The End of Reason: A Response to the New Atheists

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The End of Reason: A Response to the New Atheists

by Ravi Zacharias

3.83 · rating details · 218 ratings · 52 reviews

When you pray, are you talking to a God who exists? Or is God nothing more than your 'imaginary friend, ' like a playmate contrived by a lonely and imaginative child?When author Sam Harris attacked Christianity in Letter to a Christian Nation, reviewers called the book 'marvelous' and a generation of readers---hundreds of thousands of them---were drawn to his message. Deep...more

Hardcover, 143 pages

Published May 1st 2008 by Zondervan Publishing Company

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Aug 02, 2011

Jeremiah Mattocks rated it

I saw glowing reviews of this book. It was recommended to me for Ravi Zacharias's "intelligent response" to Sam Harris's Letter to a Christian Nation.

First, I am biased. Everyone is. A big part of why I didn't like the book is probably because I'm an atheist, and I've heard arguments like Zacharias's for a long time. Also, it began with an introduction by Lee Strobel, whose Case for Faith already made me groan and shudder in revulsion. Not because I disagree with his conclu...moreI saw glowing reviews of this book. It was recommended to me for Ravi Zacharias's "intelligent response" to Sam Harris's Letter to a Christian Nation.

First, I am biased. Everyone is. A big part of why I didn't like the book is probably because I'm an atheist, and I've heard arguments like Zacharias's for a long time. Also, it began with an introduction by Lee Strobel, whose Case for Faith already made me groan and shudder in revulsion. Not because I disagree with his conclusions (which I do), but because they are just bad arguments made worse by poor execution. I'm willing to debate every one of them, but not here. So on to the very biased book review!

The highlight was Zacharias quoting King Crimson near the end. Nearly everything else was riddled with logical fallacies that could be spotted by anyone who stayed awake through Philosophy 101. Ad hominems, non sequiturs, straw men, appeals to authority, and sweeping generalizations in every chapter. But the most common problem (except maybe the out of context quotations), and my biggest pet peeve during atheist/christian debates in general, was Zacharias's combination of equivocation and scare tactic.

Basically, "Christianity must be true because if it weren't true, THE WORLD WOULD REALLY SUCK!" We had all better believe Zacharias's arguments, or else these terrible atheists would swoop in and plunder all the meaning from life.

Well, I have good news for you. Not worshiping a god does not logically necessitate a lack of meaning in one's life, nor does it mean that all morality must be abandoned. The notion that the only way for objective morality and meaningful existence to survive is to be championed by a patron deity is a rather short-sighed view which ignores a great deal of philosophical discourse.

Zacharias is simply wrong about what a great many atheists actually believe. "Oh," I say, "I didn't know I had to be a nihilist in order to call myself an atheist. I wasn't aware non-theistic philosophy hasn't progressed at all since the foundation of Existentialism. Well that sucks."

And then there's Zacharias's appallingly ignorant misrepresentation of other religions. I suggest anyone actually read about Buddhist philosophy before they accept his summary. Similarly, his response to Jainism was (paraphrasing) if you believe animals are like humans except lower on some spectrum of consciousness, you have to be a vegetarian. He then sasses Harris about passing on steak. I would love to point out to readers that Harris IS a vegetarian (as am I), so I'm sure that the idea has occurred to him. Thanks, though. Regardless, this is a great example of begging the question. Zacharias's stated objection to Jainist morality is their denial of meat, implying that this is a moral flaw (which already assumes Jainist morality is wrong), therefore Jainist morality is wrong.

I could go on. Really, you could write a book in response to the logical problems on each page of the End of Reason. But this is not necessary. These books have already been written, and Zacharias seems to have ignored them for this one. Even with all of the faulty logic, it's the plain ignorance of the beliefs of others that really grates me. Or worse, if it ISN'T ignorance, then Zacharias has chosen to misrepresent them (in other words, deceiving readers) on purpose. And that's no way to make an argument. In fact, it's called a "straw man" argument. (Again, please see Philosophy 101.)

Perhaps there are exciting new frontiers of Christian apologetics. Perhaps I will soon come across the argument that will convince me to put my trust and faith in YHWH. But I'm reasonably certain I won't find it from books of this sort. Thank you for trying, Zacharias, but please get a new editor.(less)

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Jul 23, 2011

Jimmy added it

This work is a response to the atheist Sam Harris, playing on Harris' title "The End of Faith." The author, Ravi Zacharias, is a capable writer and expresses clear and calm thinking throughout the book. Those who are familiar with Zacharias' other work will expect to find the author's tact, logical deconstruction and personal winsomeness, and certainly such readers will not be disappointed here. Those who spend some time following the New Atheist crowd will immediately notice the di...more

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Mar 22, 2011

Jeannie rated it

Recommends it for: People who are struggling with Richard Dawkins or Sam Harris

Shelves: apologetics, christian, male-authors, non-fiction, own

Rating: 3.5 stars--I liked it. It is not what I was hoping for, though.

This book was fairly good. If you are like me and haven't read Sam Harris's Letter to a Christian Nation, you might not find this book overly helpful. Zacharias addresses this inflammatory letter both directly and somewhat indirectly. Certain areas, such as the discussion on morality, are well written and are easy to follow if you haven't read Letter. Other areas deal with specific pages in Letter, and, while...more

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Jan 02, 2012

Rubberducky rated it

Zacharias' response to Harris is entertaining, although a less emotional response would have been preferred.

I agree with Ravi when he describes Atheists like Hitchens and Darwin as bullies. Their books are full of emotive language and ethical dilemmas that would make anyone cringe. Hitchen's harsh treatment of Mother Teresa is a perfect example of militant atheism taken too far.

The portion concerning Pascal's Wager was enlightening. Ravi's appeal to an existential elem...more

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Mar 17, 2010

Barbara Lemaster rated it

This book is a response to Sam Harris' book "Letter to a Christian Nation" which I attempted to read some time ago. I had to put the book down because I was laughing so hard. While this book is fairly slight in its tone, it does a decent job of rebutting Harris. Harris' problem is that he treated the scriptures he used in "Letter" as fundamentalists do--every word is to be taken literally. Most Christians, and those with high school level reading comprehension skills can tell...more

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Jul 28, 2009

Mark rated it

A response to Sam Harris' "Letter to a Christian Nation" - while there's flashes of brilliance here, I think pulling apart Harris' argumentation is a bit like shooting fish in a barrel. Harris is so angry & bitter that his arguments lunge wildly and often without thinking through the implications of the point he is making... Ravi Zacharias points those things out in the book.

My reaction to the book as a whole is two-fold:

1. I don't think it is a terribly good ap...more

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Feb 03, 2011

Vince Hinojosa rated it

Shelves: religion

Dr Ravi Zacharias offers a rather impressive case for the existence of a Creator of the universe. To make things even better, his forward is drafted and crafted by Lee Strobel, one of America's leading Judeo-Christian apologists.

I do not mind it a whole much that the book is written in letter-form; for in fact it is a letter-response to "A Letter to a Christian Nation." The only thing I would have altered about this book, nonetheless, is taking it from "letter-form"...more

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Feb 10, 2009

James rated it

Enjoyable- certainly puts one in a better state of mind than reading "Letter to a Christian Nation." Zacharias makes a strong counter-argument to Sam Harris' best selling book while reminding his readers about the real dangers of adhering to atheism. Zacharias' writing and tone is clear, humble, and compassionate- a stark contrast in tone to the new atheists that are overbearingly arrogant and self righteous. Furthermore, lately I have been appreciating how many Christians, theologians...more

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Nov 30, 2008

Skylar Burris rated it

Shelves: christianity

A succinct, easy read, at times interesting, and with some good points. On the whole, however, it is not a seriously detailed argument against the arguments advanced by the new atheists, and it not a particularly convincing apologetic. At times Zacharias seems to me to misunderstand the points Dawkins or Hitchens are making. It includes some touching exemplums and some great quotes, which made it worthwhile reading for me, but as an engagement of the ongoing debate between believers and atheists...more

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Oct 26, 2010

Dan Glover rated it

Shelves: atheism-apologetics

Peter Leithart's "Solomon Among the Postmoderns" is both timely and important. Timely since postmodernism is the "ism" we find our selves in and scholars and cultural figures of every stripe frequently make sweeping statements about it and about us in light of it. As such, anyone who desires to engage intelligently in the conversations of our times needs to know what postmodernism is and what it isn't, where it came from and where it is likely heading, and most of all, how it...morePeter Leithart's "Solomon Among the Postmoderns" is both timely and important. Timely since postmodernism is the "ism" we find our selves in and scholars and cultural figures of every stripe frequently make sweeping statements about it and about us in light of it. As such, anyone who desires to engage intelligently in the conversations of our times needs to know what postmodernism is and what it isn't, where it came from and where it is likely heading, and most of all, how it affects our thoughts and lives whether or not we realize it. And this book is important. Most attempts to distill postmodernism (whether from a Christian or secular perspective) by authors writing for the average person either sing the unqualified praises of postmodernism and its apostles or they reject and demonize all things postmodern as the cause of all the evils of our time. Leithart's approach is refreshingly balanced and fair and thankfully devoid of rant and over inflated rhetoric.

The book opens with an alternate interpretation of the central thought of Ecclesiastes, believing that we have got it wrong all this time. Rather than the famous, "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity", the author believes Solomon actually to say "Vapour of vapours, all is vapour". I am always skeptical when an author makes such claims but in this case, Leithart's interpretation of Solomon's observations of this life fit far better and more consistently with the wise man's own conclusion of the matter. If all is truly vanity, Solomon's conclusions to simply live and work at one's vocation and embrace the simple things in life with joy, peace and gratitude are at best an empty piety and at worst a cruel joke. But if all is vapour and beyond our control, it makes perfect sense to not worry about and try to control what is by nature beyond our control. Such a desire to control is ultimately an attempt to "shepherd wind". Solomon concludes that just because we can't shepherd the wind which is life doesn't mean it is out of control. We can pursue our work on earth with joy and thankfulness of heart because we know the One who does shepherd the wind.

Leithart sets out to examine what the postmodern thinkers are telling us about ourselves, about reality, about experience, all within the context of what Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes about ourselves, the world and our interactions within it. Leithart quotes and refers frequently to myriad scholars and philosophers evidencing both a broad and deep engagement with first and secondary sources and yet the prose of the book never gets bogged down by technical language nor do Leithart's distillations ever get shrouded in the mists that so often render other writers on this subject open to innumerable misinterpretations (which perhaps provide an unintended defense of the caricature theories on the postmodern understanding of knowledge, communication and interpretation). There are illustrations from everyday life and culture which serve to emphasize the author's observations and conclusions and keep this work accessible to a broad audience.

The author is the first to admit that this is not a comprehensive look at where postmodernism comes from, what it means today or where it is leading. Leithart needs to start somewhere however, and with this book, he starts with the Renaissance. He traces, albeit in summary fashion, the development of postmodernism from the Renaissance to today, and shows how postmodernism is both a reaction against the all consuming experiment and ideals of modernism with its attempts to separate, classify, compartmentalize and control everything as well as an intensification of those desires and attempts but from subtly different angles and, at least to some degree, from different motivations.

The greatest strength of this book is its evenhandedness. Leithart is not a bitter modernist wishing to turn back the clock but neither does he see postmodernism as the answer to all that modernism got wrong. Following the wisdom of Solomon, Leithart guides the reader through many of the genuinely wise observations and interpretations of the postmoderns when they show us that, contra the project of modernism, there is very little we can truly know in fullness and even less we can really control. At the same time Leithart shows that the postmoderns have not really abandoned all they decry of modernism. Solomon holds a running dialogue with the conclusions of postmoderns throughout the book and where postmodernism has made astute observations on the follies of modernism and man's attempts to control all things, we see that true wisdom already knew this. There is nothing new under the sun. Where post is right, it was not the first to be so...there is something pre. And where post is wrong, it stands in a long tradition of humanity's wrong answers.

Leithart believes postmoderns are not to be feared and reviled, the reaction of so many Christians. But neither are they to be embraced uncritically as many others in the church do. In their critiques of modernism, postmoderns are often right, benefiting as they do from retrospect. But they are also wrong on many things, as people who forsake the wisdom of God so often are. Solomon is a reliable guide for the person who wishes to navigate postmodernism because his source of wisdom comes from beyond the temporal and the temporary. Solomon's wisdom comes through one who set out to experience all this life had to offer and found it all vapour. Therefore his wisdom is practical, applicable, earthy, experiential. And yet this wisdom comes from beyond the vapour, from a "time beyond the time that is under the sun". The conclusion of the postmodern matter is for Leithart that one must turn to God's wisdom to understand the vapourous nature of existence and experience since only God is beyond the vapour, only God can shepherd the wind. (less)

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Oct 24, 2008

Angela rated it

Shelves: q1-2008

I've got some friends who are atheists or who know atheists or who have athiests in their families and I want to be prepared to answer any questions or defend my faith against any attacks they might have so hearing Ravi Zacharias defend his faith against one of the harshest of attackers is amazing. In the past, there have been times that people have said things or asked things about God to me, that I have been unable to answer or that I answered with too much force in a way that could have see...more I've got some friends who are atheists or who know atheists or who have athiests in their families and I want to be prepared to answer any questions or defend my faith against any attacks they might have so hearing Ravi Zacharias defend his faith against one of the harshest of attackers is amazing. In the past, there have been times that people have said things or asked things about God to me, that I have been unable to answer or that I answered with too much force in a way that could have seemed offensive. Ravi Zacharias, is able to calmly and intelligently respond to Sam Harris's "LETTER TO A CHRISTIAN NATION." I have to have a dictionary nearby when I'm reading this, though, because his diction is far more developed than my own.
I have never read Sam Harris's LETTER TO A CHRISTIAN NATION, although I do want to sometime, but some snippets have come up in this book that I'm reading now. These two books are debating whether religion should be thrown away or should be sought after. Sam Harris believes that religion is the bane of existence, causing everyone heartache and making the world a darker place, whereas Ravi Zacharias defends Christianity by bringing up examples of how this cannot be true, and by revealing the inconsistencies in Harris's views. THE END OF REASON resembles other books that defend the Christian faith against people who declare it vile. For example, THE EVOLUTION HANDBOOK defends Creationism by walking the viewer through Evolution and disproving the evolutionary "facts."
This book definitely matters in the world. The question of faith and religion and how the world views it is vital to how the world will live. If we look at countries with no religion of any kind, we generally find a dark place where people are frightened and wanting to get out. There are plenty of people who don't believe that it could happen to our country or to our world, but that is the point of this response. Whether someone is for or against religion, taking a closer look can help them understand our lifestyles and our world in a more intimate way. The result of this argument will make a huge difference, one way or the other. If we ban religion, our world will change. If we embrace it, our world will change.(less)

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Jul 27, 2011

Matt Kelly rated it

I thought this was a very poor rebuttal to Sam Harris' book 'End of Faith.' There were some good points, and there were some statements that should make Harris redefine his point of view, but on the whole it was a tired and unoriginal look at atheism from a Christian point of view. I constantly disagreed with what Ravi was saying or thought he took some of Harris' comments completely out of context. I think If I was Harris and read this rebuttal I wouldn't be moved in the slightest.

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Dec 08, 2008

Betsy rated it

A well thought out response to Harris' book, taking responsibility or issue with the accusations and then pointing out the ultimate inconsistencies with Harris' worldview. Ravi, once an atheist himself who took that world view to it's logical conclusion by attempting suicide, pairs logic and faith in a way that makes sense, and actually recognizes our experiences of love, creativity, and hope that are so central to the human story.

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Apr 19, 2010

Stefan rated it

Shelves: christianity, history-and-politics

I have always found Ravi Zacharias to be a gifted writer and brilliant thinker. 'The End of Reason" is no exception. I learned a fair bit from Ravi's insightful argument, which was a response to Sam Harris. The book's short length was somewhat disappointing. The constraints meant that Ravi did not fully articulate his defense of the Judo-Christian worldview (which he presented masterfully in his radio program, "Let My People Think").

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Jul 02, 2011

Frank Peters rated it

The book was engaging and interesting. Everything stated was reasonable and logical. On the other hand the book was filled with rhetoric similar to those he is critiquing. Thus, I am concerned that Zacharias is mostly preaching to the choir (of which I am part). It would be interesting to read properly developed arguments rather than brief summaries. But for such a short book, there was insufficient room.

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Aug 05, 2011

Anna added it

Eloquent, strongly-worded, and passionate, I found myself greatly encouraged by this book. In a world where faith in Christ is mocked and attacked with such hatred by the likes of Christopher Hitchens and Sam Harris, it is refreshing to know that there are those who can and will answer with boldness, reason, and grace. Eye-opening and thought-provoking -- read it and be challenged.

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Mar 08, 2009

Tina rated it

This is my first introduction to Ravi Zacharias and I really enjoyed it. The book is Ravi's answer to Sam Harris' book, The End of Faith. Not having read Harris' book, I found Ravi's rebuttals insightful. The book is a quick read. It's one of those apologetics book that has so many good points that you only hope you can remember them when you're in a conversation years from now.

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Jul 26, 2011

Clint Wells added it

I must have written the phrase, "Are you serious???" in the margins of this book a hundred times. It is filled with innuendo, piety, and absolutely makes no argument for an alternative to Sam Harris' points. There's also a general freight train of misunderstanding of Harris that runs through this book. Is this the best contemporary apologetic the believing world has to offer?

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Dec 13, 2011

Michael Munns rated it

If you take seriously some of Sam Harris' attacks on Christianity, this book answers some of them. But this book raises many questions of its own and, I think, some of the core philosophies espoused only work if beginning with the assumption of a God. It's not very convincing to prove to an Atheist that God exists using an argument reliant upon first assuming that God exists.

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Nov 18, 2011

Ashish Jaituni rated it

What should I say? Ravi is a good writer and expresses his thoughts very well. But there is a problem that all his books more or less have the same content, some changes in the words but more or less they have nothing new to offer except the changes in the 'names' of the books. For this reason reading his books has become a monotonous task.

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Aug 28, 2009

Brad rated it

I think this is a great book for Ravi's on reason. He states in the begining that someone's argument may sound solid until one hears the rebutal. I think he's completely right. Anyone who has read "The End of Faith" should also read "The End of Reason" just to get both sides of the story and can make an educated opinion.

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Oct 12, 2009

Robert rated it

Shelves: apologetics, christian-thinkers

Ravi provides a well-reasoned argument/response to the "New Atheists" (i.e., Dawkins, Hitchens). Christians and atheists alike should read this book, especially because Dawkins' and HItchens' books are so widely read today we each owe it to our specific worldview to read the contrary arguments.

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Jan 21, 2011

Rob rated it

If you're looking for a counterpoint to "The End of Faith" or "Letter to a Christian Nation", this is an acceptable place to start. However, now that I've finished "I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist", I'd recommend that as the starting point for a counter-perspective.

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Feb 21, 2010

Arlie rated it

Shelves: non-fiction

Ravi Zacharias is an amazingly intelligent man. I love the way he is able to take complex ideas and philosophy and make them palatable for the average reader. The book challenged my thinking and yet was very accessible. Zacharias gave me a new point of view of several issues.

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Jan 06, 2010

Elizabeth is currently reading it

This guy has a really big brain. I have to read this little bits at a time to digest everything. Also, his arguments are flawless, which I love, but it also makes me really angry at the atheistic argument side, which is not healthy. :-)

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Aug 07, 2010

Mimi rated it

Ravi Zacharias refutes, convicts and encourages like no other! He wrote this as a response to a book by Sam Harris. The book is signed with prayers for a world of reasonable faith. I sit at your feet, Ravi! Amen and Amen.'

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Jul 01, 2011

Larry rated it

Shelves: bible-theology, bible-apologetics

Written PRIMARILY as a response to THE END OF FAITH and LETTER TO A CHRISTIAN NATION by militant atheist Sam Harris, Zacharias's book addresses the logic, philosophy, and biases that undergird the works of not only Harris, but Christopher Hitchens and other spokesmen of the 'new atheists.' A good read.

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Jun 09, 2008

Jason rated it

Recommends it for: Everyone who has read "The End of Faith," or "Letter to a Christian Nation" by Sam Harris.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Ravi Zacharias writes a magnificent response to Sam Harris' scathing attack on religion, especially Christianity in his two books, "The End of Faith" and "Letter to a Christian Nation." Ravi clearly and definitively reveals the holes in Sam's logic and shows us where following his type of thinking has lead us before and will lead us again. He also does a great job of defending the reasonableness of the Christian faith as well as showing us the...more

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Feb 18, 2010

King rated it

An excellent response to "Letter to a Christian Nation" by Sam Harris, and other views currently being touted by the New Athiests. I highly recommend this book, but I would read the above-mentioned by Mr. Harris first to acquaint yourself with the subject, and since Mr. Zacharias refers back to quotes from Harris's text frequently.

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Dec 28, 2010

Tyler rated it

Another brilliant work by a divinely brilliant man. I love Ravi's usage of faith and logic (not that the two are mutually exclusive or opposites, by any means).

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About Ravi Zacharias

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

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Jesus Among Other Gods: The Absolute Claims of the Christian Message

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