Help Me Believe : Direct Answers to Real Questions
Knechtle ("Give Me an Answer") works as a Christian apologist and evangelist, visiting college campuses across North America. This book attempts no systematic explanation or defense of Christian belief, but provides Knechtle's response to 39 basic questions raised by his audiences. The resulting evangelical FAQ gives a sense that times are changing for Christian apologetics. Knechtle is not silent on classic topics such as the problem of evil, or who Jesus is, but his emphasis has shifted from rational "evidences" to the questions being asked by an increasingly postmodern generation of undergraduates: questions about values and relativism, relationships, guilt, forgiveness and hope. Even his treatment of divine existence takes on a strongly relational cast. As the book's title indicates, Knechtle generally assumes as a starting point that his readers have some positive interest in Christian faith. What he does not assume is an even rudimentary knowledge of Christian doctrine. Much of the book is devoted to basic explanations of Christianity and illustrative stories, often with a strong emotional appeal. These sections read more like an evangelistic talk than an apologetic treatise. The book will be most satisfying for those with a genuine interest in Christianity and relatively little previous knowledge of the Bible. For inquirers who are more familiar with Christian teaching, or are asking more complex questions, this undoubtedly sincere book may come up short.Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.