A Place to Stand

by D. Elton Trueblood

A practical guide to Christian faith as a solid point from which to operate in contemporary living.

Genres: Christian Living, Nonfiction, Spirituality

Hardcover

First published July 8, 1969

Reviews

[Ferrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book on basic Christianity for the thinking person that I have read. It's written well and avoids the boring approach of systematic theologies. It is theology that arises out of Scripture for the person living today. It's a shame more people are not aware of this book. It deserves to be right up there with C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity.

Despite what the Goodreads entry says, this book was first published in 1969.

[Ken Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written. Important reminder that as followers of Jesus we will never have absolute certainty, but that should not keep us from having good reasons for what we believe. Challenges the tendency to accept any position or to believe that without absolute certainty nothing can be known. A direct, logical straightforward approach that helps the reader to be more confident in his or her faith in Christ.

[Larry Hostetler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written 45 years ago, this book is intended to be "A practical guide to Christian faith as a solid point from which to operate in contemporary living."

I found it to be a philosophical apologetic. Unfortunately, I have never been engaged by philosophical reasoning, so I found it to be tautological and outdated. Perhaps in 1970 the contentions aimed at Christianity and addressed in the book were valid, but (unfortunately) in these days they come across (to me, at least) as "straw men," addressing objections no one makes.

Nonetheless, there was much in the book of interest to Christians (and some seeking answers in Christianity). Based in scripture but including much from other writers, there were some perspectives and points that were new to me. For that reason I would give it a 3.5 if the rating system allowed. Having to choose 3 or 4 I could not bring myself to give it a 4.

It was not an easy read for me, but I'm sure would have value to many. Especially academics and theologians. Or academics who are theologians and theologians who are academics.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the second I've read by Trueblood. I picked up the first one because I'd seen his name quoted in several other books I found thought-provoking. Today, I looked him up on Wikipedia, and I'm surprised that he was so prominent in his time. How is it that no one seems to have heard of him anymore?

A Place To Stand definitely takes a lot of concentration to read, but Trueblood's ideas make sense and may even apply more to life in 2015 than in 1969. "Practical guide" in the subtitle is a bit misleading, however: the contents are far more academic than "rubber-hits-the-road."

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This practical guide is meant to be slowly read and thought about.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

A case for the rationality of Christian belief. Sharp and compact like a gem.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book on Christian foundations. A favorite author of mine. A true seeker after God's heart.

[Michelle Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has become one of my favorite books - I read it quickly for school but am going to go back and work through it at a much slower pace so I can contemplate so many thoughts that struck me.