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Mere Apologetics: How To Help Seekers And Skeptics Find Faith (2012)

by Alister E. McGrath(Favorite Author)

4.03 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

0801014166 (ISBN13: 9780801014161)

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

Baker Books

review 1: To start with, and to tell the truth, am quite tired of apologetics cos from my limited experience, seldom do classical arguments win souls for the Lord. Instead these exchanges often end up with ok-this-is-what-you-believe-and-this-is-what-i-believe-and-lets-agree-to-differ. And often debates (esp through chains of emails) would take up a lot of precious time.I used to love classical apologetics though. For its rational rigor allows me to practise the art i am supposed to be specialised in -philosophy. Am not really a rational person and being a chinese thought specialist doesnt help either – the fact is chinese place more emphasis on intuition rather than reason. Yet the fact that i earn my higher degree in the philosophy department must have given people the impressio... moren that am good in rational arguments – which i clearly know am not.Am more directed by intuitions though but thats another story.The classical arguments for the existence of God are nonetheless fleshed out in chapter 6 with some additional ones that were formulated only in the past decade. All said, these arguments are only ”pointers to faith”, as the chapter’s title suggests, which means they are not by themselves proofs, but rather justified arguments – ie sound, valid and non-contradictory in nature.Anyway, the times for argumentative apologetics has passed – and so suggested the author. And he has a point.The postmodern world does not need reason. This is explained in chapter 2 whereby the line is drawn between modernity and postmodernity. The next related chapter one should read is chapter 7, wherein four apologetics methods are suggested, namely by explanation, argument (not for any theological worldview but rather against other non-biblical ones which can be pretty dangerous), stories and images.Ie chapter 2 presents the context whereas chapter 7 offers the possible solution. In a postmodern world, where one absolute truth is not sought after, apologetic methods change to embrace a more explanatory and narrative model.If you are like super busy – you know like having three flights to catch in a day – then i would suggest you read chapter 2 and 7. But if you are not rushing, then do take some time to run through the rest of the chapters.Chapter 1 is a general introduction (you can skip this if you have two flights to catch which is already very tiring), chapter 3 emphasised the need to base all apologetics efforts on the Word of God (which is always the necessary portion of any book on apologetics so this chapter is more for edification than for insights), whereas chapter 5 is the build-up for chapter 6, stressing the reasonableness of the Christian faith.Chapter 4 reminds us of the importance of shaping our apologetic stance according to the audience we address, whereas chapter 8 presents a couple of case study for practice purposes. Chapter 9, which technically shouldnt be titled “conclusion” cos i thought it introduces another whole new point instead of summarises the past 8 chapters, points out that one should develop one’s customised apologetics approach depending on one’s gifts, strengths and experience.I enjoyed the 2-7 bundle most and have read the two chapters in detail cos they address largely the challenge of new atheism and fictions-made-real phenomena. The 4-8-9 bundle also contains some valuable insights when it comes to contextualising apologetics approaches. There are quite a lot of good books when it comes to the 1-3-5-6 bundle so i only managed to scan through these.On the whole, this 2012-published book is worth reading largely because of its practical advice and contemporary relevance.
review 2: This is an excellent introduction to Apologetics in a broad sense. It is simple yet substantive with excellent points and suggestions for "doing" apologetics. I am not a novice in Apologetics, but I am not an expert either. I found this work to be engaging and informative, and I would recommend it for anyone interest in the subject or anyone who desires some deeper tools for addressing doubts and criticisms of the Christian faith. less

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