Faith's Reasons for Believing by Robert L. Reymond- Johan D.Tangelder

Faith's Reasons for Believing: An Apologetic Antidote to Mindless Christianity
by Robert L. Reymond.
Christian Focus Publications Ltd.,
Geanies House, Fearn, Ross-shire, IV20 1TW, Scotland, United Kingdom.
2008 Softcover, 474 pp.
Reviewed by Johan D. Tangelder

In North America, Biblical Christianity is under attack. Islam is making its voice heard and influence felt. Secularists try to ban religion from the public square. Political correctness stifles freedom of speech. Neo-pagan spiritualities, which define themselves in terms of a quest for "the God within", are popularized in the media. Many wonder how one can discern right from wrong in our postmodern times.

Robert L. Reymond, Emeritus Professor of Systematic Theology at Knox Theological Seminary, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, gives us both reasons for believing the key doctrines of the Christian faith and a defence of the Biblical apologetic method. He raises the question whether a Christian apologist should modify or abandon his Biblical approach, if he expects to reach this postmodern generation. Reymond answers with an unqualified, "No!" He argues that the Biblical approach is as necessary in reaching this postmodern generation as it ever was. He is convinced that the church cannot expect to know the fullest blessing of God upon its evangelistic endeavours until it sets aside all accommodation to the autonomous unbeliever. He insists that the authority of the Word of the self-attesting Christ and his self-attesting Scripture is the only grounds to launch an apologetic for the Christian faith. Reymond believes that the propagation and defence of the faith should be worked out in a manner that is consistent with his fundamental commitment to Scripture, otherwise it becomes ineffective and incoherent. He points out that God must be placed at the beginning of all intellectual activity as in Christ "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col. 2:3). A Christian apologist commits intellectual suicide if this is not done.

In his apologetic work, Reymond discusses specific objections and difficulties raised against the Christian faith. He also states the reasons why we can believe in the Pauline apologetic for reaching this postmodern generation. Reymond's Faith's Reasons for Believing, answers honest questions, refutes erroneous views, deals with specific criticisms of the Gospel, interacts with our postmodern culture and shatters the myth that the Christian faith is intellectually inferior. It is an excellent resource for pastors, teachers, and college students.

		Reformed Reflections
	Faith's Reasons for Believing: An Apologetic Antidote to Mindless Christianity by Robert L. Reymond. Christian Focus Publications Ltd., Geanies House, Fearn, Ross-shire, IV20 1TW, Scotland, United Kingdom. 2008 Softcover, 474 pp. Reviewed by Johan D. Tangelder In North America, Biblical Christianity is under attack. Islam is making its voice heard and influence felt. Secularists try to ban religion from the public square. Political correctness stifles freedom of speech. Neo-pagan spiritualities, which define themselves in terms of a quest for "the God within", are popularized in the media. Many wonder how one can discern right from wrong in our postmodern times. Robert L. Reymond, Emeritus Professor of Systematic Theology at Knox Theological Seminary, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, gives us both reasons for believing the key doctrines of the Christian faith and a defence of the Biblical apologetic method. He raises the question whether a Christian apologist should modify or abandon his Biblical approach, if he expects to reach this postmodern generation. Reymond answers with an unqualified, "No!" He argues that the Biblical approach is as necessary in reaching this postmodern generation as it ever was. He is convinced that the church cannot expect to know the fullest blessing of God upon its evangelistic endeavours until it sets aside all accommodation to the autonomous unbeliever. He insists that the authority of the Word of the self-attesting Christ and his self-attesting Scripture is the only grounds to launch an apologetic for the Christian faith. Reymond believes that the propagation and defence of the faith should be worked out in a manner that is consistent with his fundamental commitment to Scripture, otherwise it becomes ineffective and incoherent. He points out that God must be placed at the beginning of all intellectual activity as in Christ "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col. 2:3). A Christian apologist commits intellectual suicide if this is not done. In his apologetic work, Reymond discusses specific objections and difficulties raised against the Christian faith. He also states the reasons why we can believe in the Pauline apologetic for reaching this postmodern generation. Reymond's Faith's Reasons for Believing, answers honest questions, refutes erroneous views, deals with specific criticisms of the Gospel, interacts with our postmodern culture and shatters the myth that the Christian faith is intellectually inferior. It is an excellent resource for pastors, teachers, and college students.

Reformed Reflections