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Searching Issues: Alpha Course

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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.

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.

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.

Whatever good you feel has been done by the Alpha course, Mr. Gumbel demonstrates in this book his poisonous homophobia. I was recommended this book in the mid-90s and was shocked to read it. I am afraid that people who have been inspired by Alpha will pick up this book and believe it is all right to be mean-spirited and prejudiced against people because of their sexual orientation, since that is what Mr. Gumbel expounds on here. Shame on him. This is not what the world needs.

I read this book years ago after I attended an Alpha course at my church. I think I let someone borrow it because I was unable to find my original copy and ordered this one as a "replacement" to the one I lost. I found this book to be insightful and Biblical. The explanation for the issues commonly raised were, in my Bible reading opinion, scripture based and within the context from which the verses were taken. By that I mean this author didn't pick and choose Bible verses to "support" his agenda but referred to verses that the context around the verse also support the views he had which were truly God's...in my opinion. I would recommend this book to anyone.

I was told by a local book company that a book I wanted was out of print and that they would have to do a six week used book search. I ordered it from TheLadySellsBooks on Aug. 20, 2010. The estimated shipment date was Aug. 23 to 24, 2010; the estimated delivery date was Aug. 27 to Sept. 14, 2010. It arrived Aug. 23, 2010! -- in mint condition. I will buy from this seller again.

Christians sometimes wonder how to cope in a secular world. We are confronted with many issues daily. This book answers what our response should be in the context of Faith. This is another great book from Nicky Gumbel. Includes Study Guide. Make this book part of your Spiritual Reading.

I am an atheist and in my countless discussions with christians, I saw one particular book on their bookshelves; Searching Issues by Nikky Gumbel. Eight months ago I decided to buy the book to see why this book offers such convincing arguments for christianity in the fight with the unbelieving world.
Unfortunately, it did not offer any challenge. The book does not attempt to argue for theism (the belief in a god). On the contrary, it will not address the basic foundations of theistic claims, and therefore it will leave atheistic counterarguments intact.
An example; apparently, the existence of evil and suffering in the world makes many people doubt the correctness of the christian faith. Gumbel even stresses that since this is the toughest problem for christians when they defend their faith, he will also dedicate the first chapter of the book to the issue of evil.
But then Gumbel asserts that God is not evil; on the contrary, he is like a father testing his children, showing them that their ancestors (Adam and Eve) have been sinful, and that they must face the consequences. He also says that it might be hard for us people to understand God, but eventually, we can do no more than trust in God's righteous judgement, Gumbel says. Will this be devastating to a critical unbeliever when a christian discusses his faith? Hardly. It is merely a repetition of the biblical soteriology; the original sin, repeated in other, more simple words. Only if unbelievers are sensitive to religious language or feelings of sin, the book might be helpful to the christian counterpart in the discussion.
The same thing counts for all the other 'tough questions'; Gumbel avoids tough, philosophical-metaphysical questions and he only offers ethical answers to questions that will arise in discussions of people who either already believe in God, or who have not thought enough about the philosphical arguments against christianity. The book is more of a theological book, answering theological questions, while it does not address issues OUTSIDE theology. Vitally important issues outside theology, such as the question whether or not a god is necessary for existence and ethics (i.e. has man been created or can somebody be moral if he does not believe in a god) are crucial for the survival of christian theology in duiscussions with unbelievers. Unfortunately, they are left untouched, whereas they could maybe convince unbelievers or they could strengthen a christian's faith in a discussion.
Searching Issues is, to my opinion, only useful in discussions within the christian community, in discussions with people who would have been converted soon anyway (and who are therefore 'searching'), or with lapsed christians. Don't expect bold premises in this book.

The tough issues have not been tackled; moreover; the toughest issue should be; how to demonstrate the correctness of the claim that God does exist?

mrbas_26@hotmail.com

I found the book short and to the point. This book was used in a religious class at my church between church services. A chapter was done each week for seven weeks with discussion that folowed. A very good book to help answer some questions about christinanity.

I really liked this book. I bought it at an Alpha meeting and read it right away. It's truly 1 of those rare Christian books that holds your attention in love. The Chapter on homo-sexuality
was a blessed outreach to gays and the New Age chapter cleared up alot of personal questions. Art Gumbel you're a treasure. :)