Review: Why Should I Believe Christianity?

 

James Anderson. Why Should I Believe Christianity?.  Ross-Shire, UK: Christian Focus Publications, July 20th 2016. 240 pp.

5 out of 5

Purchase: Westminster | Amazon

Looking for an apologetics’ book on why believe in Christianity that would be biblically sound in its doctrine and also clear and reasonable in its worldview analysis?  This book might be for you.  Written by a professor of philosophy and theology and Christian Apologetics at Reformed Theological Seminary this book presents arguments and reasoning from someone that is quite capable and qualified to discuss the veracity of the Christian worldview.  I also like how the author’s presentation is shaped by Presuppositional apologetics!

The book consists of eight chapters and a suggested reading at the end.  It starts off with an introductory chapter of why believe anything in which James Anderson talks about the goal of belief should be directed towards truth and that we evaluate reasons for the merit of why we believe something.    Chapter two is titled “The Big Picture” and discusses about the nature of truth and refutes relativism and skepticism.  I also enjoyed this chapter for its discussion about worldviews (what it is, how everyone has them) and three tests for any worldview.  Chapter three presents to us that Christianity is a worldview.  I was immensely blessed by the author’s presentation of a sound biblical Christianity and it was refreshing because sometimes I find Christian apologists somewhat biblically anemic in terms of knowing what the Bible actually teaches.  Its encouraging to see a fully orbed Christian worldview unapologetically and unashamedly presented!  I was rejoicing reading that chapter!  Chapter four goes over why believe that God exists which I immensely enjoyed as well.  His argument is rigorous and I appreciate he explains it as nontechnical as possible (you should see the author’s academic papers!).  Chapter five then argues that God has revealed Himself and why we should expect God to reveal Himself verbally and publicly in written form.  With the foundation laid the next chapter then goes over how Christ is God incarnate and the following chapter after that is on Christ’s resurrection.  Chapter 8 concludes the book by summarizing the previous chapters and also challenges readers who still won’t believe to consider their own worldviews that is influencing them to reject Christianity and the reasons given here.

I enjoyed this book a lot.  The combination of good theology, rigorous argumentation, consciousness of worldviews and the framework of Presuppositional apologetics made this book very rich.  I enjoyed it so much I talked to my wife and others in my church how much I found delight in reading it.  In fact I ordered four copies of this book for our church as future gift books to our visitors and guests on Sunday!  Order your copy today.