{"product_id":"questions-for-christians-9781442223172","title":"Questions for Christians","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eQuestions for Christians: The Surprising Truths behind Basic Beliefs asks whether or not Christians today have gotten Jesus' message right, drawing on the Bible and the history of Christianity for answers. From the gender of God to what happens when we die, Questions for Christians digs into some of the thorniest points of the Christian faithquestions that many people would rather ignore.   Most Christians today believe in just wars, but how do we reconcile this belief with Jesus' saying Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also, or the pacifism of most early Christians? Protestants and Catholics today generally believe that Jesus died on the cross to atone for our sins, but most Orthodox Christians don't believe this, and neither did most Western churches before 1100. What is the truth?Drawing on sources both ancient and modern, John Morreall explores these issues while identifying points of controversy. Some of the answers are surpri\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMorreall examines nearly every facet of Christian belief, from the authority and interpretation of scripture to the nature of the church, with chapters examining Christology, the Trinity, the nature of God, the afterlife, and even the existence of angels and demons and whether angels have wings and demons have horns. . . .The premise is sound. * The Christian Century *\u003cbr\u003eDr. Morreall questions everything about Christianity, and he comes up with many great answers. One of his best ... surrounds his list of 'Ten Tenets.' First, John asks the questions, then he summarizes the core teachings of Jesus. It's a fine list. * The Telegraph *\u003cbr\u003eSome of us were told as youngsters  that asking too many questions is a bad habit, possibly even bordering on the sinful. John Morreall takes the opposite, and I think correct position, that questioning is integral to the religious life, indeed to being human. In this readable book he covers most of the questions that many Christians have wanted to ask but were hesitant to do so, and his answers are balanced and fair. A book for thoughtful people of all ages. -- Harvey Cox, Hollis Research Professor of Divinity, Harvard University; author of The Future of Faith\u003cbr\u003eJohn Morreall explores a large range of questions about the meaning of Christian faith. Most important, he mandates the appropriateness of asking questions and exploring the diversity of views in Christianity. This is a useful book for Christians seeking better understanding of their religion, what it means and what it need not mean. -- Rosemary Radford Ruether, Claremont School of Theology\u003cbr\u003eJohn Morreall's new book is a re-examination of Christian doctrine from a critical, historical-political perspective that aims at revealing how Greek-speaking theologians and Roman rulers distorted the message of Jesus, and how this distortion was continued, rather than corrected, by succeeding generations of Christians. We have a book that will provoke diverse intellectual and theological reactions and discussions, which is always much valued in theological scholarship. -- Najib George Awad, Hartford Seminary; author of God Without a Face?\u003cbr\u003eBy the device of articulating apparently simple or even naive questions of the Christian tradition and then answering them in a way which is informed without being academic—and radical in the sense of getting back to basics—Morreall has written a lively book that will inform and challenge those seeking to discover whether Jesus has good news for today. While he offers many points of sharp critique, he also helps the reader find hope in traditional structures. He also offers, in his ten tenets, a metric for measuring spiritual authenticity which is both astringent and insightful. Thus he provides a prophetic critique for our time and invites his readers to the kind of new life that flows from truthful interpretation and simple response to Jesus' life and witness. -- Stephen Cherry, director, Ministerial Development and Parish Support, Diocese of Durham, UK\u003cbr\u003eIn a world where many people think they have to search on their own for an ultimate meaning of life, John Morreall offers a compelling alternative: remain Christian but understand Christianity through contemporary, postmodern eyes. While his scholarship is impressive, Morreall writes in a simple, easy flowing style, one readily accessible to virtually every undergraduate today. He covers a wide range of topics, both creatively and judiciously. . . . He also covers a broad spectrum of theologies and theologians, from Justin Martyr to Rosemary Radford Ruether. He is not afraid to debunk commonly held beliefs—that faith is inherently good, that God is male, that Jesus Christ is literally the Son of God, that we are souls encased in bodies, and that people are dwelling in heaven right now. The book insists it is not only legitimate but essential to ask questions, and faith without questions is not really faith. Students and questioning Christians of all ages need to read this book. -- Frederick J. Parrella, Santa Clara University\u003cbr\u003eQuestions for Christians is one of the most refreshing books I have read in a long time! In this celebration of a thinking faith, the [answers to] perplexing questions continually lead back to the 'ten tenets' of Jesus’s life and teaching. While you’ll appreciate John Morreall’s clear and knowledgeable answers, it’s his simple wisdom that will bring tears to your eyes. How did the church ever manage to drift so far from Jesus’s message of radical compassion? -- Philip Clayton, Ingraham Professor of Theology, Claremont School of Theology, Author of In Quest of Freedom: The Emergence of Spirit in the Natural World\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1.\tWHY ASK QUESTIONS?\t A.\tTwo Sources of Questions: Disagreement and Change B.\tIn the Beginning: Jesus and the Kingdom of God C.\tTurning Christianity into a Set of Doctrines D.\tTurning Christianity into the State Religion of the Roman Empire E.\tWhat Would Jesus Do? F.\tIs Believing Doctrines the Essence of Christianity? G.\tAsking Questions Is Part of Being a Christian H.\tPaying Careful Attention to Words  2.\tTHOUGHTFUL FAITH\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t A.\tIs it all right to think carefully about the religion you grew up in? B.\tIs careful thinking opposed to faith? C.\tIs faith a kind of knowledge? D.\tCould some of my religious beliefs be false? E.\tIs faith always good?  3.\tTHE BIBLE\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t A.\tIs the Bible a book? B.\tIs the Bible the word of God? C.\tDoes the Bible tell us all we need to know to live a good life? D.\tIs the Bible necessary for living a good life? E.\tIs the Bible scientifically and historically accurate?  4.\tJESUS CHRIST\t A. \tIs Jesus Christ the Messiah? B.\tIs Jesus Christ the Savior? C.\tDid Jesus Christ die for our sins? D.\tIs Jesus Christ the Son of God? E.\tDid Jesus Christ teach doctrines?  5.\tTHE TRINITY\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t A.\tAre Jesus Christ and God “of the same substance”? B.\tDoes “the Holy Spirit” refer to someone other than the God of the Bible? C.\tDoes the Bible say that God is three persons in one substance? D.\tDo the early creeds say that God is three persons in one substance? E.   \tIs the Trinity a mystery?  6.\tTHE FALL A.   \tDid the human race start out perfect? B.   \tAre babies born depraved and deserving of hell? C.   \tIs death a penalty for sin? D.   \tCan we do good actions by ourselves?  E.\t Do we have free will?   7.\tLIFE AFTER DEATH\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t A.   \tAm I a soul or spirit? B.  \tDid Jesus say that our souls go to heaven or hell when we die? C.   \tAre there people in heaven and hell right now? D.  \tCould I be resurrected as Jesus was? E.   \tCould God punish people forever?  8.\tANGELS AND DEMONS A.\tDo angels have wings and demons have horns? B.\tDo angels live in heaven and demons live in hell? C.\tIs there a guardian angel for each person? D.\tIs Satan an angel who led a rebellion against God? E.\tDo demons possess people?  9. \tTHE GOOD LIFE\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t A.\tIs being good obeying a set of commands? B.  \tWould Jesus oppose gay marriage? C.\tWould Jesus favor capital punishment? D.\tWould Jesus join the U.S. Marines? E.\tWould Jesus shop ‘til he dropped?   10.\tCHURCHES\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t A.   \tDid Jesus or his followers go to church? B.  \tDid Jesus start a church? C.   \tDid Jesus want people to be forced to join a church? D.\tDid Jesus want 34,000 churches? E.   \tDo any churches today embody Jesus’ “Kingdom of God”?","brand":"Rowman \u0026 Littlefield","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51039879332183,"sku":"9781442223172","price":39.6,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781442223172.jpg?v=1750945138","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/questions-for-christians-9781442223172","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}