Here are some notes on two books I’ve read recently:
Can We Trust the Gospels?
Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
Mark D. Roberts
Crossway, 2007
Rating: ****
There are a number of evangelical books on the reliability of the New Testament documents. F.F. Bruce and Craig Blomberg have made contributions in this area. Now, Mark D. Roberts joins these scholars with a book designed to bolster our confidence in the historical reliability of the biblical biographies of Jesus.
Two things set Roberts apart from the other books on this subject. First, Roberts interacts with current scholarship as well as pseud0-scholarship (like Dan Brown’s overactive imagination). Second, Roberts writes pastorally and on a level that any educated layperson could find helpful. He also includes anecdotes and a personal touch (referring to himself in the first person, etc.).
I highly recommend this book for pastors and laypeople who want to know more about the Gospels and why we can trust their accuracy.
Not God’s Type:
A Rational Academic Finds a Radical Faith
Holly Ordway
Moody, 2010
My Rating: *** 1/2
I often hear people discount the power of apologetic reasoning by saying, “No amount of debate will bring people into the kingdom of God.” That statement is true, of course. You can’t argue a person into the kingdom. Apologetic reasoning is never quite apologetic proof.
But I worry that some Christians use that statement as an excuse for not engaging in the apologetic task – which, at its best, provides space for intellectuals to consider the claims of Christ.
Holly Ordway’s journey from atheism to Christianity is fascinating on a number of levels. First, the book demonstrates the kind of robust intellectual reasoning we need more of.
Second, the importance of apologetics training becomes clear as we witness the Christians who shared Christ with her and were well equipped to present a robust defense of Christianity’s truth or at least point her in the right direction.
Third, Holly’s story makes a case for Christianity in a way that is both personal (it is her story after all) and intellectually robust (she takes us through the apologetic arguments). Those who love apologetics and personal evangelism will love this book.
