UNAPOLOGETIC Clear Answers to Tough Bible Questions – A Trial Lawyers Guide to Winning People, Not Just Arguments, is the full title of a booklet, 80-ish pages, written by Daniel P. Buttafuoco. I received this booklet as a gift and the title captured my curiosity. I excitedly began reading the book out of the predetermined established reading list order.
NOTE: If you have never read any of my book reviews, please be aware my reviews are not like traditional reviews, they are my thoughts and opinion (which most reviews are but presented as an intellectual teaching).
This is a study style book. There are 12 chapters addressing various topics in which the author believes needs to be addressed for one to become a Christian. He includes Scripture references and recommends Scriptures to be read during the chapter discussion. Aat the end of each chapter are lines for writing the readers thoughts. I followed this format to the best of my ability until I couldn’t.
The chapters: Costly Belief, Old Testament Relevance, Gospel “Contradictions”, The “Q” Source, Jesus, Manuscripts & Variants, Translations, The Bible, Gospel Reliability and, Debates and Options. All very interesting titles, I followed the format until I reached chapter 6 “Jesus”, I continued reading but stopped making notes. Why?
As I have said often, I am not a theologian nor do I have a title; I am a person who writes and reads and study God’s word. Over the decades I have taken many classes on how to share the gospel and I have, over the decades, shared the gospel with many people. There is nothing in this book that I will be using to continue doing what I do.
When I am having a discussion with unbelievers, those who are weak in their faith and even those who believe in Jesus as Lord, this is not how I go about it and for the most part when such issues do arise regarding: who wrote the Bible, did Jesus really rise from the dead, it’s a “White” man’s religion, and so forth; nothing in this book really helps me to substantiate my faith.
I, personally, begin with my testimony. Jesus said: “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” (John 20:29 KJV). In addition, it is written:
Romans 1:16-19 (KJV)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
I really believe, only the Spirit of God knows what that individual needs to hear in order to be a follower of Jeuss, we are vessels who need to be lead by the Spirit in order to minister wants us to say. We are not in a court room we are in the earth realm in which our words must line up with Scripture and not man’s law.
The title of this book is UNAPOLOOGETIC, is this a play on apologetics? A way of defending the faith? At the end of the day the book can create more confusion than solutions. John 20:29 declares we are blessed based on what we believe not what we see, or in this case what we read. And Romans reveals that God will reveal to us what we need to know.
Am I against theologians? No. I just do not believe that a person can “intellectualize” salvation. Although there are some great points in this book I just can’t recommend it. I have a pamphlet that is more effective that I give away entitled: STOP WHO DO YOU THINK I AM? Published by Grace To You (1991), it’s about 10 pages which is equivalent to maybe a page and half of 8 ½ by 11 inch paper, less images. I can mail a few to my subscribers, while supplies last!
Written by Marsha L Floyd
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED