Finding Faith in a Skeptical World

I often say I don't have enough faith to be an atheist.  If I were to write the reasons why, it might look something akin to Chet Galaska's book, Finding Faith in a Skeptical World only not as well-written, I'm sure.  He sent me the book, asking for a review, and I agreed with the proviso that I'd only write a review if I actually liked the book.

I'm writing a review.

Finding Faith begins with the account of Galaska's conversion from atheism to Christianity after which he takes us through a light course in Christan apologetics, beginning with the question, "Who is Jesus?"  There is a chapter on prayer, one on forgiveness, redemption and salvation, satan, sin, the Bible, hypocrisy, creation, miracles...He seems to have the major bases covered.  He even tackles historic atrocities committed by the church. 

In short, Finding Faith reads like a Christian apologetics for folks who don't know a lot about Christianity. It sets out to correct negative misconceptions about the faith. And Galaska does a good job of it.  His writing is clear and simple to understand, yet he doesn't talk down to the reader.  He tackles a good number of the world's criticisms about Christians with factual information in a way that the world simply does not have an opportunity to hear very often.  He takes on the most commonly held misconceptions about Christianity and adds a few others of interest as well. 

While Finding Faith deals with many topics pertinent to the Christian faith, I particularly liked the way he addressed the subject of evolution vs. creation. His approach to the subject - a subject that would require a book (or series) of its own to fully explore -  addresses the subject well. He brought up a point I hadn't considered before and chose to highlight in my post, Closed-Minded Christians; that the Christian faith involves a more open mind than atheism.

I found myself, fairly or unfairly, comparing Galaska's book to those in Lee Strobel's The Case for . . . books.  They're both similar in purpose. The most pronounced difference I found is Galaska's simple, gentle way of presenting each topic.  He begins each of the chapters with an engaging story, song lyrics, something with which the reader can identify before he launches us into the chapter's topic.  While Strobel's books are certainly well-written, they seem to be most suited for college-educated adults.  Galaska's book, however, could easily include anyone from a pre-teen on up.  Strobel goes more in-depth on each topic which accounts for the number of books required to take on the various points.  Galaska hits the highlights just enough to give the reader a basic understanding in a single, quick-read publication.

On the subject of Galaska's audience, people who have made up their minds to worship themselves and their functional gods probably won't read beyond the preface.  The beginning of the book is a bit slow and churchy.  I don't know that your typical  unbeliever would get past that long enough to give the book much of a shot. In my opinion, the book would need a much stronger hook to get an atheist into the meatier chapters.  I do know, however, that God is God and He can use anything He chooses to lead someone to saving faith.  I wouldn't be at all surprised if He uses Finding Faith repeatedly to that end or, I should say, that beginning.

Those whose eyes and ears are open will benefit greatly from the book;  seekers, those who do have sincere questions about Christianity, new Christians, young Christians, believers who would like clear ways to defend their faith, mature Christians looking for a tool with which to disciple others. . . I would definitely recommend the book for any of these groups.

Finding Faith is well-researched.  One complaint I tend to have with apologetics written for unbelievers is that the authors frequently include biblical text references in with their content.  To an unbeliever, this referencing can be off-putting since they tend to discount biblical teaching out of hand. Rather than interjecting scriptural and bibliographic references  throughout, Galaska includes pages at the end of the book with the references to support his writing, allowing the reader access to that information without it becoming a possible distraction.  In light of Galaska's target audience, I see the method he chose as quite effective.

Looking back on my own walk, I can easily identify times when Finding Faith would have been a very welcome resource; when I led my housekeeper (with her never-ending questions) to Christ, when defending my faith to various skeptics, when a new believer asked me hard questions which I was ill-prepared to answer at the time,  and now, as my daughter is looking for concise information with which to equip herself to defend her faith to her teenage peers. 

I definitely plan to hang on to my copy of Finding Faith In A Skeptial World and anticpiate it will become quite dog-earred in the near future.  If I ever run into Chet, I'll make sure he signs it for me!

Comments

[Cheryl C. Malandrinos]

Thanks for the excellent review of Chet's book. I'm glad you found it enjoyable. I like how you picked up on some things in your review, that I didn't: "...the Christian faith involves a more open mind than atheism" and Chet placing the Bible references at the end.

Chet just wrapped up a two-month blog tour to promote "Finding Faith". If your readers would like to learn more, they can check out http://virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/ to see some of the other reviews and to read articles from Chet and interviews with this talented author.

Thanks again for the excellent review. I would love to see this posted on Amazon if you have the time.

Cheryl

[Robert]

As a skeptic, I'm curious what argument or chapter in Chet's book you think would be most persuasive to an individual like me. You suggest that Strobel's books are weightier, yet within the skeptical community, they're often dismissed as tendentiously argued.

[SHerri Murphy]

Great review. Sounds like a must read. I have several of those dog-eared highlighted books that I cannot part with.

[Debbie]

This is a book I would definitely pick up and would never have known about had it not been for this blog.
I have many atheist friends. Why and how? who knows? But I do and based on your description this book would be a perfect tool.
Thank you

[Screwed Up Texan]

I have always wondered and disliked the term Christian apologetics. To me it conjurs the image of having to apologize that I am Christian. I dont think that is what it means literally, but I have a hard time using the term.

Sounds like a good book. If I can pick it up at my local Family Christain Bookstore I may.

[katdish]

Carol - If you haven't read it, I would highly recommend "The Reason for God" by Timothy Keller. It is a book for the skeptic and believer alike, tackling some very basic but hard to deal with issues. Amazing, amazing book. I'm a big fan of Dr. Keller, in case you haven't noticed.

[Lois Lane II]

Thanks for the info! My husband just finished Strobel's books and loved them. I think he'll like this one, too!

[sandy toe]

Sounds like an interesting book!
sandy toe