ISBN 1 873877 46 3 (81 pp)
A Protestant layman looks at the defensibility of the Christian faith and urges believers to be ready with answers to its critics.
The introductory chapter offers practical advice to the defender of the faith. Two requirements are discussed. The first of these is a clear understanding of what Christ said and did. The sceptic's attack is often made from a misreading or misunderstanding of the gospels, and fails to recognise the reasonableness of Christ's teaching about the management of human relationships. The second requirement is a clear understanding of the place in Christian tradition of the Incarnation (which can be convincingly argued in the context of human history) and the Resurrection which has relevance for everyone. Encouragement is given to Christians who find themselves outgunned in debate. Simple counterstatement endorsed by the affirmation "Well, this is what I believe can be surprisingly effective. Silence is an admission of defeat, while sceptic and bystander are likely to respect a willingness to speak up for the faith. Like Paul, we must be prepared to seem foolish for Christ's sake.
This is not an appeal for evangelism, but for a readiness to answer the critic on a limited number of issues. In the chapters which follow, seven common issues are discussed: the place of guilt and the need for forgiveness in human life; the sharing of time and money in human society; the challenge presented to faith by sickness and disability; the expectation of death and the place of judgement in the Christian tradition. Of special relevance in the contemporary setting Is the doctrine of the Incarnation -- Is life to be found only on the surface of this planet? -- and the question of gender in our under" standing of God -- Are we to accept uncritically the attribution of maleness to the Creator?
Consideration is given to two or three themes of more general interest. These include the provisional nature of scientific discovery, the unrecognised limitations of human understanding, and, above all, the universal and transforming work of love in human life.
All Royalties will be donated to the UNIT FOR MALNOURISHED MOTHERS AND BABIES AT ITETE HOSPITAL IN TANZANIA
Cover design is from the painting of St John of the Cross by Salvador Dali