Make a Defense

Where did we come from?

Who are we?

Why are we here?

How should we live?

Where are we going?

Have you ever asked any of these questions?  When asked, can you answer your child, your spouse, your friend or neighbor?  These are the five most consequential questions in life, and most people, even the majority of Christians cannot give Biblically-based answers for the hope that we have.

[1 Peter 3:15]   “In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as Holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”

When we study the reasons for why we believe what we believe, we build the strength, develop the confidence and assurance to “destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God.” [2 Corinthians 10:5]

[2 Peter 4:1-2]  “I charge you…preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”

Many good books have been written to address these questions and the multitude of others posed by believers and skeptics alike.  Is there such a thing as truth, and can it be known?  Who made God?  Does similarity of design prove a common ancestor or a common designer?  Is Moral Law undeniable?  Do we see Biblical miracles today, and if not, why?  Why can’t all religions be true?  Is the New Testament reliable?  Did Jesus really rise from the dead?  Was he a mere prophet, The Son of God, or a madman?  The one book I have found to address each of these questions is I Don’t Have Enough FAITH to Be an ATHEIST, by Norman L. Geisler and Frank Turek.

This an exceptional book of Christian Apologetics.  It is an intensive read, over 400 pages.  I’m still reading it, and sharing my single copy with two teens.  I’ve been encouraged by their comments:

“I like that it’s not just for Christians.  I can think of two people, right now, that I want to give this book to!”

“I need a dictionary, but the cool thing is that the book is interesting enough that I don’t mind getting the dictionary to reap the full benefit.”

“It’s not conversational.  I’m still being taught, but it isn’t stagnant writing.  It’s fast paced and interesting.”

“I think the authors do a good job of detailing and explaining objecting viewpoints.  They come across as being persuasive without being pushy.”

Personally, in reading I Don’t Have Enough FAITH to Be an ATHEIST, I was surprised at the level of blind faith it takes to be an Atheist, especially in light of the logical and reasonable path to belief, in Jesus Christ, that is cleared by Geisler and Turek.

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Apologia has stepped up to make this a full Apologetic Curriculum, by publishing an exhaustive workbook based on the book.  I Don’t Have Enough FAITH to Be an ATHEIST Curriculum is an oversize, spiral-bound book, written by Frank Turek and Chuck Winter.  “It presents supplemental material, study questions, and activities designed to encourage personal reflection and discussion and build writing skills.”  It is suggested that two to three weeks be spent reading each chapter, and completing the study questions and assignments.  Because of the flexibility of this course, it is our intention to spend about a week on each chapter, the first time through the book, but then to read it again, reviewing the notes and answers we recorded the first time.  My girls and I agree, “We want to be able to make a defense now, not 9 months from now,” which is the amount of time it would take with the original course plan. 

I have browsed through the entire curriculum, but have not had much opportunity to use it, yet, because of a delivery issue that delayed the arrival of my book.  The book can be read alone, but the curriculum guides you through an in-depth study and must be used in conjunction with the text.  For every chapter in I Don’t Have Enough FAITH… there is a corresponding chapter in the Curriculum workbook.

Each chapter is divided into four main sections.

Hook – “Questions that Grab Your Mind” and stimulate your brain for learning.

Book – “Facts in This Chapter” promote a deeper study and testing of comprehension and retention of the material.

Look – “You Do the Digging” is suggested assignments that prompt you to “question with boldness,” as Thomas Jefferson said, and not just take the author’s word for it.

Took – “What Do I Do Now?” leads you through a summary and possible applications.

This workbook is consumable, but because I plan to use it with several students over the next few years, we’ll use personal notebooks to transcribe the questions and write our answers.  There is a Glossary of Terms at the back of the book and every answer to every question in this study is provided in a downloadable Answer Key.  I did use one of the highlights of the workbook weeks before the book arrived.  In each lesson there are profiles of historical people or topics that are mentioned in the book, fascinating pages that give insight to, St. Augustine, Friedrich Nietzsche, David Hume, Isaac Newton, Nontheistic Religions, Clement of Rome, Mother Teresa, Biblical Archaeology, and more.  I read every one of them!

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I’m excited to work through this study!  I want to be ready to tell anyone, at any moment, of The Hope that I have within me.  My enthusiasm has piqued my husband’s interest, and I can say without doubt, that this will be required reading for my children.

I Don’t Have Enough FAITH to Be an ATHEIST sells for $16.00, and the I Don’t Have Enough FAITH…Curriculum can be purchased for $33.00.  There are also optional DVD’s available that correlate directly to the book.

If you have questions or comments, please CONTACT Apologia.

Write ~

Apologia Educational Ministries
1106 Meridian Plaza Suite 220
Anderson, IN 46016

or

Call ~ 888.524.4724

Thanks to Apologia, teaching the essentials of the Christian faith is much easier for me than it once was.  I have previously used and reviewed the first three books in their What We Believe Series:   Who Is God? , Who Am I? , and Who Is My Neighbor?   I also appreciate their  Resources for Parents,  especially   Educating the WholeHearted Child.

You can read additional reviews of this book and curriculum, written by my Crew mates, when you click the banner below and follow the link.

“This does not mean there is no room for faith.  But God wants us to take a step of faith in light of evidence, rather than a leap in the dark.”  ~ Norman Geisler

Reading this book will give you the knowledge and the courage to answer life’s big questions, whether they’re your own or someone else’s.

Blessings,