What do you think?
Rate this book
If In Doubt: Answering the Seven Great Questions about Faith
If In Doubt provocatively answers the seven greatest questions essential for a lifetime of secure faith.
- GenresChristian
224 pages, Paperback
Published June 14, 2016
4 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 3, 2016
Do you question anything about the faith? This book aims to answer seven major questions that the author considers to be critical in this day and age. He addresses creation, morality, reliability of Scripture, divinity of Y'shua, the resurrection, life after death, and the future messianic hope. Having worked diligently in my apologetics classes for my degree, this book layout sounds just like my course textbooks. This book, however, is not aimed to convert a nonbeliever. Rather, it is designed to address the questions that are in a believer's mind, the doubts that nag and persist. The author lays the book out in seven sections to help peer into the heart of one's struggle and resolve doubt entirely, leaving trusting faith behind. The goal? To lead the reader to have a knowledge of their faith and an intelligible response for those that discount the Bible.
Apologetics can be a complicated study, and I should know. One thing I appreciate about this work in particular is that Stenner helps the reader understand the material using stories, parables, insights, and simpler explanations. For example, I had to address Hume and his naturalist objection over the course of eight weeks and in a twenty-page research paper. Explaining the details of his view took time, and Stenner pens it brilliantly in a single sentence. Stenner displays an artform with writing, maintaining the necessary theological complexities while making the information easy to digest and understand. His writing is engaging and thought-provoking, and is an excellent book for the average believer to read.
Disclosure: I have received a reviewer copy and/or payment in exchange for an honest review of the product mentioned in this post.
Apologetics can be a complicated study, and I should know. One thing I appreciate about this work in particular is that Stenner helps the reader understand the material using stories, parables, insights, and simpler explanations. For example, I had to address Hume and his naturalist objection over the course of eight weeks and in a twenty-page research paper. Explaining the details of his view took time, and Stenner pens it brilliantly in a single sentence. Stenner displays an artform with writing, maintaining the necessary theological complexities while making the information easy to digest and understand. His writing is engaging and thought-provoking, and is an excellent book for the average believer to read.
Disclosure: I have received a reviewer copy and/or payment in exchange for an honest review of the product mentioned in this post.
August 4, 2016
"If in Doubt" by Rhys Stenner is a really good book. Written in similar fashion to David Jeremiah's "Ten Questions Christians Are Asking", Stenner addresses seven foundational questions that are often on the minds of Christians and non-Christians alike.
At the outset, Stenner asks "Did God Make the World? The result, in my opinion, is one of the clearest and convincing explanations of creation that I've ever read. I think the material presented in this first chapter is worth the price of the book in itself. One can't help but conclude the chapter with a new understanding and appreciation of creationism.
The author goes on to explore moral absolutes in a chapter entitled "Is There a Right and Wrong?"
Discussions continue regarding reliability of the Bible, the Godhood of Jesus, Christ's resurrection, the Afterlife, and Christ's second coming.
The book is written to appeal to readers at various points in their Christian walk and various levels of their own theological development.
I visited my neighborhood Christian bookstore earlier today and did find this book on the shelves. I only hope that this volume will find itself prominately displayed for large sales.
I do recommend this book.
As a disclaimer, I must add that I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher, Worthy Publishing Company, in exchange for my honest and timely review. There were no further expectations between the publisher, author, or this reviewer. This review appears on my blog, jonreviewsbooks1.wordpress.com, Goodreads.com, and Amazon.com
At the outset, Stenner asks "Did God Make the World? The result, in my opinion, is one of the clearest and convincing explanations of creation that I've ever read. I think the material presented in this first chapter is worth the price of the book in itself. One can't help but conclude the chapter with a new understanding and appreciation of creationism.
The author goes on to explore moral absolutes in a chapter entitled "Is There a Right and Wrong?"
Discussions continue regarding reliability of the Bible, the Godhood of Jesus, Christ's resurrection, the Afterlife, and Christ's second coming.
The book is written to appeal to readers at various points in their Christian walk and various levels of their own theological development.
I visited my neighborhood Christian bookstore earlier today and did find this book on the shelves. I only hope that this volume will find itself prominately displayed for large sales.
I do recommend this book.
As a disclaimer, I must add that I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher, Worthy Publishing Company, in exchange for my honest and timely review. There were no further expectations between the publisher, author, or this reviewer. This review appears on my blog, jonreviewsbooks1.wordpress.com, Goodreads.com, and Amazon.com
June 14, 2016
There just isn’t enough of this book. It really needs to be expanded. It is wonderfully encouraging. There are a lot of doubts out there, but there are also answers.
Stenner doesn’t go into great depth answering any particular doubt but gives enough details to show there is an answer and point the way for further study. That’s the part that needs more. He just gets going expounding one point and moves on to the next. Sometimes the transition is a too abrupt, and occasionally it reads more like an outline than a book.
It was very refreshing to read a book that consistently points you back to Scripture, not just other men’s thoughts. So if you are doubting, this would be a wonderful book to start with. It will point you to the most reliable source we have. Now he doesn’t just expect you to accept that source with no corroborating evidence; he’ll give you that too.
I do really wish that he had used the King James Version instead of the New International Version. Some of the verses he quoted were weakened from their original power by that choice. It didn't seem to affect his conclusions though.
Thanks to Worthy Publishing and Netgalley for the chance to read this book for free and review it.
Stenner doesn’t go into great depth answering any particular doubt but gives enough details to show there is an answer and point the way for further study. That’s the part that needs more. He just gets going expounding one point and moves on to the next. Sometimes the transition is a too abrupt, and occasionally it reads more like an outline than a book.
It was very refreshing to read a book that consistently points you back to Scripture, not just other men’s thoughts. So if you are doubting, this would be a wonderful book to start with. It will point you to the most reliable source we have. Now he doesn’t just expect you to accept that source with no corroborating evidence; he’ll give you that too.
I do really wish that he had used the King James Version instead of the New International Version. Some of the verses he quoted were weakened from their original power by that choice. It didn't seem to affect his conclusions though.
Thanks to Worthy Publishing and Netgalley for the chance to read this book for free and review it.
August 2, 2016
If In Doubt is a book written by Rhys Stenner, a native of England who now pastors New hope Baptist Church in Fayetteville Gerorgia. This book is an easy reading defense of the Christian faith. He defends seven questions that people have using the illustration of an extending telescope that gives a clearer picture of the faith as a whole. The seven questions are:
1. Did God make the world?
2. Is there a right and wrong?
3. Is the Bible reliable?
4. Is Jesus God?
5. Did Jesus rise from the dead?
6. Is there life after death?
7. Is jesus coming back?
This is a great book for skeptics or new believers. It is also good for believers because it answers the questions so simply that anyone can use the book as a witnessing tool. This book is a tonic for unbelievers and a refresher for seasoned saints. It is a layman's apologetic for these uncertain times.
1. Did God make the world?
2. Is there a right and wrong?
3. Is the Bible reliable?
4. Is Jesus God?
5. Did Jesus rise from the dead?
6. Is there life after death?
7. Is jesus coming back?
This is a great book for skeptics or new believers. It is also good for believers because it answers the questions so simply that anyone can use the book as a witnessing tool. This book is a tonic for unbelievers and a refresher for seasoned saints. It is a layman's apologetic for these uncertain times.
July 18, 2016
I enjoyed this book which covers a lot of topics on the way to looking at Jesus and how He died for us and the way that this is done through the image of a telescope getting closer and closer as we discover the truths behind Christianity.
The first thing we are asked to consider is that God made the world and the last that Jesus died and was resurrected. He then moves on to encourage us to discover more for ourselves through reading the scriptures.
This would make a good read alone or small group study book due to the Study Guide at the end of the book.
ARC from NetGalley for an impartial review
The first thing we are asked to consider is that God made the world and the last that Jesus died and was resurrected. He then moves on to encourage us to discover more for ourselves through reading the scriptures.
This would make a good read alone or small group study book due to the Study Guide at the end of the book.
ARC from NetGalley for an impartial review
June 12, 2019
This book took me some time to get through. The concepts were in-depth and clear and concise. I don't believe this to be a book that one could or should get through quickly. It takes some time to let these things settle into your mind and your spirit. I recommend this book and think it would be a good addition to Christians' libraries.
November 16, 2021
Fairly good overview of biblical and reasonable answers to basic questions. Not extensive or scholarly. Used it as a discussion guide for our weekly bible study at church.
January 7, 2017
This was a great book by a beloved friend and pastor.
It was like taking another basic theology course from someone known personally. It is written with great skill, clever humor, and careful thought.
The deep biblical truths are presented in a relatable manner that I will recommend both saved and unsaved friends to read.
It was like taking another basic theology course from someone known personally. It is written with great skill, clever humor, and careful thought.
The deep biblical truths are presented in a relatable manner that I will recommend both saved and unsaved friends to read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews