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Help Me Believe: Direct Answers to Real Questions
It's natural for you to have questions about Christianity. What does Jesus really have to offer in a world that is so complicated, where there's so much pain? What difference could he possibly make in your life?For years Cliffe Knechtle has been fielding questions about and objections to Christianity from thousands of people. They want to know what you want to know--what does Jesus have to do with the real world, with real life? In this book Knechtle provides the answers to some of the toughest questions you have, includingDon't all religions teach the same thing?Why do Christians try to impose their morality on others?What is so valuable about life?What is God's answer to evil in the world?Why can't people seem to get along with each other?Why is forgiving others so difficult?Isn't God kind of old and boring?How do I know I can trust Jesus?I still have some doubts. Can you help me believe?Life isn't easy. And what Knechtle offers you in this book are not pat answers. Rather, they are direct responses to real people with real questions. If you have questions about Christianity, Help Me Believe will grapple with them squarely, honestly and helpfully.
131 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 20, 2009
41 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 23, 2025
For me, there is not a whole lot to say about this book. It is precisely what it says it is, and I think a reader should go into reading it, understanding that this is an author who is highly passionate about his faith. Though this book seeks to answer tough questions, it also aims to convince the reader that his line of logic is correct. I categorically disagree with many of his beliefs and find his logic confusing and lacking in concrete causation in certain areas (specifically those areas that are most polarizing). I also think that he has a number of contradictions in this book. Without spoiling anything, there are moments at the beginning of this book where the author preaches a philosophy and then goes on to break that philosophy later in the book. Though this book is titled "Direct Answers to Real Questions", there is also a moment in this book where the author admits that there is no logical answer, but rather an answer rooted in faith (which seems to be against his direct premise stated in the beginning of the book).
However, on the good side, this book is straightforward to read. It is nice and short, and it is direct in many different ways. I can appreciate that for many of the questions, the author approaches the answer with what he promised, which is a line of logical reasoning to substantiate faith. I agree with some of his interpretations, and this book (though not dragging me toward his view of faith) made me seriously consider the way in which my faith is constructed in my conscience. It will challenge some things you believe, reinforce others, and sometimes leave you in pure confusion. Though I think this is a good read that both teaches and challenges someone looking into their faith, it is a book that should be read with scrutiny, as I felt the contradictory messages speak to a more significant issue unfortunately abundantly present when discussing theology.
However, on the good side, this book is straightforward to read. It is nice and short, and it is direct in many different ways. I can appreciate that for many of the questions, the author approaches the answer with what he promised, which is a line of logical reasoning to substantiate faith. I agree with some of his interpretations, and this book (though not dragging me toward his view of faith) made me seriously consider the way in which my faith is constructed in my conscience. It will challenge some things you believe, reinforce others, and sometimes leave you in pure confusion. Though I think this is a good read that both teaches and challenges someone looking into their faith, it is a book that should be read with scrutiny, as I felt the contradictory messages speak to a more significant issue unfortunately abundantly present when discussing theology.
June 3, 2024
AN HONEST RESPONSE TO MANY COMMONLY-ASKED QUESTIONS
Cliffe Knechtle is a pastor, and a speaker. He wrote in the Preface to this 2000 book, “For over twenty years people have been asking me questions about faith---what it means to believe in Jesus. I have tried to answer them honestly. When I don’t know the answer, I say so. When I think Christians have been wrong in the past, I say so. When life is hard and painful, I say so. But I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t also give the answers that I am convinced are true about life. That’s what this book is about.
“I didn’t make up the questions in this book. Real people like you asked me about truth, the Bible and God… You’ll find their real questions in this book. And you’ll find my direct answers, as direct as I know how to be. Maybe you’ll find your questions here too, and maybe you’ll find clarity as you encounter some of the most important problems any human being can ever face.”
He recalls, “I have a friend who, along with his wife, was excited about the birth of their first child. The delivery was going smoothly… [but then] the situation had changed dramatically. The doctor looked at him and asked one of the most difficult questions imaginable: ‘Whose life do you want me to save? Your wife’s or your child’s?’ My friend responded quickly, ‘Doctor, save my wife first. Then try to save the child.’ Tragically, the doctor was unable to save either life; both the mother and the baby died. However, I strongly support my friend’s decision to ask the doctor to first save the life of his wife… my first commitment is to my wife.” (Pg. 46-47)
He explains, “Although I do not know why God allowed evil, I do know he wants to destroy it. That is why there is a hell. Although I do not know why God allowed pain, I do know he wants to wipe every tear from our eyes and give us joy for eternity in his presence. That is why there is a heaven. Although I do not know why God allowed suffering, I do know God is a suffering God who became human in Jesus. Although I do not know why God allowed death, I do know Jesus died on the cross to forgive you and me for our sins that lead to death. I do know Jesus rose from the dead to give us eternal life with him in heaven. He waits for us to put our trust in him.” (Pg. 55)
He suggests, “I would like to invite my atheist, agnostic, and cultural Christian friends to a hospital. There I would invite them into a room where a baby lies with its life is ebbing away due to some horrible disease. I would invite my atheist and agnostic friends, ‘What is your solution to the death of this child?’ I would ask my cultural Christian friend, who has reduced Christianity to an ethical system based on the teachings of Jesus, ‘What is your solution for this child’s predicament?’ Ultimately, they have none. A hunk of primordial slime that evolved to a higher order is passing into oblivion. Tough luck, kid. All of reality is contained in this short---for you, very short---life. Perhaps the atheist, agnostic, and the cultural Christian will comfort the child. Perhaps they will do something to help the child get the best medical attention possible. As a follower of Christ, I too will hold the child’s hand and seek to comfort this child. I too will seem the best medical attention possible for this child. But in Jesus Christ I have found the suffering God who cares about suffering, dying people. Jesus cares so much that he went through the hell of the cross so you and I can go to heaven.” (Pg. 59)
This book will be of keen interest to those studying Christian Apologetics.
Cliffe Knechtle is a pastor, and a speaker. He wrote in the Preface to this 2000 book, “For over twenty years people have been asking me questions about faith---what it means to believe in Jesus. I have tried to answer them honestly. When I don’t know the answer, I say so. When I think Christians have been wrong in the past, I say so. When life is hard and painful, I say so. But I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t also give the answers that I am convinced are true about life. That’s what this book is about.
“I didn’t make up the questions in this book. Real people like you asked me about truth, the Bible and God… You’ll find their real questions in this book. And you’ll find my direct answers, as direct as I know how to be. Maybe you’ll find your questions here too, and maybe you’ll find clarity as you encounter some of the most important problems any human being can ever face.”
He recalls, “I have a friend who, along with his wife, was excited about the birth of their first child. The delivery was going smoothly… [but then] the situation had changed dramatically. The doctor looked at him and asked one of the most difficult questions imaginable: ‘Whose life do you want me to save? Your wife’s or your child’s?’ My friend responded quickly, ‘Doctor, save my wife first. Then try to save the child.’ Tragically, the doctor was unable to save either life; both the mother and the baby died. However, I strongly support my friend’s decision to ask the doctor to first save the life of his wife… my first commitment is to my wife.” (Pg. 46-47)
He explains, “Although I do not know why God allowed evil, I do know he wants to destroy it. That is why there is a hell. Although I do not know why God allowed pain, I do know he wants to wipe every tear from our eyes and give us joy for eternity in his presence. That is why there is a heaven. Although I do not know why God allowed suffering, I do know God is a suffering God who became human in Jesus. Although I do not know why God allowed death, I do know Jesus died on the cross to forgive you and me for our sins that lead to death. I do know Jesus rose from the dead to give us eternal life with him in heaven. He waits for us to put our trust in him.” (Pg. 55)
He suggests, “I would like to invite my atheist, agnostic, and cultural Christian friends to a hospital. There I would invite them into a room where a baby lies with its life is ebbing away due to some horrible disease. I would invite my atheist and agnostic friends, ‘What is your solution to the death of this child?’ I would ask my cultural Christian friend, who has reduced Christianity to an ethical system based on the teachings of Jesus, ‘What is your solution for this child’s predicament?’ Ultimately, they have none. A hunk of primordial slime that evolved to a higher order is passing into oblivion. Tough luck, kid. All of reality is contained in this short---for you, very short---life. Perhaps the atheist, agnostic, and the cultural Christian will comfort the child. Perhaps they will do something to help the child get the best medical attention possible. As a follower of Christ, I too will hold the child’s hand and seek to comfort this child. I too will seem the best medical attention possible for this child. But in Jesus Christ I have found the suffering God who cares about suffering, dying people. Jesus cares so much that he went through the hell of the cross so you and I can go to heaven.” (Pg. 59)
This book will be of keen interest to those studying Christian Apologetics.
August 11, 2024
Great book definitely answers those hard questions some time I wish he had given more details about the question but over all would definitely recommend reading it
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