McFarland Alex - 10 answers for skeptics

Its not an easy task to answer tough questions briefly and to the point, yet Alex McFarland does it with flair! Seldom will one find so many hard-hitting responses in a single volume. Alex takes seriously the research that indicates that many, if not most, religious doubts, questions and anger directed at God comes not from a lack of answers but from a variety of emotional hurts and other existential issues. I highly recommend this quick read that allows skeptics to survey such a broad range of issues.

Gary R. Habermas

Distinguished Research Professor, Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary

Alex McFarland has written yet another volume that is both engaging and enlightening. After reading this book, you will have a better sense of why skeptics think and feel the way they do. Not only will you be able to see through the smoke screen of their objections and catch a glimpse of whats really troubling them, but youll find yourself becoming more compassionate as you share the truth of the gospel of Christ. This is an enjoyable read.

Michael Licona, Ph.D.

Apologetics Coordinator, North American Mission Board

Alex McFarland is someone for whom I have unbridled respect. He is a prolific author, and one of the leading Christian apologists of our day.

Janet Parshall

Host of In the Marketplace, Moody Radio

Alex McFarlands previous books, tireless speaking schedule and near-constant presence in the media have made him perhaps the leading figure of the rising generation of Christian apologists. Alexs answers in 10 Answers for Skeptics are clear, direct and accessible, but they are not simple and trite. Most of all, this book is filled with compassion. Alex never forgets that the purpose of Christian apologetics is not to win arguments, but to win people.

Warren Cole Smith

Associate Publisher, WORLD Magazine

Why are some of your friends and relatives not Christians? Know your audience! Know your audience! Know your audience! 10 Answers for Skeptics will help you know your audience and show you how to reach them. Great insights from Alex McFarland!

Dr. Frank Turek

Co-author, I Dont Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist

President of CrossExamined.org

2001, 2005 by International Bible Society
2011 Alex McFarland

Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Published by Bethany House Publishers
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Bethany House Publishers edition published 2014

ISBN 978-1-4412-6659-0

Previously published by Regal Books

Ebook edition originally created 2011

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved

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CEVContemporary English Version . Copyright American Bible Society, 1995.

ESVScripture taken from the English Standard Version, Copyright 2001.

The ESV and English Standard Version are trademarks of Good News Publishers.

NASBScripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

NKJVScripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

TNIVScriptures taken from the Holy Bible, Todays New International VersionTNIV.

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to all who truly seek truth;
it is they who will find it.

(by Dinesh J. DSouza)

The publication of 10 Answers for Skeptics has come about through the dedication and involvement of a number of people. I am grateful for every person involved with this special project. Special thanks are due to the great folks at Regal Books, especially Bill Grieg III, Steve Lawson, Kim Bangs and Elaine Montefu, to name just a few.

I want to thank my friend and colleague Tom Neven (whose labyrinthine knowledge of nearly everything landed him an appearance on Jeopardy). Toms assistance in formatting and clarifying this material was invaluable. Also, Dr. Elmer Towns, dean of Liberty University, has deeply impacted my life as a professor, Sunday School teacher, friend and colleague. The basic idea for this book came about in a conversation with Dr. Towns.

Special thanks are also due to the following people who have graciously invested themselves in my work of apologetics: my wonderful public relations/media team at Hamilton Strategies in Pennsylvania; my friend and advisor Mr. Marshall Barnes; Chad Cannon and Gracie Lasater at Outreach, Inc.; Arline Bell and the NRB television network; Larry Patton and all the staff at TCT; and everyone at the American Family Radio Network.

For everything that true friendship includes, I thank God for Jeffrey Foskett, Ric Davis, Chris Gambos, Keith Lowder, Warren C. Smith and especially Larry and Marianne. Thanks are due to the gracious pastors of more than 1,000 American churches who have allowed me to come and speak on the very topic at hand, I thank you. Finally, I thank the Lord Jesus Christ, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Alex McFarland

June 2011

I decided to enter the world of apologetics one afternoon while watching a pastor being completely overwhelmed by Christopher Hitchens in a televised debate. The pastor insisted on using Scripture, but Hitchens had a simple response: He did not accept the authority of the Bible. Hitchens easily carried the debate with his wit and because he appealed to the shared language of the audiencethe language of reason.

Since that afternoon, Ive gone on to debate Christopher Hitchens more than eight times myself. In fact, weve become good friends and have had an ongoing conversation both through our debates and on a more personal level. Our conversations about faith and Christianity rely mainly on rational arguments for the existence of God and the importance of religion. Of course, I could defend these beliefs through biblical proofs, but he would not accept the arguments. Reasoned arguments are the only way I can speak with him about God and Christianity.

What is so striking about New Atheists like Hitchens is their nearly missionary zeal. Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris and, of course, Hitchens have become a type of atheist pastor, preaching to worldwide congregations and marketing bestselling books. Their work has created a wide body of atheist thinking with which we must contend.

As this New Atheism continues to grow, however, we are also seeing more books and data being written and compiled in support of belief in God. The interest in this side of the debate can be seen not only in bestselling theists on the