A History of God - Karen Armstrong....seeking feedback

[Mave]

Hi all,

I could have sworn there was a section for book reviews...or maybe it was just a suggestion. 0.o

Anyway, I've started to read this book and wonder what others think about it. For what I've been warned, the writer was an ex-christian who is now a free-thinker/atheist. I won't deny that it challeges the faith but I've always wanted to know what goes on in the minds of non-believers.

I'm kinda wondering whether this book is worth my time or whether it is considered even appropriate to dig into stuff like this. Feedback, guys?

[Rev. Doc]

I would encourage you to read a title that is written by a former atheist who would explain their journey from a worldly mindset to one that is surrendered to God, rather than one who has forsaken the truth for this world. May I recommend to you "Evidence That Demands A Verdict" by Josh McDowell. Josh explains his attempt as an atheist to disprove Christian belief only to come to know the truth and accept Christ. It is an excellent work that contains what I think you are looking for.

[The Grammarian]

Other titles on the subject (though I don't necessarily recommend them--I despise "church growth" theology) are (I believe this is the title) How To Reach Unchurched Harry And Sally (or something to that effect). No idea who the author is, but I believe it's a Willow Creek persona (Lee Strobel, probably).

A book that which I do recommend is Evangelism Outside The Box by Rick Richardson.

[Bobtheduck]

outside the box... That reminds me of Bob Johnson (you may have heard of the LA Dreamcenter, well he made the San Francisco dreamcenter, which is connected only in name and initial purpose) He is VERY outside the box... He's SO outside the box, actually, that it had me running out of a class he taught slamming doors along the way... Ah, Bob... Such fine memories...

I love his ministry... He's got more (er,um) than any other Christian I know... And he's quite offensive, to his benefit and the benefit of his work...

As for former Christians, I had a friend who told me why he stopped believing... It was because he had questions his pastors not only wouldn't answer, but insulted him for having... Those, my friends, are BAD pastors. If he was going to my Brother's church, he would have worked at answering all of his questions, and show him where he could ask for questions they didn't have answers for... That is one major cause of people leaving Christianity... Unanswered questions...

[The Grammarian]

Actually, I've never heard of any Dreamcenter. The approach Rick Richardson takes about 'evangelism outside the box' is essentially what some would call 'relational' or 'friendship' evangelism. He has a couple of chapters devoted specifically to the concept of community in two successfully evangelistic groups, the early Celtic Christians (pre-400 AD or so, if I remember correctly) and the Methodist societies and subsequent Methodist Church in 18th and 19th century England. Again, a book I recommend.

[Fsiphskilm]

-In my opinion-...

[Mithrandir]

Without knowing your background, theology, etc - I'd have to side with RevDoc on this one. If you are strong enough in your faith, you can read whatever you want - but it WILL change how you think. It could be positive OR negative. Whereas with Evidence you'll probably get only the positive side. It's a bit out of date (inasmuchas some of his experiances are based on culture) but it's still got a great deal of good information.

[madphilb]

That is one major cause of people leaving Christianity... Unanswered questions...

Well, that and the fact that we have a tendancy to eat our wounded. (ick) It's kinda sad that people in the Body have done as much to remove numbers from our ranks as it has to add them.

[Ashley]

You might want to consider picking up "A Case for Christ" by Lee Strobol. The man was a self-proclaimed atheist who set out to deliberately prove, once and for all, that Jesus was NOT God. If you really want to get in the mind of an unbeliever, that might be well worth your time, and considering his conclusions--wherein, he did not want to believe but was shown the truth--might be more positive and give you the same glimpse into unbelievers than Karen Armstrong--who may try to prove to you Christianity is wrong. I'm all for knowing what we're up against in the world, but there's a major difference between hearing it from a former lost one than one who is pretty much a false teacher. One will show you where they were wrong that you may avoid the traps/strengthen your faith, one could potentially seek to destroy your faith.

[Mave]

Thanks a lot guys ^^ very helpful recommendations and opinions. Actually, I am reading "Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel at the same time...haha (I read a few books at the same time.) I guess I am curious to know what would make a christian drop his/her faith. So far, what I guess happened to Karen Armstrong was she didn't really experience the love...she claimed she felt nothing. Seems like as if it's God's fault for not touching her or something (if He existed)...Would like God's side of the story on such individuals like her.

[madphilb]

I think this is one of the reasons why I like Billy Grahm's background. As powerful a man of God that he is, there was no thunder, no warm fuzzies, no booming voice from heaven... just a decision to follow.

It also points out what a terrible job of being friends to people the Church is... thankfully my friend by whom which I was introduced to Christianity wasn't like most people... he lead me to God without me having to pick gold-leaf edged paper and imitation leather out of my teeth.

Oh, well... I suppose I'm not much of one to talk.

[JediSonic]

In my opinion, a warm fuzzy feeling isn't enough to base your faith on anyway. I remember about a year ago, I was trying to figure out whether I really beleived in God or not, and just talking about the subject would bring me to tears in just a couple of minutes. I remember saying, after talking with my mom about it for a while, that maybe I would just beleive in God because I felt so bad when I considered NOT beleiving in Him.. but I mostly said it as a means of excusing myself. I knew good and well that the feelings might have nothing to do with God, just the fact that I could never really fit in with my family or even friends if I became and athiest.

Anyway, at least I was smart enough not to sit in a corner and cry ALL the time In the end, research is what brought me around. Just the mere science of it. I dunno about this warm fuzzy feeling business

[Fsiphskilm]

Oh Billy Graham...

[Ashley]

Volt, seeing as how this is a potentially touchy topic, why don't we try to keep all posts relevant?