Questions for Christians (eBook)

John Morreall is professor of religious studies and chair of the department at the College of William and Mary. He has published widely, including The Religion Toolkit: A Complete Guide to Religious Studies.

1.WHY ASK QUESTIONS?A.Two Sources of Questions: Disagreement and ChangeB.In the Beginning: Jesus and the Kingdom of GodC.Turning Christianity into a Set of DoctrinesD.Turning Christianity into the State Religion of the Roman EmpireE.What Would Jesus Do?F.Is Believing Doctrines the Essence of Christianity?G.Asking Questions Is Part of Being a ChristianH.Paying Careful Attention to Words2.THOUGHTFUL FAITHA.Is it all right to think carefully about the religion you grew up in?B.Is careful thinking opposed to faith?C.Is faith a kind of knowledge?D.Could some of my religious beliefs be false?E.Is faith always good?3.THE BIBLEA.Is the Bible a book?B.Is the Bible the word of God?C.Does the Bible tell us all we need to know to live a good life?D.Is the Bible necessary for living a good life?E.Is the Bible scientifically and historically accurate?4.JESUS CHRISTA. Is Jesus Christ the Messiah?B.Is Jesus Christ the Savior?C.Did Jesus Christ die for our sins?D.Is Jesus Christ the Son of God?E.Did Jesus Christ teach doctrines?5.THE TRINITYA.Are Jesus Christ and God “of the same substance”?B.Does “the Holy Spirit” refer to someone other than the God of the Bible?C.Does the Bible say that God is three persons in one substance?D.Do the early creeds say that God is three persons in one substance?E. Is the Trinity a mystery?6.THE FALLA. Did the human race start out perfect?B. Are babies born depraved and deserving of hell?C. Is death a penalty for sin?D. Can we do good actions by ourselves? E. Do we have free will? 7.LIFE AFTER DEATHA. Am I a soul or spirit?B. Did Jesus say that our souls go to heaven or hell when we die?C. Are there people in heaven and hell right now?D. Could I be resurrected as Jesus was?E. Could God punish people forever?8.ANGELS AND DEMONSA.Do angels have wings and demons have horns?B.Do angels live in heaven and demons live in hell?C.Is there a guardian angel for each person?D.Is Satan an angel who led a rebellion against God?E.Do demons possess people?9. THE GOOD LIFEA.Is being good obeying a set of commands?B. Would Jesus oppose gay marriage?C.Would Jesus favor capital punishment?D.Would Jesus join the U.S. Marines?E.Would Jesus shop ‘til he dropped? 10.CHURCHESA. Did Jesus or his followers go to church?B. Did Jesus start a church?C. Did Jesus want people to be forced to join a church?D.Did Jesus want 34,000 churches?E. Do any churches today embody Jesus’ “Kingdom of God”?