confronting christianity 12 hard questions for the world's largest religion

confronting christianity 12 hard questions for the world

(Which completely surprised this reader yet was very effective in driving home her point.) Her chapter answering the question, “Doesn’t Christianity denigrate women?” uses for illustration a surprising plot twist in Harry Potter. Throughout the book, McLaughlin assumes her readers will be familiar with contemporary culture. In addition, her wealth of research and cultural references lend credibility to both the questions and her answers. While academically precise, her tone does not detract from the book’s readability.

McLaughlin then lays out how she will respond to the chapter’s question. She provides a thoughtful, loving, and most of all biblical framework in how readers should respond today.Įach chapter begins with an example or illustration. Using history, literature, modern events, and most of all, going back to the Bible, McLaughlin shows how Christians have interacted with these questions over the centuries.

And what about diversity? Doesn’t Christianity crush diversity?Ĭhapter by chapter, Christian thinker Rebecca McLaughlin interacts with twelve of the hardest questions facing Christians today. (Apr.So you are a Christian? Chances are, you’ve encountered someone who believes we are better off without religion. Though aimed primarily at skeptics, this should appeal to any Christian who desires a better handle on the foundations of their own faith. In a chapter titled “Isn’t Christianity Homophobic?,” McLaughlin candidly illustrates how “attraction” and “action” differ, as evidenced by her own successful heterosexual marriage, in spite of her lifelong struggle with same-sex attraction (which she argues is allowed within Christianity and, therefore, the faith should not be considered homophobic). Respectfully presenting opposing sides of often volatile debates, McLaughlin delves into divisive topics, such as abortion, the basis of morality, and how a loving God can allow suffering. Through chapters based on 12 questions, McLaughlin documents the Christian Church’s role in violence, slavery, and discrimination throughout history, emphasizing that the Gospel can’t be held accountable for what those who profess to follow the Gospel do in its name. The author, a writer for the Gospel Coalition, leans toward an academic approach to apologetics, but her vivid historical overviews and wide variety of references (including Bertrand Russell, Black Panther, British TV show Doctor Who, and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn) provide the tone of a lively comparative religions class. McLaughlin’s smart debut provides readers with a dozen reasons why Christianity is a viable worldview that can coexist alongside science, atheism, and other world religions.

Confronting christianity 12 hard questions for the world's largest religion