Can Man Live without God [Paperback]

I read all of the reviews for this book, and I am encouraged that it has received so much attention. Although others may not agree with the author's position, at least, it gets people to talk about things that matter. Real issues that we just don't spend enough time dealing with these days like Does God exist? If so, what does that mean for me? For the world. If not, what does that mean for me, and the world? Is there such a thing as absolut truth? If so, how can we know it (or Him from the Christian perspective). I think that Dr. Zacharias makes an effective attempt at answering these questions, and ultimately, offering the Christian world view.

I especially like the fact that he argues at various levels and brings in numerous stories and illustrations to prove his point. Without these elements, it would be a pretty dry read. Some are bothered by the fact that he does not go into great detail about opposing views, but I think they miss the point. Dr. Zacharias is not writing an academic volume which covers every detail and possible outcome of the various world views. Instead he attempts to show that ideas do have consequences, and we must pay attention to what is possible in the world if we try to make it work without God.

I highly encourage anyone who is interested in this topic to read the book. It may not answer all of your questions, but it will get you thinking. Also, it is not very long, but be warned, it is not light reading. Having said that, I am confident that the average college educated person can handle it. The copy I bought included a CD with the oral presentation that Dr. Zacharias gave upon which the book is based. I recommend listening to the CD before reading the book so that you have an understanding of the framework, and general approach that the author plans to take.

I say faith, because faith is a mode of epistemology, an way of understanding the world around us. It is quite different than what we use in the Academy or in the world, but it is a way of knowing nonetheless. It is a way of knowing by the heart, since the heat oftentimes tells you things that you mind doesn't know.

I say logic, in that he works with the fundamental Three Laws of Logic: Identity, Excluded Middle, and Non-Contradiction. This is where most of the logical confusion and chaos erupts. This is the rock-bottom of all logical discourse. Using these three laws, Dr. Zachairas illustrates the absurdities (using this is the technical sense of an incoherency) of life without God. (In fact, this book is a primer on logic, and clear thinking. We are, after all, commanded to worship God not only with our hearts, but our minds.

This is not a math book, but a book of thought written on the freshman college level. As always, ambitious people will always be rewarded. This book bridges the gap between the mind and the heart. Dr. Zacharias is neither cold Spock nor wild McCoy, but he has channeled the synergy of both.

He nails, quite correctly I might add, that Nietzsche is the greatest modern philosopher. More people believe (and prove it conclusively by their actions) that God is dead than believe that God is alive and active in our live. Most people believe that God exists, but picture him a senile Santa Clause, or a vague historical personage as relevant as Amerigo Vespucci or Ferdinand Magellan. The case the Christians make is that God is alive, active, and guiding us nowadays.

Dr. Zacharias asks the lynchpin question: Why do antitheists believe in ethical codes that are not a direct outworking of their philosophy. In other words, how do you get from "E=mc2" to "Love your Neighbor?" I realize many antitheists have ethical codes, but why do these codes, in many instances, ape the religious ethical codes? Not to mention there is no Atonement and resurrection in antitheistic ethics, which atonement is the Central Christian Doctrine.

The only fault I would have with Dr. Zacharias is that he can be circumlocutious at times, but since he confesses that characteristically Eastern fault, we cannot hold it against him!

The appendices are quite helpful. When is the last time you heard that in a review?