Dinner With Skeptics (Jeff Vines) PAPERBACK

This book is a highly readable account of a conversation between a Christian and a table full of skeptics. Answers to some of the toughest questions for Christianity are explored and answered in a conversational manner. It is a breath of fresh air in the sometimes complicated arena of apologetics. Includes three additional chapters addressing questions that skeptics ask. From younger readers to older readers, this book will be a refreshing, informative and enjoyable journey.

REVIEW

The book is mostly a narrative. Vines was at a hotel when the hotel manager found out that he was a Christian speaker. She invited him to dinner with her staff and he accepted. What he didn't know was that the whole thing was a set-up. Within the first few moments of dinner it became apparent that the staff's plan was to ridicule him for believing in God. But Vines did not flinch and did not become defensive. He simply asked if they could engage in an intellectual conversation. What followed was a conversation that went way past midnight. The conversation included anger, humor, mocking and tears. But in the end... well, I won't tell you. But you should read it.

I've read lots of "apologetic" books (books that defend the Bible, God or Christianity), but typically their approach is to offer logic and proof in the form of "Here's why you should believe." Dinner with Skeptics was refreshing because it actually lets us read how the conversation played out. It made the book very engaging (I typically don't read books like this in 2 days).

There are "asides" in the book where Vines takes a time-out from the story to explain why he chose to say what he did, or to expound on the topic. These were helpful breaks from the story.

I would suggest this book for anyone who is struggling with understanding why there is pain, evil and suffering in this world. Vines' insights were helpful to me personally and I have already had opportunity to use some of what I've learned when talking with others - Brian Jennings, Minister, TULSA OK

About the Author

Jeff vines spent twenty years on the mission field (Zimbabwe & New Zealand) planting churches and training leaders. From 1998-2005 he was the featured speaker on the weekly television broadcast, 'Questions for Life,' and frequently debated agnostic and atheist alike on national radio. For the past two years Jeff has served as the Teaching Pastor at Savannah Christian Church in Savannah, Georgia, and recently became the Senior Pastor at Christ's Church of the Valley in San Dimas, California.