Here is a layman’s guide to answer some of the hard questions in our culture. Hard Questions, Real Answers by William Lane Craig is a small paperback that belong’s in every layman’s library. Craig who is an american philosopher, theologian, and Christian apologist known for his contributions to the philosophy of time, philosophy of religion, and historical Jesus studies and here he brings a small book with plenty of answers packed in it.

Dr. Craig is an amazing scholar who he has simplified his amazing knowledge and intellect and written a book easy to understand for beginning seekers, and those who are just getting started in apologetics. This is a good starting point to be able to help you to answer your friends’ hard questions. Craig gives some excellent material and does not flinch on the most difficult of questions on suffering and evil, Abortion, unanswered prayer and homosexuality. The final chapter on `Christ, the Only Way’ deals directly with the pluralistic mind set that defines our culture today.

Craig begins his introduction by pointing out that much of the church and society has parked itself “in intellectual neutral.” In this particular section, his reasoning is in line with the text of scripture “Love the Lord with all your mind”. He then moves into the section on doubt followed by failure. Craig does a nice job dismantling common misconceptions and proceeds to build a correct view on doubt and failure. There are two separate sections dedicated to suffering and evil. The following quote is found at the end of the chapter on “suffering and evil”…”God could not have created a world that had so much good as the actual world but had less evil, both in terms of quantity and quality; and moreover, God has morally sufficient reasons for the evil that exists” (p.86).

His argument regarding homosexuality is particularly interesting: against homosexual behavior rather than orientation. Moreover, he also considers the issue from a completely non-religious point of view, making his case from the standpoint of well-being. This is sure to raise some eyebrows, but if his statistics are correct, it shreds the happy, clean stereotype we’re force-fed in the media, and should motivate rational beings to reconsider their choices.

Lastly especially appreciated the powerful chapter on unanswered prayer, where Craig gives a number of solid reasons why a person’s prayers often go unanswered (personal sin, lack of passion, lack of persistence, self-centered praying, and praying for something that isn’t God’s will (1 John 5:14). He also highlights some New Testament prayers as paradigms for how we should pray. All an all a great read as a primer for apologetics. ( )