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Choosing My Religion

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Why does someone not seek God? Why would someone exchange the Truth for a lie? This is the emphasis of this book, and the theme is directed toward college age people. Written to accompany an audio series by RC Sproul, one need not hear the lectures to comprehend the book. I found the book an interesting argument about the nature of man and the nature of God, even though I am twice the age of the target audience. How does culture affect views about the condition of man, his perspective of God, and his need for salvation.

The first chapter quotes many young adults what their perspective is of belief. The answers illustrate a philosophy of relative thought: what works for me, what works for you, what is functional to the individual. RC Sproul explains why people come up with their own religion. He uses the story about the prodigal son throughout the book to illustrate his point: man's natural inclination is to rebel against God.

The second chapter starts with many quotes from young people about code of conduct or morals: how does someone choose what is right from wrong. How does someone determine what behavior is acceptable? Is there an ultimate ought ness? Sproul uses this point to explain the myths of relative truth, relative morals and a life with no absolutes. That someone may accept the concept of God, but make it out of his own choosing- not what actually exists or is described in the Bible. The author further explains the difference between a God pleasing life and a clean life to bow to social pressure to a parent or another person.

The third chapter starts with many quotes from young adults about the afterlife. Sproul goes into a discussion about how people perceive God's hatred of sin and the judgment of God. Because of today's culture tend to dismiss God's holiness and God's perspective of the deserved punishment of the created. Man does not perceive the need to be saved from the wrath of God. The author explains the difference from being saved from pain and current circumstance as compared to salvation from damnation.

The fourth chapter starts with quotes deal with perspectives about the Christian church. Sproul uses this point to argue what people perceive the Gospel is? Someone may perceive Jesus as philosopher maybe even theologian but not as the redemptive sacrifice for ones sins. Man does not want to accept the idea what punishment he deserves, so he does not want to believe in the atonement.

The fifth chapter deals with quotes about God the Father. Sproul uses this point to explain the holiness of God and worship. What does it mean to believe in a Holy God?

My brief description of this book fails to demonstrate how Sproul incorporates the story about the prodigal to explain all these points. I found the book very interesting.

This is a great introduction to the basic truths of Christianity and how they are actually rational beliefs and not irrational private values. In this short introductory level book, Sproul discusses what it means to know, believe, and doubt as well as what it means to find purpose, forgiveness, and redemption.

The first chapter has to do with truth as opposed to relativism. The second chapter relates truth to God. In chapters three and four Sproul goes through the biblical themes of redemption and salvation from sin. The final chapter (five) is a basic description of who God is according to the Bible.

I wish I would have read this book in college when I was exploring some of the deep truths of reality and existence. I recommend this book for those who know something about Christianity and want (or need!) a basic intellectual discussion about the historic Christian faith. It won't answer all the questions one might have, but it is a good step in the right direction - the direction towards Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life.

By the way, there are study questions at the end of each chapter for discussion purposes. I recommend it not just for the individual, but also for a small group setting. I'd use it in a young adult setting, or in a setting where "seekers" or "questioners" get together to discuss the intellectual aspect of the Christian faith.

This book was the impetus for me sharing the Gospel and the reality of objective truth surrounding it. It gives non-Christians a bold but sensitive reality check and offers them the correct alternative. I can see it hangin on God's toolbelt right now...

I read this book because its back cover promises that it "teaches you how to think" about religion. But I was very disappointed to find that the book teaches not how but WHAT to think. Like a sermon, it preaches the existence of absolute truth (chapter 1) and the sinful nature of humans that deserves the wrath of God (chapters 2 - 5). This book only has value as an easy read that presents the Christian perspective on the issues named above.