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If You Could Ask God One Question
If you could ask God one question, and you knew it would be answered, what would it be? Paul Williams and Barry Cooper have spent several years asking people that question. And inside this book, they reveal the the 12 most frequently asked questions about God. But this isn't just a book about questions. There are answers too. Answers from the lips of the most powerful, insightful and extraordinary figure in all of human history.
134 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 6, 2007
7 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Paul Williams
1 book3 followersPAUL WILLIAMS worked in the newspaper industry before studying theology at Oak Hill College in London. After several years as the Assistant Pastor of Christ Church Ware and St. Peter's Harold Wood, he served at All Souls Langham Place in London. He is currently Senior Pastor at Christ Church Fulwood in Sheffield.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 25, 2020
I wasn't sure what to expect when I downloaded this book from The Good Book Company. The title intrigued me because I was curious to know what people over the years had been asking the authors so much so that they were compelled to author it into a book. Little did I know, this book was produced under Christianity Explored ministries (https://www.christianityexplored.org/), a ministry seeking to answer people's questions about Christianity!
This book deals with 13 different questions (or objections) people usually have about Christianity i.e. "If I can be forgiven everything, doesn't that mean I can do whatever I like?", "All good people go to heaven, right?" and "Isn't faith just a psychological crutch?" amongst others.
I found this book refreshing because rather than rely on logical arguments or historical evidence to prove the Bible, Cooper and Williams cite the Bible itself to counter these arguments. By doing so they in effect not just prove the truth of the Bible but also, its clarity and sufficiency in addressing human questions. Each chapter deals with one broad question and within the chapters themselves, the addressed broad question is divided into smaller subsets. This book is incredibly detailed yet, short and concise.
If you're a non-Christian reading this, I would recommend you pick this book up if you have your own set of doubts about Christianity. Not only may it answer some of questions or long-standing misunderstandings, but you will get quite a comprehensive glimpse of what the Bible says about God and us as humans. Who knows, you may even learn something new!
As for me, a Christian, I appreciated this book because it reminded me of some the truths I had taken for granted and had ceased examining many years ago. It's good to always go back to the questions you once had (or were once forced to deal with when non-Christians questioned you!) to remind yourself why you are convinced what you believe in is indeed the truth. So often, older Christians (i.e. me) take for granted why we are convinced the Bible to be true and rather, drift into the routine of mindlessly reciting creeds and attending church. This book was a timely reminder to think through again the coherence of the truth of the Bible.
This book deals with 13 different questions (or objections) people usually have about Christianity i.e. "If I can be forgiven everything, doesn't that mean I can do whatever I like?", "All good people go to heaven, right?" and "Isn't faith just a psychological crutch?" amongst others.
I found this book refreshing because rather than rely on logical arguments or historical evidence to prove the Bible, Cooper and Williams cite the Bible itself to counter these arguments. By doing so they in effect not just prove the truth of the Bible but also, its clarity and sufficiency in addressing human questions. Each chapter deals with one broad question and within the chapters themselves, the addressed broad question is divided into smaller subsets. This book is incredibly detailed yet, short and concise.
If you're a non-Christian reading this, I would recommend you pick this book up if you have your own set of doubts about Christianity. Not only may it answer some of questions or long-standing misunderstandings, but you will get quite a comprehensive glimpse of what the Bible says about God and us as humans. Who knows, you may even learn something new!
As for me, a Christian, I appreciated this book because it reminded me of some the truths I had taken for granted and had ceased examining many years ago. It's good to always go back to the questions you once had (or were once forced to deal with when non-Christians questioned you!) to remind yourself why you are convinced what you believe in is indeed the truth. So often, older Christians (i.e. me) take for granted why we are convinced the Bible to be true and rather, drift into the routine of mindlessly reciting creeds and attending church. This book was a timely reminder to think through again the coherence of the truth of the Bible.
July 22, 2023
A great, punchy-but-gentle book shot through with humour and anecdotes, explaining crucial aspects of the Christian gospel in response to the usual suspects (i.e. the questions people often ask when they are sort-of thinking about “God” in the kind of ways that late modern post-Christian possibly-vaguely-deist liberalism encourages).
I think I might have read the first edition of this book about 15 years ago.
I think I might have read the first edition of this book about 15 years ago.
November 24, 2019
Excellent
I bought this ebook as a brother in Christ suggested it. I have enjoyed it very much and it has helped me in finding the right answers to some of the questions that i encounter in evangelism. I highly recommend this book.
I bought this ebook as a brother in Christ suggested it. I have enjoyed it very much and it has helped me in finding the right answers to some of the questions that i encounter in evangelism. I highly recommend this book.
July 13, 2017
Also good
February 16, 2021
Would recommend this to anyone exploring faith. Concise, easy to understand and full of hope. Love it!
December 19, 2013
At times, the best way to help people to understand your point is to anticipate their questions and answer them. Paul Williams and Barry Cooper have taken this strategy in defense of Christianity in their book If You Could Ask God One Question. I received a copy of this book at Together for the Gospel in 2008, and only got down to reading it two years later. I’m glad that I took the time.
Williams and Cooper write in a very easy-to-read and easy-to-understand style. They use humor well. They illustrate appropriately. The chapters seem to fly by, even as the authors work to explain some of the most important basic principles of Christianity.
Without attempting an overview, I will simply mention that the authors deal with some of the following important concepts:
• The existence of God
• The reliability of Scripture
• The problem of sin
• The existence of hell
• Why Jesus had to die
• Why Christians obey God’s commands
• Life after death
• Followers of other religions
• Faith not blind delusion
• The problem of evil
• Sex
• God proving himself through miracles
• What God might ask us
If You Could Ask God One Question is a simple and yet strong explanation of the faith for those who have only just begun considering Christianity. It could also be a helpful book for brand new Christians who need to begin to understand some of the basic points of theology. Obviously, the book cannot reach the depths of a good theology book since it only spans 123 pages; but the topics it covers are important and generally dealt with in a helpful way. I would have no problem recommending this book for those who do not know what they think about Christianity and for those who are new in the faith. It would also be a find study book for small group discussion if a group would like to again cover some of the most important basics of the faith.
Williams and Cooper write in a very easy-to-read and easy-to-understand style. They use humor well. They illustrate appropriately. The chapters seem to fly by, even as the authors work to explain some of the most important basic principles of Christianity.
Without attempting an overview, I will simply mention that the authors deal with some of the following important concepts:
• The existence of God
• The reliability of Scripture
• The problem of sin
• The existence of hell
• Why Jesus had to die
• Why Christians obey God’s commands
• Life after death
• Followers of other religions
• Faith not blind delusion
• The problem of evil
• Sex
• God proving himself through miracles
• What God might ask us
If You Could Ask God One Question is a simple and yet strong explanation of the faith for those who have only just begun considering Christianity. It could also be a helpful book for brand new Christians who need to begin to understand some of the basic points of theology. Obviously, the book cannot reach the depths of a good theology book since it only spans 123 pages; but the topics it covers are important and generally dealt with in a helpful way. I would have no problem recommending this book for those who do not know what they think about Christianity and for those who are new in the faith. It would also be a find study book for small group discussion if a group would like to again cover some of the most important basics of the faith.
June 20, 2020
A really enjoyable read!
Great for giving to a non-Christian to whet their appetite for learning more or to supplement an evangelistic course,
It's simplicity and engaging style makes it a good '1st Christian book' for a new Christian wanting to explore the gospel and it's application to real life in more detail.
And it also makes a good starting point or refresher for the Christian wanting to become better equipped in answering some of the most common apologetic questions people ask.
Chapter titles are as follows:
1. If you're really there, God, why on earth don't you prove it?
2. Isn't the Bible just a bunch of made up stories?
3. All good people go to heaven, right?
4. If you're a God of love, why send anyone to Hell?
5. If Jesus really was your Son, how come He got killed?
6. If I can be forgiven everything, doesn't that mean I can do whatever I like?
7. How can anyone be sure there's life after death?
8. What about followers of other religions?
9. Isn't faith just a psychological crutch?
10. Why do you allow suffering?
11. Why do you hate sex?
12. Why don't you just do a miracle?
13. So, God, if you could ask me one question, what would it be?
Great for giving to a non-Christian to whet their appetite for learning more or to supplement an evangelistic course,
It's simplicity and engaging style makes it a good '1st Christian book' for a new Christian wanting to explore the gospel and it's application to real life in more detail.
And it also makes a good starting point or refresher for the Christian wanting to become better equipped in answering some of the most common apologetic questions people ask.
Chapter titles are as follows:
1. If you're really there, God, why on earth don't you prove it?
2. Isn't the Bible just a bunch of made up stories?
3. All good people go to heaven, right?
4. If you're a God of love, why send anyone to Hell?
5. If Jesus really was your Son, how come He got killed?
6. If I can be forgiven everything, doesn't that mean I can do whatever I like?
7. How can anyone be sure there's life after death?
8. What about followers of other religions?
9. Isn't faith just a psychological crutch?
10. Why do you allow suffering?
11. Why do you hate sex?
12. Why don't you just do a miracle?
13. So, God, if you could ask me one question, what would it be?
July 18, 2009
Excellent book to begin study of Apologetics. The book covers basic questions that everyone has about God and addresses them in a honest and biblical manner. I found this book very encouraging and very beneficial in my pursuit of understanding God better.
I would love to study the questions that are covered in this book on a deeper scale, but am indebted to the authors for a very thorough and helpful response to questions that have serious implications. It's extremely important to know what you believe and why you believe what you believe. It's easy for anyone to subscribe to any system of thought or tradition when it comes to theology, but unless your theology changes and shapes your life, its not doing you any good. When hardship and trial come, your faith will suffer if you fail to be rooted and grounded in truth.
I would challenge everyone who is a skeptic, agnostic, or atheist to read this book and consider the points and message that is proclaimed all throughout this book.
I would love to study the questions that are covered in this book on a deeper scale, but am indebted to the authors for a very thorough and helpful response to questions that have serious implications. It's extremely important to know what you believe and why you believe what you believe. It's easy for anyone to subscribe to any system of thought or tradition when it comes to theology, but unless your theology changes and shapes your life, its not doing you any good. When hardship and trial come, your faith will suffer if you fail to be rooted and grounded in truth.
I would challenge everyone who is a skeptic, agnostic, or atheist to read this book and consider the points and message that is proclaimed all throughout this book.
February 11, 2011
A practical and helpful book. It is outreach oriented and apologetically engaged without the high technical aspect of some apologetics works. Technical works certainly have their place, but this book fills in an under-supplied area.
This could be given to a lost friend or coworker without worrying that it would be inaccessible or irrelevant to them. It is not a stand-alone evangelistic book but could probably open a door for further conversation. It could help to break the ice with someone you have been wanting to witness to but can never seem to turn the conversation to weightier matters.
The book deals with many common questions people have in relation to God and the Bible. The answers are not exhaustive but are well done. This helps to keep the book concise and more likely to be read. The style is conversational and interesting. Christians would be benefited by reading it to think about these questions and their answers.
This could be given to a lost friend or coworker without worrying that it would be inaccessible or irrelevant to them. It is not a stand-alone evangelistic book but could probably open a door for further conversation. It could help to break the ice with someone you have been wanting to witness to but can never seem to turn the conversation to weightier matters.
The book deals with many common questions people have in relation to God and the Bible. The answers are not exhaustive but are well done. This helps to keep the book concise and more likely to be read. The style is conversational and interesting. Christians would be benefited by reading it to think about these questions and their answers.
October 27, 2014
I think this book was more suited for someone just being introduced to the basics of Christianity, desiring "answers". While I still got some good points from it (and enjoyed the occasional humorous moments) it didn't go as in depth in portions as I would have liked. It made for a nice little start for our small group at work, though.
March 15, 2009
Very elementary, but an ok book for someone who has serious questions concerning Christianity.
February 17, 2013
a good starting point for the questions many people ask about Christianity. Told with a good sense of humour.
October 31, 2013
Answers lots of basic questions about the Christian faith, doing so succinctly and clearly. The biggest problem today probably is getting someone to sit down and read it!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews