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Conversations with My Inner Atheist: A Christian Apologist Explores Questions that Keep People Up at Night
Deep down, every Christian has an ‘inner atheist’, a still small voice of doubt and questioning. For many, that voice is viewed as a threat, one to be silenced if at all possible. But what if the inner atheist has something important to say? What if it could provide the way not to a weakened faith but to a deepened one? In Conversations with My Inner Atheist, theologian and apologist Randal Rauser allows his own inner atheist to speak, and no question is off limits. Topics the Gospel is simple, why doesn’t the Bible simply present it?If the Bible includes immoral laws, how can it be inspired?If Christianity is true, shouldn’t Christians show more evidence of sanctification?What about non-Christian religious experiences?Why does God allow the most horrific evils?“I would rather have questions that can’t be answered than answers that can’t be questioned.” - Richard Feynman-
202 pages, Paperback
Published July 31, 2020
24 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Randal Rauser
27 books43 followersRandal Rauser is a systematic and analytic theologian of evangelical persuasion. He is driven by apologetic concerns and above all by the tireless pursuit of truth. The downside is that this requires him to recognize when he is wrong (which is often) for truth is complex and it offers us no guarantees that we shall always find it. At the same time, Randal does not despair of finding truth, for he believes that in a profound sense Jesus Christ is the truth.
For Randal, being like Jesus means knowing the truth, loving the truth, and living the truth. As Randal seeks to live the truth he promotes a culture of life that is anti-militaristic and pro-family, pro-environment and anti-abortion, anti-consumerist and pro-animal. A disciple on the way … alas, he is not half as smart or as good or as right as he thinks he is.
For Randal, being like Jesus means knowing the truth, loving the truth, and living the truth. As Randal seeks to live the truth he promotes a culture of life that is anti-militaristic and pro-family, pro-environment and anti-abortion, anti-consumerist and pro-animal. A disciple on the way … alas, he is not half as smart or as good or as right as he thinks he is.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 28, 2020
Generally speaking, I like to think of myself as a tough reviewer. I usually don't give five stars to a book unless I consider it life-changing in some way, and/or if it brought me to tears. If I remember correctly, the only apologetics books I have given five stars to have been LETTERS TO A SKEPTIC by Greg Boyd and works by C. S. Lewis. CONVERSATIONS WITH MY INNER ATHEIST did not bring me to tears, and I'm not sure if it changed my life or changed my mind on a single point, but I want to give it five stars anyway.
This is exactly the kind of book Christian apologists should be writing. Randal Rauser is one of the most interesting and thoughtful current Christian apologists and philosophers. While he is more theologically progressive than I am (as is Boyd), he tackles the toughest questions with honesty and transparency, and I learn something every time I read or listen to him. This is the third Rauser book I've read, and it is the best.
CONVERSATIONS WITH MY INNER ATHEIST is fast-paced and funny. It deals with many issues that other apologists either don't get around to or avoid, and it gives humble and nuanced answers that touch on the broad spectrum of Christian belief. There are many debate books and introductory apologetics books out there, but this kinds of popular-level treatment of common doubts and questions as well as troubling theological issues is much needed. Rauser's voice is unique and important, and I would recommend this book to anyone who already has an introduction to Christian apologetics.
This is exactly the kind of book Christian apologists should be writing. Randal Rauser is one of the most interesting and thoughtful current Christian apologists and philosophers. While he is more theologically progressive than I am (as is Boyd), he tackles the toughest questions with honesty and transparency, and I learn something every time I read or listen to him. This is the third Rauser book I've read, and it is the best.
CONVERSATIONS WITH MY INNER ATHEIST is fast-paced and funny. It deals with many issues that other apologists either don't get around to or avoid, and it gives humble and nuanced answers that touch on the broad spectrum of Christian belief. There are many debate books and introductory apologetics books out there, but this kinds of popular-level treatment of common doubts and questions as well as troubling theological issues is much needed. Rauser's voice is unique and important, and I would recommend this book to anyone who already has an introduction to Christian apologetics.
April 16, 2021
Canadian Baptist theologian and apologist Randal Rauser has authored a delightful new (2020) book on Christian apologetics.
On the cover and again just before the first page of the text are the provocative words of American physicist Richard Feynman (1918~88), who declared, “I would rather have questions that can’t be answered than answers that can’t be questioned.” Although Rauser (b. 1973) identifies himself as “a broadly evangelical Christian,” he clearly eschews the arrogant certainty that is now characteristic of much conservative evangelicalism (and the fundamentalism of the 20th century).
After a brief introduction, the entire book from the first chapter through the Conclusion after the 25th chapter is written as a dialogue between Randal, the author, and Mia, the name taken from my inner atheist. Mia is a sharp interlocutor who not only asks penetrating questions but also deftly questions the answers Randal gives her. (I don’t know why Rauser’s “inner atheist” is female, but Mia seems to be a woman’s name.)
Rauser’s delightful book is clearly written for a popular (= non-academic) audience rather than for scholars, and the clever dialogue that includes some humorous repartee makes the book very readable for a general audience. That being said, it seems clear that the audience in mind are people who are familiar with traditional evangelical Christianity. Thus, this work is more for questioning/ doubting Christians and for people who were brought up in the church rather than for people reared in and currently immersed in a non-Christian and/or secular worldview.
Rauser deals with some of the most difficult topics that have beset Christian thinkers (and apologists) through the years: “How do you make sense of the Trinity?” (chapter 5), “Why does God torture people in hell?” (chapter 16), and “Why does God allow the most horrific evils?” (chapter 25). He also had some chapters that are rather unique in a book on Christian apologetics, such as “What if Mary was a child who couldn’t consent to bearing a child? (chapter 11) and “Wouldn’t a heaven that went on forever eventually become hell?” (chapter 22).
The most helpful chapters are probably those between the usual and unusual topics as indicated in the examples just given. The sixth chapter, titled “If the Bible includes immoral laws, how can it be inspired?” and “Why can’t gay people just marry? (chapter 23) are especially helpful. In the former, Rauser writes, “Every Christian should recognize that Jesus is the interpretive key for the Bible” (p. 44). Would that every Christian did, in fact, recognize that!
In both the introduction and the conclusion, which “bookend” the 25 numbered chapters of his book, Rauser commendably emphasizes intellectual honesty/integrity. “As Christians we’re called to a radical life of intellectual honesty,” he writes on pages 5-6. And then on the final page of the conclusion, Mia says to him, “I’ll continue to be that contrarian voice in your head, keeping you intellectually honest” (p. 192).
In these troubled times for the Christian church, the matter of intellectual honesty/integrity is of the highest importance. Rauser, an evangelical apologist, has produced a book clearly with that important matter in mind. Even though I don’t agree with his evangelical position on every point, this is a book I do not hesitate to recommend, and I hope it will be widely read and that the content will be thought about deeply.
[On April 15, I posted a blog article related to this book: https://theviewfromthisseat.blogspot.... ]
On the cover and again just before the first page of the text are the provocative words of American physicist Richard Feynman (1918~88), who declared, “I would rather have questions that can’t be answered than answers that can’t be questioned.” Although Rauser (b. 1973) identifies himself as “a broadly evangelical Christian,” he clearly eschews the arrogant certainty that is now characteristic of much conservative evangelicalism (and the fundamentalism of the 20th century).
After a brief introduction, the entire book from the first chapter through the Conclusion after the 25th chapter is written as a dialogue between Randal, the author, and Mia, the name taken from my inner atheist. Mia is a sharp interlocutor who not only asks penetrating questions but also deftly questions the answers Randal gives her. (I don’t know why Rauser’s “inner atheist” is female, but Mia seems to be a woman’s name.)
Rauser’s delightful book is clearly written for a popular (= non-academic) audience rather than for scholars, and the clever dialogue that includes some humorous repartee makes the book very readable for a general audience. That being said, it seems clear that the audience in mind are people who are familiar with traditional evangelical Christianity. Thus, this work is more for questioning/ doubting Christians and for people who were brought up in the church rather than for people reared in and currently immersed in a non-Christian and/or secular worldview.
Rauser deals with some of the most difficult topics that have beset Christian thinkers (and apologists) through the years: “How do you make sense of the Trinity?” (chapter 5), “Why does God torture people in hell?” (chapter 16), and “Why does God allow the most horrific evils?” (chapter 25). He also had some chapters that are rather unique in a book on Christian apologetics, such as “What if Mary was a child who couldn’t consent to bearing a child? (chapter 11) and “Wouldn’t a heaven that went on forever eventually become hell?” (chapter 22).
The most helpful chapters are probably those between the usual and unusual topics as indicated in the examples just given. The sixth chapter, titled “If the Bible includes immoral laws, how can it be inspired?” and “Why can’t gay people just marry? (chapter 23) are especially helpful. In the former, Rauser writes, “Every Christian should recognize that Jesus is the interpretive key for the Bible” (p. 44). Would that every Christian did, in fact, recognize that!
In both the introduction and the conclusion, which “bookend” the 25 numbered chapters of his book, Rauser commendably emphasizes intellectual honesty/integrity. “As Christians we’re called to a radical life of intellectual honesty,” he writes on pages 5-6. And then on the final page of the conclusion, Mia says to him, “I’ll continue to be that contrarian voice in your head, keeping you intellectually honest” (p. 192).
In these troubled times for the Christian church, the matter of intellectual honesty/integrity is of the highest importance. Rauser, an evangelical apologist, has produced a book clearly with that important matter in mind. Even though I don’t agree with his evangelical position on every point, this is a book I do not hesitate to recommend, and I hope it will be widely read and that the content will be thought about deeply.
[On April 15, I posted a blog article related to this book: https://theviewfromthisseat.blogspot.... ]
August 26, 2020
I wanted to write something short because my 3 star review feels a bit harsh.
This is not a bad book at all, however I don't think I am the target audience.
I really enjoyed reading this book and it was interesting to read some of Randals responses and challenges to his own faith.
However, in my own reasoning I have concluded that Christianity is not true, this means I am naturally more sympathetic to the non-Christian in the dialogue and felt like I had further objections that weren't "pushed" as much. I do think though that this book is a good read - especially for Christians - as it might help them deepen their understandings of what they believe and also empathise with atheists/agnostics like myself rather than simply viewing them as idiots who have darkened their mind and the "evil other" tribe...
This is not a bad book at all, however I don't think I am the target audience.
I really enjoyed reading this book and it was interesting to read some of Randals responses and challenges to his own faith.
However, in my own reasoning I have concluded that Christianity is not true, this means I am naturally more sympathetic to the non-Christian in the dialogue and felt like I had further objections that weren't "pushed" as much. I do think though that this book is a good read - especially for Christians - as it might help them deepen their understandings of what they believe and also empathise with atheists/agnostics like myself rather than simply viewing them as idiots who have darkened their mind and the "evil other" tribe...
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May 11, 2021Conversations with My Inner Atheist by Randal Rauser
Scholar and apologist Randal Rauser approaches some of the complex issues presented in the Bible very cleverly. The book takes on a question-answer format between Rauser and his alter ego, referred to as Mia.
By allowing his alter ego to challenge him on specific issues, the author provides for a rousing conversation that takes place in his head. Mia's alter ego is quick-witted, well-versed on the subject matter, and highlights excellent opposing views.
The book highlights many of the questions you would expect, such as How can the Bible be trusted with morality, when it condones immoral ethics such as slavery, or questions regarding the trinity, or why don't Christian behave differently (sanctified). The author addresses these issues with clarity. His writing approach is straightforward and doesn't come across as hyper-academic. With that being said, his answers come across as opinion, not in the form of traditional apologetics, with scientific or ethical proof in the form of footnotes.
Several topics didn't seem to meet the mark entirely. The chapters related to gay marriage (chapter 23) felt like the author was tiptoeing around the issue because he works for a religious, academic institution. Even though he argues in chapter 2 that academic and intellectual freedom is paramount to the book's writing, it still felt as if he was tip-toeing through the chapter. Again in chapter 25, he doesn't fully address the issue of why God allows horrible things to happen. He essentially says that God's ways are too big for us to comprehend and that suffering can be the work that makes a situation appear better in the end. I wish he would have introduced the readers to Newton's concept of the Watchmaker God.
Despite the light-hearted banter on the subject matter, I must say I enjoyed reading this book. There were numerous times I felt like siding with Mia, the alter ego because the atheist argument appeared to be more solid than Rauser's opinion. This is an easy-to-read book that is perfect for beginners who are searching for answers.
Scholar and apologist Randal Rauser approaches some of the complex issues presented in the Bible very cleverly. The book takes on a question-answer format between Rauser and his alter ego, referred to as Mia.
By allowing his alter ego to challenge him on specific issues, the author provides for a rousing conversation that takes place in his head. Mia's alter ego is quick-witted, well-versed on the subject matter, and highlights excellent opposing views.
The book highlights many of the questions you would expect, such as How can the Bible be trusted with morality, when it condones immoral ethics such as slavery, or questions regarding the trinity, or why don't Christian behave differently (sanctified). The author addresses these issues with clarity. His writing approach is straightforward and doesn't come across as hyper-academic. With that being said, his answers come across as opinion, not in the form of traditional apologetics, with scientific or ethical proof in the form of footnotes.
Several topics didn't seem to meet the mark entirely. The chapters related to gay marriage (chapter 23) felt like the author was tiptoeing around the issue because he works for a religious, academic institution. Even though he argues in chapter 2 that academic and intellectual freedom is paramount to the book's writing, it still felt as if he was tip-toeing through the chapter. Again in chapter 25, he doesn't fully address the issue of why God allows horrible things to happen. He essentially says that God's ways are too big for us to comprehend and that suffering can be the work that makes a situation appear better in the end. I wish he would have introduced the readers to Newton's concept of the Watchmaker God.
Despite the light-hearted banter on the subject matter, I must say I enjoyed reading this book. There were numerous times I felt like siding with Mia, the alter ego because the atheist argument appeared to be more solid than Rauser's opinion. This is an easy-to-read book that is perfect for beginners who are searching for answers.
September 17, 2020
Intriguing, Thoughtful, but weak answers
The worst weak answer is where Rouser states that horrific evils come about because of God's meticulous providence! This sounds like a variation of Calvinism. It's that the end justifies the means, so a little girl gets molested, raped, or burnt to death because that evil is part of some greater good that God seeks to achieve. That sounds obscenely evil utilitarian. But Rouser sincerely believes that every single evil horror from the Black Death to the Holocaust all happened for God's greater good:-(
The worst weak answer is where Rouser states that horrific evils come about because of God's meticulous providence! This sounds like a variation of Calvinism. It's that the end justifies the means, so a little girl gets molested, raped, or burnt to death because that evil is part of some greater good that God seeks to achieve. That sounds obscenely evil utilitarian. But Rouser sincerely believes that every single evil horror from the Black Death to the Holocaust all happened for God's greater good:-(
August 26, 2020
We all have an inner atheist. It just comes down to how much we talk to it. Randal Rauser invites us to listen to a conversation with his inner atheist as they discuss some of the hardest questions related to the Christian faith.
March 26, 2023
He doesn’t do a great job of steel manning, and his responses aren’t great either. I guess if it’s a personal narrative, as long as it’s faithful to his inner monologue, he has accomplished what he sought to.
September 1, 2020
An apologetics book using his “inner atheist” to provide questions to be explored. I found most answers unsurprising. A few topics offer some new perspective.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews