31 Surprising Reasons to Believe in God

Rick Stedman

Description

"In the style of C.S. Lewis, Rick has given us a gift by pointing out the evidence for God's existence that can be found all around us if we know where to look." Dr. Mark W. Baker Could Our Lives Be Surrounded by Surprising Clues to God's Existence? We've all had doubts about God's existence—or we know people who have. What if we could uncover evidence of the reality of God that would bolster our faith or plant seeds of belief in the hearts of skeptics? This 31-day intellectual journey reveals hints of the divine all around us—in what we believe, what we love, what we have, and what we know. Discover how sports, superheroes, science, and dozens of other topics point to unexpected clues of God's existence. This carefully reasoned yet whimsical approach to a perplexing topic paves the way for meaningful dialogue between those who believe in God and those who are skeptical.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie
• Christianity

Informations

• Publié par: Harvest House Publishers
• Date de parution: 27 juin 2017
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780736969840
• Langue: English

Extrait

Endorsements
This is a wonderfully creative and fascinating read that reveals hints of the divine all around us-in what we believe, what we love, what we have, and what we know. Rick s carefully reasoned yet whimsical approach to apologetics is more about engaging in better conversations than about arguments. And for skeptics who read this book, they may find they are closer to faith than they had ever imagined.
Terry Glaspey, author, 75 Masterpieces Every Christian Should Know and Not a Tame Lion: The Spiritual Legacy of C.S. Lewis
This excellent book deals with topics that matter to all of us and uncovers, hidden within those topics, surprising clues to God s existence. 31 Surprising Reasons to Believe in God will be encouraging for believers and eye-opening for those who are not, and hopefully will open conversations between them. It meets people where they are, like the apostle Paul did with the Athenians. I ll be picking up multiple copies for my friends.
Francine Rivers , New York Times bestseller author; recipient of American Christian Fiction Writers Lifetime Achievement Award
In a breezy, genial style that combines engaging story-telling with acute cultural analysis, Rick uncovers proofs of God s existence and reality in everyday situations and experiences to which all people, believers, seekers, and skeptics alike, have access. God is all around us, if only we will have eyes to see and ears to hear. I hope this fine book reaches a wide audience.
Dr. Louis Markos, professor in English and scholar in residence, Houston Baptist University; author, Apologetics for the 21st Century
Descartes might have meant ego miror, ergo credo : I wonder, therefore I believe when, in his Discourse on Method , he wondered about the complexity and beauty of the world around him and the dark night soul s doubts within himself. It was through these wonders, then, that he found a way back to God, a way filled with surprise and awe.
Stedman s book takes us down Descartes s path by detailing some 31 ways that we wonder about the world. His delightfully rich writing points us back to an unavoidable belief in God and His ways.
Dr. Don Thompson, professor of Great Books Mathematics, Pepperdine University
It is rare to come across a book that deals with profoundly philosophical issues yet is true to Scripture and written with such clarity that a person of any age could understand it. This is one of those books. In the style of C.S. Lewis, Rick has given us a gift by pointing out the evidence for God s existence that can be found all around us if we know where to look. Drawing from contemporary culture to the most respected writings in human history, Rick makes the teleological argument for the existence of God so abundantly clear.
Dr. Mark W. Baker, psychologist, executive director, La Vie Counseling Centers, CA
Once the existence of God (or the gods) was taken for granted. Today it is otherwise. Yet we still enjoy music, detest animal cruelty and human trafficking, and defend our inalienable right to free speech and the pursuit of happiness. Rick Stedman has written 31 delightful and slightly whimsical essays showing how these common beliefs and attitudes make today s atheism dubious. One need not find all of the essays equally persuasive to be convinced that belief in God is still a rationally defensible position.
Ric Machuga, professor of philosophy, Butte College, CA; author, Life, the Universe, and Everything
Rick provides a helpful entry point to cultural apologetics, with his multi-faceted exploration of how film, stories, music, art, morality, and human experience all contribute to a cumulative case for the existence of God.
Dr. Holly Ordway, Houston Baptist University, author, Not God s Type: An Atheist Academic Lays Down Her Arms
This book will rock your world! Could sex, zombies, art, nature and music all be neon signs pointing to the existence of God? Atheists, agnostics, skeptics and Christians alike will be challenged by the thoughtful and well-reasoned arguments in this book.
Erik Neilson, senior pastor, McMinnville Christian Church, McMinnville, OR
If you want an intelligent, relevant, and gracious appeal to believe in God, look no further! With the mind of a scholar and the empathy of a friend, Rick reveals clues to God s existence, hidden all around us. Devour 31 Surprising Reasons to Believe in God , and give copies to your friends so they too can enjoy the feast.
Caleb Kaltenbach, lead pastor, Discovery Church; author, Messy Grace
This amazing book has echoes of C.S. Lewis. Comprehensive and easy to read, Rick takes the wonders of everyday life and reveals the fingerprints of God. Learn from Rick, and your soul will thank you for bringing out insights that are often overlooked.
John Seitz, senior pastor, Antioch Christian Church, IA
This is the first book I have read that explains apologetics in a way that relates to the perspective of today s nonbeliever. The author s connecting examples and expressed humility will compel even the most cynical to keep reading. I intend to use this as my primary evangelism tool.
Brad Dacus, president and founder, Pacific Justice Institute
Rick Stedman sails the readers across the sea of scientific mysteries regarding the origin of the universe and the information needed for life, a sea that deepens each decade with far more questions than answers. He exposes either the flippant foolery of some scientists, or the respectful awe of others, while gently guiding the reader to an accurate yet simply packaged presentation of the problems faced by the pondering researcher. As only a philosopher and theologian can do, Stedman then brings the reader back to the fundamentals: reason, humanity, and the love of God.
Dr. James M. Tour, professor of NanoEngineering, Chemistry, Applied Materials and Computer Science, Rice University
The fraction of people who are atheists remains tiny. However, several of the more outspoken ones have recently become media darlings. Thus there is a need for fresh approaches to the fact that ultimately nothing makes sense apart from a belief in the sovereign God of the universe. Rick tackles this important challenge very effectively.
Dr. Henry Schaefer III, professor and director, Center for Computational Quantum Chemistry, University of Georgia; five-time Nobel Prize nominee
My friend Rick has made a huge impact for Jesus as a pastor-philosopher, church planter, and Christian leader. He has found a way to communicate the good news that makes sense across a spectrum of cultural contexts. This book will help you do the same!
Cam Huxford, senior pastor, Compass Christian Church, Savannah, GA
Rick Stedman s 31 Surprising Reasons to Believe in God is engaging and thought-provoking as he uncovers clues that point unexpectedly (and convincingly) toward the existence of God.
Rodney L. Morris, Morris Editorial, Eugene, OR
Rick obviously has his eyes wide open watching for the whispers of heaven here on earth. He writes with an understanding that there is indeed a God-shaped hole at the center of every human heart and all creation is pointing us toward our Creator. No matter where you are on the spectrum of belief, this book will resonate with your soul.
David Garison, Lead Pastor, Northside Christian Church, Spring, TX
Life is full of mysteries and wonders. Rick takes what is familiar to our own personal experience and opens our eyes to the personal touch of God in them. In a culture that has blinded itself to God, Rick s 31 reasons help restore our vision to see and experience the wonders and mysteries of God in our everyday experience.
Randy Watson, former missionary to Chile, founder/senior pastor, Gateway Christian Church, Rhonert Park, CA
Rick has taken a palette of 31 colors and designed a picture that clearly presents God in ways one might expect Him to be found and ways that will surprise you. In any case, one finds themselves without excuse.
Ken Long, senior pastor, Northshore Christian Church, WA
Rick Stedman is a man and pastor I can relate to. He likes great movies, classic rock, and sports. Not coincidentally, Rick uses these same things to prove the existence of God. Now that is a great apologetics book! More importantly, Rick s common-man, creative approach to biblical proofs is exactly the kind of material I can use to meet people in a street-level way.
Alan Scott, lead pastor, Cumberland Community Church, Smyrna, GA
Rick captivates us to visualize the presence of God in everyday life. In your hands you have a treasure that points surprisingly and delightfully toward God s existence. Read this book, and your perceptions of God and this world will never be the same.
Tim Boyles, lead minister, Church of Christ South Hayward, Hayward, CA
HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS
EUGENE, OREGON
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version , NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Verses marked ESV are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Verses marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
Cover by Bryce Williamson, Eugene, OR
Cover Image Marvid / iStock
Published in association with the Books Such Management, 52 Mission Circle, Suite 122, PMB 170, Santa Rosa, CA 95409-5370, www.booksandsuch.com .
31 SURPRISING REASONS TO BELIEVE IN GOD
Copyright 2017 Rick Stedman
Published by Harvest House Publishers
Eugene, Oregon 97402
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
ISBN 978-0-7369-6983-3 (pbk.)
ISBN 978-0-7369-6984-0 (eBook)
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Stedman, Rick, author.
Title: 31 surprising reasons to believe in God: how superheroes, art, environmentalism, a