Book Review: Not a Chance

If chance exists, God does not. Indeed, He cannot exist as God if there is such a thing as chance. In sum, this is the thesis behind R.C. Sproul’s Not a Chance: God, Science, and the Revolt of Reason. Anything that comes from Sproul’s pen is worth reading (even a grocery list). This is not your typical theology book by R.C.

If he is known as anything, R.C. Sproul is known as a peerless theologian. He even calls himself a theologian. In Not a Chance, Sproul reveals himself to be a philosopher, historian, and theologian who is not a bit uncomfortable entering the domain of theoretical physics, cosmology, and quantum mechanics.  As a master logician, he disarms ideas that have been passed off as scholarly, erudite, and sophisticated.

This book is written for popular consumption, but it will require some thinking to stay on board with the flow of logic.  Keith Mathison’s concluding chapter “Ex Nihilo,

Nihil Fit” is the icing on the cake.

Do not read this book if you do not want to think. Do not read this book if your mind is closed or if you are so enamored with scientific cosmology that you think that matters of faith are contrary to reason. Do read this book if you desire to be more amazed at the power of the sovereign Creator of the universe.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Baker Books as part of their Blogger Review Program. 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.”

Book Review: Urban Apologetics

The gospel is good news for the city. This is the subtitle of Christopher Brooks Urban Apologetics. Much has been written, even from an evangelical perspective, about urban and inner city ministry that tends to default to an emphasis on “social justice,” however defined. In the minds of some people “social justice” is a euphemism for greater supportive services and more federal dollars. This is not to infer that there is no place for funded services. But, important as these may be, this is not the gospel. Brooks departs from this call for governmental intervention and actually takes the gospel seriously.

The author boldly tackles issues that trouble the inner cities. He is taking names. Brooks confronts the issues of sexual immorality, abortion, and ethical behavior, to name a few, from a perspective that is theological, biblical, and emanates from a God-centered worldview. Though he may not make friends with statements like this, he certainly speaks the truth; “There is a growing sentiment in our society that the acceptance of homosexuality is the civil rights movement of our day” (p.76); and; “Far too many Christians have unfortunately made the mistake of exchanging personal evangelism for partisan electoral victories” (p. 79).  

Get this book! It is a quick read, but a valuable one.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Kregel Publications as part of their Blogger Review Program. 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.”