Mapping Apologetics - by Brian K Morley (Paperback)

About the Book

How and why do people believe? This comprehensive guide provides an overview of Christian apologetic approaches and thinkers in a way that even the nonspecialist can understand and practically apply. Even-handed and respectful of each apologist and their contribution, this book provides the reader with a formidable array of defenses for the faith.

Book Synopsis

Everyone believes something. But how and why do people believe? What counts as evidence? How much can be assumed or believed by faith alone? When it comes to religious faith, the questions become at once more difficult and more important. Over the centuries, Christians have offered different approaches to explaining or defending the Christian faith, a discipline known as apologetics. But it has not always been clear how different apologetic methods work, or what each approach has to offer.In this comprehensive survey, Brian Morley provides an overview of Christian apologetic approaches and how they differ. He explores the historical and philosophical underpinnings of key figures and major schools of thought, from the presuppositionalism of Cornelius Van Til to the evidentialism of Gary Habermas. Moving beyond theory, Morley also covers apologetic application, demonstrating how each view works out in practical terms. This guide covers the complexities of apologetics in a way that is accessible to the nonspecialist. Even-handed and respectful of each apologist and their contribution, this book provides the reader with a formidable array of defenses for the faith.

Review Quotes

"Mapping Apologetics provides the most complete and best analysis to date of my overall apologetic approach."

--John Warwick Montgomery, distinguished research professor of philosophy, Concordia University, Wisconsin; director of the International Academy of Apologetics, Evangelism and Human Rights, Strasbourg, France

"If you are interested in Christian apologetics, Mapping Apologetics is definitely a must-have book for your library."

--Mark McGee, The Christian Apologetics Alliance, April 26, 2015

"If you are new to apologetics, Mapping Apologetics will help you understand the many ways Christians are defending the faith around the world today. . . . If you have been involved in apologetics for many years, Mapping Apologetics will help you dive deeper into your particular apologetic methodology. Dr. Morley does a great job pointing to many books and other references that will help you understand how to use your gifts in even greater ways to reach people for Christ and bring glory to God.If you are interested in Christian apologetics, Mapping Apologetics is definitely a must-have book for your library."

--Mark McGee, Faith Self Defense, April 21, 2015

"In his book Mapping Apologetics, Brian Morley aims to give us a remarkably readable survey of the most influential apologetic approaches current and has remarkably achieved that aim. His analysis lays bare the main lines of each representative apologist's thought. Methods are both described and critiqued. But Brian bends over backwards in his attempt to be fair and accurate with each one. His evaluations are both to the point and irenic. The book strives to keep the technical jargon to a minimum and largely succeeds. When technical language is necessary, the terms are carefully explained both in the text and at the end of each chapter. The book will serve well undergraduate and graduate students seeking to understand diverse apologetic approaches extant today."

--Paul R. Thorsell, professor of theological studies, Cedarville University

"In the volume Mapping Apologetics, Brian Morley treats the reader to an overview and examination of several very useful apologetic methods for defending the Christian faith. At several points, what impressed me were the careful nuances that Brian made time and again when he could have settled simply for repeating other commonly stated reports, but which would have been quite inaccurate. His careful avoidance of such common pitfalls helped to produce some of my appreciation for his treatment."

--Gary R. Habermas, distinguished research professor and chair, department of philosophy, Liberty University and Baptist Theological Seminary

"Throughout the book, Morley's tone is fair, professional, and objective. While he does not hesitate to point out the methods' respective weaknesses, neither does he take sides in the debate. This results in a very evenhanded treatment that apologists of all stripes will find helpful. I am delighted to recommend this book to all Christians with a serious interest in and facility with apologetics and philosophy."

--David Gunn, Baptist Bulletin, March/April 2016

About the Author

Brian Morley (PhD, Claremont) is professor of philosophy and apologetics at The Master's College in Santa Clarita, California. He is the author of God in the Shadows: Evil in God's World. He is also the cofounder of Faith and Reason Forum and can be found online at www.FaithandReasonForum.com.