Rating: 
Summary: The most complete volume on apologetics currently available
Review: This book is, quite simply, exhaustive. Geisler has compiled a lifetime's research in this volume. Arranged alphabetically, this work covers just about every imaginable topic that relates, even remotely, to the defense of Christianity. Other major religions (Islam, Mormonism, etc.) and schools of philosophical thought, (gnosticism, deism, nihilism, etc.) as well as their founders or major advocates (Nietzsche, Mohammed, Kant, etc.) are presented and analyzed, and Biblical topics (everything from the Trinity to Noah's Ark)are explained and examined in context. Each entry finishes with a list of works consulted/suggested reading, which is helpful for the individual who is attempting research on a narrow topic. Overall, this book is the ultimate apologetics tool; it is useful for both the novice and the well read apologist. Its organization is logical and user-friendly, making the book feasible as a reference book, study aid, or independent read. Finally, the book also contains an extensive bibliography, an article index and a scripture index, all of which lend to greater productivity and ease of use.
Rating: 
Summary: Very large, but overall -- too broad for serious apologetics
Review: I'd been eying this book here at amazon for quite a while, though I just didn't desire enough to purchase it. When I found it while grazing the local library, I was first suprised by it's size. It is a very large book. To think that one man wrote all of this is equally as impressive.For very basic information about all things apologetic, this is a great book. It deserves a purchase on that perspective alone. The overall problem with this book is that, while it gives a good springboard into much more detailed apologetics, it's natural simplicity in the words (words?) covered hinders it's ability to be truly good in it's desired field. So overall, lots of very good basic level apoloogetics, but more refined studies are needed to really understand specific topics.
Rating: 
Summary: Faith requires no apology
Review: Geisler should apologize for his poor understanding of logic, reason and science. His restatement of Gould's evolutionary ideas would be unrecognizable to Gould himself. Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Philip Yancey have reconciled the distinct spheres of faith and science and have not tried to distort science to make faith look valid. Faith is valid independent of all science and this book fails to make that basic observation. Geisler does have more success in defending Christian faith against competing religions, while again the defense is a divergence from understanding the essence of Christian faith.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent work with apologetics
Review: Sure, it's expensive. But doggone it, sometimes good things are going to be costly. Although this was a book not meant to be read from cover to cover, I am in the process of doing this. Geisler is very thorough, and while some of the articles get pretty deep (time to skim!), I have learned much from someone who is one of the most prolific writers/thinkers in Christianity today. The entries include people involved with apologetics, vital issues on the topic, and concepts that are sure to be looked up. It's one of my favorite volumes to just pick up and open to any page to just begin reading. Baker's "Encyclopedia" series is very worthwhile, so I highly recommend this particular volume for obeying 1 Peter 3:15-16.
Rating:
Summary: A Must For Any Christian Library
Review: This work by Norman Geisler is a great resource tool. For any Christian who is interested in apologetics (all Christians should be interested), this encyclopedia will come in handy when one wants to research philosophers,philosophical worldviews, and the many diffrent Christian perpectives throughout church history. Another reviewer calls this book the "epitome" of Christian apologetics. I couldn't agree more. Many different ideas and positions are available to research, such as - Calvinism, Secular Humanianism, and Universalism. The reader will get quick,yet critical, fair and detialed reviews on such great thinkers as William Payley, C.S. Lewis, Thomas Aquinas, David Hume and Bertrand Russell. The reader will also enjoy the logical consistency throughout the book. One may not always agree with Geilser, but one will find the book invaluable and challenging. Thank you Dr. Geisler!
Rating:
Summary: A Definitive Work For Apologetics
Review: This work is an excellent tool for apologists. It covers every major philosophy, thinker and heresy that has influenced Christianity. Geisler's summaries are enormously helpful. He provides arguments, counter-arguments and the history of each subject in an organized, meaningful fashion. At the end of each article, there is a bibliography which allows the reader to search for more information. This book has been especially helpful when I have been preparing studies, and don't want to lug around 30 books. Instead, I just have to use this one book (and maybe some others) to get a great overview of issues that are critically important to the Christian faith.
Rating:
Summary: The Epitome of An Apologitics Resource Tool
Review: This encyclopedia is probably the greatest apologetic resources available. The strength of this masterpiece is that Norman Geisler (A Conservative Christian philosopher and scholar) demonstrates impartiality towards fellow Christians and atheist alike. He shows the weaknesses and strenths from both theists and atheists. For example, he points out some of the philisophical flaws of Francis Schaffer's views (a fellow Christian who was extremely popular in the field of apologetics). This is just one example of Geilser's willingness to pursue truth over popularity in the apologetic field. A must resource for all Christians!
Rating:
Summary: The best reference tool for Christian Apologetics
Review: In my opinion, Geisler's Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics is by far the best reference tool and study of Christian apologetics available to the church and society as a whole. I turn to this book to not only gain his insight and opinions in apologetics, but in theology, philosophy, and world religions as well-all in one volume! His bibliography alone is worth the price of this book! And his work concerning important or influential thinkers and their beliefs are well-balanced, fair, and very insightful. Indeed, this is a tremendous work and should be a required purchase for every Christian's library; its value is worth its weight in gold. If one cannot study under Dr. Geisler at Southern Evangelical Seminary in Charlotte, N.C., then studying this work is the next best thing. Because of his use of logic, years of study and experience in teaching the Scriptures, theology, and philosophy, and having multiple debates and friendships with some of the brightest scholars known world-wide, this book provides a wonderful source for those who have questions about the fundamental of the Christian faith including the existence of God, the factual resurrection of Jesus Christ, the inspiration and inerrancy (is the Bible without error?) and other subjects like the preservation of the Bible, the actual knowability of truth, infant salvation, existentialism, evolution, higher criticism, and the Person and work of the God of the Bible. He entertains questions like how can Christ be fully God yet fully man? Is Jesus Christ the only path or plan for salvation-are there more paths leading to salvation? What about the other world religions--are their claims legitimate and factual? How do other world religions measure up to the facts of the Bible? What is relativism? Is God the originator of evil? This is not only an excellent book for theologians, pastors, teachers, and students who are attending high school, colleges, universities, and seminaries as a reference tool for both personal and professional study, but for those Christians who are experiencing doubts concerning Christian truths or who were never taught the deep truths of the Bible and factual reasons to believe what the Bible proclaims. This book is also for those people who are curious about what Christians believe and why they believe the things they do. And for those who are afraid they will not understand the terminology or definitions, please don't worry. His definitions are clear and easily understandable; Dr. Geisler doesn't waste words to try to appear scholarly or impressive to academia. My hope is that Dr. Geisler will continue to add more information including charts with every future reprinting of this work.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Reference Resource
Review: This book is the best (and only) available reference resources (now in its 5th edition) on apologetics. Geisler covers everything from Absolute Truth to Zen Buddhism. Topics are well organized and presented in such a way that some of the most complicated issues (i.e. Molinism, The problem of evil, etc.) give the reader a good starting point to expand upon his/her research. Not only does Geisler cover topics and issues, but he also covers philosophers, theologians, and other apologists and apologetic methodologies. Geisler has done a great service to the Christian community in providing us with such an invaluable tool for study, research, and reference. Thank you Dr. Geisler.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but could be better
Review: I have revised my opinion of this work. It is quite solid with a good amount of analysis. It covers a lot of topics and it covers them well. I leave off a star for a variety of reasons which would make my rating 3 1/2 stars. 1) The book is weak where Dr. Geisler is weak. As was shown in Chosen but Free, Dr. Geisler does not have a good grasp of Reformed theology. This weakness appears from time to time. 2) It is not an encyclopedia. It is a collection of Dr. Geisler's notes. If he has problems with a position (Van Til comes to mind) he will let you know. I like that, but that does not seem in keeping with the spirit of an encyclopedia. 3) As was mentioned earlier, this book desperately needs an index.
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