Showing posts with label John Blanchard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Blanchard. Show all posts

Wednesday, 5 May 2010

Dealing It Out

This is John Blanchard at his best. Dealing with atheism, albeit within the compass of a slim paperback, but with devastating effect. Evangelical Press, now rebranded as EP Books, have produced this cheaply (£2.50) in their Popular Christian Apologetics series, so it is readable by anyone. It is a pretty quick read too. The great thing about this Blanchard contribution to the Dawkins debate is his focus. He doesn't lock horns as a scientist, because he isn't one. But as an experienced debater with atheists, Blanchard goes for the jugular - politely. The 'new atheism' which Richard Dawkins is devoted to, claims that science has disproved God's existence. Blanchard shows how unscientific this idea is in itself. He further exposes the flaws in Dawkins' arguments, chipping away at rash claims and doubtful statements across the whole range of books he has authored, not just 'The God Delusion.' He also shows what a sterile and savage philosophy atheism is when it takes Darwinian evolutionary theory to its logical conclusion. But we need to understand that this is what underpins the attempts of the intellectual establishment to marginalise Christianity and influence governmental policy in the field of ethics in Britain today. Although Blanchard may be faulted for his view of conversion (no mention of regeneration as a distinct work of the Holy Spirit), the body of this book is most helpful in 'Dealing with Dawkins' and his chums.
Jeremy

Wednesday, 17 December 2008

Quotes

Don't you just love a good quote? I confess to being absolutely fascinated by them, especially those of a christian nature. Who can match the pithiness of a Puritan preacher? The doctrinal demarcations of the Reformation? The burning earnestness in times of Revival? The crafted words of the Victorians? I wonder, does the C21st church provide much material for quotation? Yes, sound bites to be sure, and jokes aplenty, but how many weighty words which really make one stop and think.
John Blanchard has done a fine service in collecting quotes and they can be found bound together as 'The Complete Gathered Gold'. This is a lovely hardback book with a stylish dustjacket from Evangelical Press and costs £24.99. Actually not too bad in cost per quote terms given there are 16000 of them! But fear not, if this is all too much, a selection of 366 has been made and produced in the form of a spiral bound perpetual desk calendar (ie. it has one quote per day but the day is not stated so it can be used for any year not just 2009). The quote is big and bold and eyecatching. I intend starting mine in the New Year. It has a RRP of £9.99, but this price has proved unpopular, and we will now offer it at £7.99, but only if this blog is mentioned at point of order and while stocks last.
Jeremy