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63 of 75 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent. Many hard questions finally explained., July 15, 2000
I loved this book and read the 190 pages in few days. I am struggling with my own doubts about religion. My belief in God is strong, but any details are blurry (that includes the choice of religion). Edward Boyd asked several questions which have been leaving me confused about Christianity, I found myself suprised many times at how he was just asking what I often wondered about. Several times I was thinking "ok, that explains it, but what about XYZ, I want you see explain that one, ah!" and later Edward did ask something like it and his father managed to come up with a pretty solid answer. The topics include: Why has Christianity done so much harm? Why is the world full of suffering? Why does God create famine,earthquakes? Couldn't it all be by chance? Why does an all-powerful God need prayers? Why trust the Gospel as true? What about the contradictions? How could a man rise from the dead? Why are there so many different interpretations of the Bible? What about other holy books of other religions? Do all non-Christians go to hell? Why would God torture people in an eternal hell? Plus many other. Sometimes you'll get answers that are based on faith, sometimes you get clear facts, but I have to admit I have never read any explanations that left me thinking it was making sense. If you already believe, this book might help you to see things a bit more clearly. If you are a skeptic (like me), it will leave you less confused. Ultimately, I do not believe I will find any final answer from books. It will have to be a deep personal experience, but I am gathering as much info as I can. I dare quoting the Bible: "Test everything, hold on to the good" (1 Thess 5:21). This book was great clearing up a few problematic issues like the concept of Hell. Of course I still don't understand many things, and still have a lot to learn, but if you are a skeptic, buy it now. A previous reviewer wrote that Boyd claims to know the truth, but resorts to compromise when his beliefs are on the line. Maybe he does sometimes, but even Boyd himself near the end admits that you cannot be 100% of anything. He admits things might be different, but gives you enough facts to make you start looking at other options as if they are as hard to believe in as the whole "christian stuff". I also recommend another book which also clears out many issues and some good arguments from atheists: "The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel. "The Journey" Bible is also easy to read and addequate for people who don't believe yet. I've been trying to explore it, it's a lot easier than most Bibles. The book ends a bit quickly, the last 2 months were not written, it abruptly ends with Gregory's father saying he is ready to believe. I am curious about how he feels now, and it would be interesting to read more correspondence between the two. In general, a great book, with many strong arguments. Doubts will always be present, but this was one of the most interesting books about Christianity I have read so far. No matter what you believe in (or don't believe in), buy it. I am sure you will find some good thoughts in it, even if you don't end up converted or fully convinced.
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