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7 of 8 found the following review helpful:
 Real Intelligent Proof for God's existence Made Simple Oct 16, 2009
By CAM Book Reviews
"Cam"
The writer delivers a powerful presentation on defending Christian truth. This book is very readable and simple to understand even though the author deals with some difficult ideas. This popularization of deep apologetical notions is presented in a very helpful way. Robinson explains unfamiliar and daunting terms in an easy to follow style.
I liked the many illustrations the author provided and his intellectual, yet patient, insights made apologetics and philosophy come alive. I could understand the proof given, even though the subjects were academically at a high-level. And once I finished the book, I felt that I had risen to an elevated level of understanding.
The standout chapter seemed to me to be the one on the Trinity. It is the best chapter, I can recall, on the apologetic and philosophical application of the Trinity.
Chapters include:
- Real recorded conversations with non-Christians. This allows you to follow the proof and learn how to respond to the unbeliever's counter arguments. This makes this book incredibly helpful.
- Atheism.
- Agnosticism.
- Evolutionary thought.
- Trinity.
- Self-refuting assertions.
another book by this author: God does exist: God Does Exist!: Defending the faith using presuppositional apologetics, evidence, and the impossibility of the contrary
- Laws of Logic.
- Ethics.
- The certainty of Christianity.
This insightful book is about 200 pages and I advise non-scholars and seasoned scholars to buy it and use it in discussing Christianity with smart unbelievers. It is a good gift for your atheist or unbelieving friends.
9 of 11 found the following review helpful:
An excellent introduction to presuppositional apologetics Feb 12, 2010
By Speratus
"True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing." - Socrates"
I am in the process of researching different approaches to apologetics and in my search came across this book. Although it has had scant reviews the overriding theme appealed to me; a text that could explain presuppositional apologetics to the layman. In this regard I believe Mike Robinson has succeeded. The difficulties surrounding the writings of Cornelius Van Til are explained so well that even a novice such as myself am able to understand them... that is indeed a feat.
Throughout the book Robinson demonstrates how numerous arguments used by atheists are fallacious; i.e the classic syllogism:
1. If God were all good and all powerful, He would eliminate evil
2. Evil exists
3. Therefore God doesn't exist
The syllogism is fallacious because it presupposes God. Fairly rudimentary, yet many Christians have not been exposed to this type of reasoning thus when caught in a discussion with an atheist well schooled in the laws of logic, the Christian stumbles.
The book is chock full of nuggets including a list of self refuting arguments, dialogues with atheists, agnostics and people of other faiths. Robinson also includes chapters on the Trinity, evolution, and the "faith" of atheists.
The only area which I would have liked to have seen addressed is the issue of circular reasoning. This has been the bane of presuppositionalists since Van Til's time. I would have enjoyed a defense against circularity however brief.
I cannot say for certain that I am completely sold on the presuppositional apologetic yet, since I have not completed my research on all of the different approaches. I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will use many of the tools in my evangelism and teaching efforts.
Highly recommended.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
God's Necessary Existence May 28, 2011
By Mike Robinson
"Mike A Robinson: Apologetic Analyst & Researcher"
In The Necessary Existence of God: The Proof of Christianity Through Presuppositional Apologetics, the reader discovers a powerful presentation defending Christian truth. This book is very readable and simple to understand even though the author deals with some difficult ideas. This popularization of deep apologetic notions is presented in a helpful way. Robinson explains unfamiliar and daunting terms in an easy to follow style.
This volume is filled with many illustrations provided as patient insights help make apologetics and philosophy come alive. The reader gains understanding of the proof given, even though some subjects are academically at a high-level. And once you finished the book, you will feel that you have risen to an elevated level of understanding.
The standout chapter focuses on the Trinity as the author presses the apologetic and philosophical application of the Trinity.
The table of contents of The Necessary Existence of God includes:
- Atheism
- Agnosticism
- Evolutionary thought
- The Trinity
- Real recorded conversations with non-Christians. This allows you to follow the proof and learn how to respond to the unbeliever's counter arguments. This makes this book incredibly helpful.
This insightful paperback is over 200 pages; students and even seasoned scholars should buy it to use in discussing Christianity with intelligent unbelievers; makes a good gift for your non-believing friends.
this is part of the product description by author Mike Robinson.
also see:
Truth, Knowledge and the Reason for God: The Defense of the Rational Assurance of Christianity
5 of 9 found the following review helpful:
real undefeatable proof for God Nov 03, 2009
By Lynda Poet
"Lyn"
The author discusses, proves and then shows you how to prove that God's existence is necessary and certain. He makes things simple to understand even for me even though he covers some very deep and challenging concepts and ideas.
he shows you how to disprove atheism and agnosticism, disprove a material physical-only philosophy; he demonstrates how simple it is to disprove worldly philosophy as he uses apologetics, presuppositions, laws of logic, morality, universals, and epistemological rights. if you desire a really strong defense of the Faith using unique and new apologetic ways, I think you will really like this.
the only thing is I wish it were longer - it's 150 pages. But it is worth reading and re-reading, I gain new intellectual ammo each time I read it. I may not get all of Van Til's concepts, or even jp moreland's, and Ravi Zacahrias', but the odd thing is this book is much more intellectual, yet I get so much out of it.
All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam!
O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sail in Heaven along,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice!
The Existence of God
7 of 13 found the following review helpful:
 Atrociously bad Dec 25, 2010
By London C.
I had hoped this book would give me a series of strong arguments for the existence of God, presented with careful reasoning and an absence of obvious assumptions. While Mr. Robinson appears to play to his audience of conservative Christians, his reasoning is so poor, I struggle to imagine anybody who didn't already share his beliefs being convinced.
A sample argument:
God Is the the Foundation of All Reality
Consider the following syllogism:
1. The God of scripture is the foundation of all reality or reality is unintelligible
2. Reality is intelligible
3. Therefore, God is the foundation of reality
From this, Mr. Robinson argues "Unless Christianity is true, we can know nothing of reality." Replace any noun for "God (of the scripture)" in that syllogism and it "proves" that the noun is the foundation of reality. It's called circular reasoning and even the undeveloped brains of grade school children are able to see its flaws.
Later, he offers advice on how to contradict arguments of non-believers:
[Non-believer] You shouldn't push your views on others.
[Apologist] Are you pushing your views on me?
[Unclear asserter] Seen on display in a store: "I Love You Only" Valentine cards:
[Apologist] Now available in multipacks.
First he gives a snappy comeback to the basic problem of multiculturalism and tolerance, but offers no follow through: in a world with many different beliefs, how do we mediate who determines what is acceptable, what is tolerable and what is intolerable? "Are you pushing your views on me?" doesn't open a conversation, it closes it. Should the non-believer begin to pursue the question, Mr. Robinson is to hamstrung by his inability to see beyond his beliefs that the reader is offered no path forward. But perhaps his intent is to mock his readers--it's difficult to see what other purpose the second example serves other than to imply apologists are smarmy wise-crackers who just seeking to find ways to feel smug.
If you are planning on purchasing this book to feel good about your beliefs without giving much thought to what he's saying, Mr. Robinson will certainly succeed. But if you plan on answering the myriad of reasons you might be questioning your faith or with the hope of convincing doubters, find another book.
I had sincerely hoped this book would make at least an attempt to seriously struggle with the reasons people doubt faith or Christianity, but Mr. Robinson is either incapable or unwilling to challenge serious questions seriously. Every argument only works if you presuppose (and hold as a matter of absolute fact) the existence of the Christian conception of God and the infallibility of the Bible. Since the people buying this book will largely hold those beliefs, one has to wonder why he bothered. A Valentine card saying "I Believe Exactly What You Believe" would have been cheaper and contained the same message.
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