A Ready Defense The Best Of Josh Mcdowell
by Josh McDowell
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Book Summary Information
Author: Josh McDowellEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1992-09-01
ISBN: 0840744196
Number of pages: 496
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Book Reviews of A Ready Defense The Best Of Josh Mcdowell
Book Review: Very thorough and intriguing work of apologetics
Summary: 5 Stars
Before I begin my assessment, just let me quote a previous critic:
"Being a student of religion, I can honestly say that I have never read a more sophomoric attempt at apologetics than McDowell's "A Ready Defense" and his "Evidence..." It is indisputable that the Mr. McDowell has targeted the ignorant and superstitious masses as his prime victims for an audience."
I get the impression he/she? doesn't like it, so let me offer a different perspective. This critic reminds me of another unbeliever of whom I have recently read: Sigmund Freud. The attempt of some to categorize every explanation of faith as "delusion" or "ignorance" is an ad hominem sidestep to the real question: Does God exist? If so, what is God like?
More particularly, is Christianity a religion revealed by God? This is the main issue that McDowell addresses.
McDowell attempts to argue that the Old and New Testaments do have a foundation in divine inspiration. He himself admits that part of the conclusion of the matter must ultimately be one of faith.
Furthermore, McDowell addresses some of the most pertinent questions as to the historical Jesus. He does a better job (in my estimation) than Crossan, Schweitzer, and Bultmann; he admits up front the bias of Christian apologist where the latter cannot straightforwardly admit a presupposition of skepticism (hence a "hermeneutic of suspicion").
And perhaps McDowell again shows us that humility is a necessary ingredient for this faith, Christianity. We do not elevate ourselves above the "ignorant masses" but sympathize with them in their pain and console them with what we believe to be truth. We confess our own ignorance and attempt to gain wisdom from the beginning point of humility. For we are all one in the common struggle of humanity, if nothing else.
Another critic confesses being turned off, but is at least honest enough to admit that he skipped to random pages and did not read the work as a whole. Reading only parts of the book one critiques seems illogical.
Logical thinking requires some sort of proposition that affirms or denies some truth and then proceeds to prove that course of thought. McDowell discusses in this order: Gospel authenticity, the historical Jesus, how Christianity is different from other religions in a comparative review, and questions about faith in general. This is how the argument progresses.
Beginning with the authenticity of the Gospels is a shrewd move for McDowell because this is where many skeptics turned believers (CS Lewis, for example, and McDowell himself) became increasingly uncomfortable before their ultimate assent to faith.
Additionally, in reiterating the classic Lunatic, Liar, or Lord argument, McDowell insists that if the Gospels do not intercede with historical fact in some way, then the Christian faith is meaningless. McDowell is willing to admit that he could be wrong; ironically his critics don't share the same proclivity.
Candidly, I am a former religion student, like the first critic, and a graduate of a divinity school, and also a student of philosophy, and Josh engages me quite seriously not despite my learning, but rather because of it. Bacon once said (I'm paraphrasing) that belief was directly proportional to the amount of study one put forth (the very antithesis of the Freudian worldview). So are ignorance and belief necessarily connected at the hip?
McDowell's thorough attempt to refute the popular forms of Bultmannian Christology would suggest that one does not have to divorce oneself from belief before he or she engages in academic study and serious thought. In short, McDowell disengages from the "hermeneutic of suspiction" so prevalent in religious scholarship today. For this reason alone, I applaud the very thorough and well documented effort that McDowell has put on the table.
Summary of A Ready Defense The Best Of Josh Mcdowell
Be prepared "in season and out" with this handy reference book of faith. Timely and biblically based, Josh McDowell's work offers defenses in 60 of the most-challenged areas of faith. All in one easy-to-reference volume, this book will strengthen your commitment and help you stand firm against challenges to the truth.
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