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The God Conversation: Using Stories and Illustrations to Explain Your Faith
Think of It This Way . . . Our beliefs are challenged from many directions. Every day it seems more difficult to explain to our friends, families and neighbors what we believe and why. When our ideas and arguments fail to persuade them, what then? Is there another approach we can take? In The God Conversation veteran apologists and communicators J. P. Moreland and Tim Muehlhoff say that often the best way to win over others is with a good story. Stories have the ability to get behind our preconceptions and defenses. They can connect both emotionally and intellectually, appealing to the whole person rather than just to the mind. How do we defend belief in a good God in the face of terrorist attacks or natural disasters? What can we say to show we are not arrogant to believe that Jesus is the only way with so many sincere people following other world religions? What if they think we are naive to say Jesus actually rose from the dead? And when they seem confident in their right to choose their own ethical stances, how can we help them appreciate the value of a universal standard of right and wrong found in the Bible? The authors offer a wealth of penetrating illustrations, examples and quotes that respond to these issues and more. In these pages they enhance the logic and evidence found in other books defending the faith, with things that your friends, relatives or coworkers will ponder long after a conversation is over. Here is sound, empathetic coaching for those of us who long to communicate our faith more effectively.
158 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 2007
39 people are currently reading
290 people want to read
About the author
J.P. Moreland
91 books256 followersJ.P. Moreland is the Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University in La Mirada, California. He has four earned degrees: a B.S. in chemistry from the University of Missouri, a Th.M. in theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, an M. A. in philosophy from the University of California-Riverside, and a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Southern California.
He has co-planted three churches, spoken and debated on over 175 college campuses around the country, and served with Campus Crusade for Christ for 10 years. For eight years, he served as a bioethicist for PersonaCare Nursing Homes, Inc. headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland.
His ideas have been covered by both popular religious and non-religious outlets, including the New Scientist and PBS’s “Closer to Truth,” Christianity Today and WORLD magazine. He has authored or co-authored 30 books, and published over 70 articles in journals, which include Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, American Philosophical Quarterly, Australasian Journal of Philosophy, Metaphilosophy, Philosophia Christi, and Faith and Philosophy.
He has co-planted three churches, spoken and debated on over 175 college campuses around the country, and served with Campus Crusade for Christ for 10 years. For eight years, he served as a bioethicist for PersonaCare Nursing Homes, Inc. headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland.
His ideas have been covered by both popular religious and non-religious outlets, including the New Scientist and PBS’s “Closer to Truth,” Christianity Today and WORLD magazine. He has authored or co-authored 30 books, and published over 70 articles in journals, which include Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, American Philosophical Quarterly, Australasian Journal of Philosophy, Metaphilosophy, Philosophia Christi, and Faith and Philosophy.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 4, 2019
This book isn’t so much “here is a story to use with your technical apologetic argument.” Rather, it’s how to frame it around anecdotes and stories that live in people’s minds. Communication 201, in other words. This might be the best intro to apologetics on the most basic level.
It doesn’t deal with every aspect of “The 5 Ways.” Rather, it focuses on the common talking points between believers and unbelievers.
Technical notes
Defeater belief: assumptions that make accepting the truth of x highly unlikely.
Problem of Evil
Story of a pre-programmed doll that says I love you when a button is pushed. God could have made us like that. No evil. Is that real love?
Religious Pluralism
Weaknesses with the mountain path analogy: it changes the religious figures. How would Mohammed respond? Further, it ignores the contradictions between religions:
Buddhism: No one waits at the top of the mountain.
Hinduism: Thousands of gods and goddesses wait.
Islam: A monad waits for you.
Judaism: The Father of Abraham waits for you.
Christianity: God in Christ waits for you.
We should note, though, that cultures outside of us can have wisdom. Scripture is clear on that.
The Resurrection
Is it a well-planned lie? A good lie has to have a number of traits:
(1) Tell only lies that benefit you.
(2) Don’t mention specific names or places if you can help it.
(3) Find a credible source to back your lie (yet the disciples appealed to women).
(4) Anticipate pesky fact-checkers.
(5) When the lie goes bad, save your own neck. None of the disciples, though, ever “cut a deal.”
Interesting tidbits:
In a debate Abraham Lincoln said he would concede all the points to his opponent, except the most important one. This tactic unnerved his opponents.
It doesn’t deal with every aspect of “The 5 Ways.” Rather, it focuses on the common talking points between believers and unbelievers.
Technical notes
Defeater belief: assumptions that make accepting the truth of x highly unlikely.
Problem of Evil
Story of a pre-programmed doll that says I love you when a button is pushed. God could have made us like that. No evil. Is that real love?
Religious Pluralism
Weaknesses with the mountain path analogy: it changes the religious figures. How would Mohammed respond? Further, it ignores the contradictions between religions:
Buddhism: No one waits at the top of the mountain.
Hinduism: Thousands of gods and goddesses wait.
Islam: A monad waits for you.
Judaism: The Father of Abraham waits for you.
Christianity: God in Christ waits for you.
We should note, though, that cultures outside of us can have wisdom. Scripture is clear on that.
The Resurrection
Is it a well-planned lie? A good lie has to have a number of traits:
(1) Tell only lies that benefit you.
(2) Don’t mention specific names or places if you can help it.
(3) Find a credible source to back your lie (yet the disciples appealed to women).
(4) Anticipate pesky fact-checkers.
(5) When the lie goes bad, save your own neck. None of the disciples, though, ever “cut a deal.”
Interesting tidbits:
In a debate Abraham Lincoln said he would concede all the points to his opponent, except the most important one. This tactic unnerved his opponents.
October 31, 2023
Very insightful and full of common sense analogies- my inner nerd was very satisfied with how in depth this book got, yet I was never overwhelmed because of how succinct it stayed throughout. A very interesting and captivating read!
January 26, 2020
EXCELLENT
There is a tremendous amount of wisdom in this short book! There is profound wisdom in his admonishments to LISTEN, to ASK QUESTIONS , rather than bombard an unbelieving family member or friend with all the facts/reasons they should embrace our faith. Then he has excellent illustrations - Stories- from tv/current events, etc to illustrate concepts of the Christian faith that will stick in the mind of our family members or friend. The goal is that these illustration are like burrs - they stick in the mind of our listener and niggle away in their thoughts until, once again, we can gage in another conversation sprinkled it’s more illustrations. The ultimate goal? These conversations and illustrations open their heart and mind to the truth of God, of the Christian faith.
There is a tremendous amount of wisdom in this short book! There is profound wisdom in his admonishments to LISTEN, to ASK QUESTIONS , rather than bombard an unbelieving family member or friend with all the facts/reasons they should embrace our faith. Then he has excellent illustrations - Stories- from tv/current events, etc to illustrate concepts of the Christian faith that will stick in the mind of our family members or friend. The goal is that these illustration are like burrs - they stick in the mind of our listener and niggle away in their thoughts until, once again, we can gage in another conversation sprinkled it’s more illustrations. The ultimate goal? These conversations and illustrations open their heart and mind to the truth of God, of the Christian faith.
November 29, 2023
For some reason, I didn’t expect much from this book but it was excellent. Insightfully clear and imminently applicable, I will refer back to this title often, not just for the illustrations but for the clarity on so many issues. I would highly recommend for Christians of course, but there are many answers here for non-believers as well. (PS, For those who think some answers are simplistic or shallow, please go deeper. Dr. Moreland in particular has philosophical books and papers with FAR more depth. Nothing that appears overly simplistic truly is so - it’s very well thought out and with great care and intellectual depth.)
December 3, 2019
Really enjoyed this book. Great examples and reminders for Christians who struggle discussing their faith and exchanging beliefs and ideas with others. A quote really stuck out to me in the chapter entitled "Unfulfilled Desires and the Existence of God"; "The main emotion of the adult American who has all the advantages of wealth, education and culture is disappointment." (quote is from John Cheever). From my interactions with friends and family and people in general I find this so profoundly true. Even within myself, sometimes. Such an encouraging and helpful book!
February 16, 2019
I'm generally wary of apologetics, having been exposed to some pretty bad apologetic works in the past. This one was pretty good. It was interesting, accessible and insightful with a spirit of respect and finding common ground. Could have had more discussion of rebuttals to the arguments presented.
February 11, 2024
Some really good illustrations to make apologetics conversational and engaging. I love the mountain and maze illustration that helps respond to the idea that all religions are essentially the same. Unfortunately, some of the illustrations already seem outdated.
March 12, 2024
This book didn’t vary from the typical introduction to Apologetics and the “God Conversation”. However, the added illustrations and stories made it valuable. One thing the book does show is the immense value in an illustration of Truth.
September 11, 2017
Very insightful examples of how to share your faith with others. I was truly blessed by this book.
October 4, 2017
This is a helpful book to understand some real questions people may have about god and how you can answer them. How to have real conversations with people about Jesus.
September 2, 2019
Good solid book! It has some good pointers for starting conversations about apologetics. I think this could be a useful book for students to have. Highly recommended
June 22, 2008
I thought this book was packaged rather misleadingly. I thought it would be more of a methodological approach to apologetic dialog. Rather, it's just another beginners apologetic book. It's just another way to package the same old stuff. Include some stories around beginning apologetic answers to defeaters or questions, and pretend you have something novel. Besides the level of answer being at that of junior high, I don't even agree with the majority of ways they went about presenting their particular apologetic answers. For instance, employing free will defenses, age of accountability, semi-pelagianism, and an incompetent deity isn't my idea of how to answer problems of evil. Not only that, the "illustrations" weren't that good either.
There are far better introductory apologetic books - even ones from the particular philosophical and theological positions held by the authors - out there to learn from. Now, get one of those, and then include this piece of advice A:
[A] Try to use stories and illustrations to make your point, conversation partners will be able to remember what you said more easily. You can find these illustrations in books, magazines, movies, music, and life in general. (Or get Mortimer Adler's How To Speak, How To Listen.)
Now call the better introductory book, B. Using this formula:
B + A
you now have something better than "The God Conversation: Using Stories and Illustrations to Explain Your Faith."
If you already have an introductory apologetic book, or you are aware of some that you want to get (and it's easy to find them), then do not get this book. It is a waste of money. The material is too simplistic and the attempt at a unique "selling point" was poorly done.
This book is just a clever marketing tool to re-package the same old material that has been done to death, and done better, in other places. But if you want to be a "target market," then go ahead and drop the 10 bucks.
There are far better introductory apologetic books - even ones from the particular philosophical and theological positions held by the authors - out there to learn from. Now, get one of those, and then include this piece of advice A:
[A] Try to use stories and illustrations to make your point, conversation partners will be able to remember what you said more easily. You can find these illustrations in books, magazines, movies, music, and life in general. (Or get Mortimer Adler's How To Speak, How To Listen.)
Now call the better introductory book, B. Using this formula:
B + A
you now have something better than "The God Conversation: Using Stories and Illustrations to Explain Your Faith."
If you already have an introductory apologetic book, or you are aware of some that you want to get (and it's easy to find them), then do not get this book. It is a waste of money. The material is too simplistic and the attempt at a unique "selling point" was poorly done.
This book is just a clever marketing tool to re-package the same old material that has been done to death, and done better, in other places. But if you want to be a "target market," then go ahead and drop the 10 bucks.
April 10, 2014
Great introductory book to apologetics. I especially appreciate the fact that this is written for the church not the academy. That is highly laudable.
Another plus is that they realise that theology matters. I am not on the same theological spectrum as the authors but i'm glad that they point out the fact that what you communicate will be informed by what you believe about the subject matter. I also appreciate the fact that they offer in the footnotes and bibliography varying perspectives within Christianity counter to their own which have considered the same objections to the Christian faith and which are worth reading for those who do not arrive at the same conclusions as they do.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to share their faith with their neighbours, co-workers, shopkeepers etc. This is a highly practical book.
Another plus is that they realise that theology matters. I am not on the same theological spectrum as the authors but i'm glad that they point out the fact that what you communicate will be informed by what you believe about the subject matter. I also appreciate the fact that they offer in the footnotes and bibliography varying perspectives within Christianity counter to their own which have considered the same objections to the Christian faith and which are worth reading for those who do not arrive at the same conclusions as they do.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to share their faith with their neighbours, co-workers, shopkeepers etc. This is a highly practical book.
March 19, 2008
This book takes what the authors consider are the six greatest challenges to the Christian faith and shows the reader ways to integrate ideas, illustrations & examples from contemporary culture to more clearly and compellingly communicate the gospel message. If a reader comes to this book with a background in apologetics..well, not much new here; but that's not the point of the book. The authors integrate movies, current events, music, & pop culture to show the reader how to utilize the milieu that we all partake of to retell the gospel to a new generation.
August 25, 2012
A good book if you have questions regarding God or faith, as it gives some good summaries of theological ideas. (and they quote CS Lewis a bit - how can you go wrong there?!) It just was not what I expected. I thought the illustrations would be more colorful story-like illustrations... like you hear in sermons.
July 27, 2011
An excellent book everyone should read! I felt more confident sharing experiences and stories with my friends now! And recognising opportunities and doors that God opens!
April 9, 2013
My communications and rhetoric theory professor is the co-author of this book!
March 26, 2014
Nope. Found this book unhelpful and annoying. Too fundamentalist for me. Presumes too much of the audience. Very disappointing.
August 13, 2016
A collection of historic objections and problems to Christianity and analogies to help illustrate philosophical points.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews