So far, two reviews have come in for Smooth Stones: Bringing Down the Giant Questions of Apologetics, by Joe Coffey, this month’s book from Cruciform Press.
Both reviews affirm our purpose in publishing the book: to give Christians a simple introduction to six key issues pertaining to the plausibility of Christian faith:
- Is there a God?
- Does science disprove God’s existence?
- Is the Bible authentic and true?
- Why is there evil and suffering?
- Aren’t all religions the same?
- Is Jesus for real?
There are two basic ways to discuss your faith with non-Christians. You can testify to what Jesus has done and speak of your own life–how Christ has changed you through the gospel and what being a Christian has meant for you, your family, your church life, etc. That’s the “fruit” side.
The other way is to talk about why Christianity makes sense.
Almost any substantive conversation with unbelievers about Christianity will touch on both topics.
We might talk a lot more with unbelievers about how we have been changed if we felt we could talk more freely, confidently, and intelligently about why our faith makes sense. Smooth Stones offers us a way to do that.
Both reviews point out Joe’s acknowledgement that the most important thing is for us to be able to discuss the “fruit” part—that’s where the core of our faith lies—but the book itself majors on the “makes sense” part to try to shore us up where most of us are especially weak.
And why are we weak? Because we don’t feel equipped to say anything intelligent. Because we fear the emotions that can be brought up in conversations with unbelievers. And because we fear being ridiculed or dismissed.
In offering basic, street-level apologetics for everyday Christians, this book can unmuzzle you to speak freely about your faith with confidence and clarity.
As the book emphasizes, “the Christian faith is built on a tremendous amount of credible evidence. You don’t need to be a scientist, an historian, an archaeologist, or a philosopher to understand why belief in Jesus makes perfect sense.” Or to speak of it to others.
