Can Man Live Without God

Can Man Live Without God

4.24 of 5 stars 4.24  ·  rating details  ·  836 ratings  ·  54 reviews
In this brilliant and compelling defense of the Christian faith, Ravi Zacharias shows how affirming the reality of God's existence matters urgently in our everyday lives. According to Zacharias, how you answer the questions of God's existence will impact your relationship with others, your commitment to integrity, your attitude toward morality, and your perception of truth...more
Paperback, 218 pages
Published September 1st 2004 by W Publishing Group (first published November 23rd 1994)
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L.S.
definitely 6 stars! great apologetic in postmodern times! Ravi is probably one of the best christian cultural analysts since Francis Schaeffer.

Fascinatia mirarii - fiecare poveste contine cateva elemente comune:
- principiul care se desprinde din poveste ca invatatura morala
- o conditie specifica si de nemodificat pe care trebuie sa o respecte eroul
- conditia nu e niciodata supusa intrebarii "De ce?"

Cand mirarea dispare:
- viata intreaga va fi supusa unui reductionism
- se va pierde componenta re...more
Catherine Flusche
Note: I rank books differently than Goodreads: 3 stars is "it's okay".

A pen pal sent me this, so of course I had to read it :-).

Before opening it, my conclusion has always been that yes, man needs faith, but not necessarily in the Christian God. After completing it, I'm at the same place. Since I'm a Deist, the existence of a God wasn't an argument he had to win with me. Unfortunately for whatever his point in writing was, it was the only argument that I actually bought.

He starts out completely...more
Stefan
Ravi Zacharias uses his sharp intellectual, wide range of knowledge, and intelligent logic to create a brilliant work which defends the Christian faith. Being a Christian, this book greatly encouraged me spiritually, and displayed the numerous shortfalls of atheism. This book contains a large variety of quotes and sources from Ravi's personal experiences and stories, literature, philosophy, theology, history, and science. Besides being a excellent apologetic book, I gained a increased understand...more
Mark
Ravi starts with the bankruptcy of atheism to provide any answers to life's biggest questions and longings (morality, meaning, purpose, destiny, origin). He moves from there into a argument that all of the above are found uniquely in Jesus, and all other religious systems fail to adequately and compellingly answer those questions. (See also his book, Jesus Among Other Gods.)

"Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried."

This is not a typical Chr...more
Sean
Feb 15, 2010 Sean rated it 4 of 5 stars  ·  review of another edition Recommends it for: Christians, Atheists, fans of Neitzche, philosophy majors
Recommended to Sean by: Scott Tobias
Zacharias' logical approach to the argument for Christianity is brilliant and accessible. His writing is focused on not only people who are seeking to understand Christianity, but it is also written for people who think they have all that is wrong with Christianity nailed down. His argument covers philosophy and Scripture, giving it a grounded perspective. Zacharias does not have everything figured out, by any means, but his explanations of what some many people find illogical are sound and thor...more
anca dc
Pentru mine personal, si fara indoiala pentru cei mai multi dintre contemporanii mei, filosofia lipsei totale de sens a fost in esenta un mijloc de eliberare. Eliberarea pe care ne-o doream era in acelasi timp eliberare de un sistem politic si economic, dar si de un sistem moral. Ne-am impotrivit moralitatii fiindca se amesteca in libertatea noastra sexuala; ne-am impotrivit sistemului politic si economic fiindca era nedrept. Sustinatorii acestor sisteme pretindeau ca detin intr-un fel sau altul...more
Choong Chiat
While I cannot deny that the author has, in this book, provided some interesting insights (a few of which I somewhat agree with), I must still nonetheless conclude that this book is, in my opinion, unsatisfactory. It seems to me that most of the book mainly consists of unsubstantiated, if not sweeping, assertions.



One example of such an unsubstantiated assertion would be the author's claim that all the ills, crimes and evils of modern society can find their source in a non-theistic (or as the aut...more
Joan
I think this is a very important book. Many ideas here I have never seen before, well argued philosophically. The author was asked to write this form his lectures at Harvard and around the world. He argues for the Christian belief contrasting it to other major world faiths, and what is missing therein. Also rebuts major atheist philosophers. A hard read in two places for me, but very worthwhile and a good companion to my reading of Karen Armstrong.
Deb
Mr. Zacharias takes us through several chapters that focus on different issues related to belief vs. non-belief in God. He offeres several well reasoned arguments in favor of belief in God. A good read for those interested in learning more about Christian beliefs or who seek to be able to defend their faith to others. Not an easy read as these are weighty matters so it is best digested in small portions and when your brain is alert.
Robert
Here, Ravi dissects the atheistic world-view, effectively displaying its emptiness and inherent contradictions and offering why the Christian world-view is the only one that makes sense. I would highly recommend this book for atheists/agnostics or those who are seeking. Also, for Christian's who want to know more about why Christianity is a faith that makes sense experientially, empirically and existentially.
Rod
Can man live without God? Definitely not for long. The true God anyway...

I wish I could have read a book like this 30 years ago. Ravi's Christian philosophy is one of the major things that keeps me excited and inspired about Biblical theology. So far this is my favourite of all his books. A world without God would be a horrifying place - Ravi explains how and why.
Wesley
What's great about this book is that shows that contemporary thinking and philosophies have abandoned reason. From start to finish Ravi lays out the compelling evidence that in the absence of god, reason and any kind of morality is baseless.

The book was first written in 2004 and is still required reading for today.
Steven
This is a very good book about life in a post-modern world. Zacharias refutes many of today's most widespread ideas about the meaning of life (or the nihilistic lack thereof). His analysis of the arguments of Nietzche make the book worth the read.

Ann Thomas
Examines all the different facets of atheism and follows their ideas to their logical conclusion, showing how they do not lead to fulfilment but to chaos and confusion. A brilliant and compelling apologetic defence of the Christian faith.
Matt
Whether you are dealing with an atheist or have honest questions about God, this is a great book to read. The author’s goal is to break through the intellectual smoke screens and get to the real question – Does my life have meaning? Or to put it another way – Can man live without God? The book is divided up into three sections: 1) Antitheism, 2) What gives life meaning, and 3) Who is Jesus? In the tradition of C. S. Lewis and Francis Schaeffer, Zacharias has the ability to weave together philoso...more
Wendy
This is an awesome book if you like philosophy. It basically is a defense of Christianity, but presented using the rules of logic. Kind of deep, but very good. I highly recommend it.
Dean Prange


Awesome book..Ravi explains in detail a defense of the Christian faith. He shows how we all desperately need God in our lives everyday!!
K Warheit
I love Ravi's interpretation of Scripture and his explanations on the
various religions. He makes it clear how we can see the Truth in Jesus.
Bob Jackson
Book is true to the title, but I didn't think it very well written or deep. It was a helpful review, but I'll not read it again.
Nonie
Non-fiction philosophy book and although I didn't understand some of the concepts I picked up some worthwhile ideas. It feels good to read a book beyond my ken...now I can read a popular novel with impunity.
John Feaver
A great Christian thinker who can analyze fallacies without mercy and tell a story to bring you to tears.
Paul
The audience for this book is those who do not follow the God of Israel, yet he is arguing for theism and the God of Israel specifically. Really enjoyed this one.
Matt
Great critique of unbelieving philosophy and apologetics that make the heart sing!
Reed
An intellectual tour de force. One of the great minds of our time.
roland s
Buku yang agak rumit dimengerti cocoknya buat akademisi aja...
Mark
Ravi is a brilliant writer and apologist. Excellent book
Tara Miller
Wish every believer could read this book.
London
The Shelf: Accepted.
Emmeline Sferle
A must read for certain!
Gumby27
life-changing.
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Can Man Live Without God (Hardcover)
Can Man Live Without God (Paperback)
Can Man Live Without God (Contemporary Classics)
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Can Man Live Without God

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For over thirty-five years Ravi Zacharias has spoken all over the world in great halls and universities, notably Harvard, Princeton, and Oxford. He is listed as a distinguished lecturer with the Staley Foundation and has appeared on CNN and other international broadcasts. The author of several books for adults and children, he powerfully mixes biblical teaching and Christian apologetics. His most...more
More about Ravi Zacharias...
Jesus Among Other Gods: The Absolute Claims of the Christian Message The Grand Weaver: How God Shapes Us Through the Events of Our Lives Walking from East to West: God in the Shadows The End of Reason: A Response to the New Atheists The Lotus and the Cross: Jesus Talks with Buddha

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“It is easier to hide behind philosophical arguments, heavily footnoted for effect, than it is to admit our hurts, our confusions, our loves, and our passions in the marketplace of life's heartfelt transactions.” 24 people liked it
“I am absolutely convinced that meaninglessness does not come from being weary of pain; meaninglessness comes from being weary of pleasure. And that is why we find ourselves emptied of meaning with our pantries still full.” 16 people liked it
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