What You Don't Have to Believe to Be a Christian

What You Don't Have to Believe to Be a Christian
Author: George M. Ricker
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2003-03
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9781571687623

Many Christians live with doubts about certain traditional Christian beliefs, and their doubts often result in guilt. Others are led to reject the faith out of disagreement with beliefs that seem to be absurd and anti-intellectual. Despite the notoriety of the fundamentalist world-view, some stories need not to be taken as literal or historical; and learning to separate fact from symbol, metaphor, or myth may actually strengthen the Christian witness. Liberation from literalism open the possibilities for greater depth of meaning to be found in what have been traditional beliefs. Bishop J.A.T. Robinson put it this way; "It is the things one doesn't have to believe, and finds one doesn't have to believe, which are truly liberating as the thingds one does." "What You Don't Have to Believe to Be a Christian," is a helpful guide to discovering the non-essential in Christian beliefs.

After You Believe

After You Believe
Author: N. T. Wright
Publisher: Harper Collins
Total Pages: 326
Release: 2010-03-02
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0061730556

From the author of the acclaimed Simply Christian and Surprised by Hope comes a book that addresses the question that has plagued humans for centuries—what is our purpose? As Christians, what are we to do with that ambiguous time between baptism and the funeral? It's easy to become preoccupied with who gets into heaven; the real challenge is how we are going to live in the here and now. Wright dispels the common misconception that Christian living is nothing more than a checklist of dos and don'ts. Nor is it a prescription to "follow your heart" wherever it may lead. Instead, After You Believe reveals the Bible's call for a revolution—a transformation of character that takes us beyond our earthly pursuit of money, sex, and power into a virtuous state of living that allows us to reflect God and live more worshipful, fulfilling lives. We are all spiritual seekers, intuitively knowing there is more to life than we suspect. This is a book for anyone who is hoping there is something more while we're here on Earth. There is. We are being called to join the revolution, and Wright insightfully encourages readers to find new purpose and clarity by taking us on an eye-opening journey through key biblical passages that promise to radically alter the work of the church and the direction of our lives.

Mystery of the Ages

Mystery of the Ages
Author: Herbert W. Armstrong
Publisher:
Total Pages: 340
Release: 1985
Genre: Bible
ISBN: 9780396088080

Did you ever ask yourself: "Who am I? What am I? Why am I?" You are a mystery. The world about you is a mystery. Now, you can understand!

The Christian Atheist

The Christian Atheist
Author: Craig Groeschel
Publisher: Zondervan
Total Pages: 180
Release: 2010-04-06
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0310597412

Are you putting your whole faith in God but still living as if everything is up to you? You may believe in God, attend church, and generally treat people with kindness…but are you living as if God doesn't exist? Have you surrendered to God completely, living every day depending upon the Holy Spirit? Pastor and bestselling author Craig Groeschel will lead you on a personal journey toward an authentic, God-honoring life. This honest, hard-hitting, and eye-opening look into the ways people believe in God but live as if he doesn't exist is a classic of discipleship training. Groeschel's personal journey will help you break down your own barriers between simple belief and a more intentional faith. This book will help you: Let go of the shame of your past and know that you’re forgiven. Embrace Christ’s profound love for you. Believe in the power of prayer. Give up control when life doesn't seem fair. Trust God with all your anxious thoughts, heartache, struggles, and pain. From the author of Winning the War in Your Mind, The Christian Atheist is a rallying cry to get honest with God, shed the self-sufficiency and the hypocrisy, and live a life that truly brings glory to Christ.

Why People Don't Believe

Why People Don't Believe
Author: Paul Chamberlain
Publisher: Baker Books
Total Pages: 176
Release: 2011-05-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1441232095

Religion is increasingly seen as a dangerous source of violence in the world, breeding a fear of faith in a very vocal group of critics. Most Christians are blissfully unaware of the litany of allegations being brought against religion, including that it is the cause of intolerance, imperialism, irrationality, bigotry, and war, to name a few. But ignorance is not the answer. In Why People Don't Believe, Paul Chamberlain strives to represent the concerns and challenges raised against religious faith, particularly those raised against Christianity, to help readers understand them. He then thoughtfully responds to these criticisms, honestly evaluating whether they have merit. Lastly, he outlines the many good and humane contributions Christianity has made to the world throughout the past 2,000 years. Anyone who is troubled by today's headlines involving religious violence or who wants to be able to respond intelligently to critics will find Why People Don't Believe a welcome, hopeful book.

Rise

Rise
Author: Trip Lee
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Total Pages: 236
Release: 2015-02-03
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0529121093

Society says youth is a time for carefree self-expression, but Trip Lee says God has called everyone to RISE from slumber, above low expectations, and to live for the risen King. The world tells us that our early years are to be irresponsibly enjoyed rather than devoted to meaningful pursuits. We’re told that responsibility and commitment are burdens to be put off as long as possible. And so, most of us spend our youth in a sad state of slumber—sleeping in on life until we’re forced to get up. The problem is that life has already begun. It’s happening right now. And God has called you to live it. In this powerful book, Trip Lee argues it’s time to wake up and RISE, to live the way we were created to live. Young or old, we’ve been called to live for Him. Right now. Young believers face the same problems as older Christians, but they feel them in unique ways. RISE addresses those core problems in an engaging, profound, and life-changing way. Don't just sit there: RISE!

The Jefferson Bible

The Jefferson Bible
Author: Thomas Jefferson
Publisher: Courier Corporation
Total Pages: 98
Release: 2012-03-02
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0486112519

Jefferson regarded Jesus as a moral guide rather than a divinity. In his unique interpretation of the Bible, he highlights Christ's ethical teachings, discarding the scriptures' supernatural elements, to reflect the deist view of religion.

How to Be a Christian without Going to Church

How to Be a Christian without Going to Church
Author: Kelly Bean
Publisher: Baker Books
Total Pages: 249
Release: 2014-06-24
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1441246533

As many--young people especially--leave the traditional church in droves, they often still long for a genuine Christian community in which to practice their faith and share their spiritual journeys with others. They want to be faithful but struggle to find a place where they flourish. Whether they've already left the church behind or are merely considering it, readers will find here both heartfelt encouragement and practical steps for finding or creating a community of faith that honors God and offers rest, love, and communion with other believers. Author Kelly Bean broadens our definition of church to include many alternative forms of Christian community. With true stories of those who have given up on church and what they're doing now, this book is also helpful for pastors and churchgoers to help them understand why people leave the church--and what might be done to help them stay.

Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart

Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart
Author: J.D. Greear
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
Total Pages: 144
Release: 2013-02-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1433679183

“If there were a Guinness Book of World Records entry for ‘amount of times having prayed the sinner’s prayer,’ I’m pretty sure I’d be a top contender,” says pastor and author J. D. Greear. He struggled for many years to gain an assurance of salvation and eventually learned he was not alone. “Lack of assurance” is epidemic among evangelical Christians. In Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart, J. D. shows that faulty ways of present- ing the gospel are a leading source of the confusion. Our presentations may not be heretical, but they are sometimes misleading. The idea of “asking Jesus into your heart” or “giving your life to Jesus” often gives false assurance to those who are not saved—and keeps those who genuinely are saved from fully embracing that reality. Greear unpacks the doctrine of assurance, showing that salvation is a posture we take to the promise of God in Christ, a posture that begins at a certain point and is maintained for the rest of our lives. He also answers the tough questions about assurance: What exactly is faith? What is repentance? Why are there so many warnings that seem to imply we can lose our salvation? Such issues are handled with respect to the theological rigors they require, but Greear never loses his pastoral sensitivity or a communication technique that makes this message teachable to a wide audience from teens to adults.

Ask a Franciscan

Ask a Franciscan
Author: Patrick McCloskey
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2010
Genre:
ISBN: 9780867169706

The editor of "St. Anthony Messenger" magazine for many years, Fr. McCloskey has answered many questions in his "Ask a Franciscan" column. He mines that wealth of material to find the most helpful questions and answers for readers to help them see the connection between their faith and their spiritual growth as disciples of Jesus Christ.