Has Christianity Failed You? (Book Review)

Book Critic: Johan Brand

Introduction

One of the key reasons why so many individuals criticise Christianity and the church, is because they have a misunderstanding of the true Christian worldview. Numerous individuals reject Christianity based on one thing or another that is taught by Christians. Let’s call a spade a spade – most of these “rejections of the faith” are based on matters that are not actually Christian, but they are to be believed as being “Christian.” In Has Christianity Failed You? The author tackles this particular issue. This book is his thoughts on the issue.

It’s enlightening.

It’s concise.

It’s remarkable.

Summary of Its Contents

If you ever struggled – or currently are struggling – to make sense of what exactly it is you believe, then Has Christianity Failed You? is a must-read.

Highly renowned apologist, Ravi Zacharias, explores the difficult questions in relation to what it means to follow Jesus Christ. Examining matters such as “Who Is Jesus?” “Are Purpose-Driven and Reason-Driven Always at Odds?” and “What Difference Does Christianity Make?” – Zacharias offers thorough explanations on why numerous individuals have given up on Christianity in contemporary times. In conclusion, he proposes the question on whether it is God, or the global church – as God’s vehicle – that has failed. Moreover, he asks if the unreasonable ends of the sceptic’s worldview, without God, jeopardise the continuation of humanity. Zacharias voices the thoughts of anyone who has literally or emotionally left the church, who lives with quiet doubts about God, or who identifies that Christ is the answer – but who fails to recall the question.

This book will influence the way you perceive Jesus, how you perceive yourself, and how you perceive the way life ought to be lived.

Critical Evaluation

If one is to discover if a worldview is what has really failed him or her, one must know what that worldview teaches. Since the Christian worldview is based on the life, works, and words of Jesus of Nazareth, the first chapter kicks off with exploring this idea.

The author starts the second chapter by explaining that one cannot really answer the question that appears in the book’s title, by simply knowing who Christ is. One must also know what “being a Christian” implies. Zacharias outlines this around the popular idea that “all religions are essentially the same.” If they are identical in their essence, then not only has Christianity failed humanity, but so has every other religion.

The author moves on in chapter three by talking about trust. He points out that “it is always prudent to be cautious before trusting someone, because you don’t always know whether they deserve your trust until it is too late” (p. 71). In other words, one needs to appropriately understand past involvements with an individual in knowing whether they are trustworthy. Zacharias further explains the importance that Scripture must be understood in context, and then moves on to personal experiences and how one ought to live the text of Scripture in contemporary times.

In chapter four the author centralises on the problem of pain and suffering in people’s lives, opening the chapter with two stories on how people deal with the reality of evil. He reminds the reader of the blind man’s healing in John 9, and moves on to Job’s struggle to find answers for his pain and suffering. Zacharias then concludes with a note, referring back to the ethical argument for God’s existence.

In the fifth chapter, the author focuses on the belief that the Christian faith directly opposes rationality. He refers to The Reason Driven Life by Robert M. Price as the basis for critiquing this deceitful belief, addressing Price’s overgeneralised remarks in his book. Simply put, since the many religious deities – worshipped on earth – can be verified to have similarities, if one god can be proven to be non-existent, then one have to prove that none of them do.

Zacharias looks at prayer in chapter six, recognising that not all prayers will necessarily be answered, but if answered, the answers always remain consistent. If one comprehends the purpose of prayer, it makes those “unanswered” prayers less of bitter pills to swallow.

The seventh chapter stresses the significance of understanding the notion of “forgiveness” and how the church should consider going about it. Later in the chapter, Zacharias goes on about the three “excellencies” that Paul discussed: faith, hope, and love. He adds that only if God is real, can any of those be significant, and furthermore, if He exists, they are vital.

The reader is left with two options. You either choose to surrender to Christ and live a meaningful life, or you reject him based on the church’s mistakes, and live a purposeless life.

Conclusion

Has Christianity Failed You? is an incredible read. Doubtlessly, I recommend it for anyone who feels that Christianity has in fact failed them and for any non-Christians who are exploring this whole “Jesus-movement.” But moreover, I want to encourage all Christians to read this book – particularly if you are a leader (be it that you are a parent, a teacher, a pastor, an entrepreneur, a priest, or even a student). This book brought me back to my senses … perhaps it can mean something to you, too. Those outside the faith watch Christians closely, and if Christians don’t take their faith seriously, then non-Christians don’t see a point in taking it seriously, either.