A short volume that covers plenty of ground, though more study elsewhere is warranted for anyone intrigued by the topic.
This slim volume of Christian apologetics aims to stimulate dialogue and intellectual inquiry while opening the minds of atheists and agnostics as well as believers.
Allen (Dying With Grace and Hope, 2000), a Presbyterian minister and teacher with a doctorate in theology, writes with erudition. Inspired by the spate of recent works of the militant “New Atheists” (e.g., Richard Dawkins, Anthony Flew before he converted) who have polarized the debate between believers and nonbelievers, Allen forges a third path between the two extremes. In Section I, he offers an excellent introduction to the major areas of theological debate: the relationship between science and faith; religion and fanaticism; the meaning of suffering (theodicy); the scholarly search for the “Historical Jesus”; and trends in beliefs of contemporary society. Faith, in his view, should involve mind, will and heart, and it should not be irrational, blind or fanatical. Religious belief, he says, should be submitted to intellectual inquiry, and, conversely, modern knowledge can be incorporated into an ever-refined understanding of faith. Allen argues that, ultimately, science cannot prove or disprove God’s existence since, in that pursuit, science exceeds its own bounds. He points out weaknesses in creationism and “intelligent design” and instead makes peace with a more evolution-based understanding of God’s creative plan. This dispassionate autobiography eventually takes Allen more into matters of the heart than head. In Section II, he diverges from academic style to give a personal account of his faith journey, thoughtfully directing the reader to skip over it if desired. He touches on his personal struggles with illness and alcoholism, his years of experience as a pastor sought out for grief and spiritual counseling, and his involvement in community service. Two appendices cover the historical evidence for Jesus’ resurrection and whether God acts in the world through miracles. Endnotes and a bibliography round out the volume. Drawing on physics, theology and philosophy, Allen effectively builds his case: Science has proven that the universe is more open than previously thought; the minds of modern truth-seekers should similarly expand. Overall, however, Allen merely whets the reader’s appetite for further study, since this short book references mostly secondary sources from other authors. Fascinated readers would most likely appreciate more primary sources and a deeper look at such profound topics.
A short volume that covers plenty of ground, though more study elsewhere is warranted for anyone intrigued by the topic.Pub Date: March 3, 2013
ISBN: 978-1480118423
Page Count: 174
Publisher: CreateSpace
Review Posted Online: May 14, 2013
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
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