Reasonable Response, A: Answers to Tough Questions on God, Christianity, and the Bible - Softcover

Craig, William Lane; Gorra, Jo

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0802405991 ISBN 13: 9780802405999

Publisher: Moody Publishers, 2013

Synopsis

Followers of Jesus need not fear hard questions or objections against Christian belief. In A Reasonable Response, renowned Christian philosopher and apologist William Lane Craig offers dozens of examples of how some of the most common challenges to Christian thought can be addressed, including:

• Why does God allow evil?
• How can I be sure God exists?
• Why should I believe that the Bible is trustworthy?
• How does modern science relate to the Christian worldview?
• What evidence do we have that Jesus rose from the dead?

Utilizing real questions submitted to his popular website ReasonableFaith.org, Dr. Craig models well-reasoned, skillful, and biblically informed interaction with his inquirers. A Reasonable Response goes beyond merely talking about apologetics; it shows it in action. With cowriter Joseph E. Gorra, this book also offers advice about envisioning and practicing the ministry of answering people’s questions through the local church, workplace, and in online environments.

Whether you're struggling to respond to tough objections or looking for answers to your own intellectual questions, A Reasonable Response will equip you with sound reasoning and biblical truth.

About this title

About the Author

WILLIAM LANE CRAIG is a Research Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, California. He earned a doctorate in philosophy at the University of Birmingham, England, and a doctorate in theology from the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen, Germany, where he was for two years a Fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung. Prior to his appointment at Talbot he spent seven years at the Higher Institute of Philosophy of the Katholike Universiteit Leuven, Belgium. He has authored or edited over forty books, including The Kalam Cosmological Argument; Assessing the New Testament Evidence for the Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus; Divine Foreknowledge and Human Freedom; Theism, Atheism, and Big Bang Cosmology and God, Time, and Eternity, as well as over 150 articles in professional publications of philosophy and theology, including The Journal of Philosophy, New Testament Studies, Journal for the Study of the New Testament, American Philosophical Quarterly, Philosophical Studies, Philosophy, and British Journal for Philosophy of Science. His website is www.reasonablefaith.org.

JOSEPH E. GORRA is engaged in content development and research, editing, and publicity for Biola University’s graduate program in Christian apologetics, the Evangelical Philosophical Society, and is a tutor for Vineyard Bible Institute. He is also the founder and director of Veritas Life Center, a religious nonprofit devoted to translating and transmitting the Christian tradition as a knowledge and wisdom tradition for flourishing well (www.VeritasLifeCenter.org). Twitter: @GorraResearch.

From the Back Cover

No sincere question about God is out of bounds. Here, one of the world's foremost apologists offers insightful answers to challenging inquiries sent to him - and models how to help people get past their spiritual sticking points.

Lee Strobel, author of The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith.

The premise of this very helpful volume is stated up front: "questions are our friends." I couldn't agree more, and that's why I love this new book. Dr. Craig's responses to questions he's been asked over the years will stretch you, but with Joe Gorra's assistance you'll gain the benefit of understanding new insights, you won't regret the journey.

John Stonestreet, Author and Speaker for Colson Center for Christian Worldview (BreakPoint.org) and Summit Ministries (Summit.org).

What a book! Combining a top-notch reference work with solid, practical instruction, Bill Craig and Joe Gorra have created a unique and innovative title that will help all Christians grow and minister. Bill's sharp insights answering the biggest questions surrounding Christianity provide a rich resource for the pastor or apologist, while Joe's analysis and framework provides real-world wisdom that can be employed by the evangelist as well as the philosopher.

The book is thoughtfully organized to help the reader move logically through the material, even if many of the subjects are previously unfamiliar to him. TheInsights into the questions are spot-on and the recommended resources offer further instruction. Gorra's opening comments draw the reader back to reason-giving ministries' true purpose of honoring Christ and building His kingdom.

A Reasonable Response not only gives you the answers but shows the value of apologetics and helps the reader be a more effective communicator of the Gospel message. Equally at home as a small group guide or a personal growth tool, I cannot recommendA Reasonable Response highly enough.

Lenny Esposito, Founder and President, Come Reason Ministries (ComeReason.org).

As a pastor of 30+ years in two wonderful churches I know first-hand the importance of apologetics in the life of the church and the personal journey of believers. I've faced the questions of confused believers and disgruntled skeptics.A Reasonable Response is not only a tremendous resource because of its comprehensive content but also because of its user-friendly approach that leverages a Q&A format. Dr. Craig strikes an incredible balance between gifted philosopher and compassionate sage. Of special interest are the appendixes which provide practical advice to pastors on recommendations for doing apologetics in the local church while highlighting mistakes and assumptions to avoid. If there is one book that a pastor should use to build his church's commitment to apologetics-this is it! I enthusiastically recommend this work by Dr. Craig & Joseph Gorra.

Dr. Brent Strawsburg, Equipping & Outreach Consultant, Conservative Baptist Association of Southern California

Dr. Craig's credentials are well known, so it will not surprise the reader that serious questions about God and the Christian life are answered with wisdom and respect. An added bonus to this work is how well the church and pastor are handled. I don't know of another book that answers the seeker, trains the Christian, and models the apologetic task in the context of the church as well as this one does. As a pastor, I am grateful for how this book approaches my vocation. It belongs in my church. It belongs in your church.

Phil Steiger, Senior Pastor, Living Hope Church (Colorado Springs, Colorado)

Unlike similar books that repackage the same tired answers to perennial questions,A Reasonable Response offers thoughtful and philosophica

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Praise for A Reasonable Response

No sincere question about God is out of bounds. Here, one of the world’s foremost

apologists offers insightful answers to challenging inquiries sent to him—and models how

to help people get past their spiritual sticking points.

—Lee Strobel, author of The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith.

The premise of this very helpful volume is stated up front: “questions are our friends.” I

couldn’t agree more, and that’s why I love this new book. Dr. Craig’s responses to questions

he’s been asked over the years will stretch you, but with Joe Gorra’s assistance you’ll gain the

benefit of understanding new insights. You won’t regret the journey.

— John Stonestreet, author and speaker for Colson Center for Christian

Worldview (BreakPoint.org) and Summit Ministries (Summit.org).

What a book! Combining a top-notch reference work with solid, practical instruction, Bill

Craig and Joe Gorra have created a unique and innovative title that will help all Christians

grow and minister. Bill’s sharp insights answer the biggest questions surrounding Christianity,

while Joe’s analysis and framework provides real-world wisdom that can be employed by the

evangelist as well as the philosopher.

A Reasonable Response not only gives you the answers but shows the value of apologetics

and helps the reader be a more effective communicator of the gospel message. This is a

rich resource for the pastor and apologist, and an effective tool for personal growth.

— Lenny Esposito, founder and president, Come Reason Ministries

(ComeReason.org).

As a pastor for more than 30 years, I know firsthand the importance of apologetics in the

life of the church and the personal journey of believers. I’ve faced the questions of confused

believers and disgruntled skeptics. A Reasonable Response has comprehensive content yet

a user-friendly approach that leverages a Q&A format. Dr. Craig strikes an impressive

balance between gifted philosopher and compassionate sage. Of special interest are the

appendixes, which provide practical advice to pastors on recommendations for doing

apologetics in the local church.

— Dr. Brent Strawsburg, Equipping & Outreach Consultant, Conservative

Baptist Association of Southern California

Dr. Craig’s credentials are well known, so it will not surprise the reader that serious questions

about God and the Christian life are answered with wisdom and respect. An added bonus

to this work is how well the church and pastor are handled. I don’t know of another book

that answers the seeker, trains the Christian, and models the apologetic task in the context

of the church as well as this one does.

— Phil Steiger, senior pastor, Living Hope Church (Colorado Springs)

Unlike similar books that repackage the same tired answers to perennial questions, A

Reasonable Response offers thoughtful and philosophically astute, yet succinct, answers to

some of the most challenging queries of both skeptics and believers. You’ll gain valuable

insight from reading Bill Craig’s winsome, enlightening approach to apologetics.

— Joe Carter, editor, The Gospel Coalition (TheGospelCoalition.org)

If learning is often by example, then A Reasonable Response can be a valuable source of

encouragement to current and emerging leaders in apologetics. Read it for your own

equipping. Read it to gain confidence in answering people’s tough questions. Every Christian

at every university should have a copy on their bookshelf!

—R ick Schenker, president, Ratio Christi: A Student Apologetics

Alliance (RatioChristi.org).

This is a Q&A book that goes well beyond mere questions and answers. It will linger with

you, inviting you into the practice of thinking itself. If you study this book carefully, you will

certainly gain a rich storehouse of Christian answers. But more importantly, it will equip

you to think for yourself so that eventually you’re able to arrive at answers on your own.

And when you can do that, you will be well-positioned to help others discover satisfying

answers to their deepest questions.

— Brett Kunkle, Student Impact Director at Stand to Reason (STR.org).

Dr. Craig not only tackles some of the toughest questions people are asking today, but we

get an “insider’s glimpse” as to how and why he answers them as he does. This book will be

helpful to beginners and experts alike.

— Sean McDowell , educator, speaker, and general editor for The Apologetics

Study Bible for Students

When I am preparing for a debate or a presentation before an atheistic college audience,

there is no one I rely on more for clear arguments than William Lane Craig. Now the most

important of those arguments appear in this one volume! A Reasonable Response should

convince anyone who is truly reasonable that Christianity is indeed true.

— Dr. Frank Turek, president of CrossExamined.org and coauthor of I Don’t

Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist

For many years, William Lane Craig has thoughtfully and graciously engaged in

answering questions from people around the world. A Reasonable Response combines some

of the most difficult questions Dr. Craig has received with the answers he has given into

one incredibly valuable resource! Not only will the reader gain insight intoDr. Craig’s

arguments, but she will see an excellent model of how to be an ambassador for Christ.

Here’s a resource that not only attends to the life of the mind but also challenges Christians

in the daily practice of Christianity. This is a timely work in the field of apologetics!

— Mary Jo Sharp, assistant professor of Apologetics, Houston Baptist

University, founder, Confident Christianity Apologetics Ministry

William Craig is one of the top Christian thinkers in the world today. A Reasonable Response

is a classic collection of his responses to readers’ questions. Readers will be delighted to

see how Dr. Craig handles even the most difficult questions people ask today. Read this

accessible book to sharpen your own skills in apologetics.

— Dennis McCall um, author, Discovering God: Exploring the Possibilities of

Faith, and a lead pastor at Xenos Christian Fellowship (Ohio).

For the Christian ambassador seeking to master his subject and become a tactful

communicator, there is no better example than William Lane Craig. In A Reasonable

Response, budding apologists will find not only a rich resource of scholarly content but

wisdom and insight for engaging others with gentleness and respect.

— B rian Auten, founder of Apologetics315.com and director of Reasonable

Faith Belfast

A Reasonable Response is God’s gift to Christendom. We not only benefit from Dr. Craig’s

cogent and insightful answers to tough perennial questions, but we get a glimpse into what

really excites the heart of the author—one who is passionate and dedicated in reaching the

genuine seeker through the defense of the truth claims of Christianity. His example is one

to emulate. This is a must-read.

—Harry Edwards, founder and director, Apologetics.com

Christians today have access to tremendous informational resources for defending the faith

—but information by itself is not enough. Apologetics is relational; questions and objections

come from real people, whether they are family, friends, coworkers, or even strangers on the

Internet. A Reasonable Response provides a valuable resource for Christians who seek both to

have good answers to questions, and to share those answers in a way that will be genuinely

respectful and helpful. The question-and-answer format makes A Reasonable Response a

handy reference guide while also modeling how to graciously answer questions. A further

benefit of this book is the extensive introduction, conclusion, and appendixes that explore

crucial ideas about apologetics dialogue as a ministry.

— Dr. Holl y Ordway, chair of the department of apologetics, Houston

Baptist University

Edition details

• Publisher: Moody Publishers
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0802405991
• ISBN 13: 9780802405999
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 432