50 Simple Questions for Every Christian (50 Series) - Softcover

Buch 3 von 3: 50

Harrison, Guy

 
9781616147273: 50 Simple Questions for Every Christian (50 Series)
Softcover
ISBN 10: 161614727X ISBN 13: 9781616147273
Verlag: G38-Prometheus, 2013

Inhaltsangabe

Written in a respectful and conversational style, this unique book is designed to promote constructive dialogue and foster mutual understanding between Christians and non-Christians. The author, a skeptic and journalist, asks basic questions about Christian belief.

What is the born-again experience? Why would God want to sacrifice his only son for the world? Do miracles really happen? How reliable is the Bible? What is the rapture? Why isn't everyone a Christian? Each question is followed by commentary and analysis that is skeptical and tough but never argumentative or condescending.

Christians will find the book useful as a basis for developing their apologetics, while skeptics will welcome Harrison's probing rational analysis of religious claims.

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Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

GUY P. HARRISON (San Diego, CA) is an award-winning journalist and the author of Think, 50 Simple Questions for Every Christian, 50 Popular Beliefs That People Think Are True, 50 Reasons People Give for Believing in a God, and Race and Reality: What Everyone Should Know about Our Biological Diversity. Find him on online at www.guypharrison.com, www.facebook.com/guypharrisonauthor, and on Twitter @Harrisonauthor.

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50 simple questions for every christian

By Guy P. Harrison

Prometheus Books

Copyright © 2013 Guy P. Harrison
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-61614-727-3

Contents

Introduction...............................................................9
1. Does Christianity make sense?...........................................13
2. What is a god?..........................................................21
3. Is it rude to ask?......................................................25
4. Does Jesus answer prayers?..............................................33
5. Who is a Christian?.....................................................41
6. Does Christianity make societies better?................................45
7. What is atheism?........................................................49
8. What are miracles?......................................................57
9. Does the complexity of life reveal an intelligent designer?.............67
10. Have you read the Bible?...............................................73
11. Why do some Christians do bad things in the sight of Jesus?............79
12. How can we be sure about the resurrection?.............................83
13. How do we know that heaven is real?....................................89
14. Why is God so violent?.................................................97
15. What do prophecies prove?..............................................103
16. How important are the Ten Commandments?................................109
17. Do you know the real Ten Commandments?.................................117
18. Is Christianity good for women?........................................121
19. Is it smarter to believe or not believe?...............................125
20. Is the born-again experience in Christianity unique?...................131
21. Is faith a good thing?.................................................141
22. Should children be Christians?.........................................147
23. Does Jesus heal the sick?..............................................153
24. How do we know that the man Jesus existed?.............................159
25. What about all the other gods?.........................................165
26. Are Christians happier?................................................171
27. Is the United States of America a Christian nation?....................177
28. How can we be sure that Jesus performed miracles?......................183
29. What do evil atheist dictators prove?..................................187
30. Is the universe fine-tuned for us?.....................................197
31. Could we design a better world?........................................203
32. What has archaeology proved?...........................................209
33. Why isn't everyone a Christian?........................................213
34. What is the problem with evolution?....................................219
35. Is it better to be safe than sorry?....................................227
36. Why did God sacrifice his son?.........................................231
37. Did God drown the world?...............................................237
38. Why do birth location and family matter so much?.......................245
39. Why do Christianity and science so often come into conflict?...........249
40. Why do people go to hell?..............................................255
41. Can atheists be trusted?...............................................261
42. Why hasn't the Bible convinced more people?............................269
43. Are angels real?.......................................................275
44. Is Christmas under attack?.............................................281
45. Will the End Times ever end?...........................................287
46. Does Christianity make individuals better?.............................295
47. Why does a good god allow so much suffering in the world?..............303
48. Would you take Jesus's place on the cross?.............................309
49. Should Christians try to be good skeptics?.............................313
50. Will Christianity endure?..............................................321
Notes......................................................................325
Bibliography and Recommended Reading.......................................339
Index......................................................................345

Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

DOES CHRISTIANITY MAKE SENSE?


These may be the most simple and important questions of all:Does this religion make sense? It is true? Am I sufficiently convincedabout this to honestly call myself a Christian? While these mayseem like fair questions to an unsure skeptic, those within Christianitymight consider it impolite, unnecessary, and even idiotic to ask suchthings. Of course it's true. Of course it makes sense. Given the highstakes of this religion's global influence and possible afterlife repercussions,however, shouldn't everyone—Christians included—be askingthese questions?

Does it make sense? This simple question goes far beyond nitpickingcontradictions in the Bible or citing problems with popular claimsabout the benefits of Christianity and the reliability of prayer. It isabout the basic concept, the core claim that distinguishes this religionfrom others. It is, of course, impossible to summarize it in a way thatsatisfies all Christians, but it goes something like this: God sent hisson, Jesus, into the world so that he could die for us. His sacrifice wasa pardon for our sins that allows us to be saved from death and enjoyeternal life in heaven. Without Jesus, we would all be doomed becauseof our inherently sinful nature. In this great act of mercy, God saved usfrom ourselves. And all we have to do in return to accept this gift is torepent our sins and embrace Jesus as our only lord and savior.

This is about as concise as one can describe Christianity withoutveering off into endless doctrinal conflicts. Short and simple as it is,there will still be some, I suspect, who would feel the need to subtractor add, but I hope most would agree that it's an accurate and fair synopsis.So let's analyze it line for line and see what happens.


GOD SENT HIS SON, JESUS, INTO...

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Verlag
G38-Prometheus
Erscheinungsdatum
2013
Sprache
Englisch
ISBN 10 
161614727X
ISBN 13 
9781616147273
Einband
Taschenbuch
Anzahl der Seiten
352
Kontakt zum Hersteller
Nicht verfügbar
Verantwortliche Person
Simon and Schuster Netherlands BV
info@simonandschuster.nl

Herculesplein 96
Utrecht
3584 AA
Niederlande