Straightforward answers to questions Christians and skeptics alike ask about God and the Bible
Let's be honest--the Bible can be hard to understand. It's full of weird laws, apparent inconsistencies, and tales of a God who often doesn't do what we expect. You may have asked about some of these things and been brushed off or given trite, unconvincing answers.
But serious questions deserve thoughtful responses, especially when opinions of Bible experts clash. Stephen M. Miller pulls insight from a wide range of Bible experts to report their answers to the tough questions. He does so with a touch of humor and no preaching, allowing you to draw your own conclusions.
Questions include:
· Would a loving God really put a good man like Job through horrible suffering just to test his loyalty?
· If God knows everything, why did he test Abraham's faith by asking him to sacrifice his own son?
· How could there be just one God, yet three?
· Since Jesus told people to turn the other cheek, why aren't more Christians pacifists?
THESE ARE IN-YOUR-FACE QUESTIONS.
“God made Eve from Adam’s rib. Are you ribbing me?”
“The Bible says ‘sons of God’ had sex with human women, who gave birth to giants. Doesn’t that sound a little like Greek mythology?”
“Why did Jesus seem to paint God as a genie waiting in heaven to grant our every wish?
“Who should we believe about grounds for divorce? Moses, Jesus, or Paul? They each gave different advice.”
If these questions sound similar to ones you’ve asked yourself—or been asked by others—then you’re ready for 100 Tough Questions about God and the Bible by Stephen M. Miller. If you’re the kind who never questions God or the Bible, well then you need this book even more. Stephen Miller is a theologian with a journalist’s training, and this book shows that kind of evenhanded thinking all the way through. You may not always agree with his conclusions, but he will always give you a clear, concise, understandable discussion of the differing opinions on matters of theology, morality, historicity, reliability, and interpretations of Scriptural conundrums. Miller excels at offering unique perspectives on the Bible, often challenging and encouraging readers at the same time.
The problem with any kind of book like this, of course, is that it purports to have all the answers to the hard questions of the Christian faith. No one has the kind of expansive reach, not the lauded Mr. Miller, not your homegrown pastor, not even you or me. Plus, depending on your denominational or political perspective, you may disagree with some of the answers that Miller recommends. Still, the great benefit of a book like this is that it gets us all thinking deeply about the faith and our foundations—encouraging lively discussions among friends, family, parents and kids, coworkers and more. For that reason, 100 Tough Questions about God and the Bible is a valuable book to have in your library. Let it be a catalyst to helping you, and those you love, begin forming your own opinions about eternal subjects.
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Editor-in-chief, Christianity Today magazine
