18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thoughtful answers to tough questions, June 6, 2001
This review is from: Searching Issues: Alpha Course (Paperback)
When Christians discuss their faith with others a number of tough questions frequently come up. These questions, and the church's perceived position on them, are often cited as blockages to growth in faith. Many feel that the existence of suffering in the world is proof that there IS no loving God. Others feel that the church has taken the wrong response to homosexuality or science.
Nicky Gumbel, the author of "Searching Issues", tackles seven of these questions in this short text. He uses careful examination of scripture to explore the Christian response to "Why Does God Allow Suffering?" and "Is There Anything Wrong with Sex Before Marriage?". Nicky's writing is entirely accessible to those at any stage of their spiritual journey, including those just starting out. Like his beginning course in Christianity, "Alpha", (for which this book is the text) he acknowledges the questions and objections and puts them into Biblical perspective. Though he is an ordained Anglican he focusses not on the Church but on Christianity as a whole, and on God's message as seen through scripture. An included Study Guide encourages the reader to dig further, or to facilitate a discussion with others.
While not a definitive theological text, "Searching Issues" provides an excellent reference for the practicing Christian or the skeptic. Whether you are seeking answers for yourself, or find it difficult to face the "tough questions" about your faith with others, Gumbel provides considerable ammunition on seven very tough and very real questions.
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7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really packs power for the punch, February 20, 2004
This review is from: Searching Issues: Alpha Course (Paperback)
I was first introduced to Nicky Gumbel when we started an Alpha Group at our church. Nicky is the host of the series and is responsible for the international success of Alpha. Raised as an atheist and educated as an attorney, Nicky accepted Christ and with his lawyers wit, persuasively makes the case for Christ.
This book addresses seven common objections to the Christian faith: Why does God allow suffering? Is there anything wrong with sex before marriage? What about other religions? How does the New Age Movement relate to Christianity? What is the Christian attitude toward homosexuality? Is there a conflict between science and Christianity? Is the Trinity unbiblical, unbelievable and irrelevant?
How does he do? He does a pretty good job. One would be hard pressed to find a more concise, well-written book dealing with these issues. There is gentleness in his argument that is often lacking in Christian apologetics- you do not get the feeling you have just been hit over the head with a 2x4 as you read. Rather, he acknowledges difficulties in the Christian faith, and makes reasonable response to them without denigrated those who may hold to contrary beliefs.
Every pastor, well for that matter, every Christian should have several copies of this little book. At a mere 130 pages, it really packs power for the punch.
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4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
So good I am preaching from this book, December 2, 2005
This review is from: Searching Issues: Alpha Course (Paperback)
This book is so good that I decided to preach a sermon series from it. I have even blogged the chapters into preachable outline forms at www.jesusquestions.blogspot.com
It is really an introduction to the seven most common questions people exploring Christianity tend to ask. Nicky gives a mix of responses in a rapid fire sequence that touches on key issue after key issue in a logically laid out and well organized, convincing fashion. For the open minded, his answers summarize a variety of issues which synthesize into a tincture that paints a convincing portrait. The result is clusters of sweet grapes of thought that can be developed in further discussion between interested people to help round out the critical issues related to the seven most common questions. (I won't repeat them since other reviewers have written about them). Some of his points are not as convincing as others...some stray from the question at hand and really are not part of answering the questions he raises...yet Nicky seems to present an overall package of concepts that forge a formidable argument for anyone who is a seeker of Christ. I also think this book is useful for Christians who struggle with some doubts...and for those who are sharing their faith...ideas on how to share their faith.
So, I have decided to preach from this book a series that takes a look at each question one at a time. Nicky's material is so well organized I've found that borrowing his outline for the most part (with credit given of course) only needs slight modification in order to develop powerful sermons. The first chapter, Why does God allow suffering, was easy to develop a sermon outline from and a joy to preach through. I heard a lot of positive feedback on it as well. Especially encouraged were these who are or have suffered the most. He was lacking on the issues covered by the book of Job, for this chapter.... Nicky's material should really be seen as a summary introduction to this strategic topic.
Here is a short outline of chapter two, called, 'What about other religions'?. This gives you an idea of how he approaches the questions.
1) Is Jesus the only way to God?
A) Unique qualifications of Jesus
a. The Righteous One
b. The author of life
c. Foretold by the prophets
d. Worshipped by the early church
B) Unique achievements of Jesus
a. The Savior
b. Buddha claimed to be a teacher, but not a savior
c. Mohammed claimed to be a prophet, but not a savior
C) Unique in his resurrection
a. Christ's resurrection is central to Christianity
b. Buddha claimed to enter into nirvana, but not to be with his followers.
c. Mohammed never claimed to be resurrected.
2) What do we say about other religions?
A) Partial revelation of God in nature
B) Foolishness of atheism
C) Law of God on the hearts of men
D) Eternity in the hearts of men
E) Expect to see good in other religions
1) Commitment
2) Dedication
3) Devotion
4) Many ideas that match general revelation to some degree
5) These commonalities do not mean they are all equal paths to God.
F) Don't expect all religions to have the same level of truth in them.
1) How can a religion lead to God if it denies God exists personally?
2) Absurdity to say that religions which contradict each other are equally true.
3) By comparing other religions to Jesus we can see where they err.
4) The argument that this is narrow-minded fails because the opposing views are at best the minority view and must embrace a `narrow-mindedness of some sort to be accepted.
3) What about those who have never heard of Jesus?
A) We have confidence that God will be seen as completely just in the final evaluation of all people.
B) Simple faith is answered by God for those who have not heard of Jesus.
C) Those who cry out to God will find Him (as He promises).
4) Our response to other religions
A) Be humble-realize we are sinful people saved by grace...no better than anyone else.
B) Be positive-not attacking other religions but preaching Christ crucified
C) Be respectful-realizing all are made in God's image even if they don't know Christ yet.
D) Be bold even if the message is rejected.
Pastors should use this book. Lay leaders and small group leaders should use it. Christians of all kinds can use this to help them grow spiritual and to remove barriers to their faith in Christ.
I highly recommend this book.
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