Confronting Christianity
12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion
by
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Pub Date Apr 30 2019 | Archive Date Apr 05 2019
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Description
Addressing 12 controversial issues about Christianity—the Bible’s teaching on gender and sexuality, the reality of heaven and hell, and more—this book shows how current psychological and scientific research actually aligns with teaching from the Bible.
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Advance Praise
“This book is compelling reading, not only because of its intellectual rigor and the fact that it is beautifully written but also because of its honest, empathetic humanity. Readers will find themselves expertly guided on a journey that involves them not only in confronting Christianity but also in confronting themselves—their worldviews, hopes, fears, failures, and search for identity and satisfaction—and, finally, in confronting Christ as the altogether credible source of life as God means it to be.”
—John C. Lennox, Emeritus Professor of Mathematics, University of Oxford
“McLaughlin probes some of the trickiest cultural challenges to Christianity of our day and clearly demonstrates the breadth and richness of a Christian response. Confronting Christianity is well worth reading and pondering.”
—Tyler J. VanderWeele, John L. Loeb and Frances Lehman Loeb Professor of Epidemiology and Director of the Human Flourishing Program, Harvard University
“In the West, many people are persuaded by dominant secular narratives and think they already know what Christianity is about. In this bombshell of a book packed with myth-busting statistics, McLaughlin reveals the many surprises in authentic Christianity.”
—Peter J. Williams, Principal, Tyndale House, Cambridge; author, Can We Trust the Gospels?
“A deep and caring response to current criticisms and confrontations of the Christian faith fills Rebecca McLaughlin’s book. She speaks from real-life experience of the personal and intellectual challenges we encounter today in considering the claims of Jesus Christ. Her open and faithful answers to serious questions provide not an easy stroll through imagined virtual reality but an adventurous rocky pathway through true and abundant life.”
—Ian Hutchinson, Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; author, Can a Scientist Believe in Miracles?
“Apologetics with heart, discernment, empathy, and rigorous study. Confronting Christianity will help you understand the hard questions of the Christian faith while also igniting a love for neighbor. McLaughlin doesn’t shy away from tough questions about diversity and the nations, as well as slavery and facing America’s past and present. Her answers are not only insightful; they have the potential to transform a heart of stone to a heart of flesh. Take up and read.”
—Trillia Newbell, author, If God Is For Us; Fear and Faith; and United
“Rebecca McLaughlin refuses to duck the biggest challenges to the Christian faith and takes on the hardest questions with empathy, energy, and understanding. She has studied widely, thinks deeply, and argues very persuasively. This is an outstanding resource for the skeptic, the doubter, and anyone who is ready to engage with some compelling thinking.”
—Sam Allberry, Speaker, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries; author, Is God Anti-Gay? and 7 Myths about Singleness
“Rebecca McLaughlin’s defense of the Christian faith is what all defenses should be: sensitive, smart, and sound. This is apologetics done right—and exactly right for this age in which we live. Confronting Christianity is a book I will draw upon myself and will recommend widely to believers and skeptics alike.”
—Karen Swallow Prior, author, On Reading Well and Fierce Convictions
“Rebecca McLaughlin addresses the most frequent and pressing objections to Christianity in our time with unflinching honesty, rigorous clarity, and deep compassion. This book is written not merely for skeptics but also for those who have suffered much in this sin-sick, destructive world. It is brimming with hope and will surprise you—and likely change the way you think about Jesus.”
—Jon Bloom, Cofounder, Desiring God; author, Not by Sight
“What Christianity has to offer the world is bound up in its strangeness. Only a distinctive word can be truly good news in a world like this. In a secularizing age, though, Christianity is often not simply odd to the world but also unexplained and seemingly inexplicable. In this book, Rebecca McLaughlin takes seriously both the Bible and the questions of nonbelievers. If you’re a non-Christian and have wondered why Christians think and do as they do, this book will be a good start to exploring those questions. If you’re a believer, this book will not only equip you intellectually but also call you to compassion and empathy for your questioning, unbelieving neighbor, as well as prepare you to bear witness to the Light that has come into the world.”
—Russell D. Moore, President, The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention
“A fresh voice, arresting arguments, and an easy-to-read style. McLaughlin writes for curious thinkers everywhere, and handsomely repays the open-minded reader.”
—Os Guinness, author, The Call
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781433564239 |
PRICE | $24.99 (USD) |
Featured Reviews
I was really impressed with this book. A lot of times when Christian authors confront difficult questions, we are left with unsatisfying answers and inauthentic appeals to trust or have faith. This author meets objections and claims of racism, sexism, classism, and Western nationalism head on. While I don't agree with the author on several points, the arguments are well researched and intellectually honest.
Truly a pleasant read. Its a pretty basic defense of Christianity as its practiced today in the USA. Does it answer all questions or truly "Confront Christianity", well no. But if you are a professed Christian there is little here that you will find distasteful, or even that you would disagree with.
To me it skims the surface and I did honestly want something more in depth and questioning. But you can't fault the author for writing the book that she thought was necessary to confront the questions she thought were important.
I didn't care for this book. Though it referenced lots of pop culture, it was rather dry reading. The book seems aimed primarily at academics, not for reading by the general public.
Rebecca does a good job presenting an explanation of 12 difficult questions asked of Christianity. The issues she tackles are backed up with facts, explanations, and stories to help prove her point. This is a dense read but a great read for those considering the surface of these big questions.
This book is a great introductory text into the wonderful world of Christian Apologetics. Rebecca McLaughlin tackles questions that are often levied against the Church, on important topics such as those which pertain to science and faith, sexuality, hell, suffering, and diversity. Her writing is well-rounded and her arguments are presented in a non-dogmatic and open fashion that leaves the reader feeling welcome to engage in further thinking, regardless of where they stand on the various issues.
This nonfiction book offers a comprehensive study of what modern Christianity involves and compares other belief systems and practices. The author examines twelve issues and shares how they should not cause people to reject Christianity. I found it an interesting read and learned from it, but I don’t totally agree with all her opinions. However, most of it is biblically sound. I think it would be good for seekers to read or those wondering about the validity of our faith. It could also be used for small-group discussion. The text isn’t too heavy and scholarly, but does include an abundance of footnotes documenting sources. I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Confronting Christianity
April 29, 2019
I received this book free for the purpose of review.
Confronting Christianity is an excellent book about the twelve questions people have and use to attempt to challenge Christianity. She takes each question:science vs Christianity, marriage vs
Christianity, denigrating women vs Christianity and more. In each instance she has researched and footnoted her material.
It is a very easy book to read and would be an excellent tool for high school students, their parents and grandparents to read. I came away with a much better understanding of the questions, hopefully being a better witness for Christianity. I also better understand the spiritual battle and the power of God to preserve His word and His people.
This is a great primer to the controversies surrounding Christianity and ways to explain/defend the faith. I think this would be a great addition to the library of any new Christian or even those who are exploring faith possibilities. While I didn't agree with everything here, I thought it was a helpful book overall.