I love the format of this book: One of the finest theologians in America today, answering 300 questions from a radio audience off the cuff with answers to each of these individual questions in less than 4 minutes. The questions in this book are the original questions from the live call in audience, and the answers have been edited only insofar as missing assorted "uh's" and "um's."
The questions are broken down Into 22 categories. R. C. Sproul is a reformed theologian and pastor, and his expertise is in the areas of theology, apologetics, philosophy, Bible exposition and interpretation. He is a brilliant communicator and has the ability to bring the cookies on the shelf for the layperson - no matter how complicated the issue. I have included all the categories listed below, along with two sample questions from the section.
1) Knowing God (19 Questions asked and answered) - for example, "Why does God remain invisible?" and "Why does God love us so much?"
2) Who Is Jesus (9 Questions asked and answered) - for example, "Was Christ capable of sinning?" and "Did Jesus ever laugh?"
3) The Work of the Holy Spirit (10 Questions asked and answered) - for example, "Does every human being have the potential to receive the Holy Spirit?" and "What was the role of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament?"
4) The Book of Books (17 Questions asked and answered) - for example, "How were the books of the Bible selected and compiled?" and "How do you know the Bible is true?"
5) The Way of Salvation (23 Questions asked and answered) - for example, "Why did God save me?" and "What do good deeds have to do with salvation?"
6) Sin and the Sinner (13 Questions asked and answered) - for example, "What is meant by the term original sin?" and "Are there gradations of sin?"
7) Faith and Philosophy (14 Questions asked and answered) - for example, "Doesn't science disprove Christianity?" and "Is there a distinction between Christianity and religion?"
8) The Power and Purpose of Payer (11 Questions asked and answered) - for example, "How can we, as Christians, have more power in our prayer lives?" and "Does God hear the prayers of the non-Christian?"
9) The Growing Spiritual life (27 Questions asked and answered) - for example, "What do you do in your daily devotions?" and "What concerns you most about today's Christian?"
10) Understanding Satan (6 Questions asked and answered) - for example, "Can the Devil read my mind?" and "Has Satan been given dominion over the earth until Jesus returns?"
11) Heaven and Hell (16 Questions asked and answered) - for example, "Will we recognize each other in heaven?" and "What happens to animals when they die?"
12) Sharing the Faith (10 Questions asked and answered) - for example, "What is faith?" and "Is the Christian faith really rational?"
13) Church Life (26 Questions asked and answered) - for example, "What are the basics to church growth?" and "What is the most crucial issue confronting today's church?"
14) Marriage and Family (22 Questions asked and answered) - for example, "What should make Christian marriages distinctive?" and "Are there biblical grounds for divorce, and if so, what are they?"
15) Career Issues (9 Questions asked and answered) - for example, "What is the biblical concept, if any, of retirement?" and "How can an employer show employees Christlike dignity?"
16) Money Matters (10 Questions asked and answered) - for example, "What do you believe the Bible teaches about tithing as it relates to Christians today?" and "Is there a clear biblical position against lotteries and casino gambling?"
17) Life-and Death Issues (7 Questions asked and answered) - for example, "Does the Bible say anything about euthanasia?" and "What should be the Christian stand on the death penalty?"
18) Suffering (12 Questions asked and answered) - for example, "What is the difference between God testing us and tempting us?" and "If God is all powerful, then why does he allow suffering?"
19) The End Times (12 Questions asked and answered) - for example, "Are we living in the last days?" and "What does Scripture teach us about the future role of Israel?"
20) Lifestyle Ethics (17 Questions asked and answered) - for example, "Should Christians impose their ethics on non-Christians?" and "Is it wrong for scientists to engage in genetic engineering?"
21) Christians and Government (13 Questions asked and answered) - for example, "Are biblical solutions to world problems outdated?" and "Should Christians work to have Christian values in public policy?"
22) Puzzling Passages (19 Questions asked and answered) - for example, "Why in the Old Testament does God demand so much violence and war of the Jewish nation?" and "The Lord says in the Old Testament that he loved Jacob but he hated Esau, and in 1 John, John actually says that if we say we love God but hate our brothers, we're wrong. How can we reconcile these two passages?"
I think this is a resource you will use for life - especially for Christian leaders, pastors, counselors, missionaries, and teachers - who deal with similar questions in their respective ministries on a regular basis. The index in the back of the book makes this a resource that you can use to find if a specific question you are struggling with, or have been asked is included. It is not exhaustive, but has a lot of the questions that most Christians struggle with and are asking. It also makes a great gift for someone who loves to study God's Word.
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