Smooth Stones by Joe Coffey

Smooth Stones

Here’s my review of a quick read that packs a punch. It’s called, Smooth Stones: Bringing Down the Giant Questions of Apologetics by Joe Coffey.

This book covers key ideas you’d expect to find in an intro to apologetics–but without a lot of the jargon we’ve become so accustom to. Especially if you’ve been around the discipline for a while, you might forget that terms like “worldview,” “a priori,” “theodicy” and of course, “apologetics” can be confusing. I hate to see that look that says, “I knew it. This whole apologetics thing is just way too deep. Maybe this isn’t for me.” That’s why I’m always on the lookout for something like this.

I like how Joe uses a cake to illustrate how God is the best explanation for the fine-tuning of the universe:

Cakes have bakers and bakers have recipies…Picture the universe as a cake and ask if there is evidence for a recipie. If there is, chances are, there would be a baker to go with it (26).

Clever. If you’re like me, you’ll enjoy the everyday ideas he uses to explain heady concepts for people who aren’t science-types. For example, he explains the Law of Entropy by saying, “I prefer to call it the Law of Your Kid’s Room.” Kids never say, “the wind was blowing really hard and the room cleaned itself!”

Smooth Stones has six easy chapters you can read in about 10 minutes a piece.

1. Is There a God?
2. Does Science Disprove God’s Existence?
3. Is the Bible Authentic and True?
4. The Question of Evil and Suffering
5. Aren’t All Religions the Same?
6. Is Jesus for Real?

Norman Geisler says, “Most books on apologetics are too long, too deep and too complicated. This book has none of those defects. Like its title, it is like a smooth stone from David’s apologetic sling directed right to the mind of an enquiring reader.” Interesting metaphor. If you’re totally new to these ideas, a few of them may stun you. Hopefully, they don’t knock you out entirely!

Joe’s got a couple of great epilogues to finish out the book—one for non-believers and another for Christians. I especially appreciate the advice he gives apologists: Never stray from the gospel. Pray. Glorify God.

I read this book by the community pool and still had time for a dip. This is a super-short, super-accessible book (112 pages) that delivers what it promises: “Street-level apologetics for everyday Christians.” Look inside this book on Amazon.com 

Note: I received a free review copy of this book from Cruciform Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.