I Don't Have Enough FAITH to Be an ATHEIST
By: Norman L. Geisler and Frank Turek
All worldviews---including atheism---require faith. But some belief systems are more reasonable than others! Geisler and Turek make the case that Christianity requires the least faith of all because so much evidence points toward the existence of God and the reliability of Scripture. An engaging, easy-to-follow defense for Christians and skeptics. 256 pages, softcover from Crossway Books.
Here is a brief summary:
************************************************************************************
Review of "I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist" by Geisler and Turek
This is a review of the book "I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist," by Norman Geisler and Frank Turek. The book was provided to me by Stacy Harp of Blog for Books, and the book was provided to her by the good folks at Crossway Books. I receive no remuneration for this review.
As the title shows, this book contends that it takes faith to be a theist or an atheist. In fact, contrary to popular opinion, atheism is not a condition of having no faith, rather it is a condition of having great faith, even greater faith than the theist. The authors contend that it takes greater faith to ignore all the evidence for God's existence and remain an atheist than to believe in God.
This book is an apologetics book, a book devoted to the defense of the Christian faith. I would further classify it as a book in the category of eviential apologetics, which appeals to human reason through a variety of evidences, be they scientific, historical, or philosophical. I personally gravitate toward a more presuppositional approach to apologetics, as is seen in the school of thought of Cornelius Van Til and his more recent and more readable popularizers like Richard Pratt, John Frame and Greg Bahnsen. The presuppositionalist doesn't begin the apologetic task with evidences, rather, he understands that the atheist is not an atheist for lack of evidence but because of his presuppositional commitments to individual autonomy. But I still believe this book has great value.
When I was a teenager I was given a copy of Josh McDowell's book Evidence that Demands a Verdict, and this book reminds me a lot of that book. Geisler and Turek offer a kind of twelve step recovery program from atheism. They begin with the proposition that truth about reality is knowable, then proceed logically and methodically, step by step, to the twelth and concluding proposition that "it is true that the Bible is the Word of God (and anything opposed to it is false).
Along the way they touch on all of the standard elements that evidential apologists deal with. They deal with philosophical matters as they touch on some of the theistic proofs for God's existence like the cosmological and teleological arguments for the existence of God. They deal with science, focusing on the intelligent design movement. They touch on history, showing the reliability of the bible and gospel accounts and they address common arguments against the resurrection.
In each of these areas - philosophy, science, and history, you can find many individual book length treatments of these topics, and for that matter you can find plenty of book length treatments of sub-topics of those topics. But the value of this book is that it gives you a good overview of philosophical, scientific and historical issues in one volume.
Even though I am a presuppositionalist, I do believe that there is a place for the use of evidence in apologetics and as such, everyone needs a book like this in their library. I particularly appreciate the author's writing style - the book is easy to read and makes some heavy duty concepts accessible to those who aren't highly trained in technical fields. In my opinion, this book is easily accessible for the college student and even the mature and serious high school student. My 13 year old daughter was asking me some questions a few weeks ago that are answered in this book and I plan to show those portions to her, and I think she'll be able to understand them.
But don't get me wrong. In saying this book is accessible to the mature high school student, I also want to point out that it is of value to older, maturing Christians also. I think it will have the greatest value for college students who may be facing these issues in their classes at college.
I would also point out that, though I keep harping on presuppositionalism here, the book in fact dovetails nicely with the concerns of presuppositionalists. At many points in the book, after going through evidences for this or that, and showing the responses of atheists to the evidences, Geisler and Turek show that a lack of evience is not the problem for the atheist, it is his presuppositional anti-theistic commitments that cause him to skew or ignore the evidence for the existence of God.
Overall, I can recommend the book. I would recommend that you read this book in tandem with one of the standard presuppositional introductions like Every Thought Captive by Richard Pratt, Apologetics to the Glory of God by John Frame, or Always Ready by Greg Bahnsen.
************************************************************************************
Reviewed by Leo M. (Tustin CA), March 16, 2006
If you are looking for a book to reach a skeptic or atheist, who is open to weighing facts and evidence for the Christian faith then this book is the best tool. A true master piece in apologetics; Geisler and Turek use logic, physics, biology, astronomy, and different other fields in layman's terms to give a sound reason for the hope that lies within us!
************************************************************************************
Reviewed by Shelzers (North Carolina), August 29, 2004
As a Christian firmly rooted in my standards, beliefs and principles, I always knew deep in my heart that Christianity was the only right way, and that I would always be true to it, but I could never properly convey or explain to other people WHY I believe what I do. This book was so incredibly helpful! Usually when I read a book about apologetics, it takes me a long time, and I have to struggle to grasp and comprehend what the authors are trying to say. However, this book hooked me right from the start. It was fascinating for me to read on, and discover how to defeat what I know is false. It was very easy for me to understand and grasp the concepts put forth in this book, and the logical explanations that prove Jesus is THE Way, THE Truth, and THE Light. This book has changed my life. Before I read Mr. Turek’s book, I could not have begun to share these things with others. However, after reading this wonderfully detailed book, God gave me an opportunity to put to work what I had just learned. A friend had asked me to help her prove to others that God really does exist, and I was able to use chapters 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 to show her how to explain the proof. The people she shared it with were very persuaded, and wanted to go look for the book. I highly recommend this book to other Christians like myself, who know in their spirits and hearts what they believe, but need some help conveying this truth to their friends, co workers, neighbors, and others. This book will help equip you to…”Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason for the hope that is within you, with meekness and humility.” 1 Peter 3:15. I will always treasure my copy of this book, and do my best to share and practice what is presented in it. My deepest prayer is that God will be glorified and worshipped through this book, and I know that He already is, in my life, and I hope He will be in yours.