Christian Zacharias

The oldest active orchestra of the classical world, the Staatskapelle Dresden always surrounded itself with conductors and soloists of talent throughout its long history. This beautiful collection of classical era recordings features Sabine Meyer, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Christian Zacharias, Neville Marriner, Peter Schreier and Edda Moser. It includes concertos, sacred music, arias and various orchestral pieces such as serenades conducted by Harnoncourt which are available for the first time digitally.

Despite contributions from high-profile writers such as Ravi Zacharias, Josh McDowell and Peter Kreeft, this anthology adds nothing to the age-old genre of Christian apologetics. It opens with essays defending both truth and theism against postmodern atheists, and eventually moves to specifically Christian teachings: "Why I Believe the Bible Is the Word of God," "Why I Believe Jesus Is the Messiah and Son of God," and "Why I Have Chosen to Follow Christ." Some essays, such as J.P. Moreland's autobiographical discussion of his choice to follow Jesus, are stirring. Others are dull and predictable: Barry Leventhal (Southern Evangelical Seminary), for example, tediously rehearses the Old Testament prophecies that he believes Jesus fulfilled. As a collection, the book is unbalanced. There are, for instance, too many contributions from some writers; editor Geisler offers two essays, as does Liberty University's Gary Habermas. Given the abundance of Christian "leading thinkers," one wishes the editors had been a bit more imaginative and included a greater diversity of voices. Particularly troubling is the total absence of female contributors. In an era in which many women leave the evangelical churches for spiritual homes more friendly to feminism, this book would have been strengthened immeasurably by an essay or two by leading women thinkers explaining why they, too, believe. This disappointing collection of apologetic essays will send readers scurrying back to Cardinal Newman and other bolder, more invigorating defenses of the faith.

Despite contributions from high-profile writers such as Ravi Zacharias, Josh McDowell and Peter Kreeft, this anthology adds nothing to the age-old genre of Christian apologetics. It opens with essays defending both truth and theism against postmodern atheists, and eventually moves to specifically Christian teachings: "Why I Believe the Bible Is the Word of God," "Why I Believe Jesus Is the Messiah and Son of God," and "Why I Have Chosen to Follow Christ." Some essays, such as J.P. Moreland's autobiographical discussion of his choice to follow Jesus, are stirring. Others are dull and predictable: Barry Leventhal (Southern Evangelical Seminary), for example, tediously rehearses the Old Testament prophecies that he believes Jesus fulfilled. As a collection, the book is unbalanced. There are, for instance, too many contributions from some writers; editor Geisler offers two essays, as does Liberty University's Gary Habermas. Given the abundance of Christian "leading thinkers," one wishes the editors had been a bit more imaginative and included a greater diversity of voices. Particularly troubling is the total absence of female contributors. In an era in which many women leave the evangelical churches for spiritual homes more friendly to feminism, this book would have been strengthened immeasurably by an essay or two by leading women thinkers explaining why they, too, believe. This disappointing collection of apologetic essays will send readers scurrying back to Cardinal Newman and other bolder, more invigorating defenses of the faith.

Despite contributions from high-profile writers such as Ravi Zacharias, Josh McDowell and Peter Kreeft, this anthology adds nothing to the age-old genre of Christian apologetics. It opens with essays defending both truth and theism against postmodern atheists, and eventually moves to specifically Christian teachings: "Why I Believe the Bible Is the Word of God," "Why I Believe Jesus Is the Messiah and Son of God," and "Why I Have Chosen to Follow Christ." Some essays, such as J.P. Moreland's autobiographical discussion of his choice to follow Jesus, are stirring.

FFirst published in 2001, Why I Am A Christian is now available in a revised trade paper edition. Its all star cast of contributors, including Gary Habermas, William Lane Craig, Ravi Zacharias, Peter Kreeft, and J. P. Moreland, offer popular and accessible defenses of essential aspects of orthodox Christian belief.