Life's Biggest Questions: What the Bible Says about the Things That Matter Most

Love it!

Great Book! It answers the questions that New believers must have and it clarifies some of the things that Christians might still have.

****" 'I know God's will for your life.' When I tell this to my students, they sometimes think this means that I've received a prophetic word from God, ..., the vocation they will have, or the graduate school they will attend. Their eyes often show a bit of disappointment when I tell him what I really mean by this declaration." -- Erik Thoennes*Marked by clarity, conciseness, and briskness for truth seekers as well as Christian believers. Does God exist? Is there life after death? What is the vision, and mission of human life? How should we then live, in the words of Fracis Schaefer? How to attain eternal life, the question the young rich man asked Jesus? These are legitimate questions that deserve a clear and straight forward answer. These could initiate a revival of conscience awareness, that Church fathers called Metanoia, repentance by change of the heart (thought or intellect).I found Dr. Thoennes answers clear, systematic, for all readers, and biblically rooted for Christians. These answers are expected to constitute a course of 'Systematic Theology' for the lay and novice reader on the subject of Church teaching. Each of the sixteen chapter answers a question, and articulates Scripture based response, concluded with a verse for meditation, a faith enhancing tradition. The questions for application, discussion, and suggestions for further study, these are the Catechetical (Q & A) engaging a virtual dialogue with an experienced preaching teacher.I am encouraged by this "Guide to the Perplexed," who like Nichodimus, and the Samaritan woman helped by their questions to hear the answers that lead to eternal life. Outside the Seminary, Catechumen's guide which helped new believers, preparing for baptism into the Church. This is a well-written, concise, and accessible book, that tackles basic life defining questions. As a criterion of ecumenical faith, I found chapter 8, "Who is Jesus Christ?" that used to be a divisive question since Chalcedon, an apology of ecumenical orthodox faith. New Christian's Handbook: Everything Believers Need to Know

I have to say that this book was a major disappointment for me. I believe that life is full of questions that are best answered by the Christian worldview. But this book starts off by asking the wrong questions. In addition to that, they are asked from beneath the veil of Christianese. In other words, the author sounds like a theology professor struggling to connect with regular, unbelieving people.The 2nd question in the book is, "Does God Exist?" A great question. Unfortunately, Thoennes gives a weak argument and then props every other question upon the result of this argument. From here on out the questions are more and more specific to what Christians believe about God and the Bible. That in and of itself is not a problem. It is only a problem when you promise answers to life's biggest questions and really write a book that should be titled, Christian Theology Explained.I actually think this book would be much better suited as the second in a series. I have shared Christ with many people and have found that when a person is an unbeliever, you start with the Big Questions (see below) and get them thinking about the answers. The Christian worldview is far more explanatory and satisfying in its answers than any other. Once you have illustrated that fact and the person admits there must be some kind of God out there, you can get into the specifics of the faith. Thoennes jumps from the second question right into the specifics, speaking a language only those who are intimately familiar with Christianity would understand.If the person you are sharing with is a believer who is either not living a devoted life or simply doesn't know the framework of their faith, you start asking them questions about how their beliefs work into their daily lives. This book is far better suited for this. It seems it was written not to unbelievers, but believers who are struggling with the hows and whys of the Christian walk.While I do think the content is flat and passionless at times, it is theologically sound and concise. I just wish it was designed more for the unbeliever. Here are some of the questions that I believe we all need answers to:Why are there so many varying beliefs about God?What is truth?How can we know the difference between right and wrong?Why is it so difficult to do what is right?What are human beings created for?Why am I here?How did we get here?How should I live my life?Why does God seem so far off?Why is there so much pain in life?If Jesus transforms people, why is the Church so messed up?How can a just God send people to Hell for not knowing a person?What is love?What's wrong with believing a lot of different faiths?If you are seeking to clarify the biblical foundations for the Christian faith, this little book is a nice place to start. But if you are hoping to find answers to life's biggest questions, there is little here for you. I would suggest looking at the works of Peter Kreeft, William Lane Craig and Ravi Zacharias. Each of them has written well on the Big Questions.