Book Review: I Don't Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist

I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist (2004) by Norman Geisler and Frank Turek may be the best introductory apologetics textbook I have read. Because they are typically written by smart people, apologetics books are too often burdened by writing that is inaccessible to many readers. Dr Geisler, however, has a gift for explaining logical reasoning in an efficient manner. Turek adds a warmness to the narrative, making this amongst the most readable, yet well thought out and comprehensive, apologetics textbooks on the market.

Weighing in at 450 pages, the authors are able to address many of the most important arguments in the battle for truth. For example, the authors address the following broad categories: 1) truth about reality is knowable, 2) the opposite of true is false, 3) it is true that the theistic God exists, 4) If God exists, then miracles are possible, 5) Miracles can be used to confirm a message from God, 6) The New Testament is historically reliable, 7) The New Testament says Jesus claimed to be God, 8) Jesus' claim to be God was miraculously confirmed, 9) therefore, Jesus is God, 10) whatever Jesus teaches is true, 11) Jesus taught that the Bible is the Word of God, and 12) THEREFORE, it is true that the Bible is the Word of God.

To address these major premises, the authors walk through common apologetics arguments such as those relating to origin of the universe (cosmological argument), the design of life (teleological argument), and the truth of the moral law (moral argument). In each case, they generally explain the current status of the arguments, but seek to clearly show the logical endpoints of each perspective. In other words, they effectively employ what Francis Schaeffer referred to as "taking the roof off", thus showing the logical flaws.

Some people have commented that this book can be too adversarial at times, but we are engaged in a battle. Geisler and Turek effectively dismantle arguments raised against the Christian position. I would strongly recommend this book to both Christian and non-Christian alike. If you give it a fair review, I have no doubt you will find their work compelling.

I received this book free from the publisher through the Beyond the Page book review bloggers program through Crossway Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”