The Christian Book of Why [Paperback]

John C. McCollister (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1983

A Lutheran minister concisely and straightforwardly answers five hundred questions relating to Christian belief and ritual. A must for pastors, Sunday school teachers, parochial school teachers, instructors of religion at colleges and universities, and anyone interested in why Christians live and worship as they do.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This volume provides clear information in a format excellent for both browsing and reference. -- Booklist

About the Author

John C. McCollister has authored thirteen books, including The Christian Book of Why, The Sky Is Home, and Writing for Dollars. Over five hundred of his articles have appeared in publications such as The Boston Globe, Lady's Circle, Science Digest, Entrepreneur, Plane and Pilot, and The Saturday Evening Post. A Christian pastor and university professor, Dr. McCollister graduated from Capital University and Trinity Lutheran Seminary, both in Columbus, Ohio. He earned his Ph.D. from Michigan State University and has engaged in post-graduate study at Union Theological Seminary and the University of Michigan. Founder and president of the American Writers Institute, Dr. McCollister currently travels the nation presenting his popular seminar, "How to Make Money by Writing."

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Jonathan David Publishers (January 1, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824603176
• ISBN-13: 978-0824603175
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,550,321 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars All About Christianity, January 23, 2001

By 

C. Flagg (Morgan Hill, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Christian Book of Why (Hardcover)

The late Bishop James A. Pike used to say that most Americans are "theologically illiterate." He meant that they hadn't had any formal religious education since they had finished Sunday School or catechism classes (and perhaps were confirmed). They still had the understanding of their faith gained as adolescents. There is a book, however, which might easily improve this situation. "The Christian Book of Why" (Testament Books, 1983) provides clear information in a format appropriate for both browsing and reference. John C. McCollister is a Lutheran pastor who answers about 500 questions on Christian belief and ritual. Author of a dozen other books and hundreds of articles in publications such as "The Boston Globe" and "The Saturday Evening Post," McCollister has a Ph.D. from Michigan State University and travels widely presenting seminars on the topic of making money by writing. In the words of the book's introduction: "The Christian Book of Why" does not attempt to advise Christians on how to conduct their lives. It does not take sides in issues on which Christians have differed over the centuries. Instead, it merely explains why certain Christians choose to believe or behave as they do. The material is divided into ten sections: Jesus; Practices & Beliefs That Unite & Divide; Water, Bread, and Wine; Public Worship; Prayer & Private Worship; Marriage & Divorce; Festivals & Seasons; Holy Objects & Symbols; Pastors, Priests, Popes; Saints & Sinners. The book's greatest virtues as a reference are its even-handedness and very thorough index. The author strives to give both sides of any controversial issues. For example, McCollister handles the sacrament of baptism this way: Why do some Christians baptize infants? The Book of Acts reports baptisms of entire families of people at one time. The earliest explicit mention of infant baptism doesn't appear until the second century. St. Augustine was one of the earliest church fathers to defend this practice around the start of the fifth century. Today most Christian churches practice infant baptism, believing the benefits rest in the working of the Holy Spirit who is able to enter the heart and soul of a child as much as an adult. Why do some Christians baptize only adults? Some churches reject the baptism of infants not old enough to speak for themselves. They believe a candidate should have reached an age of accountability and demonstrated some evidence of a personal conversion experience. This insistence on "believer baptism" requires adult converts to these denominations to be rebaptized since they can now speak for themselves. Other questions which are answered include: *Why was the celebration of Christmas banned in Colonial America? *Why do some clergy wear clerical collars? *Why are Christians divided on the issue of alcoholic beverages? Why are songs sung at Christmas called "carols"? Why does Easter occur at different dates each year? Why is incense burned in some churches?

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Background To Practices And Beliefs, July 17, 2007

By 

R. McRae (Saugus, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Christian Book of Why (Hardcover)

Not only show's the unique differences, but the many similarities of a wide range of Christian denominations. The history of traditions and Biblical passages for various doctrines.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Do you wanna know Y?, July 22, 2010

By 

dmayneone (STANTON, CA, US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Christian Book of Why (Hardcover)

I bought this to replace 2 other copies I had loaned out and lost them to who ever. If you WANT to KNOW how pagan celebrations entered mainstream Christian religions, this is the book.