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Baker Publishing Group - Alex McFarland

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139 pages

English

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With notable nonbelievers such as Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens featured prominently in the media, it is no surprise that many Christians wonder how best to answer the growing number of atheist arguments they encounter every day. 10 Answers for Atheists is a one-of-a-kind resource from respected Christian apologist Alex McFarland that looks closely at the philosophical assumptions at the root of atheism and agnosticism and exposes the logical, historical, and conceptual fallacies that perpetuate unbelief. Readers will find easy-to-understand charts and clear explanations of key beliefs, as well as trustworthy, biblical answers to the honest questions posed by atheists and agnostics. Every reader, no matter where he or she falls on the spectrum of belief, will hear a call to thoughtful engagement with the historic Christian faith.

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Philosophie et théologie

Christian theology

Christianity

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Publié par	Baker Publishing Group
Date de parution	28 septembre 2012
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9781441266583
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0432€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

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PRAISE FOR 10 Answers for Atheists
The aftermath of the many new voices in atheism has led to the need for believers to have solid answers ready for sharing the reason for the hope they have within them. Alex provides biblical responses and seasoned solutions based on his many years of sharing his faith with people of diverse backgrounds around the world. You’ll be encouraged and equipped for better conversations with those who struggle with whether God is there and be able to offer hope and help that truly changes lives.
Dr. John Ankerberg
Founder and President, The John Ankerberg Show ( www.jashow.org )
There always seems to be an interest in treatments of the pithiest spiritual questions and brief responses, especially ones that nicely encapsulate some of the most difficult issues of our day. Alex McFarland has a gift for accomplishing these sorts of tasks. Seldom will one find so many tough challenges to religious faith followed by even better explanations, all under one cover. I recommend this handbook of responses to atheism as a quick-read that is a real page-turner.
Gary R. Habermas, Ph.D.
Distinguished Research Professor, Liberty University and Theological Seminary
Alex McFarland is one of today’s most sought-after speakers on Christian apologetics. After speaking on countless radio programs and on university campuses, and after having engaged in several public debates with atheists, he is well qualified to write on the subject matter of this book. A lot of apologetics books have been written, but few are as accessible to the layperson as those written by Alex McFarland.
Michael R. Licona, Ph.D.
Associate Professor in Theology, Houston Baptist University
As an apologist/evangelist, Alex McFarland makes a sincere effort to engage in dialogue with atheists and skeptics alike. Out of these efforts has come his latest resource, 10 Answers for Atheists . In this book, Alex provides not only theoretical ideas but also real answers to real questions. If you are serious about sharing Christianity with atheists, you will find this book to be well researched and respectfully presented.
Josh D. McDowell
Author and Speaker
In some circles, atheism is in vogue. It is also tragically wrong. In a gracious, probing way, Alex McFarland demonstrates why Christian theism is not only reasonable but also true. Alex tackles tough questions honestly—a rare feat for any author—and offers answers that will encourage the faithful and, with winsome penetration, challenge the faithless.
Tony Perkins
President, Family Research Council
Alex McFarland is a young evangelical who understands the mind of the modern atheist. He has not only answered their questions, but he has proposed to them biblical questions that—if they would honestly answer—would bring them face to face with God. May God use this book to prove to many that God does exist.
Elmer L. Towns
Co-founder, Liberty University

2012 Alex McFarland
Published by Bethany House Publishers 11400 Hampshire Avenue South Bloomington, Minnesota 55438 www.bethanyhouse.com
Bethany House Publishers is a division of Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan. www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
Bethany House Publishers edition published 2014
ISBN 978-1-4412-6658-3
Previously published by Regal Books
Ebook edition originally created 2012
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means-for example, electronic, photocopy, recording-without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
Other versions used are:
ASV —The American Standard Version , Thomas Nelson and Sons, first published in 1901.
NASB —Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible , © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
DEDICATION
In honor of Norman L. Geisler—preeminent apologist and educator
and
the faculty, staff, and students of North Greenville University—“Where Christ Makes the Difference”
CONTENTS
Foreword (by Eric Metaxas)
Acknowlegments
Introduction
Section I INSIDE THE MIND OF THE ATHEIST
1. 10 Kinds of Atheists
2. A Brief History of Unbelief
3. A Brief Critique of Atheism
4. A Brief Critique of Agnosticism
Section II ATHEISM AND OTHER RELIGIONS
5. Four Forms of Theism
6. Alternatives to the Biblical God
7. Christianity and the God of the Bible
Section III ANSWERING THE ATHEISTS
8. Civility and Healthy Discourse
9. Answers to 10 Questions About God and Christianity
10. 10 “Ghosts” that Haunt Atheists
Conclusion
Appendix: Answers to 30 Common Objections by Atheists
Endnotes
Glossary
Additional Resources
Foreword
I’m honored to have been asked to write the foreword for my friend Alex McFarland’s terrific book. I’m thrilled that this book exists (which I can prove and discuss intelligently), and I’m thrilled that Alex exists (which I can also prove and discuss, albeit not quite as intelligently). The reason I’m thrilled is that we desperately need win-some and intelligent voices like Alex’s to show us the way forward on these and similarly important topics.
In 1 Peter 3:15, we are told, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” This doesn’t mean that all of us have to be as good at it as Alex McFarland, but it does mean that we should make some effort in this direction, and reading this book is a good start. Scripture also enjoins us to love God with all our minds (see Luke 10:17). Having some sense of why we believe what we believe is a part of doing this.
But the larger reason I’m grateful for Alex’s existence—and this book’s—is that Alex shows us not only what to say, but also how to say it. Not knowing what to say is one problem, but another is seeming to have all the answers and thinking that it is all that matters. It’s not. How we express our answers to others is equally important, and in this post-modern, image-oriented culture, it can even be more important. Besides, we are enjoined to love our enemies, not to bludgeon them with facts or arguments or anything else. So I’m grateful for Alex’s understanding that truth and grace are inextricably intertwined. Christians believe that Truth is a Person, and how He behaved and communicated while on this earth are as important as what He said.
Which brings me to Alex’s and my mutual friend, Chuck Colson. Chuck was originally slated to write this foreword, and when he passed away, Alex asked if I could do it. So, you see that when I say I am honored to be asked to write this foreword, I’m not kidding. Indeed, that’s an understatement. Chuck was a hero in the faith to me and to Alex, and one of the main reasons for that has to do with his life. Chuck knew better than anyone that we aren’t just supposed to have answers; we are to be a part of that answer. Chuck communicated that way and lived that way. I think his life—redeemed from the corruption and scandal of Watergate and then sent by God to go into prisons around the globe—is as powerful an apologetic for the existence of the living God as any book ever could be. Indeed, it is far more powerful. After all, apart from God, how can we possibly explain the dramatic changes that we sometimes see in a life redeemed?
So, I hope this book will help you better know some of the answers for why we believe what we do. And I hope that like our friend Chuck Colson, you will be inspired to go out and be a part of that answer as well.
Eric Metaxas
New York City
July 2012
Acknowledgements
The publication of 10 Answers for Atheists has come about through the dedication and involvement of a number of people. I am grateful for every person involved with this special project. Special thanks are due to the great folks at Regal Books, especially Bill Grieg III, Steve Lawson, Mark Weising, Kim Bangs and Elaine Montefu, to name just a few.
Much appreciation goes out to my friend and colleague Robert Velarde, whose assistance in formatting and clarifying this material was invaluable. Special thanks are also due to the following people who have graciously invested themselves in my work: the wonderful public relations/media team at Hamilton Strategies in Pennsylvania; Mr. Marshall Barnes, my friend and advisor; and Tim Wildmon, Jim Stanley, Bert Harper, Marvin Sander and all of the great folks at American Family Radio.
Very special thanks are due to the nearly three dozen atheists, agnostics, and the persons-possibly-open-to-God-but-who-wrestle-with-serious-doubts who talked openly and candidly with me about their objections. I thank you all for contributing to this important dialogue.
Most of all, I am thankful to Jesus Christ, who I am convinced has shown the world that He is the incarnation of the eternal, redemptive, and revelatory God. This book is written with the prayer that all may know Him and that all “may be one” (John 17:21).
Alex McFarland
August 2012
Introduction
At a state university in the western United States, more than 2,000 people filled the college athletic center to hear a Christian and an atheist debate the question, “Does God exist?” Representing the Christian position, I won the coin toss to present first. In my opening statement in favor of God’s existence, I pointed out that in a non-theistic universe, such as atheism holds to, life has no ultimate meaning or purpose.
The atheist agreed but actually viewed this supposed revelation in a positive light. “Get this through your he