As a pastor, it gives me great joy to share with people the hope of the gospel. As a young adult, I realize my generation and culture is skeptical and even hostile to Christianity. To their honest questions and to their objections, how am I to respond? I want them to know this hope but what do I do with their opposition? Sadly, too often in the church we have not taken seriously the questions posed. However, if we believe the Christian faith to be true, we must be willing to defend the faith. There are answers to skeptic’s questions and there are responses to their objections. Our faith is not based on mere experience but is affirmed by compelling evidence. As Christians, we should see it as our calling to know our faith and defend our faith with evidential faith. But where do we begin? The answer is J. Warner Wallace’s Forensic Faith: A Homicide Detective Makes the Case for a More Reasonable, Evidential Christian Faith.
In Forensic Faith, cold-case detective J. Warner Wallace puts forth his final work in a trilogy teaching Christians and non-Christians alike of the evidence for God’s existence and the Christian faith in particular. Yet, this third volume does not merely teach. Rather, Detective Wallace takes us behind the scenes and trains Christians to live out their calling as Christian case makers. In order to “embrace and model a forensic faith” (Wallace 59) Christians need to follow the example of Christ and throughout church history (chapter 1), to be trained in serving others and protecting the faith (chapter 2), to put into practice skills to be a Christian case maker (chapter 3), and to carry out the principles to share what Christians believe and why they believe it (chapter 4). These necessities are just the start. It is also helpful to be assisted with answers to common challenges (“Rebuttal Notes”) and to be given recommended resources to help equip you further (“Evidence Locker”).
Mr. Wallace goes beyond teaching; he trains and equips the Christian to be a case maker for the faith. He shows the Christian faith is not accidental belief but evidential belief. Throughout the book, Wallace lists profiles of people who have exhibited forensic faith as well as giving definitions, challenges, and assignments. These elements, in addition to the chapters overall, will show the Christian the importance of forensic faith and how they can be a Christian case maker. What the author puts forth is a case-making approach for evangelism.
If you are a believer who desires to see people know the hope of Christ, then getting equipped in Forensic Faith by J. Warner Wallace is for you. If you are a curious skeptic to the Christian faith, allow J. Warner Wallace to walk you through the steps revealing the Christian faith as an evidential faith. Simply put, this book serves both the Christian believer and the skeptic. In a day and age where young people are asking questions and considering leaving the faith, this resource by J. Warner Wallace prepares us to take on the challenge.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from David C Cook via Litfuse Publicity Group for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and are my honest review of the book.
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