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The God You Thought You Knew: Exposing the 10 Biggest Myths About Christianity
Maybe We've Been Wrong About God All This Time
We call this the information age, but it's also the age of misinformation--especially when it comes to God and Christianity. Many of us believe the Christian God is far away and unapproachable, that we have to be good to be accepted by him, and that the Bible is just an antiquated list of do's and don'ts. But maybe none of that is true. Maybe we've gotten it wrong.
Instead of proofs for God's existence, what we really need are compelling reasons to want to know him, and those reasons are more personal than we sometimes think. Through sharing his own story, author and speaker Alex McFarland shows how the God you thought you knew actually cares about you--about the rejection and loneliness you feel. It's time to replace the half-truths and lies we believe about ourselves with his overwhelming love and forgiveness.
We all want acceptance and purpose. Let this book teach you how to be anchored in the security that comes through knowing God for who he really is.
We call this the information age, but it's also the age of misinformation--especially when it comes to God and Christianity. Many of us believe the Christian God is far away and unapproachable, that we have to be good to be accepted by him, and that the Bible is just an antiquated list of do's and don'ts. But maybe none of that is true. Maybe we've gotten it wrong.
Instead of proofs for God's existence, what we really need are compelling reasons to want to know him, and those reasons are more personal than we sometimes think. Through sharing his own story, author and speaker Alex McFarland shows how the God you thought you knew actually cares about you--about the rejection and loneliness you feel. It's time to replace the half-truths and lies we believe about ourselves with his overwhelming love and forgiveness.
We all want acceptance and purpose. Let this book teach you how to be anchored in the security that comes through knowing God for who he really is.
206 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2015
27 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 8, 2016
I received this book from a Goodreads Giveaway.
I usually really enjoy books that help me to better understand the Christian faith and my place in it. This book looked like a prime candidate to do both for me.
Unfortunately, what I found here was far better suited for new Christians or those who have lapsed. It is filled with encouraging and insightful passages to help those who are unsure to solidify their faith. This is not well suited for the non-believer who may need that extra convincing. It also holds little for the mature believer who just wants to keep growing and strengthening their faith.
The content is not very deep and just scratches the surface of several simple concepts. I do recommend this for the people who want help to reinforce their belief in a shaky time. Otherwise, this should be reserved for brand new converts.
I usually really enjoy books that help me to better understand the Christian faith and my place in it. This book looked like a prime candidate to do both for me.
Unfortunately, what I found here was far better suited for new Christians or those who have lapsed. It is filled with encouraging and insightful passages to help those who are unsure to solidify their faith. This is not well suited for the non-believer who may need that extra convincing. It also holds little for the mature believer who just wants to keep growing and strengthening their faith.
The content is not very deep and just scratches the surface of several simple concepts. I do recommend this for the people who want help to reinforce their belief in a shaky time. Otherwise, this should be reserved for brand new converts.
May 18, 2024
The God You Thought You Knew was a book I had hoped to enjoy more, but sadly it was just an okay read.
I wish the book would have gone a bit more in depth on certain subjects instead of just mentioning them slightly and I didn't agree with some of the things said. I did, however, like the section on how we can be sure the Bible is true.
All in all, an okay read.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
I wish the book would have gone a bit more in depth on certain subjects instead of just mentioning them slightly and I didn't agree with some of the things said. I did, however, like the section on how we can be sure the Bible is true.
All in all, an okay read.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
November 27, 2015
Out of Myth and into Truth
Anyone who has grown up in mainstream North American culture has inherited a freight of mythology — some of it fun like Babe the Blue Ox and his exploits with Paul Bunyan. Some of it is misleading but harmless like George Washington and the cherry tree. However, some of our myths have grown up alongside our heritage of the little white-steepled building in the center of the village square. Just enough of Christianity still remains diluted within our culture to provide a basis for misunderstanding. Therefore, criticisms based on the inadequacy of its followers or the insufficiency of its truth claims have led many to reject Christianity without a second glance.
In The God You Thought You Knew, apologist Alex McFarland has compiled a list of ten myths about Christianity that he has encountered in communicating with audiences around the world for the past two decades. Each contains a grain of truth mixed with a measure of deception. He exposes the false thinking behind them and then builds a foundation of accurate thinking that rests on facts from church history, a right understanding of the content and preservation of Scripture, truth about the nature of God, and a broad and unbiased reading of the assertions of the scientific community. He addresses myths about Christianity “both from the factual evidence that exists as well as through the offer of a secure relationship of unconditional love.” Christianity was never meant to be just an idea to believe, but, rather, a truth to explore relationally.
For example, Myth #1 that Christianity is intolerant and judgmental toward others would be easy enough to prove accurate if all the data collected came from a sub-section of Christians who are ignorant, narrow-minded, and vocal. I would argue that a search of the Internet would just as easily locate a sub-set of atheists (or environmentalists or Buddhists or whatever-ists) with the same three “endearing” qualities. The truth is that believers of all creeds will, at times, behave badly and that arguing from worst-case scenario will always produce fallacy.
An individual’s dissatisfaction with Christianity is often only one of many disappointments, philosophically and experientially, and it demonstrates the truth of C.S. Lewis’s words: “If I find in myself desires which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”
One of Alex’s many strengths is his admission from the outset of his own brokenness, his vulnerable sharing of his own story of redemption, and his acknowledgement that there are unresolved “mysteries” in the Christian faith that no fancy ribbon will tie up. His readers are not asked to embrace square circles or four-sided triangles, but, instead, are invited into the pursuit of answers to ultimate questions without faithless detours into vague generalities. With candor, the reader is challenged not to be put off by the exclusivity of Christ’s claims in favor of a mushy spirituality in which there is no “truth to embrace or error to avoid.”
Chapter 9 should be required pre-Easter reading for everyone who believingly follows Jesus Christ, for it zeroes in on the miracle of resurrection, but not before backing up to defend the historicity of Jesus. Providing a detailed look at all twelve of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances, what emerges is a deeply nuanced portrait of eye-witness accounts.
Appendices serve the casually curious with information available at Alex McFarland’s website, and also address the voracious truth seeker with an extensive annotated bibliography. Coming out of myth and into truth is not for the faint-hearted. It involves a careful consideration of long-cherished ideas, and may even require life-change that is both invasive and inconvenient. How much is it worth to begin living our days in the light of truth?
This book was provided by Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Anyone who has grown up in mainstream North American culture has inherited a freight of mythology — some of it fun like Babe the Blue Ox and his exploits with Paul Bunyan. Some of it is misleading but harmless like George Washington and the cherry tree. However, some of our myths have grown up alongside our heritage of the little white-steepled building in the center of the village square. Just enough of Christianity still remains diluted within our culture to provide a basis for misunderstanding. Therefore, criticisms based on the inadequacy of its followers or the insufficiency of its truth claims have led many to reject Christianity without a second glance.
In The God You Thought You Knew, apologist Alex McFarland has compiled a list of ten myths about Christianity that he has encountered in communicating with audiences around the world for the past two decades. Each contains a grain of truth mixed with a measure of deception. He exposes the false thinking behind them and then builds a foundation of accurate thinking that rests on facts from church history, a right understanding of the content and preservation of Scripture, truth about the nature of God, and a broad and unbiased reading of the assertions of the scientific community. He addresses myths about Christianity “both from the factual evidence that exists as well as through the offer of a secure relationship of unconditional love.” Christianity was never meant to be just an idea to believe, but, rather, a truth to explore relationally.
For example, Myth #1 that Christianity is intolerant and judgmental toward others would be easy enough to prove accurate if all the data collected came from a sub-section of Christians who are ignorant, narrow-minded, and vocal. I would argue that a search of the Internet would just as easily locate a sub-set of atheists (or environmentalists or Buddhists or whatever-ists) with the same three “endearing” qualities. The truth is that believers of all creeds will, at times, behave badly and that arguing from worst-case scenario will always produce fallacy.
An individual’s dissatisfaction with Christianity is often only one of many disappointments, philosophically and experientially, and it demonstrates the truth of C.S. Lewis’s words: “If I find in myself desires which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”
One of Alex’s many strengths is his admission from the outset of his own brokenness, his vulnerable sharing of his own story of redemption, and his acknowledgement that there are unresolved “mysteries” in the Christian faith that no fancy ribbon will tie up. His readers are not asked to embrace square circles or four-sided triangles, but, instead, are invited into the pursuit of answers to ultimate questions without faithless detours into vague generalities. With candor, the reader is challenged not to be put off by the exclusivity of Christ’s claims in favor of a mushy spirituality in which there is no “truth to embrace or error to avoid.”
Chapter 9 should be required pre-Easter reading for everyone who believingly follows Jesus Christ, for it zeroes in on the miracle of resurrection, but not before backing up to defend the historicity of Jesus. Providing a detailed look at all twelve of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances, what emerges is a deeply nuanced portrait of eye-witness accounts.
Appendices serve the casually curious with information available at Alex McFarland’s website, and also address the voracious truth seeker with an extensive annotated bibliography. Coming out of myth and into truth is not for the faint-hearted. It involves a careful consideration of long-cherished ideas, and may even require life-change that is both invasive and inconvenient. How much is it worth to begin living our days in the light of truth?
This book was provided by Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
October 29, 2015
I was disappointed in this book. First of all, the title is a misnomer. There is only one myth about God. The rest are about the Bible and Christianity.
Let me first cover parts of the book I appreciated before describing more of my disappointments. He has a very good exploration of truth and evil, the kinds of evil there are and how they originated. He emphasizes that many misunderstandings of God and Christianity arise because Christians are not living as the Bible instructs. Our being hypocrites really does cause stumbling blocks for others. McFarland repeatedly encourages seekers to look to the Bible, not how Christians (mis)behave.
He has good observations on skeptics and atheists, based on his experience and interaction with them from his fifteen years of talk radio. “Intellectual skepticism is preceded by emotional pain. Intellectual doubt comes second – in most cases.” This is good for Christians to know when interacting with skeptics. It helps us get to the origin of the disbelief.
He has included a good annotated list of books for further research. Unfortunately, most of the books are older, some printed decades ago. But the annotations would help readers search for further resources.
But I was disappointed in the lack of intellectual rigor with which McFarland addressed the ten myths. He makes broad generalizations. For example, after he explores Intelligent Design, he writes, “A wide variety of thoughts and opinions exist regarding how God created and designed the universe, but both science and Scripture agree on a starting point – an outside, Intelligent Designer who made all things.” I've read many books on science and origins and McFarland's statement is just not true. There are a few scientists who argue for Intelligent Design but most scientists, and science in general, reject that idea.
I was disappointed in his lack of providing adequate footnotes to back up his statements. For example, about the historical facts supporting the life of Jesus, he writes, “...those who claim Jesus never existed defy both early copies of the New Testament documents as well as the numerous historical writings that mention Jesus and early Christianity outside of the Bible (such as the early Jewish historian Josephus).” There is no footnote nor reference to those “numerous” writings. And, “The book of Acts cites at least eighty-four historical facts verified by later research and archaeology.” Again, no footnote nor further information. How are those statements useful without facts to back them up?
I was disappointed that McFarland sometimes brushes off serious issues. For example, while acknowledging that the age of the universe is an important topic, he writes, “But questions about the age of the universe should not in any way prevent people from reaching positive conclusions about Jesus Christ, who gave his life for the forgiveness of sins!” And, “...entering into a relationship with God really has nothing to do with what one believes about how old the universe is.” Sorry, but it just doesn't work that way. The veracity of Genesis is extremely important when it comes to believing what the rest of the Bible says. One cannot just blow off a very important issue over which many believers and nonbelievers struggle.
So, to whom would I recommend this book? That is a difficult question. McFarland writes sometimes in a manner that assumes the reader accepts the Bible as accurate and truthful. So the potential reader must at least be open to the truthfulness of the Bible. The lack of intellectual rigor and the frequent use of decades old material preclude my recommending it to scholarly or readers under 60 years old.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
Let me first cover parts of the book I appreciated before describing more of my disappointments. He has a very good exploration of truth and evil, the kinds of evil there are and how they originated. He emphasizes that many misunderstandings of God and Christianity arise because Christians are not living as the Bible instructs. Our being hypocrites really does cause stumbling blocks for others. McFarland repeatedly encourages seekers to look to the Bible, not how Christians (mis)behave.
He has good observations on skeptics and atheists, based on his experience and interaction with them from his fifteen years of talk radio. “Intellectual skepticism is preceded by emotional pain. Intellectual doubt comes second – in most cases.” This is good for Christians to know when interacting with skeptics. It helps us get to the origin of the disbelief.
He has included a good annotated list of books for further research. Unfortunately, most of the books are older, some printed decades ago. But the annotations would help readers search for further resources.
But I was disappointed in the lack of intellectual rigor with which McFarland addressed the ten myths. He makes broad generalizations. For example, after he explores Intelligent Design, he writes, “A wide variety of thoughts and opinions exist regarding how God created and designed the universe, but both science and Scripture agree on a starting point – an outside, Intelligent Designer who made all things.” I've read many books on science and origins and McFarland's statement is just not true. There are a few scientists who argue for Intelligent Design but most scientists, and science in general, reject that idea.
I was disappointed in his lack of providing adequate footnotes to back up his statements. For example, about the historical facts supporting the life of Jesus, he writes, “...those who claim Jesus never existed defy both early copies of the New Testament documents as well as the numerous historical writings that mention Jesus and early Christianity outside of the Bible (such as the early Jewish historian Josephus).” There is no footnote nor reference to those “numerous” writings. And, “The book of Acts cites at least eighty-four historical facts verified by later research and archaeology.” Again, no footnote nor further information. How are those statements useful without facts to back them up?
I was disappointed that McFarland sometimes brushes off serious issues. For example, while acknowledging that the age of the universe is an important topic, he writes, “But questions about the age of the universe should not in any way prevent people from reaching positive conclusions about Jesus Christ, who gave his life for the forgiveness of sins!” And, “...entering into a relationship with God really has nothing to do with what one believes about how old the universe is.” Sorry, but it just doesn't work that way. The veracity of Genesis is extremely important when it comes to believing what the rest of the Bible says. One cannot just blow off a very important issue over which many believers and nonbelievers struggle.
So, to whom would I recommend this book? That is a difficult question. McFarland writes sometimes in a manner that assumes the reader accepts the Bible as accurate and truthful. So the potential reader must at least be open to the truthfulness of the Bible. The lack of intellectual rigor and the frequent use of decades old material preclude my recommending it to scholarly or readers under 60 years old.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
November 13, 2015
The author starts this book out by telling a little about how he was raised, and how that affected his views of God. To have been raised and treated the way he was by his father and still end up serving God is amazing. The book covers some of the things he had to deal with and come to believe.
Each chapter starts out with a myth about Christianity and God, followed by the truth that contradicts the myth. McFarland then writes the chapter to combat the myth and show the truth. The book is an easy read, yet has a lot of deep truths in it. I personally haven't struggled with most of the myths in the book, but have had my questions and doubts about a few things which he addressed in the book. He does a great job of addressing the issue and putting it out there in plain and simple terms why the myth is wrong and what the truth is.
This book would be great for a new Christian or a more mature Christian who may have some questions about the things the book deals with. It is an interesting and helpful book.
Each chapter starts out with a myth about Christianity and God, followed by the truth that contradicts the myth. McFarland then writes the chapter to combat the myth and show the truth. The book is an easy read, yet has a lot of deep truths in it. I personally haven't struggled with most of the myths in the book, but have had my questions and doubts about a few things which he addressed in the book. He does a great job of addressing the issue and putting it out there in plain and simple terms why the myth is wrong and what the truth is.
This book would be great for a new Christian or a more mature Christian who may have some questions about the things the book deals with. It is an interesting and helpful book.
April 22, 2016
This book is really good for Christians that need their Faith to get stronger. Every chapter talks about 10 common questions or, how the book puts it “myths”, that people tend to have about Christianity. I think every Christian has their low moments were there faith needs a little bit of strengthening up, and this book will definitely help with that.
It’s a short easy to read book. That will help you on your journey to be a Christian.
I got this book in exchange of an honest review from Bethany House Publishers.
It’s a short easy to read book. That will help you on your journey to be a Christian.
I got this book in exchange of an honest review from Bethany House Publishers.
November 4, 2015
This is a great beginner's apologetics book. It discusses 10 common questions that people have about Christianity. It's great for any Christian who wants to know more about the faith. It's not a rigorous read, and there is a great further reading suggestion list at the back for anyone who wants to know more about a given topic. Highly recommend. For full review, see here. http://eagleswingsbooks.blogspot.com/...
April 18, 2016
Really solid points. I liked his other book on these topics and I have really felt more informed reading this one. Its always so good to see perspectives. And to know what you believe and why you believe it.
February 14, 2016
FTC Disclosure: I received this book free from Goodreads hoping I would review it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews