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Why I Believe
In this powerful declaration of what Christians believe and why, Kennedy explores the foundations of the Christian faith. For new believers and seasoned Christians alike, this book will strengthen their faith by answering that all consuming question, "Why?"
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
47 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
About the author
D. James Kennedy
159 books24 followersDennis James Kennedy was an American Presbyterian pastor, evangelist, Christian broadcaster, and author. He was the senior pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from 1960 until his death in 2007. Kennedy also founded Evangelism Explosion International, Coral Ridge Ministries (now known as D. James Kennedy Ministries), the Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale, the Knox Theological Seminary, radio station WAFG-FM, and the Center for Reclaiming America for Christ, a socially conservative political group.
In 1974, he began Coral Ridge Ministries, which produced his weekly religious television program, The Coral Ridge Hour, carried on various networks and syndicated on numerous other stations with a peak audience of three million viewers in 200 countries. He also had a daily radio program, Truths That Transform, from 1984 on. During his lifetime, Coral Ridge Ministries grew to a US$37-million-a-year non-profit corporation.
In 2005, the National Religious Broadcasters association inducted Kennedy into its Hall of Fame.
In 1974, he began Coral Ridge Ministries, which produced his weekly religious television program, The Coral Ridge Hour, carried on various networks and syndicated on numerous other stations with a peak audience of three million viewers in 200 countries. He also had a daily radio program, Truths That Transform, from 1984 on. During his lifetime, Coral Ridge Ministries grew to a US$37-million-a-year non-profit corporation.
In 2005, the National Religious Broadcasters association inducted Kennedy into its Hall of Fame.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 31, 2021
By the end it’s evangelical and biased in that regard, but for the majority Kennedy is espousing the inherent rationalism of the faith, which is often mistaken for irrationalism. The other problem is that the book is also a summary and therefore again not as convincing or comprehensive as Kennedy believes it to be. (Worth noting that I apparently read an even more condensed version that was labeled an Armed Forces Edition. Substantially my take on the overall work is likely still accurate.)
September 6, 2024
AN APOLOGETICS WORK BY THE POPULAR "EVANGELISM EXPLOSION" PASTOR
Dennis James Kennedy (1930-2007) was an American pastor, evangelist, and Christian broadcaster, who founded the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as well as Evangelism Explosion International, the Knox Theological Seminary, the Center for Reclaiming America for Christ, etc. He also had a television program and a daily radio program. He has written other books such as 'Evangelism Explosion,' 'What if America Were a Christian Nation Again?,' 'Solving Bible Mysteries: Unraveling the Perplexing and Troubling Passages of Scripture,' etc.
He wrote in the Introduction to this 1980 book, "it is especially important in these days for Christians to be able to give a reason for the hope that is in them and [I decided] that I would try to do something practical to help. This book is the result... we must be ready to speak to those who are openly antagonistic to our basic beliefs. We sin against God when we remain silent because we are incapable of defending them. Not only that---when we do not stand ready with a reason for our hope and do not know why we believe what we believe, we give others the impression that Christianity is a religion based merely upon blind faith or emotional prejudice. Nothing could be further from the truth!"
He says, "I believe in God. However, to believe in him is not enough, for even the devil believes in God and trembles. It is necessary not only that we believe he exists but that we believe he became incarnate in Jesus Christ and that he died for our sins. It is necessary that we believe and that we repent of our sins and cast ourselves at his feet and place our trust in him---in his atoning death for our salvation. If not, we shall face him as our angry Judge in that great day." (Pg. 48-49)
He argues, "I believe the Scriptures give to us very clearly the fact that God has placed immortality---eternity---in the breast of man. He only of all of God's creation longs for eternal life. This longing is found everywhere. It is a universal experience of mankind which forbids him to accept any other answer to the riddle of life." (Pg. 62-63)
Of Hell, he states, "The Scriptures state that if the effects of our sins are everlasting then the punishment for our sins will also be everlasting. The main reason we believe in hell is because Jesus Christ declares that it is so. We are told that the sinner... sinks to a death beyond prayer, a condemnation beyond forgiveness, and a doom beyond the reach of Christ." (Pg. 74-75) He notes that a skeptic he spoke to "believed [hell] did not exist at all... He thought it was a myth. He did not believe Christ... But he died, and he believes it now! Tragically, some will only believe when they experience it---when it will be too late." (Pg. 79)
He also observes, "I do not believe that it is enough merely to believe in Christ and the Bible. It is also necessary that we believe that Christianity has been a boon to mankind, that it has had a beneficent effect upon the human race... If Christianity has not done good and produced good, then we must reject it regardless of anything else." (Pg. 118)
This is a useful "popular" work of apologetics, by a gifted communicator and evangelist, that will be useful to many Christians.
Dennis James Kennedy (1930-2007) was an American pastor, evangelist, and Christian broadcaster, who founded the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as well as Evangelism Explosion International, the Knox Theological Seminary, the Center for Reclaiming America for Christ, etc. He also had a television program and a daily radio program. He has written other books such as 'Evangelism Explosion,' 'What if America Were a Christian Nation Again?,' 'Solving Bible Mysteries: Unraveling the Perplexing and Troubling Passages of Scripture,' etc.
He wrote in the Introduction to this 1980 book, "it is especially important in these days for Christians to be able to give a reason for the hope that is in them and [I decided] that I would try to do something practical to help. This book is the result... we must be ready to speak to those who are openly antagonistic to our basic beliefs. We sin against God when we remain silent because we are incapable of defending them. Not only that---when we do not stand ready with a reason for our hope and do not know why we believe what we believe, we give others the impression that Christianity is a religion based merely upon blind faith or emotional prejudice. Nothing could be further from the truth!"
He says, "I believe in God. However, to believe in him is not enough, for even the devil believes in God and trembles. It is necessary not only that we believe he exists but that we believe he became incarnate in Jesus Christ and that he died for our sins. It is necessary that we believe and that we repent of our sins and cast ourselves at his feet and place our trust in him---in his atoning death for our salvation. If not, we shall face him as our angry Judge in that great day." (Pg. 48-49)
He argues, "I believe the Scriptures give to us very clearly the fact that God has placed immortality---eternity---in the breast of man. He only of all of God's creation longs for eternal life. This longing is found everywhere. It is a universal experience of mankind which forbids him to accept any other answer to the riddle of life." (Pg. 62-63)
Of Hell, he states, "The Scriptures state that if the effects of our sins are everlasting then the punishment for our sins will also be everlasting. The main reason we believe in hell is because Jesus Christ declares that it is so. We are told that the sinner... sinks to a death beyond prayer, a condemnation beyond forgiveness, and a doom beyond the reach of Christ." (Pg. 74-75) He notes that a skeptic he spoke to "believed [hell] did not exist at all... He thought it was a myth. He did not believe Christ... But he died, and he believes it now! Tragically, some will only believe when they experience it---when it will be too late." (Pg. 79)
He also observes, "I do not believe that it is enough merely to believe in Christ and the Bible. It is also necessary that we believe that Christianity has been a boon to mankind, that it has had a beneficent effect upon the human race... If Christianity has not done good and produced good, then we must reject it regardless of anything else." (Pg. 118)
This is a useful "popular" work of apologetics, by a gifted communicator and evangelist, that will be useful to many Christians.
May 22, 2018
The first 2 chapters were the most insightful for me. With regards to the rest, there are better newer sources like Craig. Overall a bit of a popular book and less academic with very few references and none where statistics are given which is a bit of an issue for me. If you want to exaggerate you better have references, and good ones. All in all an easy read. Felt more like a sermon though.
August 22, 2021
A good book on the basic Christian beliefs. Would be a good reference book when studying these beliefs or if someone would have questions concerning them. Very straightforward and easy to understand.
My Summary of the Chapters:
Why I Believe in the Bible - Because of the fulfilled prophecies and details of such. Many examples given.
The Stones Cry Out - Archeological discoveries give more proof of the Bible being true.
Why I Believe in God:
Creation (It’s absurd that things just happened).
The prophecies about Jesus.
Atheism is irrational.
Why I Believe in Creation - Because evolution is absurd:
Evolution can’t be proven.
Evolution is a religion (it takes faith).
Lots of good statements from evolutionists.
Why I Believe in Heaven:
Nature teaches it (seeds dying, then new life).
Every society or religion believes it. It may be distorted in some, but some sort of life after death.
Resurrection of Jesus
The way a Christian faces death.
Experiences of death and coming back to life.
Why I Believe in Hell:
Same reasons as Heaven.
God is Holy - no sin can come before Him.
Some good thoughts on universalism and the love of God.
Why I Believe in Moral Absolutes - Because of the faults of all human ethical systems.
Why I Believe in Christ:
Evidence in other historical books.
Very specific prophecies in the Bible which came true.
Statements from some of the wisest minds.
Why I Believe in the Virgin Birth:
Refuted why people don’t believe in it.
His sinlessness establishes the fact that He didn’t receive that seed.
Mary would have confessed.
Why I Believe in the Resurrection:
Evidence is overwhelming.
The absurdity of conspiracy.
The change of disciples.
Theories discussed.
Why I Believe in Christianity:
The simple message has become a world force. Only supernatural power behind it could have done that.
The effect of Christianity on the world - slavery, women, children, missions, gladiator fights, human life.
Where Christianity has been brought down corruption has set in - communism, America today (We need to continue to be salt)
Why I Believe in the Second Birth:
Jesus said it.
It is taught in Scripture.
Have seen it in others - new person (through the ages).
Experienced it himself.
Why I Believe in the Holy Spirit:
Biblical evidence & experiencing His indwelling himself.
Chapter is more about explaining who the Holy Spirit is than why he believes in the Holy Spirit.
Why I Believe in the Trinity:
Because the Bible teaches it even though that word is not used.
Most evidence is in NT but some in OT as early as creation - God said, Let US make man in OUR image.
Considerable time spent on what God as trinity means and / or what it does not mean.
Evidence from the universe - 3 elements of space, time and matter.
Why I Believe in the Return of Christ:
Jesus said so.
All history of Christendom has it in its creeds.
Sings of the times as predicted in the Bible.
Earthquakes 14th century - 137; 1971 - 18,000
Education without moral or spiritual guidance esculates crime and immoral sexual behavior.
My Summary of the Chapters:
Why I Believe in the Bible - Because of the fulfilled prophecies and details of such. Many examples given.
The Stones Cry Out - Archeological discoveries give more proof of the Bible being true.
Why I Believe in God:
Creation (It’s absurd that things just happened).
The prophecies about Jesus.
Atheism is irrational.
Why I Believe in Creation - Because evolution is absurd:
Evolution can’t be proven.
Evolution is a religion (it takes faith).
Lots of good statements from evolutionists.
Why I Believe in Heaven:
Nature teaches it (seeds dying, then new life).
Every society or religion believes it. It may be distorted in some, but some sort of life after death.
Resurrection of Jesus
The way a Christian faces death.
Experiences of death and coming back to life.
Why I Believe in Hell:
Same reasons as Heaven.
God is Holy - no sin can come before Him.
Some good thoughts on universalism and the love of God.
Why I Believe in Moral Absolutes - Because of the faults of all human ethical systems.
Why I Believe in Christ:
Evidence in other historical books.
Very specific prophecies in the Bible which came true.
Statements from some of the wisest minds.
Why I Believe in the Virgin Birth:
Refuted why people don’t believe in it.
His sinlessness establishes the fact that He didn’t receive that seed.
Mary would have confessed.
Why I Believe in the Resurrection:
Evidence is overwhelming.
The absurdity of conspiracy.
The change of disciples.
Theories discussed.
Why I Believe in Christianity:
The simple message has become a world force. Only supernatural power behind it could have done that.
The effect of Christianity on the world - slavery, women, children, missions, gladiator fights, human life.
Where Christianity has been brought down corruption has set in - communism, America today (We need to continue to be salt)
Why I Believe in the Second Birth:
Jesus said it.
It is taught in Scripture.
Have seen it in others - new person (through the ages).
Experienced it himself.
Why I Believe in the Holy Spirit:
Biblical evidence & experiencing His indwelling himself.
Chapter is more about explaining who the Holy Spirit is than why he believes in the Holy Spirit.
Why I Believe in the Trinity:
Because the Bible teaches it even though that word is not used.
Most evidence is in NT but some in OT as early as creation - God said, Let US make man in OUR image.
Considerable time spent on what God as trinity means and / or what it does not mean.
Evidence from the universe - 3 elements of space, time and matter.
Why I Believe in the Return of Christ:
Jesus said so.
All history of Christendom has it in its creeds.
Sings of the times as predicted in the Bible.
Earthquakes 14th century - 137; 1971 - 18,000
Education without moral or spiritual guidance esculates crime and immoral sexual behavior.
February 8, 2019
Outlined reasons for each section very well. Some arguments are more powerful than others. The external evidences and references pulled in were eye-opening for me as I have not done a study of those before.
December 23, 2020
Knowledgeable read. Logical reasoning
I liked this book because the reasons were laid out clearly. The reasons were logical and not emotional pleas. You can tell that the book is slightly dated but the content is still relevant to today's reader.
I liked this book because the reasons were laid out clearly. The reasons were logical and not emotional pleas. You can tell that the book is slightly dated but the content is still relevant to today's reader.
May 29, 2018
Sound Reasonings!
The author brings up various points why to believe. Using Scripture, History and current events He presents sound reasons for believing.
The author brings up various points why to believe. Using Scripture, History and current events He presents sound reasons for believing.
January 28, 2019
Well written, though some arguments could have been a bit better supported.
June 10, 2021
This is superb! Its relevancy is forever.
October 12, 2023
I thought it was pretty good for the length of it. Obviously, there are better apologetic books out there that defend certain aspects of the faith better, but this was a good read.
October 30, 2024
Psalm 19
June 10, 2025
excellent book for those wanting to keeping their faith and understanding.
August 3, 2025
A great book about core Christian beliefs.
September 15, 2014
Probably the most inspiring, uplifting, and spiritually enlightening book I've ever picked up. I'm so thankful I decided to read this despite the consistently growing pile of fiction books I normally prefer to read. It helped me understand the truth behind Christianity and believe more strongly than I ever had before. I look forward to reading any other books Kennedy writes/has written.
January 19, 2014
A wonderful book that challenges us Christians to defend the basis for our faith, and which lovingly urges all those who do not know Jesus to embrace him as their savior and claim the promise of everlasting life (Rom. 10:9).
September 3, 2023
Um livro de muita relevância, ainda que escrito num tom bastante parcial e tendencioso, que só por si acaba por tornar pouco credíveis (até para os crentes) os pontos de vista apresentados pelo autor.
August 8, 2011
Great read, I wish I have time to write a good review.
February 4, 2012
Growing up in the church made this book more of a refresher course than a learning experience. But it is a great resource for people who have trouble putting what they believe, into words.
August 25, 2012
Dr. Kennedy was such an eloquent speaker, & his writing is very well backed by facts. One of my favorite Christian authors.
October 13, 2012
Very good and full of important information on the topics that he handles.
May 7, 2014
Filled with logic. Strengthened my faith by backing up my beliefs with Scripture. Many great "Aha" moments. I would love for him to do an updated version.
October 1, 2015
This is an older book that is a decent primer on about a dozen different doctrines of the Christian faith.
June 9, 2009
Was instrumental in my walk with God
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January 3, 2018I want to Re read this. James Kennedy was a thought provoking minister.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews