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Like everyone else who has come into contact with your work, I too can't even begin tell you how thankful I am for all that you do. Before finding your website (which has since introduced me to the likes of Alvin Plantinga, and, more generally, to a handful of great arguments for God's existence) I felt, as Christian talking with non-believers, like I was bringing a "Nerf bat to a knife fight." All I can say is thank you--not only for equipping me apologetically, but for encouraging me in my faith by providing me with a rational foundation for my beliefs, and, simply, for making Christianity seriously exciting: I now feel like I understand what Chesterton means when he talks about Christian orthodoxy as being utterly thrilling.

317

For quite some time I've been having the odd fall out with fellow atheists on different topics concerning Jesus and the Bible. The more they attacked the Bible and the rare Christian, mostly an ill equipped new convert who dared go into the atheistic lair (i.e. Atheist vs. Christian forums), the more I caught myself in the act of defending them. I felt and often still feel compelled to argue for the Bible, often dismayed and disappointed by the shallow, harsh criticisms and ad hominems my fellow atheists and other non-christians use from time to time. My defence of the Bible, which itself has increased over time, even lead some to believe I myself was a Christian, who had infiltrated their forum, just posing as an atheist to win their trust, before bamboozling them with some apologetics. I remember one day an Atheist asked me why I defended the Bible so often, seeing as I was a likeminded atheist myself. I had to smile to myself in amazement as I responded: "Because I read the Bible...."

Always on the lookout to test my own views, I continued to search for someone who was able to give me some sound reasons for believing in Christ - something I just could not find at all at that time, especially not in all the chatrooms or message boards, which I have unsuccesfully been visiting for all so many years....

Ever since it came to my attention early on in August of this year, I couldn't wait to see this amazing man live on stage, who has slowly started to change my attitude towards Christianity. For the last couple of months beforehand, I had been enjoying the many debates posted around the web and reading the odd article. Especially my fascination with the resurrection of Jesus, a subject which I've been totally engrossed in since last year, spurned my wish even more.

Of course many had written on this subject before, but none were capable of riveting my attention so much, by using such reasoning, eloquence and being able to clear away the debris of weaker naturalistic explanations with such ease. Every way I turned, sure enough, there was this man debating the leading skeptics and rightly being hailed as "the man who has put the fear of God into many of my fellow atheists", to quote Harris.

By chance and good fortune, you might say god-willed, I googled to see if this person was currently debating. Lo and behold he was - and much more! He was touring the UK!

Quickly I told my wife that I just had to see this man and, bless her heart, she gave me her consent, although she had her reservations. My work also allowed me a few days off. I booked my plane, my hotel and my ticket to the Bethinking Conference in August and counted the days, which never seemed to end. Finally the day arrived and I left Germany for the UK.

After a good nights sleep in the hotel and a slightly chaotic journey the next morning, thanks to the London Underground, I finally arrived at Westminster Chapel on time. It didn't take long until the first conversations with some Christians ensued. Everyone was in high spirits and my first reservations on telling someone I actually was an atheist, were quickly put to rest. Quite the contrary, this encouraged even more friendly debate. To cut a long story short the day started great.

What I never dreamed of though, was being able to meet this amazing person face to face, who has had such an impact on my life in recent months, let alone just see and listen to him live, I recalled all the ad hominems and blunt name calling I had previously encountered on the Web from atheists against this man, especially the recent attacks regarding a debate with Prof. Richard Dawkins and felt ashamed by the humility, the outspoken friendliness and the sincerity, even whilst speaking on the topic of his atheistic critics. When I plucked up all my courage to actually shake your hand to try and show you my appreciation and admiration, after your first presentation, I was taken aback by your down to earth, heartwarming welcome and kind words. I only wish we had had more time...Sadly it was all over too soon. The very next day I had to return home, exhausted but content and invigorated.

Setting my emotions aside, all I can say is that I will be reading your works, which are available to me, as diligently as is possible. My only criticism to date is that your book "Assessing the New Testament Evidence for the Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus" is not available in paperback!

Even though I still am an atheist, with deep reservations regarding faith in a God, at least I am now convinced that the belief in the Resurrection of Jesus can be explained in such a way as to having to admit there are good, rational grounds for believing in it, thus relieving Christians from the ridicule I have felt and often sadly shown towards them in the past myself. It may not be much, but I think it is a good start towards a better, more honest communication and leaves me to deal with all the new implications such an admission brings with it.

It is with the upmost pleasure and well wishes that I thank you Dr. Craig. Please give my heartfelt regards to your wife and everyone else on your team who made it possible that we both meet in person. Who knows, maybe one day you will be able to tour Germany, or at least have a debate or two. I for one would be honored to have you as my guest anytime.

herzlichste Grüße,

-Robert

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I wanted to take the time to thank you for your willingness to ask the tough questions and decision to seek the answers. Your journey of faith is one I not only relate to, but greatly admire. I have just finished reading On Guard and plan to read Reasonable Faith next. Although my ultimate decision for Christ was made from the culmination of many spiritual, emotional, and intellectual aspects, it was after receiving God's redemption that I began the journey of making sure what I felt inside could be reconciled with what logic, reason, and scientific truths told us. I have been a fan of apologetics ever since. It hasn't been until recently that I've begun investigating the philosophical arguments for God's existence, but I was immediately hooked. After dropping out of high school and college over 10 years ago, I have recently been accepted into the B.S. of Religion program at Liberty University. Once my 4-year degree is complete, I plan on attending Denver Seminary (or somewhere comparable) to complete the M.Div. program with a focus on philosophy. During those years I hope to find a church willing to allow me to start an apologetics ministry. I felt as though I was reading my own thoughts as I worked my way through chapter 1 of On Guard. God-willing, I will be used as an effective minister to our brothers and sisters in Christ, a voice of reason in a world that isn't sure, and a force to be reckoned with among those in opposition. Thank you for taking the time to educate, entertain, encourage, and strengthen all of us who are of like mind. May God continue to richly bless you in all of your work for His Kingdom and in every area of your personal life.

-Dwight

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-Dwight

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Thank you so much for your web site. I have been educating myself on your podcasts and articles and have even started debating with atheists. I want to share a story with you. Recently I was debating a Dentist who was a "friendly" open minded atheist.

After debating him we got along quite well. To my surprise and pleasure he asked what books I have read and what books I suggest. I mentioned Reasonable Faith. About a week went by and I received an email from him saying he had converted to Christianity.

Now, I was skeptical at first as he seemed to be committed to atheism during our debate. Later we spoke again in a conference room on head set microphones and in front of 30 other people in the conference room, atheists and Christians...he shared why he became a Christian.

As he spoke he mentioned the lack of evidence on the atheist side but the "garguntan" (to use his words) amount of evidence on the side of Christian theism overwhelmed the lack of plausible arguments for atheism. Even when other atheists questioned him in the conference chat room he was very confident. He said he did read your book "Reasonable Faith" and that was a big factor in his decision.

I have no debated a total of 50 atheists and some have actually converted to Christianity. I want to thank you for what you do. I believe that most Christians want to share their reasons they are Christian but they may not do so if they feel they are not equipped. Thanks for equipping us with the "full armor" to show that theism is clearly the more plausible, rational and truthful position.

-Rich

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