An evangelist's duties are many: preparation, prayer, community and actual evangelism are but a few. Apologetics, while in the strictest definiton not evangelism itself, is nonetheless instrumental in an apologist's performance of his Great Commission. While both gauging the sinner's attitude toward the Gospel and gently leading him into the Law, Christians need to be able to defend attacks - both overt and accidental - on that Gospel. Here we find the realm of apologetics, the defense of the Faith.
Ravi Zacharias is an apologeticist's apologeticist, speaking to audiences around the world while reaching others by radio, television and with his many books. Here he offers both his own writings and the writings of others who have been or are currently involved with his ministry RZIM, and the ground covered in these pages ranges widely, from the challenge of other religions to questions posed by the irreligious. Ravi himself contributes articles addressing evil and suffering as well as how churches should engage their congregations in apologetical instruction. Going past mere lists of answers to questions from the lost, this book will inspire you to active evangelism with the use of the principles provided.
A definitive master work from the world’s leading Christian Apologist. Respected apologist Ravi Zacharias was once sharing his faith with a Hindu when the man asked: "If the Christian faith is truly supernatural, why is it not more evident in the lives of so many Christians I know?" The question hit hard, and this book is an answer. Its purpose is to equip Christians everywhere to simultaneously defend the faith and be transformed by it into people of compassion.
In addition to writing several chapters himself, Ravi Zacharias brings together many of today’s leading apologists and Christian teachers, including Alister McGrath and John Lennox, to address topics present in the very future of worldwide Christianity-from the process of spiritual transformation to the challenges posed by militant atheism and a resurgent Islam. Destined to become a classic, Beyond Opinion is a touchstone that will affect Christians around the world.
Zacharias (The Grand Weaver) brings together many of today’s leading apologists (who are also colleagues at his Ravi Zacharias International Ministries) for a relatively concise treatment of major apologetic themes, including the existence of God, the problem of evil, the exclusive truth claims of Christianity and evidence for the universe’s intelligent design. Writers explore Eastern religions, conversational apologetics and the challenges postmodern thought presents to accepting Christianity. Not all the entries here are equal—a stronger edit might have given the whole more cohesion and kept some essayists from straying a bit—but some are impressively readable. Oxford professor Alister McGrath covers atheism with grace, and Zacharias himself tackles the problem of evil simply and clearly in a short 30 pages. Underlying the whole is a sense of compassion, that apologetics is not solely about establishing truth claims but about understanding listeners’ deep needs and what their current philosophy provides them. The subtitle is unclear—this is really a standard apologetics manual rather than a book about living out the Christian faith (an idea which Zacharias perhaps should develop elsewhere). But readers will find this helpful and comprehensive, smart and kind . (Jan.) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.
Average Rating: 4 out of 5 stars(4 out of 5 stars)
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3 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Karen Schappert (San Francisco, CA), January 06, 2009
Ravi is the pre-eminent Christian philosopher and apologist of our time; any book by him is a must read for any believer who is engaging this culture on a philosophical and cultural level.
3.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Richard Davies (Vaudreuil-dorion, Qc,), November 18, 2008
As an avid Ravi Zacharias and RZIM reader and supporter I was really looking forward to digging my teeth into this one. As with most Apologetics writings, the subject matter is right on for what the world is facing today. For the most part the different authors do a good job of not getting "too deep" so the average reader can udnerstand and apply what they are learning. The highlight chapter for me was the one on the challenges from Youth culture. If you are interested in engaging the current intellectual culture then pick this one up and you will not be dissapointed. You will not become an expert but you will certianly have enough information to feel informed and prepared.
3 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Bill (Ripon, CA), September 26, 2008
I found this book very insightful, a little too deep for me but it has some great ideas. Some of the contributors are easier to read and understand than others.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Ethelyn Windsor (D' Abadie 08088,), September 12, 2008
this is a great book ravi zacharias is one of the best christian apologists a great read
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Crossroads Baptist Church (Pelham, NH), July 24, 2008
This is the second book I have read by Ravi Zacharias. The title tells it all...It is simply one of the best books on the market today. It is easy reading on a difficult topic... opinion! and Ravi sums it up well. That if we, as Christians, must live out our lives from a biblical lifestyle, truely living what the Scriptures teach.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Carol Saint George (Fitchburg, MA), May 12, 2008
As a grandparent with grandchildren starting college this is an outstanding book to help them understand what their faith really means and how to defend it even if only within their own soul. It will help people remember what the Word of God really says and not what the devil wants us to believe by distortion.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Ashok Bruno (Tinton Falls, NJ), May 07, 2008
I have just started reading and am about 1/3rd done, it is an excellent book. All of the chapters are well thought out and constructed. I am sure the other chapters which I haven't read so far will be even better, since the topics are engaging.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Julie Deane (Gainesville, GA), March 14, 2008
I haven't gotten through this book yet, but it looks like it will be very helpful. I like the mini-tutorial on assembling logical arguments.
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