Defender'S Guide For Life'S Toughtest Questions [Paperback]

After having this book for a week, I was beginning to wonder if I was going to have anything to say about it. That's not, as you may think, that there is nothing to say about it; rather, it's because the book was quietly lifted from my possession by my oldest son so that he could read it first. A preacher-in-training, he gives it his hearty approval.

When I sat down to read it, I saw why.

The Defender's Guide for Life's Toughest Questions is based on questions presented to Christians by those who don't know God; more specifically, they are questions raised by atheists. Mr. Comfort has taken their questions and provided biblical answers so that if you are ever confronted by these issues, you will know how to respond.

One criticism that I've read about this book is that the answers aren't in-depth enough. I don't find that to be so. Please remember that Mr. Comfort is answering many different questions on a broad range of subjects in a limited amount of space; I believe that he has succeeded at what he set out to do. At any rate, this book is a starting place. If you need more information than he was able to provide here in the space he had available, you can always do more research.

Christians are called by the Lord to be prepared to give an answer to those who would ask us about our faith, our hope; Ray Comfort has done some of the work for you (at least on some of the questions you will face). Read this book and be prepared. Read it and be blessed.

I was provided with a free copy of this book by New Leaf Publishing for purposes of review; I was not required to give a positive review, simply an honest one.

I remember the first time I ever heard of Ray Comfort-we were given a copy of his audio cd, "Hell's Best Kept Secret". After listening to that several times, I was hooked! We began purchasing some of his other materials, and I really enjoy all of them. His teaching and writing style are clear and easy to understand-even the children can grasp what he is teaching. So, when I was offered a new book by Ray Comfort, entitled "The Defender's Guide To Life's Toughest Questions", I was thrilled! This book is perfect for students in the secular academic system (or even some Christian schools and colleges), or for anyone who just wants to have answers for the questions skeptics throw out all the time. There are 5 topics covered; Humanity: Rights and Suffering; The Bible:Biblical and Theological Issues; Science: Scientific Thought and Evolution; Philosophy: Beliefs and Worldviews, and Religion: God and Atheism. Each topic has many questions that Christians commonly get asked, including Ray's answer to each question. One thing that really caught my attention was how Ray turned the "conversation" towards sin, salvation and eternity. This is something that we often miss out on, and focus on getting the other person to agree with us on a subject-evolution, fossils, no contradictions in the Bible, etc.-but leave out the most important part; where will they spend eternity, and how they can receive forgiveness. It was a good reminder for me, as I am guilty of this all too often.
Another thing I appreciated with this book is that Ray doesn't avoid answering "hard" questions. He gives a clear, Biblical answer, and doesn't apologize for standing on the Word of God as the ultimate Authority. Many people want to be careful not to offend, and while Ray, obviously, is not trying to offend, he doesn't back down from the truth of the Bible.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in being able to defend their faith, and answer the questions that are thrown our way so many times. If we don't have the answers for them, who will?!

I am truly enjoying this book and the "hmmmm..." moments. The Defender's Guide for Life's Toughest Questions should be enough information, but the subtitle of this book, Preparing Today's Believers for the Onslaught of Secular Humanism, by far says more than the title. Ray Comfort answers questions, from non-believers, in an effort to help believers answer the same type of questions they might encounter. To, of course, defend our faith and the Gospel of Christ, ultimately to help non-believers become believers. This book is broken up into:

* Preface - which is pretty enlightening all in itself
* 1. Humanity: Rights and Suffering
* 2. The Bible: Biblical and Theological Issues
* 3. Science: Scientific Thought and Evolution
* 4. Philosophy: Beliefs and Worldviews
* 5. Religion: God and Atheism
* Appendix 1 & 2 and Endnotes

In each section, Ray takes a question someone has asked and refutes it. Most of the answers start with Ray asking a question to show how the original question is really based in a worldview thought process, regardless of how the question is worded or what the question actually is. He uses a normal everyday type activity or situation as an example to draw from, then applies the scriptures to back it up.

Some of Ray's answers are short and others are longer, but they are all on point and easily understandable. And the examples he uses will help to remind you how to answer the question, if it is ever asked of you.

I will be referring to this book for a long time. Thank you Ray for writing it and making it understandable for us laymen.

I received a complimentary copy of the book, from New Leaf Publishing Group, Inc. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.