Review by Booklist Review
Second only to Billy Graham as the most successful twentieth-century Christian evangelist, Palau still isn't a U.S. household name, probably because the Portland, Oregon, native has evangelized most extensively in Spanish. Here he restates all the old arguments upholding theism against atheism. What may surprise many in an evangelist's book is that its second section, on personally accepting Christ, is considerably shorter than the other two. (Another surprise may be Palau's openness to readers who may disagree with him--he wants demurrers to correspond with him and gives his real and electronic addresses.) The first section sketches major wisdom traditions from Confucianism to contemporary scientism, and the third profiles the West's major doubters, skeptics, and atheists, from Descartes to Freud. Comparisons with Christianity--not as organized religion (the church) but as personal faith commitment--and Christian thinkers are made and, of course, made to appear sounder by means of a quotation of authorities so extensive that the book proceeds like a papal encyclical, only in a more readable fashion. --Ray Olson
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The timing of this book's publication just three months after that of Billy Graham's autobiography (Just As I Am) may be significant. Palau has preached at more evangelistic meetings in more countries than anyone else but Graham, and if anyone is poised to pick up Graham's mantle, it is Palau. This book is the summary of his beliefs and their philosophical underpinnings. Firing off hundreds of quoted sound-bites from writers ancient and modern, Palau builds his case for what he calls "classic Christianity," or, more accurately, "conversion Christianity": a personal, individualistic, Bible-based, life-changing faith in Jesus Christ. But Palau often sounds like he's fighting the last war. In combating a rationalistic atheism, he pays too little attention to contemporary spirituality movements. Perhaps this is because he expects that "if the current interest in spirituality ends up becoming nothing more than a rather bizarre fad, atheism may roar back to life with even more devastating results sometime within the next generation and a half." Crossings Book Club selection (July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
Touted as the next Billy Graham, international evangelist Palau has a following of millions through TV and radio broadcasts to 95 countries. In this first book for a trade audience, he sums up his message on God. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Booklist Review
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Review by Library Journal Review
