Beyond Opinion: Living the Faith We Defend | 
 enlarge | Author: Ravi Zacharias
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Category: Book
List Price: $24.99
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Avg. Customer Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 8353
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 384
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.4 x 1.5
ISBN: 0849919681
Dewey Decimal Number: 239
EAN: 9780849919688
ASIN: 0849919681
Publication Date: January 1, 2008
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Condition: New, never read, may have minor wear from being on a retail store shelf.
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Product Description
A definitive master work from the world's leading Christian Apologist. Respected apologist Ravi Zacharias was once sharing his faith with a Hindu when the man asked: "If the Christian faith is truly supernatural, why is it not more evident in the lives of so many Christians I know?" The question hit hard, and this book is an answer. Its purpose is to equip Christians everywhere to simultaneously defend the faith and be transformed by it into people of compassion. In addition to writing several chapters himself, Ravi Zacharias brings together many of today's leading apologists and Christian teachers, including Alister McGrath and John Lennox, to address topics present in the very future of worldwide Christianity-from the process of spiritual transformation to the challenges posed by militant atheism and a resurgent Islam. Destined to become a classic, Beyond Opinion is a touchstone that will affect Christians around the world.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
 A good collection of apologetic readings for the Christian faith that covers a myriad of topics July 14, 2008
Renowned apologist Ravi Zacharias, president of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) and author of THE GRAND WEAVER, offers tools for laypersons to defend their faith in BEYOND OPINION, a collection of essays from various scholars, full-time apologists and staff members of his organization.
Interestingly enough, Zacharias begins his book by offering an "apologetic for apologetics." Christians, he notes, have gotten less interested in defending the faith; "you can't argue anybody into the kingdom" is one rebuttal he says he has heard. But he believes in apologetics and their importance, as well as the hard intellectual work of wrestling with issues and objections surrounding Christianity.
In the book, Zacharias and his contributors attempt to answer these questions: Why doesn't life add up? Why doesn't the pursuit of pleasure add up? Where is it all meant to add up? Big questions, and a lot of ground to cover, but there is plenty here to get you started.
Zacharias divides the book into three components of discipleship: difficult questions posed by skeptics and those from other religions, internalizing the answers (spiritual transformation), and living out answers with compassion for the lost and passion for the gospel.
Given the timeless nature of apologetics, BEYOND OPINION feels contemporary in places, especially in addressing the specific way arguments against Christianity have been framed after 9/11. (This event has changed the way all religion is viewed, some of the authors argue, not just views of Islam). There are plenty of ideas about addressing the concern that the Bible is pro-war and pro-violence. The book also looks at eastern religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, New Age), challenges from science and from youth, the question of evil and suffering, the Trinity, the role of doubt and cross-cultural challenges.
The lineup of contributors are mostly gleaned from RZIM or Oxford University, and include Alister McGrath, a former atheist writing on atheism, and Sam Solomon, an adjunct associate for RZIM who offers a timely look at Islam and its relationship to Christianity. Zacharias takes on one of the more difficult questions in the book, "The Existential Challenges of Evil and Suffering." His response incorporates such ideas about moral order, the need for pain, the importance of the cross, and draws on G.K. Chesterton and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA to make his points.
Reader be warned: This is presented as an approach to apologetics "at a popular level," but it still offers plenty to challenge the reader. Some of the contributors are more academic than others; all require focused reading. The various authors work hard to integrate personal anecdotes and stories into their essays, but academic lingo and formatting creeps in ("in conclusion..."). Still, there are rich rewards for those who mine the book for help.
And, as Zacharias admirably reminds readers, apologetics is not just for experts. "Do not underestimate the role you may play in clearing the obstacles in someone's spiritual journey." He also cautions that sometimes "the more sophisticated we get in our study and understanding of apologetics, the more often we miss the moment and the impact."
Zacharias commendably acknowledges that "not everything is argued. Some realities are felt deeply...." He calls for apologetics to respect "the romance of the ride" (borrowing from ZEN AND THE ART OF MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE) while still remembering the nuts and the bolts of faith that keep it running well. He also notes that "apologetics is not to be a single lane approach." In other words, one size doesn't fit all. Hearing from a variety of voices here fits with that intent.
This is a good resource book for Christians who want to be well-equipped with knowledge about their faith and the faith of others, and to think more deeply about arguments and objections against Christianity. It's also a good reminder to "walk the talk" with compassion and love for those to whom we reach out.
--- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby
 Useless book - Not Inspired by the Holy Spirit May 11, 2008
2 out of 51 found this review helpful
This book is trying to undo the damage done to the precious Faith of the Apostles by the church goers for the past 2000 years. Satan does not operate in a vacuum but is that serpent of old, the evil spirit working in the children of disobedience. Book of Revelation identifies his three allies and they are (1) Beast out the sea - Ruling powers, (2) Beast out of the earth- False ministers and preachers, and (3) World of godless man and woman.
Let me elaborate on the implementation of the Holy Bible by "Church folks" to date.
History of Christianity is written in mankind's blood punctuated by violence. We must why? I ask myself, what Reformation? What Great Awakening? What Enlightenment? What Renaissance? The TV documentaries: "Holocaust" and "Roots" speak volumes about reformation, great awakening, enlightenment, and renaissance.
We are witnessing the bloodiest 20th century known to mankind.I am reminded of:
The crusades carried out in the name of Eshoo Messiah ( Aramaic name of LORD JESUS CHRIST) in middle ages burning Jewish villages on the way and drafting children who were either killed or enslaved,
Catholics and Protestants killing each other,
30 years war,
Crimean war,
Bartholomew day massacre,
World War I and II.
Eshoo had left us with 70 nations today because of wars we now have 193 nations.
Add to all this is the ungodly behavior of the Roman Catholic Priests(2 Peter 2:2) who have been molesting children thus trashing the Gospel of Lord Eshoo Messiah. Add to this the recent resigning of the Presidents of the National Association of Evangelicals (Pastor Ted)who admitted himself that he has been a "liar" and a "deceiver" and has brought Lord Eshoo Messiah's name in disrepute( 2 Peter 2:2, Jude 18,19.) Add to that various TV preachers who are making living from the Gospel. We are called to live by the Gospel.
I am afraid that things have not changed at all. In Rome we have one Pope on seven hills. Protestant movement has produced seven popes on every dunghill(western and eastern churches).
The challenge to the Bible has come from Atheist, youth, Islam, eastern religions, science but we church goers have to take the responsibility for bringing LORD ESHOO MESSIAH's name in disrepute because of our ungodly behavior as foretold by the Holy Spirit through Apostle Peter:
Many will follow their pernicious ways, by reason of whom evil will be spoken of the WAY OF TRUTH (2 Peter 2:2).
Apostle Peter writes:
"We have also a TRUE WORD of prophesy; you do well when you look to it for guidance, as you look to the lamp that shines in a dark place until the dawn of day, when the sun will shine in your hearts."
We should be reading the Holy Bible with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Book of Proverbs says the following about God's word:
Proverbs 8:8-9
"All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing perverse or deceptive in them. They are all plain to him who understands them, and right to those who are willing to find knowledge."
Holy Spirit says through King Solomon:
"If you will turn to my reproof, behold, I will pour out My Spirit upon you; I will make known My words to you(Proverbs 1:23.)"
Instead of reading this book "Beyond Opinion: Living the Faith We Defend by Ravi Zacharias" we should be STUDYING and LIVING the LIVING BIBLE.
As for as writing of this book is concerned Author should have obeyed the words of the Holy Spirit written through King Solomon in Ecclesiastes 12:12:
Furthermore, my son, take heed; of writing many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
I am adding my brief testimony here because LORD ESHOO said if you do not confess me before men, I will alsonot confess you before my Father who is in heaven.
I came from a Hindu background. In 1986 Lord Eshoo Messiah apprehended me and fulfilled also in me what prophet Joel foretold hundreds of years ago that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh(Jews and Gentiles). Lord Our God is One LORD. Lord is Spirit. Just as He promised through prophet Ezekiel, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has given me a new heart,poured His Holy Spirit on me,has put His fear in me, has written His holy Law(Torah)on my heart, and will cause me to walk in His commandments.I have been purified with the blood of God that was shed on my behalf two thousand years ago. And I have been baptized with the Holy Spirit.Eshoo said He who has seen Him has seen the Father. I am complete in Him. In the words of King Solomon, Eshoo has now set me as a seal upon His heart. In the words of prophet Isaiah I am now inscribed on the palm of His hand.
Let me end this review of the Useless book "Beyond Opinion" with the following exhortation from the Psalms 69:6:
Let not them that trust in Thee be ashamed through me, O Lord God of hosts; let not those who seek Thee be dishonored through me, O God of Israel. Amen
Dr. Ram Munjal,
Israel of God (Galatians 6:16)
Beyond A Doubt April 22, 2008
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
I first came across Ravi Zacharias on TV conducting one of his Q&A sessions at a college. BEYOND OPINION follows the flow and substance of one of these sessions but with the kind of elaboration and elucidation that a series of 60-second sound bites does not allow. Really a series of well-thought, well-written, and well-sequenced articles by a number of apologists in addition to Zacharias, BEYOND REASON will inspire, motivate you to learn more, and challenge a lot of things you think you "know." It also makes clear those things you don't know and should. I really enjoyed this book and it makes me want to be a better Christian and to be better prepared to give a defense of the hope that is in me. THANK YOU, Ravi!
Beyond opinion:Living the Faith April 11, 2008
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
Dr. Ravi steps back and his colleagues run the gridiron of fielding tough questions returning with Rock-solid answers. This isn't some peripheral look at volatile issues such as the political pandering to Islam and its looming influence. The authors selected to handle hot topics are not only research-savvy, but have 'field' experience serving extended time with University Students & Faculty, Teen forums, etc. and have had 'hand-to-hand' encounters with (seekers and skeptics) exhibiting enormous amount of compassion for those who genuinely seek to answer burdens which burn within thier souls. This I have witnessed first-hand, with both Joe Boot and Stuart McAllister. If you are searching for a book which speaks from 'experience' and consistently holds to the Integrity of GOD's Word as the indepth reservior for parched and frustrated souls, this is the book to dive into. Leave the Osteen mantra to those interested in popcorn theology, "Beyond opinion" is the nourishment that most other sources only vaguely resemble.
Excellent broad overview April 4, 2008
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
All the essays are quite good but Stuart McAllister's "The Role of Doubt and Persecution in Spiritual Transformation" is alone worth the price of the book.
Overall, the book presents many unique styles for "doing" apologetics, a vast and complicated Christian discipline. Ravi Zacharias, the "godfather" of 21st century apologetics, is the driving force behind the compilation of these essays and the glue holding a rapidly-expanding international movement together. He is quite a deep thinker, as are the rest who have contributed to this book.
Shockingly revealing, too, is the essay by Jeyachandran, "Challenges From Islam."
Some greats minds have written some outstanding essays here. All these essays give the lie to the notion that Christians don't think and that their faith is somehow blind, a false notion being promulgated by vitriolic atheists like Dawkins, Dennett, Harris, Hitchens et al and swallowed whole by a large number of English-speaking readers. This book is well worth any thinker's time and money.
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