Consider Christianity - A Faith Based on Facts

This second volume of Consider Christianity continues where the first volume left off. If the Bible is reliable, what does that mean for our faith choices? What is the evidence for the major beliefs of Christianity, are they relevant, and what does that mean to you?

Chapter titles include:

Introduction: The Secularization of Society
A Rose by any Other Name
Is That All There Is?
Christianity
The Church
Part II: Jesus Christ
Who Do You Say I Am?
Resurrection or Passover Plot?
Is Christianity Relevant

You can look at the How to Read this Book section for more information on what this book covers.

The aim of the Consider Christianity Series is to present a systematic defense of the Christian Faith, with this volume focusing on the some of the more general criticism of Christianity, the evidence for Jesus Christ, and why Christianity remains relevant today. Because of this step by step approach, different people will want to read this book in different ways. This book was written with non-Christians in mind and as such it tries to address a vast range of questions and objections. Since not everyone will start this book with the same beliefs, not everyone will want to start with Chapter 1 or even read the chapters in order. For example, Chapter 2 deals with the supernatural. If you already accept that the supernatural exists, you can skip this chapter. In short, while this book is a step by step argument for the Christian faith, you might only want to read the areas where you have questions.

Below is a brief description of each chapter of the book. This will give you an idea of some of the questions addressed in each chapter so you can easily find the issues that are of interest to you.

	PART ONE CHRISTIANITY	15
ONE	A Rose By Any Other Name	17
Some people think that religion is something that other people believe in. Yet what is religion? This chapter demonstrates that religion is universal, and thus everybody has a religion. The question is not, as it is so often stated ‘Am I going to have a religion?’ but rather ‘Which religion is true?’
TWO	Is That All There Is?	47
The rejection of the supernatural forms the basis for much of the criticism against Christianity. This chapter looks at the existence of the supernatural and critiques secularism’s rejection of it. It is shown that this rejection is not based on facts, but rather is based on faith. Evidence is then given to show that the supernatural does exist.
THREE	Christianity	67
Despite our strong Christian heritage, many people do not really know what Christianity teaches. Some people’s view of Christianity is radically different from what Christians have historically believed. This chapter briefly surveys the basic teachings of Christianity on God, Jesus, Salvation and the Bible. The myth that the Bible is so vague that everything is just a matter of interpretation is dispelled.
FOUR	The Church	93
Many people say they love God; they just don’t like how the Church has messed things up. In this chapter the true nature of the Church is examined along with the role that the Church has played in history. While the Church is not perfect, it is by no means the evil institution that some claim.
	*PART TWO: JESUS CHRIST*	121
FIVE	Who Do You Say I Am?	123
Central to Christianity is the life of Jesus Christ. Who was He? The critics have many theories and they are examined, one by one. Using primarily the writings of the early critics of Christianity it is shown that the theories of modern critics just do not stand up to scrutiny. In fact, from the early critics we see a picture of Jesus that comes close to the Jesus of the Gospels. In short we see that the only reasonable answer to Jesus’ question is Peter’s: “You are the Christ.”
SIX	Resurrection or Passover Plot?	141
The most important teaching of the Bible is the death and resurrection of Jesus. It is also the most questioned. Critics have long sought an alternative explanation and have put forth many. After examining the Gospels and finding that they present a consistent account of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we look at the explanations put forth by the critics and see that they come up short. The only valid explanation is that Jesus did conquer death. He is risen!
	PART THREE: CHRISTIANITY AND THE MODERN WORLD	169
SEVEN	Is Christianity Relevant Today	171
So what if the Bible is true and Jesus is Lord? The Bible was written over 2000 years ago. What could it possibly have to say to a world of space exploration and computers? In the final chapter we see that apart from God there is no foundation for morality. Since morality forms the basis for order in society we therefore need God. But society cannot have a relationship with God, the relationship must be personal. Each one of us must decide for ourselves whether or not to accept Christ as our personal savior.