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Tough Questions about God, Faith, and Life

by: Colson, Charles

Tough Questions about God, Faith, and Life

by: Colson, Charles

ISBN 13:
9781414312972
ISBN 10:
1414312970
Format: Paperback
Copyright: 10/30/2006
Publisher: TYNDALE HOUSE PUBLISHERS

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Summary

Is God real? Where does evil come from? Can we really believe the Bible? Does modern science disprove Christianity? Is there such a thing as absolute truth? These questions and much more are things every teenager will face in high school and college. How will they answer these tough questions for themselves? Premier thinker Chuck Colson gives answers to the toughest questions teens have about God, faith, science, and life.

A Word from a Parent of a Teenager

A Word from Chuck Colson

Part One: Faith and the Big Questions

Chapter 1: Does God Exist, and Can We Know Him?

God and Contemporary Thinking

1. Does life really have any meaning?

(3)

2. But how can I know and love a God I'm not sure exists?

(3)

3. But what if people created God out of their own need to feel cared for?

(1)

4. Why does the universe exist?

(3)

5. So who created God?

(1)

6. Why doesn't God show himself more clearly?

(2)

7. If everything you say is true, why don't more people believe?

(3)

Chapter 2: If God Is Good, Why Is There Evil?

The Problem of Evil, Sin, and God's Love for Humankind

8. Did God create evil?

(1)

9. If God didn't create evil, where did it come from?

(2)

10. Why did God allow us to disobey?

(1)

11. Then why does a good God allow the consequences of evil to continue?

(2)

12. Why would a good and loving God use suffering to change us?

(2)

13. But aren't people really inherently good—or at least morally neutral?

(2)

14. Can't the world's problems be overcome with better education and social programs?

(2)

15. How could people like mass murderer Jeffrey Dahmer do the things they do?

(1)

16. Is there a hell?

(1)

17. Are there really such beings as angels and devils?

(3)

Chapter 3: Does Modern Science Disprove the Bible and Christianity?

Science, Evolution, and Intelligent Design

18. Is the universe all there is?

(3)

19. But haven't scientists proven experimentally that life came about by chance?

(2)

20. Don't scientists have evidence that evolution is a fact, not just a theory?

(2)

21. Isn't it possible that evolution and creation are both true?

(1)

22. How can we distinguish things that "just happen" from those that are created?

(1)

23. Aren't you just giving God credit for what you don't understand?

(3)

24. Besides DNA coding, are there any other positive arguments for creation?

(3)

25. If science really hasn't proven evolution, why is it still accepted as fact?

(1)

26. Why might admitting the existence of a Creator threaten educators?

(1)

27. Are you sure Christianity isn't against science?

(1)

28. Didn't the Catholic Church's persecution of Galileo prove its opposition to science?

(2)

29. If there is life on other planets, does that mean Christians are all wrong about God?

(4)

Chapter 4: Can We Really Believe the Bible?

Reason, Historical Evidence, and the Scriptures

30. Isn't the Bible like other ancient books, filled with myth and superstition?

(1)

31. The Bible was written by so many people—how accurate can it be?

(1)

32. Why are people so skeptical about the Bible's accuracy?

(1)

33. What about the miracles? Were they real?

(3)

34. Do I have to believe the whole Bible? Can't I choose to believe the parts that I'm comfortable with or that work with my philosophies?

(4)

Chapter 5: Who Is Jesus Christ, and Why Does He Matter?

The Reality, Mission, and Work of Jesus Christ

35. How do we know that Jesus was even real?

(2)

36. Wasn't much of the "historical evidence" for Christianity simply manufactured by Christians?

(2)

37. Jesus may have been a real person, but is he God?

(1)

38. What proves Jesus is God?

(1)

39. Why was it necessary for Jesus to die?

(2)

40. What about other religions that say there is one God? Aren't they just as good as Christianity?

(1)

41. What happens to people who die without ever hearing about Christ? It doesn't seem fair for them to go to hell.

(5)

Chapter 6: What Does Becoming a Christian Mean?

The Life of Faith

42. Besides the promise of eternal life, what's so great about being a Christian?

(2)

43. Isn't Christianity just a religion for wimps?

(6)

44. Christians say they are "saved," but why are some of them so mean and petty?

(1)

45. So how do I become a Christian?

(2)

46. I prayed the prayer. Now what's changed about me?

(2)

47. But I can't remember when I didn't believe. Is that wrong?

(2)

48. How can I know God's will for my life?

Part Two: What Should I Do About...?

Contemporary Issues and Your Teenager

Chapter 7: Why Do Christians...?

Untangling Common Misconceptions

49. Why shouldn't people make their own decisions about what's right and wrong?

(2)

50. But isn't it judgmental for Christians to say that a person's feelings aren't legitimate?

101

(2)

51. But shouldn't we be tolerant of what others believe?

103

(2)

52. Does that mean Christians are totally rigid?

105

(1)

53. Then why do people see Christians as bigots?

106

(3)

54. Why does Christianity oppress women?

109

(2)

55. Why do Christians have such a problem with Wicca?

111

(2)

56. How can Christians condemn homosexuals for being the way God made them?

113

(3)

57. Why do Christians claim that legalizing same-sex marriage will lead to things like polygamy?

116

(2)

58. What about the Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition?

118

(2)

59. Why are Christians anti-intellectual?

120

(3)

60. Why don't Christians care more about the environment?

123

(4)

Chapter 8: Why Shouldn't I... ?

Sex, Love, and Marriage

61. Don't all the negative rules Christians have about sex come from a hatred for the body?

127

(2)

62. Why are Christians so hung up about sex?

129

(1)

63. Why should I wait to have sex until I'm married?

130

(2)

64. How can our whole society be wrong about having sex before marriage?

132

(1)

65. But a guy needs sex. Isn't it just a natural function?

133

(2)

66. Why has date rape become such a problem?

135

(1)

67. Shouldn't people be free to end a marriage when it's no longer fulfilling?

136

(1)

68. Mom and Dad, since you divorced, I just can't respect you anymore. How can it be wrong for me to make my own decisions when you've made such bad ones?

137

(4)

Chapter 9: Should I Keep My Baby?

Life at the Limits: Pregnancy, Abortion, and Bioethics

69. What's the big deal about abortion? It's just a fetus, not a person.

141

(3)

70. Pro-lifers compare America's abortion policy to the Nazi Holocaust. Isn't that extreme?

144

(2)

71. If a young woman has an abortion, then she can get on with life. Right?

146

(1)

72. Why do organizations such as Planned Parenthood insist that abortion should be readily available?

147

(1)

73. Mom, I think I'm pregnant. What should I do? Do I keep my baby?

148

(2)

74. But what about situations where tests show that the baby has birth defects?

150

(2)

75. But without abortion, wouldn't we soon have overpopulation?

152

(1)

76. My neighbor had a baby through donor insemination. Isn't it her right to do that?

153

(2)

77. What about genetic engineering? Is it good or bad?

155

(1)

78. Then what about cloning?

156

(1)

79. If people want to die, isn't it more merciful to let them commit suicide?

157

(4)

Chapter 10: Guess What I Learned Today?

Schools, Values, and Violence

80. Public schools can't teach religion, so you can't expect too much from them, can you?

161

(2)

81. My school is so anti-Christian--what can I do about it?

163

(2)

82. If kids are going to have sex, isn't it important for them to practice safe sex?

165

(1)

83. Why have the public schools become so dangerous? What's gone wrong?

166

(2)

84. Why do parents worry so much when their kids leave for college?

168

(3)

85. I like to watch slash-'em-up movies. What harm can it do?

171

(2)

86. I've just got to get the anger out of my system, don't I?

173

(1)

87. Almost everyone I know looks at porn online. How harmful can it be?

174

(2)

88. OK, but I'm not into Internet porn. Why do you get so uptight when I go online?

176

(1)

89. How do I get over my friend's death?

177

(4)

Chapter 11: What Do I Owe the Government?

Government, Politics, and Citizenship

90. Why do church people speak of America as a "Christian nation"?

181

(2)

91. Do Christians believe in the separation of church and state?

183

(2)

92. Should we allow Nativity scenes and other religious symbols on public property?

185

(2)

93. If laws can't make people good, why do we try to legislate morality?

187

(1)

94. Does a leader's private morality have anything to do with his or her public life?

188

(3)

95. When I reach eighteen, why should I bother to vote?

191

(1)

96. "Lock them up" seems to be the Christian's answer to everything. Isn't there a better approach to justice?

191

(2)

97. How should we live under a government whose policies we sharply disagree with?

193

(2)

98. How can Christians justify fighting in wars? Doesn't the Bible tell us not to kill?

195

(4)

Chapter 12: Why Is Islam at War with the West?

Muslims and Christians, Past and Present

99. What do Muslims believe?

199

(3)

100. Why do Islamic radicals hate us so?

202

(1)

101. But America has only been around 200 years. Haven't Muslims hated Christians a lot longer?

203

(1)

102. I keep hearing that Muslims are tolerant of non-Muslims. Isn't Islamo-fascism simply an aberration?

204

(2)

103. But don't Christians have a long history of persecuting Muslims?

206

(2)

104. One of my friends at school just converted to Islam. Why?

208

(1)

105. What are the ultimate goals of Islamic radicals?

209

(2)

106. Will Islam win out in the end?

211

(4)

Chapter 13: How Can I Be Confident about My Future?

Work, Career, and Success

107. Besides the money, what's so important about work?

215

(2)

108. But so much of work is boring. Does it always have to be that way?

217

(1)

109. What if I want to be an artist?

218

(2)

110. What if I want to go into business?

220

(1)

111. Just because I am a Christian does that mean God has to be a part of everything I do?

220

(2)

112. Not everything is about God, is it?

222

(1)

113. How should I measure my success in life?

223

(4)

A Final Word to Parents

227

(2)

With Gratitude

229

(2)

About the Author

231

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Tough Questions about God, Faith, and Life

Tough Questions about God, Faith, and Life

9781414312972

1414312970

Summary

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