It’s been a few years since I’ve posted, but I’d like to get back to it. A few weeks (or months) ago, I started reading an amazing and massive book called *Evidence that Demands a Verdict, by Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell. I’m not sure how long I’ve been reading it because it’s so incredibly dense with information, so I’m reading it in small chunks—sometimes only one small section at a time—interspersed with my other reading. Rather than going back and discussing everything from what I’ve already read, I’m going to pick some of the topics I was most interested in to share here. Many of them will relate to common objections to Christianity and questions about the veracity of the Biblical accounts.

In the first chapter, the authors discuss how the Bible has survived through massive attempts to eradicate it through persecution and criticism.

Several Roman emperors attempted to stamp out Christianity by persecuting its adherents and burning Christian writings. Yet the Bible persisted and Christianity continued to expand. In the Soviet Union, in the 20th century, another attempt was made to eradicate Christianity by persecuting and killing Christians and confiscating and destroying Bibles. Yet it is still the most printed and distributed book in the world, especially in nations where reading or possessing it is banned. Why would that be? Obviously, It is important enough to its believers to risk their lives to have a copy.

The Bible is criticized in many ways by those who hate its message. I’ll discuss specific criticisms another time. Despite continued attacks, the Bible and its worldview still influences millions and spreads further year by year.

No other book is so attacked as the Bible, so it is important for those who believe the events recorded in this book, namely followers of Jesus, to be knowledgeable and prepared to explain, defend or answer objections and criticisms.

1 Peter 3.14-17: ‘But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than doing what is wrong.’ (NASB)

*All quotations and citations will come from McDowell’s book unless otherwise stated. I want to engage in good scholarship, but this is a blog, not an essay for college, so I will not be as strict with formatting citations, etc.

McDowell, J., & McDowell, S. (2017). Evidence that Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World. Thomas Nelson, Nashville.