Book Review: True for You but Not for Me by Paul Copan

Title: True for You but Not for Me: Overcoming Objections to Christian Faith
Author: Paul Copan
Publisher: Bethany House
Copyright: 2009 (Revised Edition)
Pages: 240
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0650-4
Genre: Non-fiction/apologetics

Several hours on a plane provides ample time to converse with others or to eavesdrop on juicy conversations. During this particular ride, I really wasn't trying to eavesdrop. In fact, I just wanted to sleep. But the Indian man next to me and the American fantasy writer next to him talked the whole time. Between dozing, I couldn't help but overhear. India. America. Politics. Religion.

The Indian man spoke briefly of his Hindu beliefs. The writer talked at length about her Christian background and all her current objections to the faith. She explained her New Age mishmash of beliefs and how she picked the things she liked from each religion.

Most modern Christians run into such objections sooner or later. Some Christians face them every day. Apologetics addresses such objections by explaining why the Christian faith makes sense. Some Christians view it as a way to answer objections from others; other Christians view it as a way to strengthen their own faith. Either way, apologetics has become a crucial subject for many Christians today. Yet discussions on apologetics often root themselves in the research of scholars.

So who is Paul Copan to write about apologetics? If the reader accepts the qualifications on Copan's résumé, he's a highly qualified author.

(1) He's served as the chairman of the philosophy and ethics department at Palm Beach Atlantic University. (2) He has held adjunct or associate professor positions at a handful of other universities and seminaries. (3) At one point, he worked as a lecturer, writer, and researcher for Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, a high-profile organization that focuses on the credibility of the Christian faith. (4) Copan holds a BA in Biblical Studies, a Masters of Divinity, and a PhD in Philosophy. (5) He has written several other books that deal specifically with apologetics and related issues. (6) He participated on the editorial board for the apologetics study Bible published by B&H. (7) Copan has taught college-level courses in apologetics, philosophy, world religions, and more.¹ Impressive, to say the least.

Unfortunately, writing useful books entails more than owning a list of qualifications that make people's eyes bug out. This is especially true when it comes to books dealing with technical subjects or philosophical debates.

The subtitle of this book appears right on the front cover. In fact, in stands out because, while the cover design is mostly white, gray, and black, the subtitle appears on a block of red. Overcoming Objections to Christian Faith. Sounds like a practical spin. Copan himself writes in his introduction, "With patience, practice, prayer, and God's grace, believers can offer thoughtful responses to faith-challenges. These responses are not intended to be given as what cynics might call 'sassy answers to stupid questions,' but rather as encouragements to reopening conversation in an engaging, relational setting" (13).

To achieve these goals, the author must first explain difficult concepts in plain language. Secondly, he must offer answers that don't sound accusatory to non-believers. Copan fulfills neither of these necessary steps.

Most careful readers could probably understand True for You. But when I have to work and think hard just to unpack the author's sentence structure, I generally can't take away as much. For instance, Copan frequently writes in complex sentences like this one:

"If goodness somehow existed as part of the furniture of the universe (reflecting Plato's theory of forms), then it would be an astonishing cosmic coincidence that creatures would evolve over billions of years and somehow be duty-bound to moral values just waiting 'out there' . . . as though these values were somehow anticipating the emergence of humans!" (99).

Or this one with unnecessary terminology:

"Given utilitarianism, acts of supererogation (morally heroic acts) become duties: If a dying man needs a kidney replacement, and I'm able to help him by donating one of my kidneys (thus bringing benefit to another human being), I must do so" (103).

Copan defines utilitarianism previously in the chapter. But supererogation? As far as I could note, the concept doesn't appear before or after this point. Why include an obscure term that people won't understand? Copan could have written the same passage in much simpler language: According to utilitarianism, heroic acts are our duty. For instance, I might know a dying man who needs a kidney transplant. If I can donate one of my kidneys, I must do so.

Although True for You discusses important topics, Copan's scholarly tone complicates understanding.

Furthermore, many chapters don't explain why reason supports Christianity; instead they explain why the other side doesn't make sense. For instance, in chapter 1, Copan asserts that a relativist "applies his view to everyone but himself" (30). In the next chapter, he claims their viewpoint springs from "a shallow refusal to think hard about things" (35).

Now, proving the other person wrong is a good debate tactic. But from what I've seen, it normally doesn't encourage respectful dialogue between friends, co-workers, spouses, or anyone else. I'm not saying that Copan is wrong to bring up these points. I am saying I don't see them as practical conversation points when trying to share the truth with people we love.

True for You doesn't deliver what it seems to promise. On the other hand, the information it contains does have its uses. Teachers may find its content useful in preparing lessons on moral relativism. It could also provide useful examples for debate classes.

But for readers looking for a more accessible volume that explains why the Christian faith makes sense, I would recommend Lee Strobel's The Case for Christ.

¹Paul Copan, "Curriculum Vitae," Paul Copan's official website, http://www.paulcopan.com/cv/ (accessed 12 August 2009).