Those who attempt to defend the truth of Christianity understand how difficult of a task it can be in our modern world. We live in the midst of many people with whom there is significant disagreement about the most fundamental matters of existence, and we often feel entirely overwhelmed and under-equipped to promote the truths of God in Christ around us.

Thankfully we have Beyond Opinion: Living the Faith We Defend, by Ravi Zacharias. The subtitle might be a little misleading. While it is true that some parts of the book focus on the praxis of Christianity, the book is really an apologetic field manual for the early twenty-first century.

Zacharias writes a few sections and is the general editor; the book includes discussions from a range of individuals with expertise in various aspects of apologetics. The only name that stood out to me was Alister McGrath, but the insight of the others was beneficial.

The book is broken up into sections. The first section is "Giving an Answer." The first part of that section focuses on various challenges-- from postmodernism, from atheism, from the collegiate environment, from Islam, from "eastern" religions, and from science. While all were quite beneficial, I would suggest the "Challenges from Science" chapter as required reading for everyone. In 30 pages the author there does better at handling questions regarding faith and science than can be found in many books of much more significant size.

Part of the value of this book is the second part of the first section-- a discussion of the various mindsets, worldviews, and unanswered questions that often exist behind the surface. Discussions include conversational apologetics, broader cultural challenges, the age-old question of evil and suffering, and challenges arising from cultural differences.

The second section begins to move toward the idea of "living the faith" by turning apologetics inward. Discussions focus on the concept of the Trinity as critical for spiritual transformation, the growth processes inherent in suffering and persecution, and the pitfalls of idolatry, denial, and self-deception in life. The book concludes with the third section by Zacharias on the advancement of intellectually-based apologetics among Christians and a conclusion about the need for apologetics today.

Beyond Opinion fills a needed void-- it is a robust intellectual defense of Christianity that exposes the deficiencies of other worldviews. It is not content to skim the surface of difficulties but probes deeply into not just the unbeliever but also the believer and the challenges faced by both and all. It can provide benefit for everyone who knows that they should have some kind of answer for what they believe and who seek some way to communicate the Gospel of Christ in the twenty-first century. Unbelievers and adherents of other religions will find themselves quite challenged by what is presented here. Beyond Opinion is strongly recommended for believers for consideration and growth!

*-- book received as part of an early review program ( )

Beyond Opinion collects the wisdom of Ravi Zacharias and his entire international team at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries on a host of apologetic issues: from the challenges posed by other religions to the staples of postmodernism, atheism, science, and theodicy. An excellent book for anyone who loves apologetics or for that section in your home or church library. Notable is the chapter on apologetics and youth ministry by Alison Thomas and the chapter on the Trinity by L. T. Jeyachandran. ( )

See also at Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/66sx7l

See also at Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/66sx7l

See also at Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/66sx7l