Why Trust Jesus?: An Honest Look at Doubts, Plans, Hurts, Desires, Fears, Questions, and Pleasures [Paperback]

Dave Sterrett (Author), Norman L. Geisler (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2010

The last decade has shaken our trust in personal safety through terrorist attacks, school shootings, economic turmoil, and war. Our trust has been shattered in other areas as we have seen hypocrisy in governmental leaders as well as in the church.We are looking for relationships that are authentic and full of life, but we have many questions in regard to faith, reason, suffering and even the person of Jesus himself. Author and speaker Dave Sterrett helps us answer these and other questions:-Why Should I Trust Jesus when So Many Other Spiritual Paths Exist'The foundation of trusting in Jesus is that he is true. But if absolute truth does not exist, then to say that "Jesus is the Truth" is a meaningless statement. Many definitions of truth fail, but a good definition of truth is "that which corresponds to reality"; simply put, truth is "telling it like it is."-Why Should I Trust Jesus When All I Need to do is Trust Myself'Human knowledge is real, but it has its limitations. Jesus, however, is all-knowing. He knows everything about me. He knows everything about you. He knows what you are thinking. He knows what you are feeling. He understands you better than you understand yourself! This is one of the many good reasons for us to pray to the Father in the name of the Son.-Why Should I Trust Jesus in the Midst of Suffering and Death'The ultimate foundation of Christianity is a historical event: the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. A man who walked this earth in history claimed to be God, died on the cross, and bodily rose from the dead. Many people in today's culture, both Christians and non-Christians, have questions about why and how to trust Jesus. But there is hope! He is worthy of our trust.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

DAVE STERRETT is a conference speaker and writer for a movement called I am Second. Along with ministering in churches, high schools, and college campuses, Dave serves as an adjunct professor of New Testament, Philosophy and Apologetics at Liberty University. In addition to the three book series, Coffee House Chronicles, Dave is the author of Why Trust Jesus? (Moody Publishers) and co-author of the book, "O" God, A Dialogue on Truth and Oprah's Spirituality.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Moody Publishers; New Edition edition (March 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802489729
• ISBN-13: 978-0802489722
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #807,765 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

DAVE STERRETT is a Christian evangelist for a new generation. He is the author or coauthor of six books. Sterrett's books, ministry and life have been mentioned in major media outlets, including CNN, USAToday, CBN, Christianity Today, and ESPN. His latest coauthored book is called, I Am Second (Thomas Nelson, 2012). Dave is a philosophy professor through Liberty University's online program, a pro-life leader with 40 Days for Life, a frequent radio guest, and conference speaker. He has authored Why Trust Jesus? (Moody Publishers, 2010) and coauthored with apologist Josh McDowell The Coffee House Chronicles (Moody Publishers, 2011) with titles, Is the Bible True...Really?, Who is Jesus...Really?, Did the Resurrection Happen...Really?, and "O" God, A Dialogue on Truth and Oprah's Spirituality (WND Books, 2009). Sterrett graduated from Southern Evangelical Seminary and is pursuing a second master's degree in Philosophy at the University of Dallas.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to Understand and to the Point, April 24, 2010

By 

Max Andrews (Lynchburg, VA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Why Trust Jesus?: An Honest Look at Doubts, Plans, Hurts, Desires, Fears, Questions, and Pleasures (Paperback)

There is great value to this book than you'll realize when you first read through it. You have to appreciate it for what it is. Sterrett's "Why Trust Jesus?" is a popular level book that addresses many questions and objections in today's society for why one shouldn't trust Jesus. This is not a piece of scholarship that warrants peer review. If you want scholastic answers and peer review, go to a journal or a book that focuses on that specific objection you may have. If you want a general, but sufficient, response to one of these questions, than this is the book you need.

Intro. The Need for Trust-- The introduction is brief but important for to answer the books thesis (why one should trust Jesus). Sterrett examines what it really means to "trust" someone and why it's so important. He lays out what type of people are generally trustworthy (truthful, reliable, transparent, authentic, loving, faith, and forgiving) and then goes from there. Is this Jesus? This section really helps lay down the foundation to the answer the book provides.

Ch. 1 So Many Spiritual Paths-- This chapter may be good from someone who is awestruck at postmodernism and/or leaning towards universalism/inclusivism. Why do Christians seem so intolerant? They're so arrogant in saying Jesus is the only way. Why are people so intolerant of the intolerant? All great questions. This chapter really lays down a worldview for Christianity, that is, there is absolute truth and Jesus is the only way to heaven. As a student in academia myself, I rarely see genuine postmodernism, however, this is really important in high schools and for people who interact outside of a classroom where the vein of social worldview plays its role.

Ch. 2 Not Sure God is Real-- Arguably, I would personally place this chapter at 1 instead of 2, but it's not that big of a deal. I have a particular interest in natural theology and the arguments for the existence of God. I personally enjoyed reading this chapter and Sterrett sources, yet again, are of trustworthy note. He opens with CS Lewis' testimony and gets in to miracles and his response (primarily to David Hume) is extremely brief and to the point. Laying aside the Bible, Sterrett meets the secularist on his own terms, without using the Bible as an authority. The first major argument presented is the argument from design and focused on both the biochemical design and the cosmological design closing with Antony Flew's conversion to deism in response to the design argument. The second argument is the argument from the beginning of the universe, mores specifically, the kalam cosmological argument. This one's my favorite. (If you're a young earth creationist, close your eyes for a page). I don't know Sterrett's personal views on creation but I appreciate him using the kalam here and using it appropriately (I'm an old earther in case you were wondering).

Ch. 3 Been Let Down Before-- This is really an emotional objection and Sterrett takes it for what it is and handles it appropriately. He focuses on the promises of God and obeying His commandments.

Ch. 4 I'm Doing Fine Without Him-- This was a great chapter! It's easy to think you're okay without God but you're not. Take a look at yourself and see what you need to fill your day. What does it take to satisfy you? Food? Money? Women/Men? Porn? Cars? Social status? The problem is with taking pleasure and satisfaction in temporal pleasures is that it is temporal! It doesn't last! You will always need more and more and more. God is the only satisfaction to anything you could ever need. If you need a commentary on this chapter, read the book of Ecclesiastes.

Ch. 5 Trust Myself-- This chapter really just focuses on trust Jesus as God and that we can't do it by ourselves and that Jesus sustains everything there is. The section is brief and the main thesis is spirituality and truth in Jesus. There's a lot of focus on pantheism, which may take you off guard for a second, but you'll get back on track.

Ch. 6 Who is the Real Jesus?-- This is a little more academically oriented, much like chapter 2. This is an evaluation of the historical Jesus and the Jesus of faith (two distinctions only made in academia). He really focuses on the Scriptural presentation and representation of Jesus.

Ch. 7 Why Jesus Over Another Spiritual Leader?-- This chapter could have been combined with with chapter 1. Basically, Sterrett argues that Jesus is the one and only true God. Sterrett answers the questions of who Jesus really was and is there good reason to trust that He existed and is who He said He was.

Ch. 8 So Much Suffering-- This is important and must be taken seriously by the Christian. There's the intellectual objection because of evil and the emotional. If the objection is intellectual go to a journal or book that discusses that. Sterrett discusses the emotional problem. I'm not denying there is intellectual claims or arguments, but the emotional problem needs to be handled differently. It's handled by taking everything back to the cross of Jesus and the suffering that He went to. It was because of our evil that Jesus suffered to redeem us from that very evil that put Him up there. This is a somber yet joyful passage. If you don't know Gary Habermas, you need to read the last few pages of this chapter on Habermas' suffering.

Ch. 9 Failure-- This chapter is encouraging. It nails down the whole nature of grace and when we fail, it's something that makes grace appreciated. This will change your perspective of failure and your reaction to it. In the end, after a little pep talk here and there in the chapter, it's God's forgiveness that allows you to trust Jesus because He won't fail you.

Sterrett has a legitimate amount of research done for his book with great sources. He cites some of the leading scholars (so if you have a scholastic question, go to the endnote and use that source). I appreciate the book on the popular level where it is. I'm not going to use it in a research paper but I would use it for a small group study. I'm actually having some young leaders read this book during the upcoming summer to help them prepare spiritually and to help engage their mind a little bit. The book will get you thinking, it won't take you to all the answers, but it will get you going. It's easy to read and relevant. I appreciate Sterrett's work in writing this book and I thank him for sharing it. Please buy this book.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great equipping tool for sharing your faith in Jesus Christ or for anyone looking for answers to life's big questions!, April 19, 2010

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Dan Panetti "Worldview Director" (Plano, TX USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Why Trust Jesus?: An Honest Look at Doubts, Plans, Hurts, Desires, Fears, Questions, and Pleasures (Paperback)

Why trust Jesus? Because, answers author Dave Sterrett, there are far too many compelling reasons that a reasonable person simply can not ignore or reject Jesus as the Son of God. Trusting in Jesus provides the hope, the healing, the comfort, the answers and the reality for life. There is simply no other explanation that one can believe that is more historically sound, scientifically accurate or personally liberating as placing your confidence and trust in the person of Jesus Christ. Sterrett does a great job in this book weaving in parts of his own personal journey with some excellent apologetics and historical framework to give the reader a relevant and interesting examination of the most important question of life. Sterrett throws up all the arguments one is likely to encounter by reluctant individuals who have either placed their trust in some other explanation for life and reality or are just unwilling or unable to really find answers that truly satisfy them completely.

Why Trust Jesus? is not only a good read for every believer, it would make an excellent study for college students in a dorm, or young singles in their neighborhood or young marrieds in their Bible fellowship class. Sterrett writes each chapter in a conversational tone causing the reader to envision having a similar conversation with a friend, colleague or relative. That's the genius of this book - you are being equipped for similar conversations while you read! The book isn't a collection of stories; it's a training manual for how to evangelize in a reasonable and intelligent manner. If you want to make a difference in the world, pick up this book and read it - then go and make disciples of all nations, including your friends and family!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy one for you and two for your friends, April 18, 2010

By 

Rachel Gober (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Why Trust Jesus?: An Honest Look at Doubts, Plans, Hurts, Desires, Fears, Questions, and Pleasures (Paperback)

Why Trust Jesus has taught me a lot more about who I am in Christ as a believer. Dave uses real world application that makes it easier to relate what Jesus told his followers back in his day, to our current life now and what it means to be a follower of Christ in the 21st Century. This book relevantly answers challenging philosophical and spiritual questions that both doubters and believers have, and backs up every argument with scripture or research reference. My main takeaways from this book were not only confirmation in my own reasons for trusting Christ, but it has helped prepare me to give an answer to anyone who asks me to give the reason for the hope that I have. Why Trust Jesus is also a great study tool for community groups who want to move beyond surface level relationships and into deeper stimulating and educational discussions about our Savior.