I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist

by Norman L. Geisler and Frank Turek

Book Overview

To some, the concept of having faith in a higher power or a set of religious beliefs is nonsensical. Indeed, many view religion in general, and Christianity in particular, as unfounded and unreasonable.

Norman Geisler and Frank Turek argue, however, that Christianity is not only more reasonable than all other belief systems, but is indeed more rational than unbelief itself. With conviction and clear thinking, Geisler and Turek guide readers...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1433580756
• ISBN13: 9781433580758
• Release Date: March 2004
• Publisher: Crossway
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Ah, Apologetics

There are some very convincingly formulated points. Turek and Geisler make strong arguments in this abstract field of apologetic proofs for God, with SURGE following a coherently logical formula. The first few chapters can be very helpful for Christians trying to figure out if their faith is reasonable. However, it is the later part of the book, which merges into Biblical Studies, veers on problematic. I am afraid that only conservative Christians who 'already' believe in the propositions that Turek is proposing will be convinced by his arguments. Simply put, I would encourage readers to open any literature on the critical study of religion--of which there is plenty that is very Christian, and even conservative at that (see scholars like Richard Hays, Brent Strawn, Terence Fretheim, etc.). Turek's arguments (and other apologists for that matter) around 'the Bible' are usually very ill informed, which one will realize with just some basic understanding within religious studies through even an introductory book on Hebrew Bible or the New Testament. Hope people can find this review helpful.

I don't have enough faith to be an atheist is an incredible book.

The facts presented cut through the lies that are taught by atheists. There are some points that are quite humorous on how they counter opposing views of intelligent design.

A must read.

Very convincing. The authors systematic approach shows how: -Truth is knowable. -It is true that a theistic God exists. -Miracles are possible and were used by the apostles to confirm the message of God. -The New Testimate is historically reliable and it says that Jesus both explicitly and implicitly claimed to be God. -Jesus backed up is claims with miracles, therefore, Jesus is God. -Jesus taught that the Bible (OT) is the Word of God (and apostles confimed the NT), therefore, what the Bible says is true. A must have.

Best book ever!

Most information in one place!

STEP by STEP

I'm a recent Bible College grad, and a preacher whose main interest is in apologetics. I have been concerned in recent years however, with the amount of "apologetic" books that assume a christian worldview is held by the reader. Books that just jump right into topics regarding sin and salvation without first laying a ground work. I find it especially annoying when a praticular volume uses scripture to confront it's reader, when the book is intended to be read by those who do not believe in God, much less the authority of the Bible. This book is VERY different. Dr. Geisler has been a prolific writer for decades and he does not dissapoint. With the added wit and humorous sarcasm of Frank Turek this book builds a step by step, block by block, foundation for a christian worldview. It causes the reader to evaluate every element of a godless worldview. It DOES not beat one over the head with scripture. IT slowly and systematically builds a case for a theistic worldview, then a christian worldview. Landing finally at the issue that has captivated the known world for the past 2,000 years. Was JEsus who He said HE was....and did He really rise from the dead.. I HIGHLY reccommend this book to the skeptic and believer alike. It will enlighten the skeptic as to why people hold so tightly to a seemingly foolish worldview. For the believer it equps one to logically discuss the issues that divide us with skeptics. We owe it to those who differ in worldview to be able to soundly, logically discuss our reasons for belief!! BUY THIS!!

Excellent Summary of the Evidence for Christianity

Norman Geisler and Frank Turek have managed to pack an incredible amount of evidence for the Christian faith into this highly accessible 448-page book. They have succeeded in crafting a persuasive and powerful case, first, for the existence of God, and, second, for the deity of Jesus Christ. Along the way, they deal with truth, logic, miracles, morality, Intelligent Design, biblical interpretation, and even the age-old question, "If God, why evil?"As I said in my endorsement of the book, this is a clear, complete, and compelling resource that I wish had been available when I was an atheist. It sure would have made my spiritual investigation a lot easier!If you're looking for razor-sharp thinking and a one-stop overview of the historical and scientific data that undergird Christianity, then you'll find this book to be an invaluable investment. -- Lee Strobel

The Truth Is Marching On!

"I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist" convincingly shows why atheism and other non-Christian views require a lot more faith than Christianity. Geisler and Turek build their case from the question of truth all the way to truth of the Bible. Along the way, in a readable and often entertaining way, they debunk relativism, agnosticism, atheism, Darwinism and New Testament liberalism. Their explanations of how the big bang, the design found in both the Universe and living organisms (like humans!), and morality point to God are worth the price of the book. I especially like the clarity they bring to the creation-evolution debate. Their point about how science is built on philosophy helps clear away much of the dust kicked into that often raucous debate. "It's not about the Bible vs. science or religion vs. science" they write, "but about good science vs. bad science." Geisler and Turek show that it's actually the Darwinists who are practicing the bad science. Darwinists rule out intelligent causes before they even look at the evidence. In doing so, they ignore observation-- the very foundation of science-- much as the opponents of Galileo once did. That's bad science built on bad philosophy. I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist has four great chapters that systematically show why the New Testament documents are telling the truth. The authors show why we can be assured that the documents were written within a few decades of the evens which they report and contain historically-confirmed eyewitness details. They also cite non-Christian writers, archaeology, and list over 30 characters found in the New Testament that have been confirmed by secular sources. But they are at their best when they point out how the New Testament story is an unlikely invention. After listing a series of embarrassing gaffes of the apostles, Geisler and Turek ask the reader, "If you were a New Testament writer, would you include these embarrassing details if you were making up a story? Would you write that one of your primary leaders was called 'Satan' by Jesus, denied the Lord three times, hid during the crucifixion, and was later corrected on a theological issue? Would you depict yourselves as uncaring, bumbling cowards, and the women-whose testimony was not even admissible in court-as the brave ones who stood by Jesus and later discovered the empty tomb? Would you admit that some of you (the eleven remaining disciples) doubted the very Son of God after he had proven himself raised to all of you?" Geisler and Turek don't have enough faith to believe it's a made-up story. Neither do I. This is an engaging and affirming book with a vast scope. I highly recommend it!

Atheist almost swayed by this book

Having read quite a few Christian apologetics books, I feel I can say that this one is by far the best in scope, logic, and wit. The authors convincingly build up their case in layers, starting with well-reasoned arguments why God exists, and building in stages as to why Jesus is the way to go, once everything else is accepted. The authors include run-ins they've had with professors and debate opponents, making for an interesting read. The appendixes, which feature a mock dialogue between a Christian and an atheist, are entertaining. The book covers all the important issues that this topic entails, from cosmology, life origins, evolution, morality, and a defense of the Bible. No honest atheist can read this book without being impressed by the quality of the theistic arguments as presented by the authors. The objections of skeptics are confronted with confidence. Did it change my mind? It may have planted a seed. I highly recommend this book to both atheists and Christians, and to anyone else interested in this topic. It is VERY convincing. These guys know their stuff.