Out With Doubt – A Look at the Evidence for Christianity, Kyle Butt

Out With Doubt – A Look at the Evidence for Christianity, Kyle Butt

Looking for an excellent book to begin a study of Christian Evidences with teenagers? This is a good place to start. The book deals with various topics relating to Christian Evidences: the existence of God, the inspired word of God, pain & suffering, creation and age of the earth, evolution and theistic evolution, dinosaurs, and facts surrounding the life of Jesus Christ—his existence, the miracles performed and his resurrection. I appreciated Butt’s rebuttal of the compromise with evolution often called “theistic evolution”. Efforts to harmonize the Bible with macroevolution per Darwin and such are not possible. The sooner our teenager realize this the better in order to protect them from an untenable compromise. All of these topics could be expanded to additional books with a greater degree of detail; however, this book is designed for those unfamiliar with these areas so as to encourage a lifelong study of these great themes.

Christian Evidences (or Apologetics) is an exciting field of study. I have been a student of this field of study since my teenage years and have never grown weary of it. I know that young people’s faith and resolve have been strengthened by studies along these lines. Often when I am looking to begin studying on a complex issue, I seek out literature that seeks to make the “complex understandable”. This is what this book does.

In this book, brother Butt dispels the common falsehood that faith is some “leap in the dark”. Tragically many are taught due to a distorted view of faith. I can recall hearing it said that the difference between belief and faith is whether the object is seen or unseen. If you can see it, then it is belief. If you cannot, then it is faith. That is partially true but misses a key component. Some extrapolate the unseen into no proof to back it up. Sadly, that is what many Christians are sometimes left to believe—that there is no evidence for their beliefs. What they fail to realize is the scientific method is only one measure of evidence. Some become so narrow in their definition of evidence that they fail to realize that testimony constitutes evidence. The book points out that faith in the Bible is not a “leap in the dark” (suggesting no proof), but is based on testimony that can be substantiated.

An aspect of the book that I also appreciate is the Afterward. I have several books by Josh McDowell which are excellent reading. One of my criticism of McDowell’s work is his explanation of the plan to be saved as reciting the “sinner’s prayer”. One should be careful to think critically and validate material in books. Even the Bible demands to be tested (1 Thessalonians 5:21). When one compares the “sinner’s prayer” with the Biblical plan, one realizes that the “sinner’s prayer” is nowhere found in the Scriptures, but baptism for the remission of sins is clearly taught in the New Testament. Brother Butt makes an appeal to young people to consider the biblical plan of salvation and obey it.

I became more familiar with this book thanks to our teenage class. The teacher and I were looking for an idea of how to generate interest in the teenage class. When we examined this book, we decided it would be a useful tool to teach a subject that we had not taught as much as we would have liked. . The discussion questions helped stimulate the critical thinking for both the students and the teacher. The church decided that a book would be given to each teenager to keep for his or her own personal libraries for future reference. At the conclusion of the class, I spoke to the teenagers and the teacher about the class to see what the results were. The teenagers I spoke to were eager to keep the book (plus there were none sitting around unused later). The teacher and students thought it would be a good idea to have a follow-up class on the material. The study was viewed as very profitable to the point that we are seeking to maintain in the curriculum so no young person who goes through the teen years attending our classes will miss this vital material. I highly recommend it for the church library since it makes excellent reading for new Christians who may be unfamiliar with the field of Christian Apologetics as well.

A Study Guide to Greater Bible Knowledge, Wayne Jackson

A Study Guide to Greater Bible Knowledge, Wayne Jackson

Some of us have been richly blessed with godly parents who have made it a priority to take us to Bible classes, worship services, gospel meetings, etc. They taught us the Bible at home and made sure we had excellent reading materials to instruct us in the way of the Lord. They lovingly and patiently answered our questions and followed up to make sure we had a sound understanding of God’s word (Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:1-4). If you have been blessed with godly parents, possibly this article will be an occasion to thank your parents (and God) again. (If they are no longer with you, you can still thank God for them.) However, not all of us have had this blessing. Some of us may be new Christians striving to get a grasp of the Bible, ideas on how to study it effectively, and tools that can assist. Learning God’s Word is critical for not only the church but the survival of our nation. In Amos 8:10-12 there is mention of a famine of the word of God in the land, and the problems it created. In the United States, there is such a famine--not in the lack of Bibles but in the lack of reading, respect and serious study of it. But where do we begin trying to remedy the situation for someone who may not have the foundation of instruction we often take for granted? How can we help new Christians begin the life journey of drinking more and more deeply from the living fountain found in God’s Word?

This is where Wayne Jackson’s book A Study Guide to Greater Bible Knowledge can be of assistance. In chapter 8 on “Tools for Bible Study”, brother Jackson opens the chapter with one of my favorite quotes by T. W. Brents:

“If you will show us a man who reads nothing but the Bible,
we will show you one who reads and understands very little of it.”

There are reference materials available that can help others learn more about the Bible. Of course some books are better than others, but one should not ignore many of the great aids available by those who have devoted much of their lives to just one facet of Bible study. In hours we can learn what others have spent years investigating. This book helps provide not only foundation information but also guidance on how to dig deeper.

The book provides an overview of Bible History and an analysis of the books in the Bible. It discusses principles in sound interpretation of the Scriptures and various approaches one can use in study the Scriptures. It includes a chapter on the study of Bible words (etymology), grammar or syntax, and the equally important topic of context. Some do not like to study vocabulary…and it shows. Jesus used the very tense of verbs in the Old Testament to refute the critics of His day. Surely if Jesus focused on the very tense of the verb and criticized the Sadducees for not doing so, our scholarship should be no less precise.

All these subjects and more are covered in this volume in a concise manner and written on a level that new Christians can read and begin their journey to greater Bible knowledge. It would be an excellent guide for the new Christian to read and then come back with follow-up questions. Each chapter includes discussion questions that would be of assistance for a new converts class. Brother Jackson is a first rate scholar who recognizes that scholarship veiled in unnecessary complexity is of little value. In fact, words that do not teach are in direct contradiction to the meaning of “scholarship”. This is not to exempt one from working at their study. Brother Jackson is an excellent researcher who writes to be understood. I have profited from his writings in the Christian Courier and his books for several years. I have always appreciated his commitment to write to be understood by new or average Bible students seeking to advance and grow. In Hebrews 5:12-14, the writer admonishes his audience that their lack of study has inhibited his ability to communicate to them fully. Brother Jackson’s work provides an effective guide to transition from the milk of the Word to its meat. Jesus said “Blessed our those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6, NKJV) Use this book to help yourself and others gain access to the eternal food and drink of God’s Word.