Evangelicals Now
<< October 2002 >>

Is God Past His Sell-By Date?

Bare facts

IS GOD PAST HIS SELL-BY DATE?
By John Blanchard
Evangelical Press. 268 pages. £6.95
ISBN 0 85234 500 3

This is the latest offering from well-known evangelist, apologist and prolific author, John Blanchard.

In the introduction he says that this is the book he was wanting to write before he got carried away and penned Does God believe in atheists? In this briefer tome he helpfully works through some of the old chestnuts of 'the case against God', including science, evolution, genetics and atheism through to the Bible, the accuracy of the gospels and the person of Jesus Christ. The chapter 'Where was God on September 11th?' I assume to be the same as the booklet of that title which deals with the whole area of evil, suffering and natural disasters. But it's not all just bare facts and argument; each chapter ends with a testimony from a variety of Christians who tell of their journey to faith.

I would say this book is aimed at the middle class reader, thinker, agnostic or seeker.

I say 'middle class reader' because 268 pages might not seem a lot for some people, but it does take a bit of work, or at least I found it so.

I say 'thinker' because some of Mr. Blanchard's arguments, although not convoluted, do need some thinking about. An illustration would be that atheists can only think rationally in coming to their conclusion that there is no God because God has designed them with the ability to think rationally, albeit in a flawed manner because of sin. If I've got that wrong, Mr. Blanchard, please let me know.

I say 'agnostic or seeker' because the book is clearly aimed at such with constant questions and a final chapter which leaves the reader in no doubt that they need to do something about it. However, for the Christian who wants some additional weaponry in their apologetics arsenal this book is definitely a must. The best thing to do would be to read it and then give it away. Better still, buy two copies and keep one for reference and give the other one away. The publisher will like me for that bit!

Mike Parsons, Guildford