Books on apologetics are quickly becoming one of my favorite topics within theology to read on. Being that most of my conversations at coffee shops or with neighbors are apologetic related it was with some degree of interest that I read Mere Apologetics by Dr. McGrath. As I read this book I had numerous people asking me what I thought, and I told them, I enjoyed it. Being that I had never read a book by Dr. McGrath, I didn’t know what to expect and he didn’t disappoint.
Mere Apologetics is not an advanced textbook on apologetics but rather an introductory book on apologetics. Furthermore this book does not attempt to provide a rationale for a particular type of apologetics but merely tries to set forth what the Bible teaches about apologetics and then help its readers to engage in apologetics. In one hundred and eighty six pages with nine chapters, Dr. McGrath covers a lot of space from answering, “What is Apologetics?” to the biblical and theological reasons for apologetics, pointers to engaging in apologetics, and developing your own approach to apologetics.
Engaging in apologetics is important for Christians and vital for the Church. Throughout the history of the Church there have been many great and articulate defenders of Christianity. Many of the great battles in our own day demand a response, as new challenges to the Christian faith have arisen in our day. Dr. McGrath in Mere Apologetics offers pointers by outlining man’s sense of longing for justice, beauty order in the physical world and much more. Through the use of arguments, explanations, stories and images he helps the reader to understand what type of apologetics will work best for your personality and audience.
Apologetics is an important and biblical discipline every Christian should engage in. While few Christians will engage in professional level apologetics, every Christian is to engage in apologetics because every Christian is called to make disciples of the nations, and to contend for the faith once and for all delivered to the saints.
Mere Apologetics is a well-written, easy-to-read introduction to apologetics. While the intermediate to advanced student of apologetics will not learn anything new in this book those who have no idea what apologetics is or why they should engage in apologetics will find this book helpful. I recommend reading Mere Apologetics: How To Help Seekers and Skeptics Find Faith by Dr. McGrath.
In reading this book, I’ve been reminded of the task of apologetics and of the many challenges Christians face in our day. It is not often that I read a book, review it and then pass it on to a friend, but with this book, I am doing just that giving away my review copy to a friend of mine. If you have no idea what apologetics is or why you are to engage in it as a Christian read Mere Apologetics and you’ll gain a good understanding of not only what apologetics is but why practicing this discipline is so important.
Title: Mere Apologetics: How to Help Seekers and Skeptics Find Faith
Author: Alister McGrath
Publisher: Baker Books (2012)
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Baker Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
