Prove It! God, Revised Edition

by Amy Welborn

Our Sunday Visitor Publishing, 2010

You are not the only person in the history of the world who has wondered about God.

Quick Version: Yes, you should buy this book. Mighty good, mighty useful, fun, readable. And short, and easy to find what you want when you want it. Plus a good recommended reading list at the end.



***

What it is: The Prove It books are an apologetics series for teenagers – think high school student. Prove It! God answers the question “What do I say when my friends tell me they don’t believe in God?”

Kids have often wondered out loud to me why it is that the most challenging religious reflection expected of a sixteen-year-old who can drive, hold a job, design a web page, balance chemical equations, and study Hamlet is constructing a collage about “The Beatitudes in Today’s World.” They’ve wondered why their other texts are so big and solid, while their religion books tend to be flimsy things filled with the reflection question and lots of pictures of birds, meadows, and rainbows. They can’t help but compare and can’t help but wonder what’s being communicated to them about how seriously they’re supposed to take religion after all.

The book covers the gamut — starting with does it even matter what we believe, through all the common objections to God’s existence, and finishing up by making a case for Jesus and the importance of a personal relationship with Him. The tone is conversational, and the examples relate to teen life, but the contents are rock solid. No flimsy cop-out stuff.

Each chapter looks at a single topic, and gives a realistic apologetics pep talk designed to prepare students for real-life conversations. As Welborn goes through the classic arguments for the existence of God, she points out the limitations of each argument; there’s a very strong emphasis on clear, logical thinking. And although she doesn’t mince words, the tone is never that snarky triumphalism that so easily infects certain apologists. Very down-to-earth and understanding.

Who would benefit: The obvious audience is teens whose friends are asking about God. The book is also written for readers who may have doubts of their own. You don’t need to be 100% sure about all things theological before you start reading.

Two caveats:

1) There were a couple places where I thought the book moved a little too quickly. It’s a short, fast-paced book; a young reader may want some help fleshing out the principles presented. That’s not all bad – if you know a teen who is reading the book, you can read it together and discuss. If you are the teen, you can force some adult you know to turn on the ol’ brain and do something useful.

2) I’m not sure the chapter on suffering (problem: why do innocent people suffer?) is quite as strong as I’d like. It is good, but I’d like to see something more. I suppose we all would. This book probably won’t hold up as the sole source for someone struggling with that particular question. Still a great chapter though – honest, compassionate, and hitting some really big nails on heads. Or hands, as it were.

Alive. Jesus, God-made-victim of sin and death, alive. They could not hold Him, they could not win. Do you see? Christianity isn’t about rules, no matter what your friend wants to think. It’s not about nice teachings from a nice man. It’s about God coming into this world to re-create His creation, to twist it all back around to its rightful place, turn the world’s expectations upside-down, and give us another chance.

There are also some categories of adults that would really benefit from this book:

Parents of teenagers. Because it’s such a good insight into the theological world in which your child lives.

Catechists. If you are teaching teens, this book could be helpful for figuring out how to handle questions in class or lead discussions. If you are teaching younger students, here are some ideas for principles you can incorporate into your class now, so that they aren’t brand spanking new when your students get older. The more you know, the more it will just ooze out in the unlikeliest places. Even little kids think about this stuff.

Junior Apologists. That is, those of us jumping into the fray for the first time, regardless of our age. This is a great starting point (and there are reading lists to point you to the next stop) if you are trying to figure out how to defend your faith.

Senior Apologists. See “snarky triumphalism” above. Amy Welborn lays out the basics of how to talk about God and still have friends. Useful skill.

As I stated before, I don’t think any of your friends who claims to be an atheist is a hard-core unbeliever. Why? Because I’ve no doubt he does, in his heart, assume the existence of meaning and purpose in life, as well as broad absolute moral standards. How cool would it be if you could help him see the short but necessary path from what he already believes to the joy and peace of a relationship with the living god of love and life? Can you think of a greater gift that friend could ever offer?

Is it Protestant-friendly? Absolutely. It’s a catholic book, but the contents are suitable for any christian. I can’t promise there isn’t a single unique-to-catholics sentence anywhere in there, but none come to mind. Might make a nice discussion tool for that awkward silence when you aren’t sure what you have in common with your catholic (protestant) friend. The answer is: All this. Lots of room at that lunch table.

Good book. Highly recommended.

***

A couple of FYI’s:

For those who missed the previews, I received this book as part of The Catholic Company’s blogger reviewer program. Perhaps you were wondering why I seem to have this steady flow of really good books passing through my hands. That’s how.

The link at the top is to the most current version The Catholic Company has in stock. So at this writing (December 1st 2010), there are still a few copies of the original edition on the shelves. As soon as those are sold, they’ll be replaced with the new revised edition, at the same link.

PS: I bet they want me to tell you the Catholic Company is a great place to get baptism and first communion gifts. It has come to my attention that there are people who buy gifts *other* than books. Curiously, my children really like those people. Go figure. So if you are one of them, not only are you no doubt more popular than me, you can also find what you need at fine catholic book & gift stores such as our sponsor. Yay.