The Sanity of Belief: Why Faith Makes Sense

by Simon Edwards

We’ve all heard the arguments that Christianity is irrelevant, irrational and even immoral. But what if the Christian faith makes sense of all that matters?

In this thoughtful, engaging book, Simon Edwards challenges the assumptions that may lead us to reject a faith and doubt something that we’ve never really had the chance to understand in the first place. From our need for meaning and significance, to our desires for truth, goodness, love and hope, he explores the things that matter to us as human beings and shows us why the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ might just make sense of them all.

The Sanity of Belief is a fresh take on apologetics, faith and doubt, that will leave you with a stronger understanding of Christian belief and how it relates to today’s world. It is ideal for anyone looking for a clear, down-to-earth introduction Christianity, or for those wanting to reaffirm the foundations on which their faith is based.

192 pages, Paperback

Published February 18, 2020

Reviews

[Christian Barrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful evangelist and apologetic book for a public audience. The primary focus of this work is much less philosophical than other similar works as Edwards emphasizes time and time again the realities of the purposelessness age and the constant sense that humans have to find purpose. This idea coupled with the common pop-apologetic arguments for a Creator and Christianity as a whole make this short read a worthwhile investment. An easy introduction for a curious non-Christian and a helpful prepare for a believer seeking to understand arguments well as Edwards’ law training comes out clearly in his writing.

[Dave Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciated this read. It felt like I was sitting with a best friend, over a long cuppa, hearing them unguardedly share their story. It's not forceful, or contrived ... just honest, rich, wise, and oftentimes witty reflections on how Simon discovered that what matters most - meaning, value, goodness, truth, love, and suffering - makes most sense in light of a good God who unguardedly makes himself known through the person of Jesus ... a God who himself moved into the neighbourhood and sat with us, in our pain and confusion, to discover a life worth living.

There aren't a lot of books that I can readily, without reserve or embarrassment, pass on to a friend who sees the world really differently from me. Yet, this is one such winsome book. It's definitely a story worth sharing.

[Evelyn Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simon Edwards joins a long list of writers on the critically important subject of Christian Apologetics. This book lays out a compelling and thoughtful premise for the reality of the Christian faith. It's important reading for believers as our faith clearly holds up under questioning; and we never know when we might be drawn into debates or conversations in which these teachings would be helpful. The Sanity of Belief is also recommended to people who do not believe, as Edwards not only lays out the reasons and logic, but also his own personal story. For the subject matter, this book is fairly easy reading, though I confess I had to read twice a few chapters in part two twice. For believers, read for encouragement and clarity, as our faith is often dismissed as myth or delusion. For those who have yet to believe, read to "hear" some teaching that could lead to lasting changed lives. Five stars and my thanks to Simon Edwards for his excellent book.

[Hayley Bourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is broken into two categories: The Things That Matter and Weighing Up The Evidence. Simon does an incredible job of talking us through the things that are important in life (meaning, value, goodness, truth, love and suffering) before discussing the evidence for our faith (thoughts, external, internal and historic factors). I have read this book several times and each time, I learn something new which reinforces my faith. I've also purchased it for curious non-Christians, who have been compelled by Simon's arguments. Simon's gift of communication, delivered with genuine humility, is a blessing to both his wider Church family and those seeking to understand the Christian faith.

[Aaron Sawney · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this engaging, well-paced and philosophically elegant book, Simon tackles the key existential issues which many of us struggle with in the western world today. Arguing for the need for a faith-based approach in making sense of issues such as morality, purpose, human dignity and objective truth, he also considers some of the intellectual objections to Christianity, and how it can be reconciled with rationality and empiricism.

[Michael Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simon Edwards's careful and thoughtful approach opens the mind to new possibilities. It is for our time. This book will not leave you unchanged. It is thought provoking and challenging - but never aggressive. Wherever you end up at the end, you will be grateful to have moved on in your thinking and for having explored questions - some of which you may not have known to be important and relevant for you. I highly recommend this.

[Paul Cowie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book an easy and engaging read. Covering questions and issues around the meaning of life,Simon addresses them in a fashion which is easy to understand and sticks in the mind. It is both useful for those wishing to answer questions posed by friends who seek answers to deeper questions and for those considering these matters for the first time.

[Bonnie Truax · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great thought-provoking read. Easy to follow the logical conclusions around the findings of faith. It a recommended for anyone no matter the belief system in which they claim to hold faith (even Atheism).

[Margaret Edwards]

Compelling, powerful and enlightening read. Well done Simon.

[Ted Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simon Edwards is very funny in real life. Great speaker!!

[Gerard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you wonder how belief in a good and loving God can be reconciled with the suffering we see in our world, or how such belief is relevant in today’s world? If yes to either question or both, I recommend this book. It faces these hard questions and more.