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Summary: Thoughtful Respectful Powerful Arguments for Theism
Review: This book records the dialogue between two people who love and respect each other about a subject that they fundamentally disagree on (at least initially). That love and respect are what is missing in most debates between Theists (those believing in God) and Atheists or Agnostics. The questions by the atheist dad are honest and thoughtful. The answers, by seminary professor son, are complete and thoughtful. Dad eventually is won over and has become a committed Christian. This is an excellent primer for those who wish to debate these issues. It is also great recommended reading for those you might wish to respectfully and lovingly evangelize!
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Summary: No good, unless you already want to believe it
Review: I'm truly disappointed at the quality of the reviews of this book. The only critical remarks deal with questions of specific doctrine, and none with the effectiveness of the book. I guess the content of the reviews reflect the audience for which it is effective. It seems this book is marvelous for those who have already begun rolling down the snowy slopes of faith, or for those who just need a slope of any kind to roll down, but as a (religiously) content agnostic, I think it's all a bunch of mush. I very much agree with the other review that mentioned the intense psychological pressure placed upon the elder Boyd by his son. Dr. Boyd used several unfair rhetorical techniques, such as intimidating his father with incessant allusion to his own far greater knowledge and the fact that he had dumbed-down his arguments for his father. Dr. Boyd needs to work on his scholarly objectivity and cease the use of psychological maneuvering.
I'm sure there are Christians better educated in the sciences than I, and I look forward to researching their view of apologetics; however anyone with even a basic grasp of biology should recognize Dr. Boyd's gross perversion of evolutionary science. No scientist claims that humans came about by chance. Why is it so hard for people to accept that the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts? Even if we are merely a series of very complex chemical reactions, why should that have any implications on morality? Understanding the evolutionary usefulness of love does not degrade its experience in any way.
Religion began, long before the dawn of Christianity, as a way to explain phenomenon, such as disease and weather, which were beyond comprehension due to the technological limitations of humans at the time. Religion must continue to adapt as our knowledge grows, as is exemplified by the advent of germ theory in the mid-nineteenth century. We now know that disease is caused by microorganisms, and not invisible evil forces. Another example is that of Galileo Galilei, who was a very pious man, and considered by some the father of modern science. Despite his devotion, he was charged as a heretic by those who were infatuated with doctrine and the semantics of the bible.
Aside from his poor logic the worst thing about this book was that it took only 57 pages to wear his father down into submission, and convince him of god's existence. From there on, the elder Boyd seems to concede his son's intellectual superiority, and merely asks about doctrine. Anyone who believes that quickly cannot be thinking critically. They had either entered the discussion wanting to believe, but having trouble, or they have been overwhelmed by brute force. There are many important issues that are ignored entirely. If we suppose there is a metaphysical realm, how does it interact with the physical world? Anything that can move an atom or a sea must by definition have physical force, as opposed to being purely metaphysical. In short I don't believe either party was well enough informed, or was in the correct mindset, to discuss the existence or implications of God.Here are two very accessible books I would recommend to anyone, regardless of whether their faith is in question or not; though it's not their focus, they do an excellent job of mentioning the implications of their science upon god and morality. How the Mind Works by Stephen Pinker, and A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking. For more information on Galileo and the conflict between his faith and his discoveries try Galileo's Daughter by Dava Sobel.
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Summary: Quite interesting
Review: A nice batch of letters between father and son. Some are more meaty than others. There are some very good arguments for the existence of a higher power (i.e. God) here and it is interesting to see the father struggle thru his tough questions until the end of the book. Recommended.
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Summary: A Father and Son Mismatch: A Dialogue on Faith
Review: In about four days after receiving this book as a Christmas present, after quickly finding I liked it and having difficulty putting it down, I promptly had it read. Desirous of quickly giving the gift-giver my impressions of the book and being curious about what others thought of it, I went to Amazon.com, since one usually can find editorial and customer reviews for any book it sells. And I wasn't disappointed: I was able to find plenty of reviews: frankly, all quite laudatory -- but, strangely, none written by skeptics! A fact from which might lead me to infer that skeptics apparently don't do much reading in the area of Christian apologetics. So, to remedy what I regarded as an imbalance -- a one-sided presentation -- I decided to tackle the job myself. A few general comments first. I found the book to be a well written and argued defense of Christianity -- for someone predisposed to such belief and/or seeking confirmation for such. But it is not so strongly argued that it is likely to convince a well-read skeptic, or bring someone back to the fold who has thoroughly examined, and been persuaded of, the evidence for nonbelief. The book consists of a series of letters between a son (Dr. Boyd), who is a well-credentialed (multi-degreed, culminating in a P.H.D from Princeton Theological Seminary) Christian apologist (minister and college professor), and his father -- a skeptic, from his mature years, but born and raised a Catholic. The avowed purpose for the letter exchange -- dialogues carried on over a three-year period -- is for the son to get his agnostic father to become a believing, born-again Christian. Which is what eventually occurs. However, I felt that the father lacked the background to counter his son's arguments. He was simply overwhelmed and outgunned. What struck me right off, though, is that it didn't seem to be a fair matchup. The father, although supposedly well educated and highly intelligent (but oddly, no mention is made of his educational background), spent 35 years in sales management at Uniroyal Tire Company. So I seriously doubt that he had either the time or the inclination to pursue serious religious studies. And his remarks evidence that: he makes no mention of philosophical or scholarly writing of any kind dealing with the subject of religion. A familiarity with such writings, I believe, may have equipped him to rebut some of his son's arguments, e.g., his son's claim for the historicity of the Gospel accounts, a viewpoint the father doesn't challenge and seems to accept too readily! A more equal matchup would have been between two people who were both equally qualified to argue their respective positions.
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Summary: A Skeptics Unraveling
Review: Never have I been so intellectually challenged and intrigued by a book. The letter format from son to father made it very unique and easy to read. It was simply amazing how the author helped you understand God's perspective on issues that prevent the skeptical mind from accepting spiritual truths. This book tackles the toughest issues and objections anyone can throw at the Christian faith...leaving the reader in a state of awe...you can't put it down.
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Summary: Great Apologetics Overview for skeptics
Review: This is one of the best books I have read on apologetics. Throughout the conversations with his father, Dr. Boyd does an excellent job clearing any obstacle that stands in the way of his father's ability to have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Dr. Boyd, a Princeton and Yale grad, challenges his father to a dialogue on Christianity. With each giving reasons why they are/not a Christian. The father accepts, and what results is a well thought out Q & A on the basic tenets of Christianity. Throughout this journey, Ed Boyd (father) asks very good, yet common questions. The questions range from issues dealing with the existence of God, to theological questions of hell. Dr. Boyd than gives very forceful and sincere answers. The positives of this book are many. The exchange covers a lot of topics, so it's a good place to start to get an overall idea of how Christians answer questions from everyday people. The author also doesn't get too philosophical and has a great writing style. Which makes the book great for a non-philosophical skeptic. He also does a good job of keeping you interested. You are eager to read what the father will ask, and when he does, what Dr. Boyd will respond. Each person always leaving you thinking the answer/question is impenetrable and valid. Only too see a response you did not expect.
The negatives of the book are few. The one that bothered me the most is that the author, since he did decide to publish the letters, should have included a list of recommended books for further reading on each topic. The author is obviously very educated and intelligent, so his recommendations would have helped readers identify good books that deal more with the particular subject. Another negative is the author does not have an orthodox view of God's omniscience and a somewhat liberal view of hell. Although this doesn't detract from his overall view that we need Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior, it will still be a problem for a Christian who wants to give this book to a skeptical friend, but wants traditional Christianity represented. However, with the negatives in mind, this book is definitely a great resource of apologetics. It is one of the books I would think of first as an easy to read defense of the Christian position. The author does an excellent job clearing many obstacles that stand in the way of skeptic's who would like to have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
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Summary: Letters from a Skeptic
Review: I believe in the Christian God but have many doubts and so far, no relationship with Him and I found this book very helpful. The correspondence between the father, a nonbeliever, and his son, a professor of theology at a Christian college, is very quick to read and easy to follow. I read this book in four days. The skeptical father has very basic and valid doubts that I'm sure everyone has pondered, such as "Why doesn't God make it easier to believe?" and "Why, if he is all powerful, doesn't God do something about all the suffering?" His son's answers reveal a very strong faith that is very believable. After this book, you'll probably find yourself asking, "Alright, now how do I get to know God?" Enjoy.
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Summary: Many uses for a thought provoking book...
Review: As a high school student I lead life in a constant state of questioning. I am a Christian teen, which can be an extremely difficult life to lead. On Sep. 11th, my youth pastor stood infront of a group of pain-stricken high schoolers and read the second chapter of this book. This chapter delt with the reason that a loving God allows so much suffering in the word. To hear so many questions raised and then answered in a loving and truthful way not only touched many lives that night, but answered some questions for those on the verge of making the biggest decision of their life. Those of mature faith found new thought to ponder, and young Christians found some new aspects of their faith. I urge you to concider using this book as something more than a book to read in your spare time. Concider reading it with a teenage child or with you spouse. Read it with your best friend or that person who is always asking questions about your faith. If you happen to be a youth leader concider leading a group of discussions based on this book. Chalenge yourself through this book. Pull yourself out of your comfort zone. Keep an open mind, and always question what you believe.
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Summary: Great cursory apologetics book
Review: Fast read. Short chapters. Love the set up. Hits soo many different areas. Anyone that has questions should check this out.
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Summary: A good reference book for those new to apologetics
Review: I have found this book very useful in helping me to combat some of the logical arguments against the faith given to me by non-believers. Dr. Boyd's logic flows very well and provides a great logical argument to many important complaints about Christianity. Don't rely on this book as your only source, though! It contains only one man's opinions. Personally, I have found some of his reasons to be a little weak, and on one point I think he is wrong. His point about how God does not know the future is based on what I feel is incorrect theology. A few other points he makes might also be seen as based on some abnormal theological ideas. This is still a very good book, though, as long as it the reader reads it for what it is - one man's logical defense of Christianity - and also uses other sources (especially the Bible) in defense of the faith. If this book shows you anything, it shows you that Christianity is more than blind faith or emotionalism, it is actually a very logical and intelligent view of the world, one which I am convinced is the correct one.
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