What Are Christians For

Though fidelity to the common good ought to define our politics, the modern revolutions of the West have poisoned common life in America. Uninterested in the cultural wars that have often characterized American Christianity, Jake Meador casts a vision for an antiracist, anticapitalist, and profoundly pro-life Christian political approach rooted in the givenness and goodness of the created world.

An important answer book for everyone, from seeker to long-time believer, systematically covering the fundamentals of Bible doctrine and Christian living.

It’s never too late. Whether you’re a new Christian or you’ve walked the road for decades, it’s never too late to find the critical truths that make life make sense. We often start out believing that common sense will be enough, that we’re prepared for the road ahead with our good values and quick thinking. It doesn’t take long to learn otherwise. A broken friendship. An obsessive career. Financial distress. Even empty success. We come back to God, searching for insight, for hope. And He provides. Nothing can replace studying the Bible. Best-selling author and pastor Charles Swindoll has spent decades studying its pages and teaching its precepts. But if sixty-six books seem overwhelming, The Owner’s Manual for Christians is the perfect starting place: a biblical summary of the major truths that anchor the Christian life. From grace to freedom, these chapters walk the reader through the keys to a life well lived?drawn from the Creator of life itself. Life is often confusing, but it does not have to be impossible. Read The Owner’s Manual for Christians and find hope for the road ahead.

"I wish this book had been around when I was an atheist and started to seek God. It's a no-nonsense, practical, and insightful guide that will help all those on a quest for spiritual truth. If you're investigating whether there's any substance to the Christian faith, you must read this important book."--Lee Strobel, former award-winning legal editor of the Chicago Tribune and bestselling author of more than twenty books *** In our post-Christian age, the old answers for skeptics are no longer cutting it. Why? Because they largely seek to answer the wrong questions. Our world is changing, and while the gospel never changes, the way we talk about it and learn about it must. Christianity for People Who Aren't Christians answers both classic and bleeding-edge questions that skeptics have about the faith, such as - Is there a God? - Why do the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus matter? - Why is there so much suffering in the world? - Why do Christians think there is only one way to know God? - How do I reconcile the Bible's picture of Christ's followers with the actual Christians I know who have disappointed me? Covering such topics as astrophysics, social justice, and acceptance of the LGBTQ community, this one-of-a-kind book is perfect for those skeptical of Christianity and for those who love them and want to keep the line of communication open.

This latest book in the insightful and entertaining Banned Questions series addresses fifty questions about Christians that many of us have wondered regarding Hell, sprinkle vs dunk baptism, gay and lesbian issues in ministry, the inconsistencies of communion, the multitude of denominations, God's allowance of suffering in the world, and more. This is a great addition to your library as you (or your study group) ponder the questions many have wanted to ask and few were brave enough to answer.

The intellectual and political elite of the West is nowadays taking for granted that religion, in particular Christianity, is a cultural vestige, a primitive form of knowledge, a consolation for the poor minded, an obstacle to coexistence. In all influential environments, the widespread watchword is “We are all secular” or “We are all post-religious.” As a consequence, we are told that states must be independent of religious creed, politics must take a neutral stance regarding religious values, and societies must hold together without any reference to religious bonds. Liberalism, which in some form or another is the prevailing view in the West, is considered to be “free-standing,” and the Western, liberal, open society is taken to be “self-sufficient.” Not only is anti-Christian secularism wrong, it is also risky. It's wrong because the very ideas on which liberal societies are based and in terms of which they can be justified—the concept of the dignity of the human person, the moral priority of the individual, the view that man is a “crooked timber” inclined to prevarication, the limited confidence in the power of the state to render him virtuous—are typical Christian or, more precisely, Judeo-Christian ideas. Take them away and the open society will collapse. Anti-Christian secularism is risky because it jeopardizes the identity of the West, leaves it with no self-conscience, and deprives people of their sense of belonging. The Founding Fathers of America, as well as major intellectual European figures such as Locke, Kant, and Tocqueville, knew how much our civilization depends on Christianity. Today, American and European culture is shaking the pillars of that civilization. Written from a secular and liberal, but not anti-Christian, point of view, this book explains why the Christian culture is still the best antidote to the crisis and decline of the West. Pera proposes that we should call ourselves Christians if we want to maintain our liberal freedoms, to embark on such projects as the political unification of Europe as well as the special relationship between Europe and America, and to avoid the relativistic trend that affects our public ethics. “The challenges of our particular historical moment”, as Pope Benedict XVI calls them in the Preface to the book, can be faced only if we stress the historical and conceptual link between Christianity and free society.

Sloan explores the impact that the Protestant theological renaissance (1925-1960) had on American colleges and universities, focusing in particular on the church's most significant claim to have a continuing voice in higher education. He traces the role of the national ecumenical and denominational organizations, and studies the changing place of college chaplains.

The Essentials Explained Master storyteller and essayist C. S. Lewis here tackles the central questions of the Christian faith: Who was Jesus? What did he accomplish? What does it mean for me? In these classic essays, which began as talks on the BBC during World War II, Lewis creatively and simply explains the basic tenets of Christianity. Taken from the core section of Mere Christianity, the selection in this gift edition provides an accessible way for more people to discover these timeless truths. For those looking to remind themselves of the things they hold true, or those looking for a snapshot of Christianity, this book is a wonderful introduction to the faith.

Get to know the beliefs and practices inspired by Jesus Christ Discover what it means to be a Christian and follow the gospel Curious about Christianity? This friendly guide helps you understand the basic teachings of the Christian faith, exploring the common ground that all Christians share, the differences among the major branches, the key events in Christian history, the key theological issues, and the many ways Christians live out their faith in today's world. The Dummies Way Explanations in plain English "Get in, get out" information Icons and other navigational aids Tear-out cheat sheet Top ten lists A dash of humor and fun Discover how to: Express the core essentials of Christianity Appreciate the life and teachings of Jesus Understand why the Bible is central to the faith Respect the unique roles of the Trinity Explore controversial issues among the branches