Confessing and Commending the Faith: Historic Witness and Apologetic Method

Since Christianity is a way and not simply a theory, commending the faith to others is an activity in which every Christian participates. Confessing and Commending the Faith discusses the presuppositions which underlie the intellectual commendation of Christianity in the face of the philosophical challenges of the present day. Following his earlier books, John Locke and the Eighteenth-Century Divines and Philosophical Idealism and Christian Belief, Alan Sell proposes a way of proceeding with Christian apologetics in the twenty-first century. He discusses what Christians wish to proclaim, asks whether these claims are reasonable and examines what is involved in the intellectual commendation of the Christian faith. Confessing and Commending the Faith makes extensive use of the historical tradition of apologetics and brings this work to bear on contemporary questions such as the meaning, use and reference of religious language, and the question of transcendence in relation to history. Alan Sell argues that if the intellectual commendation of Christianity's claim to truth is to be viable, contemporary apologetics must draw upon reason, revelation and experience to do justice to Christianity's basic confession of Christ as Saviour and Lord.

About the Author :
Alan P. F. Sell was formerly Professor of Christian Doctrine and Philosophy of Religion at the United Theological College, Aberystwyth. He is the author many books, including Commemorations: Studies in Christian Thought and History (1993), Philosophical Idealism and Christian Belief (1995) and John Locke and the Eighteenth-Century Divines (1997), all published by the University of Wales Press. Having held theological posts in England, Switzerland, Canada and Wales, he continues to publish and lecture in many parts of the world.

Review :
'... a learned and thoughtful book.' The Expository Times ' ... This is an important work... He is equally at home in both philosophy and theology. Indeed he demonstrates an amazing breadth in both areas... to be commended to anyone who is interested in clear thinking about an important topic...' (Philosophical Books) ' ... the volume is a rich mine of information on the philosophical theologians of the modern era... This final volume of Alan Sell's trilogy is, like its predecessors, a remarkable tour de force. It illuminates innumerable intriguing byways in the history of theology while maintaining the momentum of a grand overall scheme of argument ... There is an abundance of biographical and reference material... it is certainly appropriate to admire the amount of sheer hard work which has obviously gone into the book's production... ' (International Journal of Systematic Theology) ' ... wide-ranging and extensively annotated... This book provides a fascinating and wide-ranging survey of how Christians have understood and sought to commend their faith to others... it will provide a rich source of information...' (British Journal for the History of Philosophy) '...this last volume of Sell's impressive trilogy is both learned and profoundly embedded in the community of the faithful. It's for sure an encouraging and valuable asset to those engaged with apologetics.' Arts Disputandi '...an erudite, charming, elegant and expansive work...'Heythrop Journal 'This book is so rich with the detailed history of apologetics, especially in British nooks and crannies too often overlooked, that it deserves a wide readership beyond its Welsh publishing audience. Pastors wanting a refresher course in Christian thought, past and present, will be especially instructed and edified. Here is a review that "confesses" such and "commends" with enthusiasm this exercise in exploring, and advocating for, the Christian faith.' (The New Mercersburg Review, No. 35) 'Rooted in scholarship of considerable breadth and depth, the book reveals a thorough knowledge of where the enterprise of apologetics has travelled over the centuries, together with a clear appreciation of the contemporary intellectual climate and its peculiarities. The book is, moreover an intellectually demanding and enjoyable reading experience. This book speaks, with integrity and clarity ...is most welcome and warmly commended.' The Ecumenical Review 'It is impossible in a review to do justice to the closely argued, rigorous and judicious discussions of the book...a very fine book...which will be of great value both for its constructive proposals and its insightful expositions'. Scottish Journal of Theology