor do they set forth any practical guidance for meaningful conversation about these issues. They focus on content, not method.
The authors organize the book around broad categories in which common questions and objections from unbelievers are examined along with proposed responses. Each chapter examines the various questions and issues associated with that topic: God, Other Gods, Evil, Miracles, Jesus Christ, The Bible, Bible Difficulties, Archeology, Science and Evolution, The Afterlife, Truth, and Morals.
As an introduction to common questions encountered in apologetic conversations, the authors accomplish their goal. In a very well-structured and clear way, they examine many common issues and potential response. The book is a handy ready reference. As such, I would recommend the book to someone beginning to explore apologetics. It does provide a valuable, quick overview of an immensely broad and variegated discipline.
However, it’s important to understand the limitations of a handbook approach like this. The book is a mile wide and an inch deep. It covers far too many topics to provide anything more than cursory, undeveloped answers.
Since the purpose of the book is it to equip believers to do apologetics, one of the best avenues to accomplish that would be to direct them to other resources. Chapter endnotes do cite a few works (some apologetic but some critical), but without explanation of their contents or value. At the end of the book (in some appendices to which readers are not directed), there are suggested readings (many of which are books Geisler wrote), but the reader is never urged to continue learning by reading these books. A push to “learn more about it” would be helpful.
Introducing vitally important topics then providing summary responses without the proper caveat to learn more, could leave a believer feeling like he or she now has “the answers,” and is fully equipped. Unfortunately, this can lead believers to think unbelievers who don’t immediately agree with these arguments either lack intelligence, are intellectually dishonest, or willfully stiff-necked. Unbelievers deserve a more honest dialogue than that. So, while I would recommend the book to those seeking to do apologetics, I would urge them to be ready to dig deeper.
One further note, not all Christians will agree with all their arguments. They espouse an old earth apologetic and, while they believe God directly created new life including man, they do believe that life has been around on earth for billions of years.
September 6, 2024
A DETAILED HANDBOOK OF COUNTER-ARGUMENTS TO SKEPTICAL CLAIMS
Norman Geisler is a famed apologist and theologian. The companion volume to this book is When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties. He has written/cowritten many other books such as 'Philosophy of Religion,' 'Christian Apologetics,' 'Introduction to Philosophy: A Christian Perspective,' 'Systematic Theology,' etc. Co-author Ron Brooks has also written 'Christianity Under Attack: a Study Guide.'
They wrote in the first chapter of this 1990 book, "The objections that unbelievers raise are usually not trivial. They often cut deep into the heart of the Christian faith and challenge its very foundations. If miracles are not possible, then why should be believe Christ was God? If God can't control evil, is He really worthy of worship? Face it: if these objections can't be answered, then we may as well believe in fairy tales. These are reasonable questions which deserve reasonable answers...
"Fortunately, Christian thinkers have been answering these questions ever since Paul's time, and we can draw on their knowledge to help us find the answers we want... Unbelievers have good questions. Christianity has good answers. And God had told us to give them the answers they are looking for. Not everyone has deep philosophical questions, and God never guarantees our success... But He has told us to be ready. That is what this book is all about." (Pg. 11, 14)
About the argument that "God could have created free creatures who would sin, but would all be saved in the end," they comment, "This option ... [assumes] that God can manipulate human freedom to choose good... But this view does not take seriously the biblical teaching that hell is real for some. Such a view suggests that God will save individuals no matter what He has to do. But we must remember that He cannot force them to love Him. Forced love is rape; and God is not a divine rapist. He will not do anything to coerce their decision. God will not save men at any cost. He respects their freedom and concurs with their choice. He is not a puppet master, but a lover wooing men to Himself." (Pg. 72-73)
They argue, "There are real problems in the Bible, but there are also real answers to those difficult passages... the burden of proof rests on the critics. We have very good reasons to believe that the Bible tells the truth since there is good evidence that the WHOLE Bible is inspired by God... As long as we show that there is a POSSIBLE solution---that their objection 'ain't necessarily so'---then the conflict has been resolved. Like any American citizen, the Bible should be presumed innocent until proven guilty." (Pg. 163)
They state, "it is valid science to look for intelligent primary causes to events that show signs of intelligence. Archaeologists do it all the time... Second, present experience tells us that an intelligent cause should be sought wherever we find specified complexity. This gives us a criteria to show when an intelligent cause is operating and when it is not." (Pg. 217-218)
This book is one of the most significant modern apologetic works, and will be of great interest to anyone studying apologetics.
Norman Geisler is a famed apologist and theologian. The companion volume to this book is When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties. He has written/cowritten many other books such as 'Philosophy of Religion,' 'Christian Apologetics,' 'Introduction to Philosophy: A Christian Perspective,' 'Systematic Theology,' etc. Co-author Ron Brooks has also written 'Christianity Under Attack: a Study Guide.'
They wrote in the first chapter of this 1990 book, "The objections that unbelievers raise are usually not trivial. They often cut deep into the heart of the Christian faith and challenge its very foundations. If miracles are not possible, then why should be believe Christ was God? If God can't control evil, is He really worthy of worship? Face it: if these objections can't be answered, then we may as well believe in fairy tales. These are reasonable questions which deserve reasonable answers...
"Fortunately, Christian thinkers have been answering these questions ever since Paul's time, and we can draw on their knowledge to help us find the answers we want... Unbelievers have good questions. Christianity has good answers. And God had told us to give them the answers they are looking for. Not everyone has deep philosophical questions, and God never guarantees our success... But He has told us to be ready. That is what this book is all about." (Pg. 11, 14)
About the argument that "God could have created free creatures who would sin, but would all be saved in the end," they comment, "This option ... [assumes] that God can manipulate human freedom to choose good... But this view does not take seriously the biblical teaching that hell is real for some. Such a view suggests that God will save individuals no matter what He has to do. But we must remember that He cannot force them to love Him. Forced love is rape; and God is not a divine rapist. He will not do anything to coerce their decision. God will not save men at any cost. He respects their freedom and concurs with their choice. He is not a puppet master, but a lover wooing men to Himself." (Pg. 72-73)
They argue, "There are real problems in the Bible, but there are also real answers to those difficult passages... the burden of proof rests on the critics. We have very good reasons to believe that the Bible tells the truth since there is good evidence that the WHOLE Bible is inspired by God... As long as we show that there is a POSSIBLE solution---that their objection 'ain't necessarily so'---then the conflict has been resolved. Like any American citizen, the Bible should be presumed innocent until proven guilty." (Pg. 163)
They state, "it is valid science to look for intelligent primary causes to events that show signs of intelligence. Archaeologists do it all the time... Second, present experience tells us that an intelligent cause should be sought wherever we find specified complexity. This gives us a criteria to show when an intelligent cause is operating and when it is not." (Pg. 217-218)
This book is one of the most significant modern apologetic works, and will be of great interest to anyone studying apologetics.
July 14, 2022
La premisa del libro "When Skeptics Ask" ("Apologética" en español) es buena en principio. Norman Geisler y Ron Brooks proponen que, antes de hablar el evangelio, necesitamos "allanar el camino", eliminando los obstáculos que impiden a los incrédulos creer en Cristo (10). Esto es lo que ellos llaman "preevangelización". Según los autores, los inconversos plantean buenas preguntas, y los cristianos tenemos excelentes respuestas. Dios nos ha ordenado contestarles, por lo que tenemos que estar preparados con información correcta y una actitud mansa. Los capítulos del libro, entonces, presentan varias preguntas que los incrédulos hacen comúnmente, y también las respuestas que históricamente el cristianismo ha dado. Los títulos de los capítulos nos informan de su contenido:
1. Preguntas acerca de Dios
2. Preguntas acerca de otros dioses
3. Preguntas acerca del mal
4. Preguntas acerca de los milagros
5. Preguntas acerca de Jesucristo
6. Preguntas sobre la Biblia
7. Preguntas acerca de las dificultades de la Biblia
8. Preguntas acerca de arqueología
9. Preguntas acerca de la evolución
10. Preguntas acerca de la vida después de la muerte
11. Preguntas en cuanto a la verdad
12. Preguntas en cuanto a moral
Como puede verse, los autores pretenden cubrir una amplia gama de temas (cada capítulo podría abarcar un libro entero). Sin embargo, las respuestas que dan son básicas, sin profundizar mucho en los temas presentados. Un punto en contra también es que hay varias frases a lo largo del libro que no se entienden por una mala traducción (tuve que recurrir varias veces al original inglés para captar la idea). La guía de estudio de FLET al final es muy útil como una herramienta para la enseñanza. En resumen, podemos decir que este es un libro básico de apologética, que sirve como una buena introducción para la defensa de la fe. Sin embargo, trata los temas de forma superficial. Tenemos en nuestros días otros libros de apologética más actualizados y mejores en nuestro idioma, referidos a temas específicos de la apologética.
1. Preguntas acerca de Dios
2. Preguntas acerca de otros dioses
3. Preguntas acerca del mal
4. Preguntas acerca de los milagros
5. Preguntas acerca de Jesucristo
6. Preguntas sobre la Biblia
7. Preguntas acerca de las dificultades de la Biblia
8. Preguntas acerca de arqueología
9. Preguntas acerca de la evolución
10. Preguntas acerca de la vida después de la muerte
11. Preguntas en cuanto a la verdad
12. Preguntas en cuanto a moral
Como puede verse, los autores pretenden cubrir una amplia gama de temas (cada capítulo podría abarcar un libro entero). Sin embargo, las respuestas que dan son básicas, sin profundizar mucho en los temas presentados. Un punto en contra también es que hay varias frases a lo largo del libro que no se entienden por una mala traducción (tuve que recurrir varias veces al original inglés para captar la idea). La guía de estudio de FLET al final es muy útil como una herramienta para la enseñanza. En resumen, podemos decir que este es un libro básico de apologética, que sirve como una buena introducción para la defensa de la fe. Sin embargo, trata los temas de forma superficial. Tenemos en nuestros días otros libros de apologética más actualizados y mejores en nuestro idioma, referidos a temas específicos de la apologética.
February 28, 2021
My Dad had this as required reading for one of his classes, and when he'd finished the class he gave me his copy of the book. This book is a little worse for wear, the dustjacket is practically crumbling, but what I love about it is that my Dad's chicken-scratch notations are littering the margins of so many pages. Geisler is always a good choice to read, but Geisler gets even better when my Dad chimes in. This book is a valuable apologetic resource for anyone, but this specific copy is especially precious to me.
May 30, 2020
When Skeptics Ask gives good, solid answers to serious questions about Christianity. The questions addressed are ones that are appropriate for any culture and any time; they're not the latest meme on social media that can be answered quickly. Be prepared to spend time thinking about the answers. I really wanted to give this book 5 stars, but I decided on four because the writing style didn't hold my attention, although the content did.
June 16, 2025
Recommended read for all Christians. Check out the table of contents and the book’s relevance is evident. My main critique is some chapters are so readable and comprehensible while others are over my head. Understandably some topics can be covered empirically yet others require theory and advanced academia. Had I not taken a course that used this book as its required reading I might have floundered. The in-person discussion and concept reinforcement proved essential for me.
March 25, 2022
This book gives a very solid overview of the reasoning and logic behind the Christian faith. It provides short, but very sound arguments for a plethora of very common questions, making it a great resource to be able to go back to. This is a fantastic book if you are just starting out in your journey of apologetics, a skeptic, or if you are just searching for answers!
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