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Turning Points: Is There Meaning to Life?
Is there meaning to life? Is history just random? Where does my life fit in? These are topical questions in any age, but particularly so in our postmodern era. Vaughan Roberts addresses these questions and others by examining what the Bible presents as the "turning points" in history, from creation to the end of time.This does not read like a normal history book. It does something far more important, to help you see history as God does, so that you might fit in with His plans for the world.
186 pages, Paperback
First published January 25, 1999
3 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Vaughan Roberts
55 books96 followersVaughan came to faith as he read through Matthew’s Gospel for himself as a teenager. After studying law at Cambridge University and a brief spell doing student ministry in South Africa, he moved to Oxford to study Theology at Wycliffe Hall and has lived in the city ever since. In 1991 he joined the staff of St Ebbe’s Church to lead the student ministry and since 1998 he has been Rector. He is also the Director of the Proclamation Trust, an organisation that encourages and equips Bible teachers. In his spare time Vaughan writes books and plays cricket and golf.
see also Vaughan Roberts' sister Clare Heath-Whyte
see also Vaughan Roberts' sister Clare Heath-Whyte
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 26, 2023
Possibly the best concise, general introduction to Christianity that I have read. I don’t know why this book and author is not better known.
July 6, 2010
Another introductory Christianity book, this time structured to give a Biblical history of the world: creation, the Fall, the history of Israel (mentioned more in passing), the coming of Jesus, crucifixion, resurrection, the last days and the second coming. Along the way Roberts describes the basics of Christianity.
I bought this at the same time as Rico Tice and Barry Cooper's Christianity Explored, so comparisons between the two are inevitable. Christianity Explored is more focused on simply describing Christianity, without presenting it in the more interesting way Roberts does. However, Roberts doesn't go into quite as much detail on some points (there isn't a chapter titled "what is grace?", for instance).
Overall, I think I preferred Christianity Explored, although this book is by no means bad. Aimed more for the new Christian or someone unfamiliar with it, it's probably too basic for me (without wanting to sound arrogant), so it was at times quite a tiring read for me. Like Christianity Explored, the relationship between us and God is described as "intimate", something which I'm not convinced of. He also skirted around the preterist/futurist debate, focusing solely on the second coming (nothing on the apocalypse/fall of Jerusalem). There was some apologetics in there (defending the historicity of the resurrection, the reliability of the New Testament and properly defining "faith"). However, as with most books of this type, I was disappointed that there wasn't as much emphasis on apologetics as I feel there should be.
In short, if you're after something meaty, this isn't the book for you. But if you're after something which isn't meaty, then it is for you!
A running theme through these introductory Christianity books is the use of anecdotes. Most have a few, but Roberts really goes to town with them. After the first couple of chapters, it gets tiring and awkward; you wonder if he's just trying to make the book longer (my edition is 170 pages long).
This book is also quite dated. Roberts spends quite a lot of time talking about "the new millennium" (this book was first published in 1999) and referring to contemporary news stories. It doesn't significantly affect the quality of the book, but it does jump out at you.
So in summary, this is a good book for someone interested in the basics of Christianity. It's not the best - I preferred Christianity Explored, and there's no real justification to own both books. If you've tried reading Christianity Explored or a similar book and have been left disappointed, but are willing to give it a second shot, this book may just be what you're looking for.
I bought this at the same time as Rico Tice and Barry Cooper's Christianity Explored, so comparisons between the two are inevitable. Christianity Explored is more focused on simply describing Christianity, without presenting it in the more interesting way Roberts does. However, Roberts doesn't go into quite as much detail on some points (there isn't a chapter titled "what is grace?", for instance).
Overall, I think I preferred Christianity Explored, although this book is by no means bad. Aimed more for the new Christian or someone unfamiliar with it, it's probably too basic for me (without wanting to sound arrogant), so it was at times quite a tiring read for me. Like Christianity Explored, the relationship between us and God is described as "intimate", something which I'm not convinced of. He also skirted around the preterist/futurist debate, focusing solely on the second coming (nothing on the apocalypse/fall of Jerusalem). There was some apologetics in there (defending the historicity of the resurrection, the reliability of the New Testament and properly defining "faith"). However, as with most books of this type, I was disappointed that there wasn't as much emphasis on apologetics as I feel there should be.
In short, if you're after something meaty, this isn't the book for you. But if you're after something which isn't meaty, then it is for you!
A running theme through these introductory Christianity books is the use of anecdotes. Most have a few, but Roberts really goes to town with them. After the first couple of chapters, it gets tiring and awkward; you wonder if he's just trying to make the book longer (my edition is 170 pages long).
This book is also quite dated. Roberts spends quite a lot of time talking about "the new millennium" (this book was first published in 1999) and referring to contemporary news stories. It doesn't significantly affect the quality of the book, but it does jump out at you.
So in summary, this is a good book for someone interested in the basics of Christianity. It's not the best - I preferred Christianity Explored, and there's no real justification to own both books. If you've tried reading Christianity Explored or a similar book and have been left disappointed, but are willing to give it a second shot, this book may just be what you're looking for.
September 10, 2014
As a newcomer to the Christian faith I was lent this by a friend to help me make sense of it all. I have a deep interest in Jesus' life and what having faith can do for me. In my personal life I have gone through tough times these past few years and I felt God called out to me. I'm skeptical of religion and whether to believe and what it takes as a person to have a faith but this book had a lot of valid points and evidence about Jesus, including historical dates and research.
It was particularly helpful in making sense of why the Bible is important. If we are all random acts of science (which I believe in, science) then what's the point of life? I believe both science and the Bible which is possible, as explained in the book. Even if you read this and aren't convinced; you'll at least get some good life lessons and morals to live by. And loads and loads and loads of CS Lewis quotes...
It was particularly helpful in making sense of why the Bible is important. If we are all random acts of science (which I believe in, science) then what's the point of life? I believe both science and the Bible which is possible, as explained in the book. Even if you read this and aren't convinced; you'll at least get some good life lessons and morals to live by. And loads and loads and loads of CS Lewis quotes...
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January 11, 2016I did not rate this book as I did not finish it. Still I'll share my thoughts incase anyone is interested!
I was given this book by a colleague. I have them a copy of a book I was distributing for World Book Night. I think she got the better deal.
I must also disclose at this stage that I consider myself a spiritual person although not your typical Christian. I am also comfortable in my beliefs and not looking to be converted to anyone else's.
Despite that this book worked its way up my tbr pile and I eventually got round to trying it. I found the author to be terribly judgemental of celebrities and making snap decisions based on their answer to one question....
Still each to their own! I didn't enjoy this book. It hasn't changed my religion or outlook on life. I'll continue to keep being me as its all I know how to do. Peace
I was given this book by a colleague. I have them a copy of a book I was distributing for World Book Night. I think she got the better deal.
I must also disclose at this stage that I consider myself a spiritual person although not your typical Christian. I am also comfortable in my beliefs and not looking to be converted to anyone else's.
Despite that this book worked its way up my tbr pile and I eventually got round to trying it. I found the author to be terribly judgemental of celebrities and making snap decisions based on their answer to one question....
Still each to their own! I didn't enjoy this book. It hasn't changed my religion or outlook on life. I'll continue to keep being me as its all I know how to do. Peace
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October 26, 2009his argument against nihilism, his chapter on heaven & hell, and final thoughts on trust & faith are most valuable. a lot of oversimplification, which is understandable for the nature of this book; accomplishes a great deal by giving a broad chronological sweep of practical Christianity, in order to pare down the conceptions & context of its worldview.
November 14, 2013
An easy read for those interested in Christianity and how it all fits in to the bigger scheme of things and why to bother with the God of the Universe. I would recommend it to anyone, even Christians to just refresh their knowledge of what God has done and why.
January 17, 2009
My edition is 2008 from www.authenticmedia.co.uk 70 pages - cover picture is the same.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews