Rating: 
Summary: A Great Refresher or Beginner's Read
Review:
This book deals with the most pressing religious questions of the day. As a college graduate with a Christian background, I have heard much of this information before. But it is a great reminder of the facts concerning the Christian faith, and I read half of the book before I put it down.
If your ability to express your faith has lost its pizzazz, reading this book would be a good way to get it back. There are theological, historical, and scientific facts here to back up what you know to be true. Also, if you have come to faith recently or do not have much theological or Christian education background, this book is essential reading. It would be perfect for a small group of young or relatively new believers, because the study questions are excellent for discussion and review. Everything from evolution to the existence of God to the authority of Scripture is covered here, and there are lots of stories, facts, and quotes thrown in to keep the reader interested.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Refresher or Beginner's Read
Review:
This book deals with the most pressing religious questions of the day. As a college graduate with a Christian background, I have heard much of this information before. But it is a great reminder of the facts concerning the Christian faith, and I read half of the book before I put it down.
If your ability to express your faith has lost its pizzazz, reading this book would be a good way to get it back. There are theological, historical, and scientific facts here to back up what you know to be true. Also, if you have come to faith recently or do not have much theological or Christian education background, this book is essential reading. It would be perfect for a small group of young or relatively new believers, because the study questions are excellent for discussion and review. Everything from evolution to the existence of God to the authority of Scripture is covered here, and there are lots of stories, facts, and quotes thrown in to keep the reader interested.
Rating:
Summary: Generally scholarly and persuasive
Review: I found this book to be a good defense of the Christian faith. It contains an answer to many of the classic questions posed by those who challenge Christianity. For the most part, the book seemed well researched and scholarly. The thing I liked least about it was the anti-Catholic (and Orthodox) bias. The section which discusses the old Testament canon is just plain wrong when it says that the Catholic Church added the deuterocanonical books ("apocrypha") to the bible in the Council of Trent. Also, at the end when it contrasts Christianity to other religions, it totally neglects the Catholic and Orthodox views of salvation as a process. It takes the view of salvation held by some Protestant sects, the view of eternal security, and presents this view as if it was the view of all Christians. Despite these faults, I would recommend the book for any Christian who is interested in apologetics or for anyone who has doubts about his/her Christian faith.
Rating: 
Summary: Some good, Some bad
Review: A lot of other reviewers have highlighted the positives so I'll concentrate on the negative. I'ts obvious that his bible interpretation is a literalist,inerrant view most compatible with conservative evangelicism or fundamentalism. As such it repeatedly leaves itself open to attack of the historicity of certain events in the bible.
The worst section of the book is clearly the one on science and religion. To imply that the age of the earth is a question still open because of uncertainties in geology is just intellectually
dishonest. There was good evidence through geology about the old nature of the earth long before even the first edition of this book came out.
As well there has been evidence found about transitional life forms in fossils (nowhere complete yet I will admit).
When you see that he is quoting Michael Behe and Hugh Ross you know well, that just about does the chapter in. Even honest christian scientists dismiss much of the ideas of those two.
Bottomline: there's better than this to read out there.
Rating: 
Summary: Simple enough for every Christian layperson
Review: For the Christian who is scared of "apologetics" because he thinks it means he has to "apologize," here's a book that doesn't get too technical but has plenty of good information about the defense of the faith. So often Christians don't have adequate answers to give to those who ask of them, as 1 Peter 3:15-16 commands, and so a book like this that is so readable and understandable can provide some ammunition the next time the skeptic questions the faith. Included at the end of each chapter are questions that can be used in a group or individual study.
Rating:
Summary: Beginner-level introduction to Christian apologetics
Review: Having read several books on apologetics myself, I found Little's book quite good. His presentation is easy to follow and the beginner will find it very manageable. It is a short book that new Christians or Christians approaching apologetics (the rational defence of Christianity) for the first time, will find useful. Little's methodology is good as well. His dispels presuppositions that a priori prevent one from even considering Christianity. Little also has some ability to come up with memorable epigrams (though he is not as good at this as G.K. Chesterton and C.S. Lewis are, in my opinion). Little covers the following questions: Is Christianity Rational? Is There a God? Is Christ God? Did Christ Rise from the Dead? Is the Bible God's Word? Are the Bible Documents Reliable? Does Archaeology Verify Scripture? Are Miracles Possible? Do Science & Scripture Agree? Why Does God Allow Suffering & Evil? Does Christianity Differ from Other World Religions? Is Christian Experience Valid? In a book that is only 171 pages in length (excluding study questions), Little covers each topic quite quickly. Thankfully, he includes a "For Further Reading," section at the end of every chapter. Little's section on Science & Scripture was good as well (as one might expect, he covers the issue of origins). Little is careful to define terms (i.e. micro-evolution vs. macro-evolution) and I think he wisely notes that science is constantly changing (whereas the Bible is static), so one must be cautious not to absolutely weld contemporary scientific theories to the Bible. The section on Christianity and other religions was mediocre. However, most Christian apologetic materials that read have suffered from the same problem. The standard approaches usually starts with a few thoughts on the nature of truth (especially the logical law of non-contradiction), then assert and prove the deity of Christ and then assume all other religions fall. While I see that this approach definitely works, I think it would helpful to interact with other religions and analyze them at a deep level. Anyway, I am demanding too much from a popular level book here. Little discussed (in 3-5 paragraphs each!) Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam and pointed some of their beliefs and the difficulties associated with them. The nature of Christian experience is not a philosophical issue in the same way that the issue of miracles are, so the question must be approached differently. Little's explanation that Christian experience is based on historical facts (the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ) provides the context for understanding Christian experience. Little ends with a challenge to personally commit oneself to Christianity. The extensive study questions (about 10 per chapter) at the end of the book may be useful if one wanted to use the book as a study tool for a Bible Study group or something similar. I would recommend this book as an introduction to the defence of Christianity or as a short review for old hands. However, the experienced reader may want deeper works to digest. Two good books for more advanced study: Reasonable Faith by William Lane Craig and Scaling the Secular City by J.P. Moreland.
Rating:
Summary: Simple and to the point.
Review: I enjoyed Little's book. It contains great information in an easy-to-read style. Although a bit old, it has relevant information for the believer and the sceptic alike. I particularly enjoyed the chapter dealing with the resurrection. The worst chapter was the one dealing with science. In this chapter, Little doesn't really offer any information as to what the Christian should believe, but rather he only lists the various views of the day. I believe that Little didn't want to scare off the audience by offering only one view of how science and scripture relate, but the end result is a bit weak in my opinion. However, I think this book deserves four stars for some excellent chapters dealing with the Christian faith. I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it.
Rating:
Summary: Some good, Some bad
Review: I read Little's book and was disappointed with it. My criticisms of this book are derived not from an anti-Christian perspective, but from a practical pedagogical perspective. With that said, I am not trying to disprove any of Little's statements on Christian faith that he derives from his readings of the Bible. But I do have some criticisms of this book. My criticisms against this book should assist the prospective reader in selecting (or not selecting this book).
-Simplistic style. This is not a college level book, despite what one review states. It is written at the seventh or eighth grade level. If you read at the college level, this is a Dick & Jane book. Sometimes it is like reading a PowerPoint presentation. It is basic and not challenging.
-Slow pace. The pace of this book is very slow. Part of what makes this a slow read is the book's repetitious style. Little keeps making his point over and over. After a while, you get the point and no longer have to have it made again.
-Errors (or over-simplification). For example, Little refers to a Greek Empire (page 12). There was never one. With that said, it is clear he is referring to the `Greek' linguistic and cultural hegemony created in the western Mediterranean by Alexander the Great's conquests.
-Academic credentials. Little holds an MBA and is not a theologian. He holds no advanced degrees in that field. The method by which Little postulates his arguments resembles those made by Fundamentalist - a lot on what the Bible says and little on historical context or liturgical perspective. In other words, his sources are limited and it shows. And, he tends to make circular arguments.
With all of this said, I do consider this to be fine book for a novice to Christianity. The basics are here, without any complications. However, it is not illuminating. So if you are looking for a place to start, this might be it. However, don't stop here - this is way too basic.
Rating:
Summary: A place to start for beginners.
Review: I read Little's book and was disappointed with it. My criticisms of this book are derived not from an anti-Christian perspective, but from a practical pedagogical perspective. With that said, I am not trying to disprove any of Little's statements on Christian faith that he derives from his readings of the Bible. But I do have some criticisms of this book. My criticisms against this book should assist the prospective reader in selecting (or not selecting this book).
-Simplistic style. This is not a college level book, despite what one review states. It is written at the seventh or eighth grade level. If you read at the college level, this is a Dick & Jane book. Sometimes it is like reading a PowerPoint presentation. It is basic and not challenging.
-Slow pace. The pace of this book is very slow. Part of what makes this a slow read is the book's repetitious style. Little keeps making his point over and over. After a while, you get the point and no longer have to have it made again.
-Errors (or over-simplification). For example, Little refers to a Greek Empire (page 12). There was never one. With that said, it is clear he is referring to the 'Greek' linguistic and cultural hegemony created in the western Mediterranean by Alexander the Great's conquests.
-Academic credentials. Little holds an MBA and is not a theologian. He holds no advanced degrees in that field. The method by which Little postulates his arguments resembles those made by Fundamentalist - a lot on what the Bible says and little on historical context or liturgical perspective. In other words, his sources are limited and it shows. And, he tends to make circular arguments.
With all of this said, I do consider this to be fine book for a novice to Christianity. The basics are here, without any complications. However, it is not illuminating. So if you are looking for a place to start, this might be it. However, don't stop here - this is way too basic.
Rating:
Summary: great book to have or give
Review: I think that this book is a must have for any Christian, and also a great book to give to believers and potential believers (everyone else). The book really does a great job preparing a Christian for knowledgably witnessing to people. And I think it also really confirms Christians in their faith. I have found it good to give this book as a gift to someone who you know is contemplating God and all of his wonderful ways.
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