Church members and regular attenders alike often wonder about certain aspects of the Christian faith. One way pastors can help is to be ready in season and out of season to assist the curious or doubting soul. Another thing they can do is have a stockpile of resources available for anyone interested in further study.
The Good Book Company has quietly been publishing a useful series of books entitled, “Questions Christians Ask.” A quick perusal of the series’ current volumes reveals how strategic GBC is; these books definitely answer the ordinary questions Christians ask. The writing is clear, the theology is ecumenical, and the answers are biblically “to the point.”
You may want to have a few of these titles in your church’s bookstore.
CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS
Is God Anti-Gay? And Other Questions about Homosexuality, the Bible and Same-Sex Attraction by Sam Allberry. Christians, the church and the Bible seem to be out of step with modern attitudes towards homosexuality. Does the Bible prohibit gay marriage? How can we oppose people who are in love, and just expressing how they were made? Can God really be anti-gay? This short, readable book offers a positive and liberating way forward. It explains clearly and simply what we can say with certainty from the Bible about marriage, sexuality and same-sex attraction.
Can I Really Trust the Bible? And Other Questions about Scripture, Truth and How God Speaks by Barry Cooper. The Bible makes big claims for itself. But do those claims stand up? Aren’t the stories just legends? Hasn’t the information been corrupted over time? Isn’t the Bible full of mistakes? And isn’t it culturally outdated? In this absorbing little book, Barry Cooper explores these questions—and many others—with warmth, wit and integrity.
Did the Devil Make Me Do It? And Other Questions about Satan, Demons and Evil Spirits by Mike McKinley. Many Christians are confused about the devil. When Jesus walked the earth, he cast out demons and had powerful encounters with the devil. But who exactly is the devil, and where did he come from? And what is he up to in the world today? This short, readable book explains clearly and simply what we can say with certainty from the Bible about Satan, demons and evil spirits.
Who on Earth Is the Holy Spirit? And Other Questions about Who He Is and What He Does by Tim Chester and Christopher de la Hoyde. Many people find it easy to understand about God and Jesus, but struggle to understand quite how and where the Holy Spirit fits into the picture. Who exactly is he? And how does he work in our lives? This short, readable book explains clearly and simply what we can say with certainty from the Bible about who the Holy spirit is, and how he is at work in the world today.
Is Forgiveness Really Free? And Other Questions about Grace, the Law and Being Saved by Michael Jensen. Forgiveness is a free gift—not earned or deserved—we are told. But then the Christian life seems to have a long list of “do’s” and “don’ts.” so is forgiveness really free—or is it al a cosmic con trick? This short, readable book, explains clearly and simply what the Bible, and Jesus himself, says about grace, the law and what it means to be saved.
How Can I Be Sure? And Other Questions about Doubt, Assurance and the Bible by John Stevens. Many Christians experience times of doubt and uncertainty. At various times we can ask: “Does God love me?” “Am I really a Christian?”— and even “Is there a God at all?”! This short, readable book unpacks the difference between good and bad doubt, shows us where it comes from and how to deal with it in ourselves and others. It explains clearly and simply the liberating reality of what the Bible tells us about doubt, assurance and the Christian life.
What Happens When I Die? And Other Questions about Heaven, Hell and the Life to Come by Marcus Nodder. We all have questions about death. Despite the strong assurance the Bible gives us about life beyond the grave, Christians are often troubled by other questions. What will happen on the day of judgement? Will we have bodies in heaven? Will there be rewards? These short, readable book explains clearly and simply what we can say with certainty from the Bible about dying, death and life beyond the grave.
How Will the World End? And Other Questions About The Last Things and The Second Coming of Christ by Jeramie Rennie. Christians believe that history is moving towards a dramatic conclusion—that one day Jesus Christ will return in glory to judge the living and the dead. But there seem to be so many different views about how this will happen, and when it will take place. How can we make sense of it all? This short, readable book explains clearly and simply the liberating reality of what the Bible is actually saying about the return of Christ and the end of the world.