When God Goes to Starbucks: A Guide to Everyday Apologetics

by Paul Copan

More than ever, Christians are bombarded with tough faith questions from their pluralistic friends and neighbors. Many of these emerge as "anti-truth claims" and slogans we are all familiar
• Why not just look out for yourself?
• Do what you want--just as long as you don't hurt anyone
• Miracles violate the laws of nature
• Aren't people born gay?
Paul Copan has been answering questions like these for many years. In When God Goes to Starbucks , he offers readers solid and caring Christian responses to these and many other concerns that are being discussed in Starbucks, shopping malls, youth groups, and schools. Each chapter provides succinct answers and points for countering the cultural questions believers are faced with today.

Genres: Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction, Religion, Theology, Faith, Spirituality

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2008

About the author

Paul Copan is a Christian theologian, analytic philosopher, apologist, and author. He is currently a professor at the Palm Beach Atlantic University and holds the endowed Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics.

From 1980-1984, he attended Columbia International University and earned a B.A. degree in biblical studies. Copan attended Trinity International University, where he received his M.A. in philosophy of religion, as well as his M.Div. at Trinity International. Copan received the Prof. C.B. Bjuge Award for a thesis that “evidences creative scholarship in the field of Biblical and Systematic Theology.”

In May 2000, Copan received his Ph.D. in philosophy of religion from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His dissertation topic was "The Moral Dimensions of Michael Martin’s Atheology: A Critical Assessment."

Reviews

[Amora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh, this book was okay. I saw the foreword by Rev. Lee Strobel and set the bar too high. Philosopher Paul Copan takes on common tough questions surrounding Christianity in a way that is a little too simplistic. Put another way, Copan leaves out a lot of details surrounding the situation of the Crusades, same-sex marriage, and the Canaanites. I liked the section on the Psalms but the section on the Canaanites could’ve been better. Luckily Copan does goes into detail into why the command to destroy the Canaanites by God was 100% justified in his later book “Is God a Moral Monster?”

[Pancho · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good resource for Christians encountering common atheistic challenges. I especially like his treatment of homosexuality. Thoughtful, kind, thorough, fair, and unerringly orthodox; it is the best Christian coverage of the topic that I have yet discovered. He criticizes both sides in love and presents the truth with clear logic and strong supporting arguments. I highly recommend this as a resource.

[Clive]

So far this book is hysterical. I can't believe how funny this guy is...oh wait, he's serious. Shit my bad.

[Jared Donis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Copan dedicates six out of seventeen chapters to sex and violence. In other words, gay relationships and “holy” wars. However, I wonder if these are the first items God would choose to discuss, were He to strike up conversations around tables at random Starbucks shops. Yes, these are critical and current concerns, but Jesus never really dwelt on them when He was ministering a couple millennia ago. I think more pressing existential questions should precede.

Another concern I have is that this work is too crammed to invite casual talks on matters of faith. It needs less debate points. One can’t possibly memorize all the items in a single chapter let alone an entire book. If that was the expectation then the book wasn’t meant for Starbucks-based discussions. It needs a more serious setting for deeper dialogues.

Nevertheless, the first five chapters and the last two where Copan explores whether Jesus misunderstood His own second coming were very helpful. Kudos to the professor!

[Karn Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needs more than one reading

Two things: There is a great deal of detail, which is why more than one reading is recommended. But I think there's an overkill on homosexuality: 3 chapters on this one subject was just too much. Why is the church so obsessed with this one subject?

[Samantha Issa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant eye-opener, and very helpful and relatable to my worldviews and apologetics especially at this critical time when people are asking questions this book has answers for!

[Lois · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had been sitting on my kindle for awhile. I'd started it to see if I'd like it (I did) and then left to read other things. I just finished it. Naturally the title is what attracted me to the book. The author's premise is that talking about theology with a stranger, a "just happens" conversation in a coffee shop, is a common occurrence. I think he's right. People, in spite of the common adage to avoid talking politics and religion, really don't mind talking about God or asking their questions in a non-judgmental environment. What we have here, is an apologetics primer.

Some of the topics he covers deal with truth and reality, different world views, slogans related to Christianity, all of which are presented in question format. More than a theological treatise, When God Goes to Starbucks is an easy guide to directing a conversation into essential questions. I don't know that I agree with absolutely everything he presents, but I do think he shows a compassionate heart. Someone who is questioning God's mercy, or who is concerned with hypocrisy of Christians would find a friend in Paul Copan, and eventually may find a friend in Jesus. Isn't that the point of coffee shop encounters, to point someone to Christ?

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this book a weak 3 stars. I started out really bad with two chapters of something it seemed Copan could very little about. He opens with an discussion on Ayn Rands egoism, and compares it to individual relativism. This is a strawman, because Ayn Rand has nothing to do with individual relativism(although it's easy to think so), she strongly opposes it. Her philosophy is called Objectivism, because truth is objective, not relative.

There are some allright chapters in there, but most of the answers given are overly complicated to be any kind of base for a discussion on starbucks. Who discusses the original meaning of greek words on a café with people who ask such basic questions that are discussed in the book? No one.

I have also a bit trouble with the fact that some chapters are really short (4-5 pages) and are concluded with a 1 page long summary. Seems unnecessary. Also, it is really strange to divide some themes into several chapters (Homosexuality and Holy Wars gets 3 chapters each). Some of the chapters are relevant, they answer common questions, but there is used a lot of space discussing irrelevant and rarely encountered questions as well.

[Tim Baumgartner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I REALLY like reading Dr Paul Copan's books because he is a scholar that is thorough, yet succinct and clear. Each of the main topics he covers provides many reasons why he makes the case he makes. And, after stating the various reasons, he provides a numbered summary at the end to reiterate his thoughts.

In this particular book, it was divided into three sections:
1. Slogans related to truth and reality
2. Slogans related to worldviews
3. Slogans related to Christianity

Here are the chapters within for Section 1: related to truth and reality

a. Why Not Just Look Out for Yourself?
b. Do What You Want--Just as Long as You Don't Hurt Anyone
c. Is it OK to Lie to Nazis?

Here are the chapters within for Section 2: related to worldviews

a. Why is God so arrogant and egotistical?
b. Miracles are Unscientific
c. Only gullible people believe in miracles
d. Don't people from all religions experience God?
e. Does the Bible condemn, loving, committed homosexual relationships?
f. Aren't people born gay?
g. What's wrong with gay marriage?

Here are the chapters within for Section 3: related to Christianity

a. How can the psalmists say such vindictive, hateful things?
b. Aren't the Bible's "Holy Wars" just like Islamic Jihad? Part 1
c. Aren't the Bible's "Holy Wars" just like Islamic Jihad? Part 2
d. Aren't the Bible's "Holy Wars" just like Islamic Jihad? Part 3
e. Was Jesus mistaken about an early Second Coming? Part 1
f. Was Jesus mistaken about an early Second Coming? Part 2
g. Why are Christians so divided? Why so many denominations?

As you can see, there are MANY divisive, explosive topics. However, just because topics can be spicy, doesn't mean we shouldn't address them (1 Peter 3:15). In fact, addressing difficult topics is mandatory for thoughtful Christians--and requires us to "speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15).

I marked up my book a ton with all that I circled, underlined and starred. I could write a LOT more here, but if you want a resource to address the tough topics above--this is a must!!!

[Fernando Retana · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good book if you want to find some answers to the atheists typical questions, but there's too much information. When I finished reading it I felt that I didn't really remember much of the topics. Like he says, it's a guide, so if I want to learn more from one of those topics I know where I can find them.

Not a big fan of this kind of books, but this is quite useful.

[Obi-Wan Kenobi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book answered some good questions like “Is it okay to lie to Nazis?”, and “Why not just look out for myself?”.

[Holly Lazzaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my fav books on apologetics

[Jacob O'connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite from Copan, but still pretty good. One of the more noteworthy voices in current apologetics.

[Zachary Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Copan’s book is a good start to understanding how people view Christianity in different circles. He provides some decent analysis to prominent questions of faith and discipleship.

[Brandon Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent practical guide to every day apologetics!

[Anna Rebecca · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not even sure where to begin. I have only ever stopped reading one other book in my life, and that was when I was about ten or eleven years old! This book just wasn't for me. The author's arguments seemed circular at best. I just couldn't get into this book. And it has nothing to do with not agreeing with the subject. Unfortunately, the book's presentation of the facts simply bored me to death!

[Carlos Rivera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good starting point

I gave this book 3 stars, because it started out well as a guide on apologetics for Christians. However, the author slipped in at the end his view on which denomination is "right." He even went as far as throwing a few "theological punches" at other denominations, which turned me off.

He does include a few historical facts on Christianity, which may be useful whenever we get involved in discussions about religion.

[Mike Norman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found it very hard going and well... frankly boring! The arguments did not seem well presented and lacked any real substance which is a real shame. I feel the author missed a golden opportunity to interact with society. 2/10 and that is being generous.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be strangely inconsistent. At times thought provoking & theologically sound, other times poorly reasoned and theologically questionable. In the end, it made me rethink some key issues (regardless of whether I agreed with Copan), and that's always a good thing

[Roger Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good post-modern apologetic

This book addresses questions that are likely to come up in conversations with a post-modern audience. The author does a good job of laying out truths in layman's terms and is gracious rather than argumentative. Good read.

[Jerry Blackerby · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author says he has enjoyed many hearty discussions at coffee shops, hence the name. The book is very interesting with many of the questions we are asked repeatedly by non-believers and responses for those questions.

[Nick Woodall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great little primer on apologetics. While it's meant to be a guide to discussing Christianity with non-believers, it gets pretty deep. Consequently, you will have to read it, and then form your arguments much more deftly and cogently.

[Brad Kittle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good. Very specific on the topics. Good for folks dealing with the particular topics he is bringing up.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://deeperwaters.wordpress.com/201...

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who could say no to apologetics and starbucks? Well, I could say no to starbucks. A good review and helpful intro.

[Bryan E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really good sections. A little tedious towards the end.

[Rod Horncastle · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are some pretty heavy conversations for Starbucks. But i'm game.

The problem is: who's willing to discuss and learn? Not anybody i'm generally meeting.