What do you think?
Rate this book
The Defender's Guide for Life's Toughest Questions
It's tough to be a believer in today's world- especially if you are a student in an academic system intent on destroying your faith. Bestselling author and television co-host, Ray Comfort, has collected some of the toughest questions people will face in defending their faith and offers sound biblical responses. Each issue is one that has been raised by genuine atheists. Don't be without these powerful facts when you face a world trying to twist and confuse biblical truth. The Defender's Guide for Life's Toughest Questions discusses topics such When an atheist wants an answer, will you have one? Ray Comfort tackles these questions and many more in The Defender's Guide for Life's Toughest Questions. Learn how to approach these types of questions with confidence, biblical truth, and loving kindness!
- GenresChristianNonfiction
176 pages, Paperback
First published December 8, 2010
39 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Ray Comfort
256 books402 followersRay is the Founder and CEO of Living Waters and the best–selling author of more than 80 books, including, Hell's Best Kept Secret, Scientific Facts in the Bible, and The Evidence Bible. He co–hosts (with actor Kirk Cameron) the award–winning television program "The Way of the Master," seen in 200 countries. He is also the Executive Producer on the movies "Audacity," "180," "Evolution vs. God," and others, which have been seen by millions. He and his wife, Sue, live in Bellflower, California, where they have three grown children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 4, 2011
I won this book through goodreads first-reads!
This book is perfect for students in the secular academic system (or even some Christian schools and colleges), or for anyone who just wants to have answers for the questions skeptics throw out all the time. There are 5 topics covered; Humanity: Rights and Suffering; The Bible:Biblical and Theological Issues; Science: Scientific Thought and Evolution; Philosophy: Beliefs and Worldviews, and Religion: God and Atheism. Each topic has many questions that Christians commonly get asked, including Ray's answer to each question. One thing that really caught my attention was how Ray turned the "conversation" towards sin, salvation and eternity. This is something that we often miss out on, and focus on getting the other person to agree with us on a subject-evolution, fossils, no contradictions in the Bible, etc.-but leave out the most important part; where will they spend eternity, and how they can receive forgiveness. It was a good reminder for me, as I am guilty of this all too often.
Another thing I appreciated with this book is that Ray doesn't avoid answering "hard" questions. He gives a clear, Biblical answer, and doesn't apologize for standing on the Word of God as the ultimate Authority. Many people want to be careful not to offend, and while Ray, obviously, is not trying to offend, he doesn't back down from the truth of the Bible.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in being able to defend their faith, and answer the questions that are thrown our way so many times. If we don't have the answers for them, who will?!
This book is perfect for students in the secular academic system (or even some Christian schools and colleges), or for anyone who just wants to have answers for the questions skeptics throw out all the time. There are 5 topics covered; Humanity: Rights and Suffering; The Bible:Biblical and Theological Issues; Science: Scientific Thought and Evolution; Philosophy: Beliefs and Worldviews, and Religion: God and Atheism. Each topic has many questions that Christians commonly get asked, including Ray's answer to each question. One thing that really caught my attention was how Ray turned the "conversation" towards sin, salvation and eternity. This is something that we often miss out on, and focus on getting the other person to agree with us on a subject-evolution, fossils, no contradictions in the Bible, etc.-but leave out the most important part; where will they spend eternity, and how they can receive forgiveness. It was a good reminder for me, as I am guilty of this all too often.
Another thing I appreciated with this book is that Ray doesn't avoid answering "hard" questions. He gives a clear, Biblical answer, and doesn't apologize for standing on the Word of God as the ultimate Authority. Many people want to be careful not to offend, and while Ray, obviously, is not trying to offend, he doesn't back down from the truth of the Bible.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in being able to defend their faith, and answer the questions that are thrown our way so many times. If we don't have the answers for them, who will?!
February 6, 2022
The fundamental problem with this book (and many books defending Christianity) is that they are expecting atheists to make a huge leap. They answer atheists’ questions with the Bible, but atheists do not believe the Bible. It’s akin to a Christian asking for proof that someone can practice sorcery, and the person quotes Harry Potter. One of the questions in this book demonstrates this perfectly, “In what ways do you experience divine wrath and mercy. I’m not asking for a sermon or a collection of Bible verses but rather a testimony of your experience.”
The Bible is very powerful, but belief is key. Atheists not only do not believe that Christ is God, they do not believe there is a God, period. That’s the first hurdle to overcome. Perhaps the best answer in this book was to someone that asked, “How did we get 1.4 million species from 16,000 (Noah’s Ark)?” Comfort’s response, “How did we get 1.4 million species from nothing?” Atheists don’t want to believe. They want to prove to you how ridiculous your beliefs are. Science has become somewhat of a religion in itself. You have to help atheists understand how ridiculous some of their own beliefs are, respectfully.
I’m not saying science is completely wrong, but the big bang theory is just that - a theory. Science has no more proven or disproven the origins of the world and mankind than it has proven or disproven that there is a God. For your unbelieving friends and acquaintances, I highly recommend the book The Physics of God. Just to be clear, this book does not defend Christianity; it merely makes a case that there is a God and backs it up with very compelling scientific evidence. Belief in a higher power is the first step. Debating which religion is the truth can be done with the Bible.
The questions in this book are super specific - real questions he has received. I was expecting more broad and general ones. As another reviewer said, he sometimes scoots around the question and doesn’t answer it at all. For example, “It would be of great benefit to skeptics and seekers alike if you would explain why one must not be skeptical when reading the Bible, yet should be skeptical when it comes to evolution.” He never addresses evolution at all in his response to this particular question.
While I don’t disagree with his answers, I don’t condone his combative nature. At times, he’s downright belligerent. No one should ever speak to someone who disagrees with them in this manner. No matter how hostile the question, one should be kind with one’s answers, especially those who are Christians. We can simply explain the reason we believe what we do without telling the other person they’re an idiot in the process.
I would still recommend this book but only for Christians to address their own doubts or things they’ve questioned in the Bible. And ultimately, the best thing you can do to get answers is just read the Bible yourself. With digital versions, it’s very easy to search for scripture that pertains to a particular topic. In the modern world, it’s easier than ever to find exactly what you’re looking for in the Bible
The Bible is very powerful, but belief is key. Atheists not only do not believe that Christ is God, they do not believe there is a God, period. That’s the first hurdle to overcome. Perhaps the best answer in this book was to someone that asked, “How did we get 1.4 million species from 16,000 (Noah’s Ark)?” Comfort’s response, “How did we get 1.4 million species from nothing?” Atheists don’t want to believe. They want to prove to you how ridiculous your beliefs are. Science has become somewhat of a religion in itself. You have to help atheists understand how ridiculous some of their own beliefs are, respectfully.
I’m not saying science is completely wrong, but the big bang theory is just that - a theory. Science has no more proven or disproven the origins of the world and mankind than it has proven or disproven that there is a God. For your unbelieving friends and acquaintances, I highly recommend the book The Physics of God. Just to be clear, this book does not defend Christianity; it merely makes a case that there is a God and backs it up with very compelling scientific evidence. Belief in a higher power is the first step. Debating which religion is the truth can be done with the Bible.
The questions in this book are super specific - real questions he has received. I was expecting more broad and general ones. As another reviewer said, he sometimes scoots around the question and doesn’t answer it at all. For example, “It would be of great benefit to skeptics and seekers alike if you would explain why one must not be skeptical when reading the Bible, yet should be skeptical when it comes to evolution.” He never addresses evolution at all in his response to this particular question.
While I don’t disagree with his answers, I don’t condone his combative nature. At times, he’s downright belligerent. No one should ever speak to someone who disagrees with them in this manner. No matter how hostile the question, one should be kind with one’s answers, especially those who are Christians. We can simply explain the reason we believe what we do without telling the other person they’re an idiot in the process.
I would still recommend this book but only for Christians to address their own doubts or things they’ve questioned in the Bible. And ultimately, the best thing you can do to get answers is just read the Bible yourself. With digital versions, it’s very easy to search for scripture that pertains to a particular topic. In the modern world, it’s easier than ever to find exactly what you’re looking for in the Bible
June 19, 2011
Divided into five different sections: Humanity, the Bible, Science, Philosophy, and Religion. Ray Comfort answers questions from atheists base on Biblical truths.
This book has been written to help equip Christians who may not have an answer when confronted by those who question their faith.
In this book you will learn the answers to questions/statements such as:
“Evolution proves there is no need for God’s existence.”
“I’ve tried to praying, and it doesn’t work!”
“Do you ever doubt the existence of God? And if so, why?”
“Do you really believe the Holocaust was God’s punishment of the Jews?”
My thoughts- I was very interested to see what Ray Comfort had to say in this book. I have seen him on his show with Kirk Cameron and I was not impressed. I couldn’t wait to read this book to see if my opinion of him could be changed.
Unfortunately, I was unable to enjoy this book. I thought the questions were very good, but I felt that Ray Comfort failed to completely answer many of the questions. Most of the time it seemed as if he completely avoided the question.
Once in chapter three he said he was impressed by Charles Darwin and later in the chapter he said Charles Darwin was a raving man. It was only when I looked back at the two different passages that I discovered that the first time he was being sarcastic. I would think it may be difficult for some people to realize the sarcasm unless they were really studying this book.
I would not recommend this book. If you want to be able to defend Christianity, it would be best to just study the Bible, so you would know exactly what to say. There is also no harm in telling the person that you need to find the answer and you would get back to them.
Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Defender’s Guide for Life’s Toughest Questions by Ray Comfort for free from Master Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
This book has been written to help equip Christians who may not have an answer when confronted by those who question their faith.
In this book you will learn the answers to questions/statements such as:
“Evolution proves there is no need for God’s existence.”
“I’ve tried to praying, and it doesn’t work!”
“Do you ever doubt the existence of God? And if so, why?”
“Do you really believe the Holocaust was God’s punishment of the Jews?”
My thoughts- I was very interested to see what Ray Comfort had to say in this book. I have seen him on his show with Kirk Cameron and I was not impressed. I couldn’t wait to read this book to see if my opinion of him could be changed.
Unfortunately, I was unable to enjoy this book. I thought the questions were very good, but I felt that Ray Comfort failed to completely answer many of the questions. Most of the time it seemed as if he completely avoided the question.
Once in chapter three he said he was impressed by Charles Darwin and later in the chapter he said Charles Darwin was a raving man. It was only when I looked back at the two different passages that I discovered that the first time he was being sarcastic. I would think it may be difficult for some people to realize the sarcasm unless they were really studying this book.
I would not recommend this book. If you want to be able to defend Christianity, it would be best to just study the Bible, so you would know exactly what to say. There is also no harm in telling the person that you need to find the answer and you would get back to them.
Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Defender’s Guide for Life’s Toughest Questions by Ray Comfort for free from Master Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
July 13, 2012
Question and answer format of real conversations a Christian will face in the world.
March 4, 2022
When this book was first published, I was interested in apologetics and there were many good questions posed to Ray. I was turned off by Ray’s sarcasm, defensive attitude and side skirting answers that he gave. It reads as an irritated and sarcastic author who could’ve used this time to answer questions with a humble and loving heart instead of how he went about it. This is NOT how you want to go about apologetics. If this turns off a Christian reader, I can just imagine how an atheist would feel about the answers he gives. A humble attitude with a loving heart will go a long way and will definitely bring more glory to God and to those who are seeking biblical answers then the way it was executed in this book.
December 8, 2018
3.5 stars. I love Ray Comfort and his ministry. However, reading the repetition of his arguments, though always helpful, do not facilitate excitement in reading.
July 28, 2019
A solid book, though the answers to questions do get repetitive, and I did sometimes struggle with the tone that the book was written in. A fast read that I was easy to get through
December 31, 2023
Fantastic book!
April 20, 2011
Looking for a good and strong apologetic book to read to help prepare you for some of life's toughest questions that might get thrown your way?
Ray Comfort of "The Way of the Master", offers you insights to questions that many may have or try to throw one's way (and throw one off one's way" via, "Defender's Guide for Life's Toughest Questions".
Addressing topics such as:
Humanity: Rights and Suffering;
The Bible:Biblical and Theological Issues;
Science: Scientific Thought and Evolution;
Philosophy: Beliefs and Worldviews, and
Religion: God and Atheism.
Ray Comfort offers both a layman, but also grounded look into questions covering these five topics that for some, may either leave one puzzled or just struggling on how to answer.
This is perfect to equip children who are leaving for college, for new Christians, or maybe you find yourself at a lost sometimes on how to handle those, sounds too tough to handle questions that may get thrown your way.
The way that this book is written, it's written in a conversational style that will leave you feeling more like you are having a discussion with Ray over a cup of coffee (or tea) and doesn't either talk down or even over one's head. What I enjoyed most about Ray's book, is Ray is not afraid to tackle those "scary" questions that for many, its just easier to just sweep under the rug and hope that maybe the next person will answer.
At the same time, this is not watered down so don't expect a quick read; Instead one will find a scriptural backed, solid reasoning and very "meaty" filled book that for as thin as it may look the book at first glance, seems a quick read, but will leave one at the end of the book, not only encouraged and prepared to handle those tough questions that will get thrown one's way, but for the reader, confronted and challenged to rethink one's positions on the many topics presented in a "Defender's Guide for Life's Toughest Questions".
Ray Comfort of "The Way of the Master", offers you insights to questions that many may have or try to throw one's way (and throw one off one's way" via, "Defender's Guide for Life's Toughest Questions".
Addressing topics such as:
Humanity: Rights and Suffering;
The Bible:Biblical and Theological Issues;
Science: Scientific Thought and Evolution;
Philosophy: Beliefs and Worldviews, and
Religion: God and Atheism.
Ray Comfort offers both a layman, but also grounded look into questions covering these five topics that for some, may either leave one puzzled or just struggling on how to answer.
This is perfect to equip children who are leaving for college, for new Christians, or maybe you find yourself at a lost sometimes on how to handle those, sounds too tough to handle questions that may get thrown your way.
The way that this book is written, it's written in a conversational style that will leave you feeling more like you are having a discussion with Ray over a cup of coffee (or tea) and doesn't either talk down or even over one's head. What I enjoyed most about Ray's book, is Ray is not afraid to tackle those "scary" questions that for many, its just easier to just sweep under the rug and hope that maybe the next person will answer.
At the same time, this is not watered down so don't expect a quick read; Instead one will find a scriptural backed, solid reasoning and very "meaty" filled book that for as thin as it may look the book at first glance, seems a quick read, but will leave one at the end of the book, not only encouraged and prepared to handle those tough questions that will get thrown one's way, but for the reader, confronted and challenged to rethink one's positions on the many topics presented in a "Defender's Guide for Life's Toughest Questions".
Currently reading
April 4, 2011First of all, thank you Goodreads for picking me in the first reader giveaway for this book. I have only browsed through it so far, but here's my first impression. I did expect a question-answer format in this book, but what I did not expect was for the questions to actually come from people that have posted on Mr. Comfort's website. While I suppose this may lend his title some validity, since some of the askers are pretty tough critics, at the same time it makes the whole book seem more like an argument than a guide to standing up for Christ. I will, however, continue to read it and update this review when I get farther along.
August 23, 2016
A decent apologetics book that seeks to answer some of the most common questions by different worldviews. Not the best apologetics book by any means, and depending on your apologetics views, won't wow you. This is primarily an evidential apologetics book that surprisingly gives "I don't know" as a few answers. More Presupp please.
August 29, 2012
A great book for those that want to share their faith!
December 7, 2012
Wonderful!
Not really a review.
But I did enjoy the book.
Not really a review.
But I did enjoy the book.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews