1. Book Review06/08/2016
ThisBook ReviewcomesfromG.ConnorSalter,a studentatTaylor University,majoringinprofessional
writing.He isa freelance writerfor TheEcho,Church Libraries, andThe Waynedale News.
The Faith of ChristopherHitchens:The RestlessSoul of the World’sMostNotorious Atheist
by Larry AlexTaunton
Thomas NelsonPublishers,hardbound,217 pages, 2016
He was known as one of the “FourHorsemenof the NewAtheism.” The hero of many secularists,
ChristopherHitchensspent hislife rebellingagainstthe ideaGodexistedand publiclydebating
anyone who disagreed.But thenhow to explainHitchens’shighlyprivate but close friendshipswith
certain evangelical Christians?Christianauthor and apologistLarry AlexTaunton, who became good
friendswith Hitchensin hislater life,describestheirrelationshipandshows how the world’smost
notoriousatheist began searchingfor truth.
This isn’ta simple book to read. Taunton analyzes a man whommany people describedas
“contradictory,” and the writing style sometimesreadsmore like an essay than an analytical
narrative. In the end,though, neitherofthese things seriouslyhurt the book’s quality.Taunton shifts
effortlesslybetweenfascinatingstoriesabout hisfriendshipwithHitchens and in-depthanalysesof
Hitchens’searlierlife and motivations.The insightsinto atheismare excellentandthe story of
Hitchens’sspiritual journey isintriguing.Together,these elementscreate a book that will keep
readersthinking longafter they’re finishedreadingit.
This book referencesScripture multiple times,includingachapter in which the author and Christopher
Hitchensstudy the Gospel ofJohn during a road trip. There are also various apologeticand
philosophical argumentsagainst atheismthroughout the book. More sensitive readersmay be put off
by discussionsof Hitchens’sextremelysecularlifestyle,includingsparse referencestohomosexual
activity.
PublishedinThe Aboite Independent,June 8,2016.