Book Review: Has Christianity Failed You? by Ravi Zacharias

Dr. Zacharias’ book “Has Christianity Failed You?” was released in 2010.  Dr. Zacharias deals with some of the most important questions raised by those that have left the faith.  Throughout his book he systematically answers the most popular questions.  This is not meant to be an exhaustive review, rather a quick summation in order to help you determine whether you should add this text to your reading list.

Chapter 1 – Who is Jesus?

It is important to understand who Jesus is, before we can make claims that Jesus has failed us.  Zacharias describes Jesus in four different ways.  First, Jesus is the “Son” of David, (Mark10:47).  Jesus was born to a lineage of kings, hence the title “King of the Jews”.  Second, Jesus is described as the “Son” of man, (Acts 7:56, John 12:34, Psalms 8:4).  Jesus was born of a woman, and therefore can be described as a man.  Jesus identifies himself with humanity.  Third, Jesus is described as the “Son” of God, (Romans 8:29, John 1:11, Genesis 2:24).  The very being of God is that in 3 forms, the Father, Son, and the Spirit.  Jesus, being the Son of God, identifies himself as God.  Finally, fourth, Jesus is described as “Savior”, (John 20:29).  Jesus was sent by God as a way to redeem humanity through the suffering and death on the cross.

Chapter 2 – What does it mean to be a Christian?

After laying down the foundation for who Jesus is and why he came, the next step is to begin to understand exactly what a Christian is.  Dr. Zacharias will compare the Christian faith to other faiths as a way to define Christianity.  The chapter deals specifically about what it means to be a Christian, because if we do not understand what being a Christian is, then how will we know Christianity has failed us or if we have actually failed Christianity.

Chapter 3 – Points of Tension

Dr. Zacharias spends some time discussing tensions that arise within the Christian worldview when compared to other worldviews.  He talks about the idea that we need more miracles to prove God’s existence and what they would do for us.  He also addresses the problem of evil and suffering.

Chapter 4 – Looking Incoherence in the Eye

Dr. Zacharias continues to discuss the problem of evil and suffering, and now focuses his attention to the naturalist position and how the Bible relates to this conflict.  He shows four examples of people that ask about the problem of pain and suffering.  First the man himself, the disciples, and those who recognized that the man’s healing is supernatural but who have no way to explain it, and the religious and political leaders. 

Chapter 5 – Purpose Driven or Reason Driven

In this chapter Dr. Zacharias discusses the laws of logic, and how they affect man’s reason.  He also talks about the loss of reason by those that would want to mock the Christian faith, and the steps they take to ignore reason and truth.  While some time is also given to comparing the Bible with eastern thought. 

Chapter 6 – Does Prayer Make Any Difference?

This chapter is devoted to those who feel that Christianity has failed them because prayers that they have lifted up have gone unanswered.  Most of us have been on our knees in desperate prayer for something or another.  Maybe it is that you have lost a job and a source of income that you can not live with out, or maybe it is the terminal disease that gives your love one very little time left.  Either way we have all experienced unanswered prayers and they can have serious emotional consequences.  Dr. Zacharias addresses the issue and gives a reasonable defense for unanswered prayers.

Chapter 7 – What Difference Does Christianity Make?

The final chapter wraps everything up together, and deals with the major question of the book.  What has failed you, the church, Jesus, other Christians?  Dr. Zacharias asks you to examine the possibility that maybe it is not that Christianity that has failed you.  He says, “If you have struggled with your faith, if you feel that Christianity has failed you, take a deep, personal look at what you are called to as a Christian, according to the Scriptures, and then evaluate once again who has failed.

Has Christianity Failed You? Is a great book for those that feel they are ready to take an honest look at their experience with Christianity.  This is a beginning level apologetics book that will help you tremendously to understand your relationship with God, and how it is affected by the church, Jesus, and other Christians.  Enjoy!