Donald J. JohnsonKirja-arvosteluja

Full review here: The Steadfast Reader - How to Talk to a Skeptic.
Agh. Why did I even read this book? ARC's, that's why.

I am 'the Skeptic'. So, I'm not sure if that makes me the target audience or not (probably not). I was hoping to peek behind the curtain and find some new and lucid argument for proof of the existence of god, but alas. No. Johnson trots out the same tired apologetics. In fact, quotes so extensively from other apologists that really this book has the feel of a hastily thrown together term paper where the student is desperately trying to get his word count in by using long quotations. (Lest you think that I'm persecuting Christians, see my review on Papal Bull. I'm persecuting bad writing.)

But if you're an evangelical looking to talk to a skeptic (of who's belief system is caused almost primarily by sexual immorality, according to Johnson) I'm going to tell you right now, as a skeptic, that this is a terrible approach to take. Johnson takes the point of view from a over-privileged white American and dismisses all other cultures, lifestyles, and scientific advances of the past well... forever. All under the breezy brush of cherry-picked Bible verses while claiming culture and context that is anything but.

Also, step one is not to establish a Christian worldview. Step one must be to establish that there is actually a god, Christian or otherwise -- without that any other argument is invalid.

One piece of advice Johnson offers is sound, however, aspire to be Christ-like. Live your life with charity, humility, and forgiveness and you'll do so much more for society than you ever could using this book or other apologetics to 'spread the gospel.'

This review is based on an advance review copy supplied through NetGalley by the publisher.