Letters from a Skeptic - Softcover

Boyd, Gregory; Boyd, Edward

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0854768890 ISBN 13: 9780854768899

Publisher: Kingsway Publications, 2000

Synopsis

Dear Greg,

I find your idea of dialoguing about the subject of Christianity very interesting, and I'd be happy to do it. I've got enough time on my hands...You invited me to raise whatever objections come to mind, so I'll jump right in. Here's one I've wondered about a lot: how could an all-powerful and all-loving God allow the church to do so much harm to humanity for so long? Isn't this supposed to be His true church, His representation on earth?...To my mind, this alone is quite enough to prove that the church does not possess any true philosophy...Well, you wanted an objection; you've got one. I look forward to your response...

Love always,
Dad

In Letters from a Skeptic Dr. Gregory Boyd and his father Edward Boyd "debate" many other objections to Christianity, the church, and the Bible.

? Why is the world so full of suffering?
? Does God know the future?
? How can you believe that a man rose from the dead?
? Why do you think the Bible is inspired?
? Do all non-Christians go to hell?
? How can I be holy and sinful at the same time?

Greg Boyd initiated this correspondence with his father in the hope that his father would eventually come to know Christ. After three years, 30 letters, and numerous phone calls, Edward K. Boyd did just that.

Letters from a Skeptic will help you wrestle with the rational foundation of your own faith. It will also help you know how to share that faith with the skeptics you love.

 

About this title

Review:

For Edward Boyd, a strong-willed, highly intelligent and stubborn 70-year-old, his agnosticism rested "not ... too much on any positive position, but rather on a host of negative ones" about Christianity. In an attempt to address these negative issues, his son Greg, a professor of theology, asked his father to enter into a correspondence in which "all of their cards would be laid on the table". Greg would give his father the opportunity to raise all his objections to the veracity of Christianity while Greg would "answer these objections as well as give positive grounds for holding to the Christian faith". Three years and over 30 letters later, Letters From a Skeptic was published and Edward Boyd came to accept Christ after hashing through such topics as "Why is the world so full of suffering?" "Why would an all-powerful God need prayer?" "How can you believe in someone who rose from the dead?" and "How can another man's death pardon me?" Despite their brutal honesty, both men exhibit respect and love towards one another while addressing these volatile subjects. In Edward's second response to Greg, he boldly says, "Well, your distinction between the 'Christian Church' and 'Christians' is interesting and novel, but frankly, I don't buy it". Greg responds saying, "I've got to admit that you are raising some extremely good points in your letters. You are raising the most difficult questions a theist can face". --Jill Heatherly

About the Author:

Greg Boyd has authored or co-authored 17 books and numerous academic articles. he graduated with honors from Yale Divinity School and Princeton Theological Seminary and was a professor of theology at Bethel University for 16 years and continues to teach there as an adjunct professor. Greg is the founder and senior pastor of Woodland Hills Church, and evangelical church in St. Paul, MN.

You can read Gregory's blog at: gregboyd.blogspot.com.

About this edition

• Publisher: Kingsway Publications
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0854768890
• ISBN 13: 9780854768899
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192