Searching Issues

Rating:
Summary: Maybe convincing to christians, not to atheists
Review: I am an atheist and in my countless discussions with christians, I saw one particular book on their bookshelves; Searching Issues by Nikky Gumbel. Eight months ago I decided to buy the book to see why this book offers such convincing arguments for christianity in the fight with the unbelieving world.
Unfortunately, it did not offer any challenge. The book does not attempt to argue for theism (the belief in a god). On the contrary, it will not address the basic foundations of theistic claims, and therefore it will leave atheistic counterarguments intact.
An example; apparently, the existence of evil and suffering in the world makes many people doubt the correctness of the christian faith. Gumbel even stresses that since this is the toughest problem for christians when they defend their faith, he will also dedicate the first chapter of the book to the issue of evil.
But then Gumbel asserts that God is not evil; on the contrary, he is like a father testing his children, showing them that their ancestors (Adam and Eve) have been sinful, and that they must face the consequences. He also says that it might be hard for us people to understand God, but eventually, we can do no more than trust in God's righteous judgement, Gumbel says. Will this be devastating to a critical unbeliever when a christian discusses his faith? Hardly. It is merely a repetition of the biblical soteriology; the original sin, repeated in other, more simple words. Only if unbelievers are sensitive to religious language or feelings of sin, the book might be helpful to the christian counterpart in the discussion.
The same thing counts for all the other 'tough questions'; Gumbel avoids tough, philosophical-metaphysical questions and he only offers ethical answers to questions that will arise in discussions of people who either already believe in God, or who have not thought enough about the philosphical arguments against christianity. The book is more of a theological book, answering theological questions, while it does not address issues OUTSIDE theology. Vitally important issues outside theology, such as the question whether or not a god is necessary for existence and ethics (i.e. has man been created or can somebody be moral if he does not believe in a god) are crucial for the survival of christian theology in duiscussions with unbelievers. Unfortunately, they are left untouched, whereas they could maybe convince unbelievers or they could strengthen a christian's faith in a discussion.
Searching Issues is, to my opinion, only useful in discussions within the christian community, in discussions with people who would have been converted soon anyway (and who are therefore 'searching'), or with lapsed christians. Don't expect bold premises in this book.

The tough issues have not been tackled; moreover; the toughest issue should be; how to demonstrate the correctness of the claim that God does exist?

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Rating:
Summary: Well Written and Loving
Review: I really liked this book. I bought it at an Alpha meeting and read it right away. It's truly 1 of those rare Christian books that holds your attention in love. The Chapter on homo-sexuality
was a blessed outreach to gays and the New Age chapter cleared up alot of personal questions. Art Gumbel you're a treasure. :)

Rating:
Summary: Really packs power for the punch
Review: I was first introduced to Nicky Gumbel when we started an Alpha Group at our church. Nicky is the host of the series and is responsible for the international success of Alpha. Raised as an atheist and educated as an attorney, Nicky accepted Christ and with his lawyers wit, persuasively makes the case for Christ.

This book addresses seven common objections to the Christian faith: Why does God allow suffering? Is there anything wrong with sex before marriage? What about other religions? How does the New Age Movement relate to Christianity? What is the Christian attitude toward homosexuality? Is there a conflict between science and Christianity? Is the Trinity unbiblical, unbelievable and irrelevant?

How does he do? He does a pretty good job. One would be hard pressed to find a more concise, well-written book dealing with these issues. There is gentleness in his argument that is often lacking in Christian apologetics- you do not get the feeling you have just been hit over the head with a 2x4 as you read. Rather, he acknowledges difficulties in the Christian faith, and makes reasonable response to them without denigrated those who may hold to contrary beliefs.

Every pastor, well for that matter, every Christian should have several copies of this little book. At a mere 130 pages, it really packs power for the punch.

Rating:
Summary: Really packs power for the punch
Review: I was first introduced to Nicky Gumbel when we started an Alpha Group at our church. Nicky is the host of the series and is responsible for the international success of Alpha. Raised as an atheist and educated as an attorney, Nicky accepted Christ and with his lawyers wit, persuasively makes the case for Christ.

This book addresses seven common objections to the Christian faith: Why does God allow suffering? Is there anything wrong with sex before marriage? What about other religions? How does the New Age Movement relate to Christianity? What is the Christian attitude toward homosexuality? Is there a conflict between science and Christianity? Is the Trinity unbiblical, unbelievable and irrelevant?

How does he do? He does a pretty good job. One would be hard pressed to find a more concise, well-written book dealing with these issues. There is gentleness in his argument that is often lacking in Christian apologetics- you do not get the feeling you have just been hit over the head with a 2x4 as you read. Rather, he acknowledges difficulties in the Christian faith, and makes reasonable response to them without denigrated those who may hold to contrary beliefs.

Every pastor, well for that matter, every Christian should have several copies of this little book. At a mere 130 pages, it really packs power for the punch.

Rating:
Summary: Thoughtful answers to tough questions
Review: When Christians discuss their faith with others a number of tough questions frequently come up. These questions, and the church's perceived position on them, are often cited as blockages to growth in faith. Many feel that the existence of suffering in the world is proof that there IS no loving God. Others feel that the church has taken the wrong response to homosexuality or science.

Nicky Gumbel, the author of "Searching Issues", tackles seven of these questions in this short text. He uses careful examination of scripture to explore the Christian response to "Why Does God Allow Suffering?" and "Is There Anything Wrong with Sex Before Marriage?". Nicky's writing is entirely accessible to those at any stage of their spiritual journey, including those just starting out. Like his beginning course in Christianity, "Alpha", (for which this book is the text) he acknowledges the questions and objections and puts them into Biblical perspective. Though he is an ordained Anglican he focusses not on the Church but on Christianity as a whole, and on God's message as seen through scripture. An included Study Guide encourages the reader to dig further, or to facilitate a discussion with others.

While not a definitive theological text, "Searching Issues" provides an excellent reference for the practicing Christian or the skeptic. Whether you are seeking answers for yourself, or find it difficult to face the "tough questions" about your faith with others, Gumbel provides considerable ammunition on seven very tough and very real questions.