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Understanding the Times
Understanding the Faith: A Survey of Christian Apologetics
Does the Bible have authority in a world committed to relative truth?
The understanding of absolute, objective truth has been largely lost. Spend just a few minutes discussing politics or religion and you’ll hear responses like, “There is no truth!” or “That may be true for you, but not for me.” Understanding the Faith dares to wade into the middle of the controversy with chapters such as:
Is God Christian? Isn’t Claiming Truth Intolerant? Is the Bible Anti-Science? Summit Ministries’ half century of teaching, this first volume of the Understanding the Times Series is your definitive resource for deepening and defending your faith. It’s a required resource for every Christian’s bookshelf.
The understanding of absolute, objective truth has been largely lost. Spend just a few minutes discussing politics or religion and you’ll hear responses like, “There is no truth!” or “That may be true for you, but not for me.” Understanding the Faith dares to wade into the middle of the controversy with chapters such as:
Is God Christian? Isn’t Claiming Truth Intolerant? Is the Bible Anti-Science? Summit Ministries’ half century of teaching, this first volume of the Understanding the Times Series is your definitive resource for deepening and defending your faith. It’s a required resource for every Christian’s bookshelf.
813 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2015
129 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Myers
36 books40 followersOver the last 20 years Dr. Jeff Myers has become one of America’s most respected authorities on youth leadership development and has equipped thousands of people to champion the Christian worldview.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 11, 2018
Jeff Myers provides an excellent survey on Christian Apologetics that I'd highly recommend to high school students, college students, and curious adults who are wanting an easy to ready textbook that guides the reader through several key apologetic principles and worldview studies that prepares the person to rationally and faithfully argue the Christian faith and worldview to a world that is growing more and more antagonistic to the Christian faith.
Myers walks us through how to read and interpret the Bible, how to understand its authority, and what it says about God, how to love him and how to love others. Next he goes through several of the key philosophical debates that the world has created to try to battle against Christianity's claims to truth, science, the problem of evil, hell, and the character of God. I immensely enjoyed reading through this book and hope you will pick it up to in order to further your own education.
Myers walks us through how to read and interpret the Bible, how to understand its authority, and what it says about God, how to love him and how to love others. Next he goes through several of the key philosophical debates that the world has created to try to battle against Christianity's claims to truth, science, the problem of evil, hell, and the character of God. I immensely enjoyed reading through this book and hope you will pick it up to in order to further your own education.
November 12, 2023
This trilogy is my absolute favourite apologetics set! To me it stands out as an exceptional guide to Christian beliefs. Myers tackles profound theological concepts with a simplicity that doesn't compromise depth, and it's not difficult to read either. Whether you're a seasoned theologian or someone exploring Christianity for the first time, the book provides a clear roadmap to understanding essential doctrines without overwhelming the reader.
Myers ties together biblical truths, historical context, and real life applications. This multi-dimensional approach not only grounds the reader in the foundations of the Christian faith but also demonstrates the relevance of these beliefs in contemporary life. The integration of stories and examples makes the book relatable and engaging. The book serves both as a comprehensive resource for those seeking a thorough understanding of their faith and as an excellent tool for teaching and discipleship.
Myers ties together biblical truths, historical context, and real life applications. This multi-dimensional approach not only grounds the reader in the foundations of the Christian faith but also demonstrates the relevance of these beliefs in contemporary life. The integration of stories and examples makes the book relatable and engaging. The book serves both as a comprehensive resource for those seeking a thorough understanding of their faith and as an excellent tool for teaching and discipleship.
April 17, 2023
Written with college students in mind, it is still helpful for any beliver or someone curious about the Christian faith. This covers many of the main topics Christians engage with in Western culture as well as evidence for and against the issues.
While there is always more to cover, this is a good starting point.
While there is always more to cover, this is a good starting point.
April 19, 2020
My kind of Book
A well written, easily understandable, informative, thought provoking guide to understanding the Christian Faith. I have no doubts that it will be continually taken down from its digital bookshelf to be used for reference time after time.
A well written, easily understandable, informative, thought provoking guide to understanding the Christian Faith. I have no doubts that it will be continually taken down from its digital bookshelf to be used for reference time after time.
August 14, 2023
Excellent source for building theology
September 27, 2015
Understanding the Times
A Survey of Competing Worldviews
by Jeff Myers
David C Cook
Christian, Religion & Spirituality
Pub Date September 1, 2015
In this book Jeff Myers points out that often people get their beliefs the same way we catch a virus by being around others.
We are reminded too that ideas have consequences (good or bad). We are reminded too that ideas spread like viruses, ( which is how occults can grow so quickly) and hold a grip on those who carry those extremist beliefs. Myers also points out that Christianity offers a narrative of all history. Myers also pointed out that a major dividing line between Christian and non Christian worldviews is this… What do we do with Jesus? As is pointed out in Understanding the Times “Either Christians correctly describe reality when they speak of a loving, wise, just, personal, creative God, or they are talking nonsense. The basic tenets of the Bible cannot blend well with the non-Christian claim that we are good enough to save ourselves. We say only one view fits the facts: Christianity. God, Creator of the universe, saw its importance, loved it, loved us, so that he sent his son to redeem it— and us. Clearly, adherents of other worldviews strongly disagree with our conclusion that only Christianity fits the facts.” Myers
Myers reminds us too that the Christian worldviews lies solely on Jesus Christ. We (as Christians) serve a Personal God. The Christian story is that of a personal relational God. “The Christian worldview gives meaning to human existence right from the start when God declares, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Gen. 1: 26).” Myers.
We are reminded too that “It will never be lawful to be ourselves, until we become like Sons and daughters of God.”
On September 11, 2001 the world became painfully aware of the radical side of Islam when terrorists attacked the United States in the name of the Jihad.
Myers describes Secularism as an atheisic and materialistic worldview that advocates for a society free of religion. He later reminds us that Secularism is more than a disbelief in God it is a belief in looking at life in a way that does not include God or religion.
In Chapter Five of Understanding the Times Jeff Myers defines Marksism as this “Marxism: an atheistic and materialistic worldview based on the ideas of Karl Marx that promotes the abolition of private property, public ownership of the means of production (i.e., socialism), and the utopian dream of a future communistic state.”. But we should not be fooled because despite what many believe Marksismcan be considered a worldview. And many do not see this worldview as dangerous but that too is a mistake.
Myers describes what Marksism teaches later in Chapter Five “The overarching Marxist narrative culminates in class equality through economic revolution. The exploiters— those who control the means of production (i.e., those who own businesses and employ people) lord it over the exploited (i.e., those who do manual labor, who do not have an ownership stake in their workplaces , or who do work but do not own their workplaces). Overthrowing the exploiters will free the exploited; we’ll all be happier if we are all the same.”
In Chapter Six Myers goes on to define New Spirrituality “New Spirituality: a pantheistic worldview that teaches everything and everyone are connected through divine consciousness.”. In New Spirituality everything is Spiritual and we all are God’s.
In the chapters to follow Myers goes on to give us a look at Postmodernism, theology, and even Philosophy. Even Ethics is discussed in this book. Biology, psychology and Sociology are also discussed. Law and Politics are addressed as well. Economics and it’s relationships to the different world views are discussed as well.
The Subject of History and the often opposing worldviews is discussed.
If you are looking for a book written from a Christian perspective that deals with the often opposing Worldviews then Understanding the Times by Jeff Myers is just the ticket.
Five out of five stars…
Happy Reading
A Survey of Competing Worldviews
by Jeff Myers
David C Cook
Christian, Religion & Spirituality
Pub Date September 1, 2015
In this book Jeff Myers points out that often people get their beliefs the same way we catch a virus by being around others.
We are reminded too that ideas have consequences (good or bad). We are reminded too that ideas spread like viruses, ( which is how occults can grow so quickly) and hold a grip on those who carry those extremist beliefs. Myers also points out that Christianity offers a narrative of all history. Myers also pointed out that a major dividing line between Christian and non Christian worldviews is this… What do we do with Jesus? As is pointed out in Understanding the Times “Either Christians correctly describe reality when they speak of a loving, wise, just, personal, creative God, or they are talking nonsense. The basic tenets of the Bible cannot blend well with the non-Christian claim that we are good enough to save ourselves. We say only one view fits the facts: Christianity. God, Creator of the universe, saw its importance, loved it, loved us, so that he sent his son to redeem it— and us. Clearly, adherents of other worldviews strongly disagree with our conclusion that only Christianity fits the facts.” Myers
Myers reminds us too that the Christian worldviews lies solely on Jesus Christ. We (as Christians) serve a Personal God. The Christian story is that of a personal relational God. “The Christian worldview gives meaning to human existence right from the start when God declares, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Gen. 1: 26).” Myers.
We are reminded too that “It will never be lawful to be ourselves, until we become like Sons and daughters of God.”
On September 11, 2001 the world became painfully aware of the radical side of Islam when terrorists attacked the United States in the name of the Jihad.
Myers describes Secularism as an atheisic and materialistic worldview that advocates for a society free of religion. He later reminds us that Secularism is more than a disbelief in God it is a belief in looking at life in a way that does not include God or religion.
In Chapter Five of Understanding the Times Jeff Myers defines Marksism as this “Marxism: an atheistic and materialistic worldview based on the ideas of Karl Marx that promotes the abolition of private property, public ownership of the means of production (i.e., socialism), and the utopian dream of a future communistic state.”. But we should not be fooled because despite what many believe Marksismcan be considered a worldview. And many do not see this worldview as dangerous but that too is a mistake.
Myers describes what Marksism teaches later in Chapter Five “The overarching Marxist narrative culminates in class equality through economic revolution. The exploiters— those who control the means of production (i.e., those who own businesses and employ people) lord it over the exploited (i.e., those who do manual labor, who do not have an ownership stake in their workplaces , or who do work but do not own their workplaces). Overthrowing the exploiters will free the exploited; we’ll all be happier if we are all the same.”
In Chapter Six Myers goes on to define New Spirrituality “New Spirituality: a pantheistic worldview that teaches everything and everyone are connected through divine consciousness.”. In New Spirituality everything is Spiritual and we all are God’s.
In the chapters to follow Myers goes on to give us a look at Postmodernism, theology, and even Philosophy. Even Ethics is discussed in this book. Biology, psychology and Sociology are also discussed. Law and Politics are addressed as well. Economics and it’s relationships to the different world views are discussed as well.
The Subject of History and the often opposing worldviews is discussed.
If you are looking for a book written from a Christian perspective that deals with the often opposing Worldviews then Understanding the Times by Jeff Myers is just the ticket.
Five out of five stars…
Happy Reading
April 30, 2018
This is a very good book for understanding what we as Christians believe and why it matters. As I read this book, I was convinced that every high school student who is planning on going to college should read this book and its two companion books. I also think that it would be greatly beneficial for every person who truly wants to follow Christ to read through this series, the information is foundational but often overlooked leading to other systems of belief the ability to draw people away from a true faith in God and Jesus Christ.
August 8, 2016
PLEASE NOTE THE TITLE LISTED BY GOODREADS IS INCORRECT: The true title of the book is
Understanding the Faith
Understanding the Faith is the second in a series of three books from Summit Ministries. Understanding the Times was their first book written by David Noebel and has been the flagship publication for Summit. Eventually there will be a third book in the series, titled, Understanding the Culture. I look forward to reading that book when it comes out.
I first read Understanding the Times about 10 years ago when I was a High School Youth Pastor and was trying to find material for my students that would challenge them and prepare them for the future. Not only did that book do what I wanted but it introduced me to Summit Ministries and their course work that they do each summer in Manitou Springs. It is a great program for High School Junior's and Seniors or College Freshman to help them prepare for their time in college and the World Views that they will face.
This book, Understanding the Faith comes as a breath of fresh air for the Pastor who is looking for material for his church family to help them grapple with their faith and come to understand it in good foundational truths. I'm not sure how Summit plans to use these three books in the future but I would think that Understanding the Faith should be their first textbook to take students through.
The topics range from what the Bible is to whether it has any authority for us today and whether we as Christians should be Anti-Science or maybe Biblical Scientists. It grapples with the questions, 1) Is there Good and Evil? 2) Did God create Evil? If so, why? 3) What's the truth about Hell? 4) If Christianity is true why do people walk away from the faith? These are all excellent questions and Jeff Myers does a fantastic job of answering them.
The book is long, that's OK because it is a text book. I worked my way through it by reading a chapter a day and found that it took me three weeks to get through (missing a day here or there for reading).
I was so impressed and excited about how Myers handled the text that I want to push him to get the three volumne done so that I can continue on with learning, this time about culture.
BUT, since that isn't out yet I decided to go back and re-read Understanding the Times, yes you read that correctly, I'm going to re-read a textbook and one that is not short. BUT, the material is important and it is good for us as Christians to understand our faith, understand the world views that permeate our world and then understand our culture so that we know how to engage people in intelligent, meaningful conversations to help them learn about the Glory of God.
Enjoy!
Understanding the Faith
Understanding the Faith is the second in a series of three books from Summit Ministries. Understanding the Times was their first book written by David Noebel and has been the flagship publication for Summit. Eventually there will be a third book in the series, titled, Understanding the Culture. I look forward to reading that book when it comes out.
I first read Understanding the Times about 10 years ago when I was a High School Youth Pastor and was trying to find material for my students that would challenge them and prepare them for the future. Not only did that book do what I wanted but it introduced me to Summit Ministries and their course work that they do each summer in Manitou Springs. It is a great program for High School Junior's and Seniors or College Freshman to help them prepare for their time in college and the World Views that they will face.
This book, Understanding the Faith comes as a breath of fresh air for the Pastor who is looking for material for his church family to help them grapple with their faith and come to understand it in good foundational truths. I'm not sure how Summit plans to use these three books in the future but I would think that Understanding the Faith should be their first textbook to take students through.
The topics range from what the Bible is to whether it has any authority for us today and whether we as Christians should be Anti-Science or maybe Biblical Scientists. It grapples with the questions, 1) Is there Good and Evil? 2) Did God create Evil? If so, why? 3) What's the truth about Hell? 4) If Christianity is true why do people walk away from the faith? These are all excellent questions and Jeff Myers does a fantastic job of answering them.
The book is long, that's OK because it is a text book. I worked my way through it by reading a chapter a day and found that it took me three weeks to get through (missing a day here or there for reading).
I was so impressed and excited about how Myers handled the text that I want to push him to get the three volumne done so that I can continue on with learning, this time about culture.
BUT, since that isn't out yet I decided to go back and re-read Understanding the Times, yes you read that correctly, I'm going to re-read a textbook and one that is not short. BUT, the material is important and it is good for us as Christians to understand our faith, understand the world views that permeate our world and then understand our culture so that we know how to engage people in intelligent, meaningful conversations to help them learn about the Glory of God.
Enjoy!
March 3, 2024
For all of my Christian apologetics junkees, this is a great resource to nerd out with. It offers some very logical arguments and positions from Christianity and amazing answers to difficult questions and points that may be brought up by others. You will have to read and journal the whole thing to get answers to specific questions, seeing as it is not the best labeled book in the world. However, you will find specific answers to the chapter titles in the final section of each chapter. Although it is quite long, it is worth it and VERY interesting! Highly recommend!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews