Book Review---In God We Trust: Why biblical authority matter for every believer--by Steve Ham

A Book Review by Jeramy Anderson, President and Founder of The Jeramy Anderson Evangelistic Association, Inc. For further info, see http://tjaea.blogspot.com/

Ham, Steve. In God We Trust: Why biblical authority matters for every believer. Green Forest, AR: Master Books, April 2010.

Use of Apologetics

First and foremost, this book exposes the reality of biases when it comes to interpretation of anything. The idea that man can be neutral is only an illusion. The author strives to demonstrate that the Biblical text is not merely probably true but is certain. Though the book is not attempting to go into deep apologetic detail, I would reccomend that the author bring out one of the harshest consequence of rejecting Biblical authority: nihilism. By rejecting Biblical authority, we reject any ability to be certain about anything. The Triune God is not only reasonable; He is the very foundational axiom for reason.

I would also add that 'anti-theism presupposes theism', as described by Van Til. Even the atheist must steal/borrow from Christianity to make his worldview work. We must especially expose the agnositic fallacy, for he shrouds himself in a guise of humility because he claims that one cannot know anything for certain. Such is not humility but pride, for that statement is an absolute certainty used by him to insulate himself from Biblical offense. Once the agnostic is unmasked, then all the insulation in the world will fail to protect his deceptive position.

The only real criticism I have of the author's use of presuppositional apologetics is that it can be a little evidential at times. For example, in his refutation of Dawkins (p110-111), he does use evidences as 'confirmation' of the Scripture. This is a problem because it sets the evidence as superior to the text itself. I understand what he is trying to say, but it would be better to say, "Scripture alone makes sense of what we see." This kind of statement is used in other parts of the book, but, at times, his statements do become somewhat evidential without realizing it. In saying that, I applaud his use of the evidence, but it is far more formidable to consistently speak of it in relation to how God's Word alone makes the evidence understandable to begin with. For Dawkins in particular, I love to point out how he has no foundation for the reasoning by which he reasons against Christianity!

Applied Theology

Magnifying the implications of rejecting Biblical Authority is at the heart of the book. After explaining the authoritative role of the Trinity in Creation and Redemption, the author expounds magnificently on the application of the Biblical text. It does no good to claim Biblical Authority and then never live out the Bible's teaching in all facets of life.

Likewise, Steve was not afraid to assert man's purpose: the absolute worship of God. Self-esteem is promoted even within the Church sadly, yet it is God-esteem (as Piper would say) that we need. One's value must be centered upon God in Christ and not man for humanity to have any value at all.

The breakdown of the family unit and all of its ramifications shows how compromising Biblical authority effects the Church and society in general. The rejection of the Genesis creation account sets the gospel up for failure from the outset, and this is why it should be no surprise that so many claim to reject Christ because of evolution and millions of years (p210).

One point of contention that I do bring out is in the area of schooling. I applaud the author's willingness to critique what his children are learning in a Christian school. However, this is why many have become so passionate about promoting homeschool. Not only is it the the parent's role to educate and teach from a Biblical foundation, but many of our 'Christian' schools have been infected by naturalism, especially in the hard sciences and Biblical counseling. For this reason, I do find it surprising that the author does not homeschool.

Concluding Remarks

Overall, it was a great book that is far more God-centered than most 'Christian' resources. Finally, may God bless Steve Ham for the hard work that was done in crafting this book.