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Description: At a time when Christian belief is constantly challenged, understanding different worldviews can help Christians think and live faithfully. Kenneth Samples's own life-and-death crisis encourages believers to develop a worldview perspective based on truth, critical thinking, and logic. In
A World of Difference , he addresses the historic Christian worldview and evaluates four modern-day competitors--Islam, naturalism, postmodernism, and pantheistic monism. The use of nine distinct and challenging tests shows how all worldviews should be assessed.
A World of Difference will challenge and strengthen your beliefs.
Kenneth Richard Samples is senior research scholar with a focus on theological and philosophical apologetics at Reasons To Believe, which provides research and teaching on the harmony of God's revelation in the words of the Bible and the facts of nature. An adjunct instructor of apologetics at Biola University, Samples also tackles tough faith questions in his book
Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions .
is the right book at the right time."
J. P. Moreland, distinguished professor of philosophy, Biola University; author,
Kingdom Triangle will give them those categories."
-Kim Riddlebarger, co-host, The White Horse Inn; author,
A Case for Amillennialism and
The Man of Sin
Monergism Review:
A World of Difference
covers a wide variety of topics. The result is that some of the topics can only receive a superficial treatment. However, even superficial is better than none (which is the case with most books on worldviews). The reader must not forget the work is predominantly “evidential” in its apologetic approach. Yet, one should not think that this detracts from the book's usefulness. The work contains some impressive sections: notably, the introductory course on logic. This section will greatly help first-time readers on apologetics and should be read by all those who know nothing about logic. Overall,
A World of Difference
is “better” and “deeper” than your standard “evidential” textbook. It would serve as a great “first acquaintance” or solid “primer” on apologetics. The writing is easy to understand and the format makes sifting through the topics effortless. Even the most novice reader will not struggle with the explanations. In the grand scheme of things, it is the most “exhaustive” book on the concept of worldview I have seen. Compared with other books on worldviews, Samples gives the reader more to think about because he covers more ground. Racking my brain, I can’t think of another work that is comparable. The topics addressed include: a definition of the concept of worldview; discerning truth, Logic 101 (which includes details about fallacies); a Christian perspective on history; concepts of creeds; a partial exposition of the Apostle's Creed; a defense of God’s written Word; a defense of the concept of Sola Scriptura (including what it does not mean); theological notes on the Christian view of God and how God relates to the concept of worldview; plenty of charts to assist with comprehension; the doctrine of Creation; an exposition on providence; the Christian view of man; the Christian view of moral values; and a critical examination of the most predominant anti-Christian worldviews, including charts in the appendix. After reading the work, it is clear that Samples intended to ground his readers in the truth, rather than explain the faulty beliefs of other systems. By using this approach he helps the Christian to understand what is false by learning to think in terms of what is true. Essentially, because we know what is true it will make “evident” that which is false. To this I am in full agreement. Study the real picture and you will recognize the discrepancies in those that are false. In the end, I would go so far as to say that a skilled apologist (presuppositional or evidentialist) will find many resources in this book and a beginner will be greatly helped by it. I recommend it simply because it gathers so much apologetical information in one place. A very useful resources on apologetics. --B. K. Campbell
