What's So Great about Christianity

Too often people who have faith are viewed as nieve or guilty of superficial reasoning and thinking. This cannot be said of Dinesh D'Souza in the book "What's so Great About Christianity." The author responds to widely accepted critiques of Christianity with extensive knowledge and exceptional insights. This is one of the best apologetic books I've read

Delves into history, science, and philosophy. It will broaden your horizons, unless you're already a professional in one of those fields. If you are, it might familiarize you with material with which you weren't aware and help you take a different look at faith in general and Christianity in particular.
Makes excellent philosophical argument for faith and religion in general, so it would be a good read for people of any faith.
For those who think religion is outdated or obsolete or worse, it will challenge them to re-examine their premises.

I was skeptical when I began reading that this would be an over-the-top, right-wing biased book, but D'Souza gives sources for all his material and makes strong, persuasive arguments that counter those hammered into us by overly left-influenced academia and media. It was a wonderful read, making me proud of my Christian heritage. I strongly recommend this book. Personally, most Christians think me too liberal and open-minded, while my non-Christian friends (I think) find me too "traditional" and conservative. I've never been a Christian who believes my mind needs to be checked at the door to allow room for my faith, so I appreciated this book that gave me so much to think about.

This book was fantastic! I found myself laughing often, quite like you do when you see a movie and the good guy does something clearly "righting" what the bad guy has "wronged". It just does your heart and soul good when you read things that seem to fade doubts that pop up from time to time; especially when bad things happen to good people. I just loved Mr. Dsouza's way of explaining why this happens. Simply believable!

I've never read a book that was so easily read about things that are SO complex and difficult to understand.

Many times I would say and think BRILLIANT while reading this book!!!

Mr. Dsouza, you are truly a blessing as was your book. Thank you so much!

Does an excellent portrayal of Christian institutions, virtues , beliefs, tenets, and Christians as a group and Catholicism in detail. Especially needed since Christianity has been under siege for decades. Very interesting facts, true facts, positive as well as less than. Extremely well researched and written, for you to ponder and decide.

The author addresses areas of society and history that are not normally covered in a book about Christianity. He does a superb job of explaining the role and importance the Christian faith has had throughout all history. Highly recommended.

I purchased this book after reading Dinesh's "ROOT OF OBAMAS RAGE". Dinesh D'Souza is a true scholar who thoroughly researches his subject and then presents his case in a completely logical and persuasive manner. I am a Born-Again Christian and I knew I would be a better witness for Christ if I read it. I was not disappointed. This book should be read by anyone who has doubts about his faith and is a MUST READ FOR ATHEISTS AND AGNOSTICS, who will question ,if not change, their pseudo-intellectual beliefs.

DrEwgog (Croton on Hudson, NY)
While I understand and appreciate some of the negative reviews regarding the strain on the author`s "expertise," I applaud Mr D`s effort here precisely for his courageous leaping from his comfort zones into an area where a stance, no matter how precarious, must be taken. In this the book reminds me of B Magee`s delightful "Confessions..." (cited here by D) for its daring and commitment. While I most often depend on experts in the areas Mr D touches on, I can still value the talented amateur (whether it be Mr D or Mrs Peel) although I might quibble and quake (Lucretius as a Pre-Socratic comes to mind) at some of the broken bits.
I am giving it four stars for some of these quibbles and for my sense that the final chapter was a bit rushed. We need more books like this, where the writer stands up and states his case, and doesn`t carp from the undergrowth or mutter into the canapes.

I have read many recent books about Christianity, particularly those that attempt to refute the new atheist movement. Though others have done well, there were areas that I wished they would have addressed. For example, the challenge concerning all the evil done in the name of religion from the crusades to Galileo. D'souza does a great job of putting the facts into context, showing that they pale in comparison to the horrors done in the name of atheism and that the horrors done in the name of atheism are a direct out working of atheism's logic, whereas the atrocities cited against Christianity result from a perversion of the teachings of Jesus Christ. Also, I was satisfied by the powerful arguments against those that try to explain morality strictly through evolution.

This book delivers the goods where other good books have come up short in their scope.

I'm reading this book again (second time). Very insightful. Explains various world views. Very encouraging and thought provoking. would recommend to anyone, especially those considering christianity. It really is GREAT!!

When considering the larger questions of life, Why are we here?, What is my purpose?, What happens after this life is over?, there are many places to turn to find answers. The author clearly exposes the fallacious arguments of the secular atheists and makes a clear case for Christianity as a viable, embrace able, meaningful way to fully answer those questions. This work, is one of the first places your quest should begin to understand the differences and benefits of this way of life.

This book is fantastic. I am Christian, but this book is incredible for anyone. It may not make an atheist a believer, and if you try to use it against an atheist they may say they are unmoved but I am sure deep down it will trigger some thoughts. It's truly incredible and while not everything inside may be agreed by all Christians, even the things I didn't agree with were an interesting point of view for consideration but I agreed with about 99% of this book. The rest was still good stuff and I learned things too. I understand things in the Bible that I didn't even realize like the Big Bang may have been mentioned in Genesis, an argument for evolution, and other things. Christian, Catholic, Muslim, Atheist, this is for thinkers. Use an open mind or not, this is simply a truly wonderful read that will make you continue reading chapter after chapter and when you go to bed you will be thinking about it all night.

Sunday does a great job explaining the fundamentals. I enjoyed his logic and reason throughout. I only wish he had not capitulated on the age of the earth or at least presented the factual arguments on both sides.

Should have hit 4-stars. D'Souza didn't represent the intelligent design and anti-macro evolution argument very well at all. He's actually a theistic evolutionist- an oxymoron in my view.
D'Souza does explain the philosophy of Immanuel Kant in a way I hadn't considered before- as an argument against the scientific naturalists that say nothing exists that can't be proven by science. Basically the argument is this: due to our sensory limitations we humans are very limited in our ability to comprehend all of reality as it really is. Given that, our minds, senses, science, etc. cannot grasp it all, so we can't make the case that science will tell it all. Good point.
The understanding I'm referring to in the title above is mine, for the one-star reviewers.
I'm a Christian, so of course I really enjoyed this book and its lengthy discussion of how Christianity has added so much to our society's views on individual rights, self government, the importance of families and the dignity of women.
However, if I were a devout atheist with an axe to grind over books like this one, I'd feel quite differently, especially considering who wrote it. D'Sousa isn't exactly a politically non-partisan author.

It seems to me that the doctrinal point non-Christians need to understand is that "fairness", or God's apparent lack of it (in their view) is not the issue here. People get so angry about God sending us to Hell, meaning away from him, unless we "get all the details right".
The issue is that God (so unlike us) is immeasurably holy. So much so that the bible says that his mere image would destroy us if we were to gaze upon it. In other words, we don't deserve to be anywhere near him. We don't deserve heaven, eternal life or anything from him. We are selfish, sinful people. Even the best of us falls impossibly short by his standards, and that has been by our own choice... who out there has lived a sin free life?
I know that to somebody who doesn't see God that way that can be infuriating. "Who is he to hold me to that standard? Why should I believe that?" Try to get to know the God of the bible with an open, honest mind and see. He's God, and in light of that and what he's offering us through Christ, we have nothing we can rightly do other than fall down on our knees and thank him.
Please don't fall for the "unfair" argument. Our eternal separation from God would be fair to us. The real issue is what you choose to do now with what he is offering you through Christ.

Dinesh has done a brilliant job of exposing the distortions and contradictions of atheism and presenting the strong counter-argument of the christian world-view. I highly recommend this book. It's a page turner from start to finish and if you're seeking for truth about God, the universe, and the meaning of life, and where it comes from, this is a great book to read to find out. This book is great for believers and unbelievers.

This book actually surprised me in a positive way, by being better than I had expected. I dare anyone, of any religious background, to read this book and not find it to cause reflection. This author has clearly read the classics and put in serious effort to refute the arguments of the great atheists in history.

The arguments he puts forth are heavily grounded in philosophy and physics as opposed to emotional inspiration or anecdotal stories. That may be a turn-off for some readers. It is written as a dry, academic thesis in philosophy. This observation is not meant to be critical, as I think the author did so for a purpose, in order to make his arguments as logical as possible. I merely point it out to advise the potential purchaser.

For an intellectual who is interested in the Christian response to the arguments of atheists, this book is first-rate.

I wish this had been required reading in my religion class at the Catholic high school I attended for four years. Great education in math and science but we spent four years discussing our feelings in religion class. Which had some very positive effects on a school filled adolescent males. We should have spent some time studying great books like this. It may be that the Big Bang Theory that ties hand in hand with Genesis has just been revealed to us. Dinesh does a thorough job explaining Christianity in understandable terms.

The book is excellent. I have ordered 30 copies in the last month and all were delivered within the 2 day delivery requested. I just ordered another 10 copies, and delivery will be 20+ days instead of the 2 to 3 days specified. Why offer such quick delivery but take 20 days ?

He presents a very thorough arguement that there is a God and that salvation can be achieved by accepting Jesus. He refutes the Darwinists my using scientific facts to prove that there can be no other explanation for life on earth, than Divine Creation.
I strongly reccomend it, especially anyone who is an aetheist, agnostic or non believer.

I wish this had been required reading in my religion class at the Catholic high school I attended for four years. Great education in math and science but we spent four years discussing our feelings in religion class. Which had some very positive effects on a school filled adolescent males. We should have spent some time studying great books like this. It may be that the Big Bang Theory that ties hand in hand with Genesis has just been revealed to us. Dinesh does a thorough job explaining Christianity in understandable terms.

The book is excellent. I have ordered 30 copies in the last month and all were delivered within the 2 day delivery requested. I just ordered another 10 copies, and delivery will be 20+ days instead of the 2 to 3 days specified. Why offer such quick delivery but take 20 days ?

He presents a very thorough arguement that there is a God and that salvation can be achieved by accepting Jesus. He refutes the Darwinists my using scientific facts to prove that there can be no other explanation for life on earth, than Divine Creation.
I strongly reccomend it, especially anyone who is an aetheist, agnostic or non believer.

Thoughtful and open minded readers of all philosophical stripes will find that many of the modern myths we were taught were just that - myths. Even well-educated people (such as Edward Tufte, whose views on Galileo and religion are woefully outdated, as The author shows here) will be shocked at how misinformed they have been on such objects as the Inquisition and the logical (or not) underpinnings of unbelief. Even the oft-heard claim of living and believing "on logic and evidence alone" is examined and exposed as a fraud. He has read the neo-atheist literature and often turns their own words and arguments against them, but in a respectful manner, as contrasted with the unhinged, emotional babble from their side (e.g. Dawkins, et al, calling for Christians to be arrested or institutionalized).

Unfortunately D'Souza is himself underinformed on the topic of evolution, assuming that the theory is supported by, for example, the fossil record. In fact, most honest evolutionists today would concede that the fossil record has not only failed to validate evolution, but has turned Darwin's "tree of life" upside down. The situation was so embarrassing that Stephen Jay Gould proposed a variation to explain why helpful fossils have not been found. D'Souza seems to be attempting a conciliatory position where none is needed.

However, due to the sheer amount of popular disinformation on evolution, and constant ridiculing of creationists, it is understandable that he failed to be as informed as he could be. You would have to be following many related fields for years to even suspect the disarray and confusion behind the simplistic claims of evolution. A good place to start would be Denton's book "Evolution: a Theory in Crisis" or Bird's survey of the actual evolutionist literature that shows the chaos behind the popularized facade.

Although this suggests that his other claims warrant verification, this book is a good overview of where to start "questioning authority" if one us actually so inclined. He tackles other popular myths such as the Crusades, the relationship of science and religion, the smug claim of believing only what we can discover via evidence (this one will be a shock to many), the supposed blessings of secularism, the roots of democracy and human dignity, etc. and also present positive reasons to believe the claims of Christ. Even if one disagrees with him in total, honest readers will be challenged to re-examine many beliefs that they once held (ironically) without questioning.

Update: I recall one more possible error, where he quotes what is supposed to be a Chinese proverb, "The tears of strangers are only water." I've seen this variously identified as an Indian or even Russian proverb elsewhere, so I'm not sure who's right.

BOOK REVIEW
WHAT'S SO GREAT ABOUT CHRISTIANITY
Dinesh D'Souza

D'Souza will probably become an apologetics classic, akin to "Mere Christianity". But he plows some new ground for a new 21st century (historically illiterate) audience. That illiteracy is the fertile soil in which the New Atheists like to grow their greatest objections to Christianity. So I especially loved the opening chapters on Christianity and Western history which turn the tables and actually use Church history as an apologetic rather than a cause for one long apology.

Certainly there's no white washing of famous Christian crimes, but D'Souza masterfully right-sizes these and in the place of simplistic caricatures used to set up straw men, he substitutes an evenhanded overview of the Church's influence on history. Here, I found it compelling to review how Christianity gave us almost everything we all (believers and nonbelievers alike) think is praiseworthy in Western culture: civil rights, women's rights, moral restraint, capitalism, limited government, romantic love, hospitals, and universities.

I've felt for a while now that rather than see Church history has a thing to hide or be embarrassed by, Christians need to get educated about their roots and realize what a central role the Nazarene played in changing the world for the better. We have nothing to run from. Our shameful moments prove empirically one of our core doctrines about the nature of man. Our triumphs conversely show the historical outworking of Jesus' prophetic parable of the Kingdom being like a mustard seed that grows and grows to give shade and comfort to many.

I liked his chapters on Science and faith, and wasn't surprised to find him sympathetic to Darwinian evolution, while rejecting Darwinism. Many Christians won't appreciate his theistic evolution and will tell you that if you don't read Genesis 1 in a certain (literal) way, you can't be a true Christian. D'Souza's devout faith and orthodoxy proves this litmus test is wrong headed. In fact, if we stop trying to force the data to conform to a specific rendering of Genesis, we will uncover powerful confirmations of Biblical claims in nature; the Big Bang pointing powerfully to the existence of God as just one example he sites.

His arguments from philosophy were new to me and I ate them up. If I have a continual seed of doubt, it comes back to a nagging sense that rationalism, and empiricism are all one really needs to make their way through life. Even if Christian faith is comforting and even if I agree it was needed to spawn the Age of Reason, have we not graduated to a place that reason can now put faith out to pasture? The discussion of Kant and the limits of reason helped me see the bankruptcy (and arrogance) of that line of thinking. Reason is dependant on perception which is dependant on faith. If you put faith out to pasture, you doom reason. And this little chain helped me see again that faith is the humble path and the door to apprehend Truth beyond the senses and mind.

This book is perfect for the seeker or skeptic - a great discussion starter. It is also is a great tool for grounding new believers and old in the "reason for the hope that we have". I loved it and will refer to it often in the future.

The first section of the book should be required reading for Western Civilization courses at universities. However, as Dinesh explains in this book, academic institutions have been overrun with atheistic ideologies that seek to erase Christianity's positive influence from society's history. If you are serious about your faith, please read this book. It is full of practical arguments from reason as to why faith is not opposed to science. In fact, science and religion are not at opposite ends of the spectrum, as academia would lead you to believe. Must read!