Skeptics Answered

Rating:
Summary: A good, basic faith-builder
Review: I agree with the reader immediately below this review, in that Kennedy has a tendency towards being condescending. However, he is a friendly, easy-to-read writer who is both capable and humorous. This book is not the cream of the intellectual crop (although Kennedy probably is), but it is a fair introduction into apologetics.

I recommend it.

Peace,

Christinaphylus

Rating:
Summary: Uninformed Apologetics
Review: I read this book as part of a college bible study; as a Christian, I am somewhat dismayed that this sort of work is often the only association many people have with Christianity! This book is intended to convince people of the truth of the faith and the validity of the Bible; if you have any background in science, history, or religion, it will probably do neither.

As a paleontology student, I can honestly say that Kennedy's approach to evolution is incomplete at best. When the scientific evidence is overwhelmingly against a fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible, he resorts to a "straw man" tactic. For instance, the theory of natural selection says *nothing* about the ultimate origin of life, yet he continually states that it does.

Regardless of one's opinion on Christianity, some glaring problems are present in the text. For instance, Kennedy attributes the panspermia origins hypothesis to Francis Crick--the idea was actually originated in the work of a number of earlier scientists (although Crick did refine the hypothesis to "directed panspermia"). Additionally, Kennedy relies almost exclusively on secondary literature (typically other Christian apologetics books, which also frequently rely on the secondary literature, ad infinitum!). I wonder how many of Darwin's (and others') quotes were taken of context.

Another major problem is the total omission of recent work--most of the scientists, historians, and religious scholars quoted within the book have been dead at least 50 years.

Finally, I take major issue with the condescending tone of most of the book. Kennedy's continued references to "disarming," "defeating," and letting your "opponent" "hit the sand on his back," left a bad taste in my mouth. Religious disagreements are no reason for humiliation of another human being (and I would argue this method goes against the message of the Gospel!).

If you are looking for undebatable, factual information on Christianity, I cannot recommend this book. Most of the arguments contained within it are incomplete at best, and dead wrong at the very worst; attempting to use them in debate with an educated non-Christian would invariably be futile. Needless to say, I enjoyed reading it--I was kept very busy in tracking down errors and finding alternative interpretations!

Rating:
Summary: Agnostic Reader
Review: Okay, I spoke with a good chaplain for nearly 3 hours and he sent me this book. I am now looking for another to buy for a friend. It really is a useful book. It hasn't converted me to the faith (I am still a skeptic), but it has (fortunately or unfortunately?) brought to me irrefutable proof of the Bible's viability, of Jesus Christ's existance, and better understanding of the Christian view of God.
I may not have been converted, but it has definately strengthened any arguments I might have with Christians. It has also made it nearly impossible to argue this faith because, as the book will show the open-minded, there is paradoxic proof of God's existance. It is a difficult concept, but true.
Unfortunately, the author does have a few logic gaps and is somewhat condenscending. His manner of presentation, however, is excellent and the proof he details is irrefutable.
Just to remind the reader of this reveiw, I am still not a believer in God, but that is only due to my rebellion to the idea that he exists, not because there is no proof to his existance. Skeptic or Christian, I encourage you to read this book.