In addition, each chapter ends with a wonderful two-column flow chart detailing the chapter’s logical syllogism. Two sections are interspersed that allow Craig to relate personal stories, including how he became a Christian as a young adult. The book features creative illustrations throughout as well as short minibiographical sketches of the philosophers mentioned by Craig summarized points are also boxed in the outside margins, making for a very modern layout. He writes, “One Canadian student remarked to me following a debate, ‘I can’t wait to share my faith in Christ!’ People who lack training in apologetics are often afraid to share their faith or speak out for Christ out of fear that someone might ask them a question….Training in apologetics will help to make you a bold and fearless witness for Christ” (p. For those familiar with Craig’s debates, a number of quotes will also be recognized if you could close your eyes, you can almost hear him speaking in his authoritative manner.Ĭraig says he finds great satisfaction in supplying Christians with the ability to understand how strong the Christian position really is. Written in a very readable manner, On Guard is a simpler presentation than his 1984 work Reasonable Faith (third edition in 2008), from which he liberally borrows key concepts. In essence, he believes that reason and faith are friends, not foes, in the pursuit of truth. In his debates, Craig typically uses his personal testimony as one of his five points for God’s existence. But while he utilizes deductive reasoning to get the inquirer to come to the banquet table, Craig emphatically stresses that faith, not mere arguments, is what brings a person into relationship with the God of this universe. This is the power of sound reasoning, which, if one is not careful, can easily turn into rationalism. In addition, forty-seven people in the 8,000-member audience that night became Christians, with none moving into the atheist camp. The atheists and skeptics whom he debates are no slouches-names such a s Gerd Lüdemann, John Dominic Crossan, and Christopher Hitchens are among them-but more often than not, many in the audiences at his debates are left scratching their heads, wondering, “Was this opponent a set-up to make Christianity look good?”įor example, in an early debate held in June 1993 at Willow Creek Community Church, eighty-two percent of the audience that was polled afterward said Craig’s reasoning was more persuasive than what was offered by his atheist opponent. degrees and a reputation for logical thinking, William Lane Craig may very well be the best Christian debater in modern history.

Teachings of the Presidents of the Church.

Mormon Objections to Christian Evangelism.

Doctrine and Covenants / Pearl of Great Price.

On guard defending your faith