What do you think?
Rate this book
Unquestioned Answers: Rethinking Ten Christian Clichés to Rediscover Biblical Truths
We hear and say short Christian clichés all the time, such as “Jesus was a social justice warrior,” “Just have faith,” and “It’s not my place to judge.” These trite statements often go unquestioned. Sometimes they even substitute for truth, leading to a fragile and shallow faith. But what if a close study of these clichés could lead us to deep biblical truth?
In Unquestioned Answers, Dr. Jeff Myers rethinks ten popular Christian clichés. Through an in-depth and fresh look, Myers shares insights into these overused statements to strengthen readers’ faith and encourage them to share Jesus with others. Walk with Myers on a path to biblical truth as he explores critical topics such as social justice, faith, sin, loving others, God’s goodness, prayer, and more.
In Unquestioned Answers, Dr. Jeff Myers rethinks ten popular Christian clichés. Through an in-depth and fresh look, Myers shares insights into these overused statements to strengthen readers’ faith and encourage them to share Jesus with others. Walk with Myers on a path to biblical truth as he explores critical topics such as social justice, faith, sin, loving others, God’s goodness, prayer, and more.
224 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2020
181 people are currently reading
292 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Myers
36 books40 followersOver the last 20 years Dr. Jeff Myers has become one of America’s most respected authorities on youth leadership development and has equipped thousands of people to champion the Christian worldview.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
February 17, 2020
I was asked to pre-read this book by the author and provided with advanced access in exchange for an honest review.
I am very, very critical when it comes to "Christian" books--mostly because so many of them are full of platitudes and soundbites that ring hollow in the light of my experiences. But this one looked to address many of those pat answers, so I gave it a try. I'm glad I did.
Myers has a down to earth tone that is warm and honest. He doesn't pull punches, which we all like when addressing our enemy, but we rarely like it so much when dealing with ourselves. But Myers delivers--he address cliche answers we give (and have been given) about God, faith, prayer, social justice and more. Myers digs into the issues, pointing out the problems with each while also giving solid, Biblical "alternative" solutions. As a rather jaded Christ-follower, I really appreciated Myers' honesty, frankness, and compassion. The book is easy to read but will take several readings to really digest and apply. I highly recommend it for both the Christian who has struggled with "pat" answers and also the non-believer who has prickled against what they may have heard about God.
I am very, very critical when it comes to "Christian" books--mostly because so many of them are full of platitudes and soundbites that ring hollow in the light of my experiences. But this one looked to address many of those pat answers, so I gave it a try. I'm glad I did.
Myers has a down to earth tone that is warm and honest. He doesn't pull punches, which we all like when addressing our enemy, but we rarely like it so much when dealing with ourselves. But Myers delivers--he address cliche answers we give (and have been given) about God, faith, prayer, social justice and more. Myers digs into the issues, pointing out the problems with each while also giving solid, Biblical "alternative" solutions. As a rather jaded Christ-follower, I really appreciated Myers' honesty, frankness, and compassion. The book is easy to read but will take several readings to really digest and apply. I highly recommend it for both the Christian who has struggled with "pat" answers and also the non-believer who has prickled against what they may have heard about God.
April 29, 2020
This book could have easily came across as a pretentious "Gotcha" piece that many discernment ministries today produce. Instead, it is a humble and personal call to go deeper in our understanding of biblical truths, rather than rely on motos we mindlessly rhyme off.
Quite short with some really helpful evangelism tips. Good for group study.
Quite short with some really helpful evangelism tips. Good for group study.
August 11, 2020
As always, Jeff Myers' writing style is so consumable, you work through complex ideas with ease. Obviously I'm biased, but I do think he writes some of the best worldview books today, and Unquestioned Answers is no exception. A few of these really hit home, and gave me a framework for expressing why I have issues with them, and perhaps what a better response would be. Definitely worth the read.
February 24, 2021
In his masterful communicative style, Dr. Myers peels back layers of "professor speak" and guides the reader toward a deeper understanding of Truth, and away from simplified cliches. Unquestioned Answers--like every other instructive experience I have had the honor of receiving from Dr. Myers--will add nuance to the way I see the world and how I communicate with others about our lived experiences.
February 27, 2020
I began this book expecting an academic treatment of the cliches listed in the table of contents and found myself struggling; the writing felt fluffy and relational, filled with anecdotes and questions to encourage discussion at the end of each chapter. Honestly, it wasn't until I reached the conclusion that I'd come to terms with what sort of book this is. It's not meant to be an exhaustive critique of trite phrases, but rather a quick examination followed by conversation and reflection. That's a good thing as it makes it more accessible to Christian and non-Christian alike. As I read, certain questions piqued my interest; this is definitely a book to re-read, especially for the discussion potential.
Overall, a quick, encouraging read that urged me to stop accepting pat answers and "Simplicism" in every area of life and engage more fully--both with Scripture and every other form of knowledge.
Note: I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review. The above is entirely my own opinion.
Overall, a quick, encouraging read that urged me to stop accepting pat answers and "Simplicism" in every area of life and engage more fully--both with Scripture and every other form of knowledge.
Note: I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review. The above is entirely my own opinion.
May 16, 2021
2.5 stars. Some chapters were quite good, others a bit too fluffy for me.
February 26, 2020
I found Unquestioned Answers to be an excellent, compelling, and thought provoking read. It goes into common phrases that Christians say such as, “Just Have Faith,'' and “It’s Not My Place to Judge,” and how they line up with Biblical truths, or do not. One of my personal favorite things about Unquestioned Answers is how it pulls from a variety of sources. The author, Jeff Myers uses a blend of personal testimonies, historical facts, and Bible verses to lead to the truth. I believe that Unquestioned Answers would be an excellent addition to anyone's library, especially if you are feeling burnt out with shallow thinking. I believe that Unquestioned Answers would also be a fascinating book to go over in a group setting by pushing a group to dive deeper into their beliefs instead of group think. I would highly recommend adding Unquestioned Answers to your list of books to read.
I was provided an advanced copy of the book from the publisher for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I was provided an advanced copy of the book from the publisher for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
February 19, 2020
Another great book by Dr. Jeff Myers. Unquestioned Answers has so much in it that I want to go back and read it again and will...hopefully with a group. I love the historical references, the stories Dr. Jeff shares and the ability he has to get me to stop and think...and then want to grab my bible and dig in because something he wrote triggered something I want to discover more about. Unquestioned Answers to me was about digging deeper, rejecting the simple answers and taking one step closer to the truth that I long to know more about every single day.
I was provided an advanced copy of the book from the publisher for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I was provided an advanced copy of the book from the publisher for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
March 1, 2020
Dr. Jeff Myers is challenging Simplicism*.
He astutely observes that our culture increasingly “distorts simplicity into a conviction that something isn’t really true unless it is easy to understand and summarize” - a culture in which condensing complex issues down to snarky bumper stickers and pithy memes is considered virtuous (and displaying the bumper sticker or sharing the meme is considered brave) - and he accurately condemns this practice that is robbing all of us “of the ability to think logically - and speak clearly - about things that matter.”
Dr. Myers takes a hard look specifically at the simplistic thinking that has kept many of us from a deeper, more robust faith by addressing ten shallow clichés frequently used within the church. “Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin”, “Jesus Was a Social Justice Warrior”, and “It’s Not My Place to Judge” are just three of the ten clichés in this book, each one incredibly pertinent at this moment in our increasingly polarized culture. These “bumper sticker solutions” are often are trotted out by Christians as “answers” to those with deep pain and hard questions, but they shut down much-needed discussion, actively work against the command to “love the Lord your God with all your mind”, can lead those seeking deeper answers to ultimately reject Christianity, and even tend to be weaponized against Christians by those who scoff at our faith.
Dr. Myers demonstrates throughout the book how these Unquestioned Answers confuse us, isolate us, disillusion us, make us vulnerable in myriad ways, and ultimately stop us from thinking altogether. He does not hold back from examining his own history in this regard. He admits having unthinkingly bought into many Unquestioned Answers throughout his own life, some even in the midst of writing the book! His unguarded honesty and humble transparency are the exact tone and posture needed for this tough subject matter. We are not being lectured by someone with all the answers; we are being invited to join him as he searches for them.
This book was a delight to read. Dr. Myers does a superb job of employing engaging personal stories and anecdotes to illustrate and explore larger truths. He draws from the experts in various subjects, sharing their insights without going over the reader’s head or talking down to them. He continually points the reader back to the Bible as the ultimate authority, yet never comes across as preachy. Best of all, he ties everything together with a captivating, well-paced narrative that I personally found so riveting that I couldn’t put it down (in fact, after I finished, I had to go back to the beginning and take notes as I read it a second time!)
We all have unchallenged presumptions - unexamined answers to life’s struggles, hardships, and pain, often allowing simplistic clichés to take root as “truth” without scrutinizing them. Dr. Myers knew he needed to identify and dissect his own Unquestioned Answers, something he could have done quietly and privately. I’m incredibly grateful that he was willing to bring us along on his journey, because his book provides us with a valuable blueprint we can utilize long after we’ve turned the final page, excellent tools we can employ as we discover and investigate our own Unquestioned Answers, and a trustworthy guide for lovingly, yet firmly, rooting out the Simplicism* in our own lives and within the church body. Unquestioned Answers brings insight, wisdom, and clarity to this entirely-overlooked issue at a time in our culture when it is very desperately needed.
*Simplicism is a term that was coined by Dr. Myers, which he defines in the Introduction. This fantastic addition to our language is both desperately needed and long-overdue.
He astutely observes that our culture increasingly “distorts simplicity into a conviction that something isn’t really true unless it is easy to understand and summarize” - a culture in which condensing complex issues down to snarky bumper stickers and pithy memes is considered virtuous (and displaying the bumper sticker or sharing the meme is considered brave) - and he accurately condemns this practice that is robbing all of us “of the ability to think logically - and speak clearly - about things that matter.”
Dr. Myers takes a hard look specifically at the simplistic thinking that has kept many of us from a deeper, more robust faith by addressing ten shallow clichés frequently used within the church. “Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin”, “Jesus Was a Social Justice Warrior”, and “It’s Not My Place to Judge” are just three of the ten clichés in this book, each one incredibly pertinent at this moment in our increasingly polarized culture. These “bumper sticker solutions” are often are trotted out by Christians as “answers” to those with deep pain and hard questions, but they shut down much-needed discussion, actively work against the command to “love the Lord your God with all your mind”, can lead those seeking deeper answers to ultimately reject Christianity, and even tend to be weaponized against Christians by those who scoff at our faith.
Dr. Myers demonstrates throughout the book how these Unquestioned Answers confuse us, isolate us, disillusion us, make us vulnerable in myriad ways, and ultimately stop us from thinking altogether. He does not hold back from examining his own history in this regard. He admits having unthinkingly bought into many Unquestioned Answers throughout his own life, some even in the midst of writing the book! His unguarded honesty and humble transparency are the exact tone and posture needed for this tough subject matter. We are not being lectured by someone with all the answers; we are being invited to join him as he searches for them.
This book was a delight to read. Dr. Myers does a superb job of employing engaging personal stories and anecdotes to illustrate and explore larger truths. He draws from the experts in various subjects, sharing their insights without going over the reader’s head or talking down to them. He continually points the reader back to the Bible as the ultimate authority, yet never comes across as preachy. Best of all, he ties everything together with a captivating, well-paced narrative that I personally found so riveting that I couldn’t put it down (in fact, after I finished, I had to go back to the beginning and take notes as I read it a second time!)
We all have unchallenged presumptions - unexamined answers to life’s struggles, hardships, and pain, often allowing simplistic clichés to take root as “truth” without scrutinizing them. Dr. Myers knew he needed to identify and dissect his own Unquestioned Answers, something he could have done quietly and privately. I’m incredibly grateful that he was willing to bring us along on his journey, because his book provides us with a valuable blueprint we can utilize long after we’ve turned the final page, excellent tools we can employ as we discover and investigate our own Unquestioned Answers, and a trustworthy guide for lovingly, yet firmly, rooting out the Simplicism* in our own lives and within the church body. Unquestioned Answers brings insight, wisdom, and clarity to this entirely-overlooked issue at a time in our culture when it is very desperately needed.
*Simplicism is a term that was coined by Dr. Myers, which he defines in the Introduction. This fantastic addition to our language is both desperately needed and long-overdue.
June 3, 2021
I’d like to take this opportunity to say something publicly I haven’t said before: I no longer support Summit Ministries. This isn't a takedown post, and I'm not trying to start anything, but because I was active in sharing and promoting the ideas Summit taught in the past, it seems important to acknowledge that a break has occurred, and this seems as good a time as any.
(If you’ve followed the track of my readings and ratings on Goodreads for the past five years, this is probably not a surprise, but I still run into people who assume that because I was involved with Summit for six years that I still support, champion, or keep up with the organization. But that's not the case. Thus the clarification.)
With that out of the way, as far as the book itself goes, I thought it was a step up from Myers’ previous book The Secret Battle of Ideas about God: Overcoming the Outbreak of Five Fatal Worldviews, which I fiercely disliked (my thoughts here), but Unquestioned Answers was still considerably underwhelming.
Ostensibly, Unquestioned Answers claims to move readers from cliché inherited answers into a more serious engagement with the world of ideas (diving deep, to borrow a metaphor from the book's conclusion) and to encourage comfortable with doubt and uncertainty. But the "depth" Unquestioned Answers offers is so shallow it seems more calibrated to help people feel a bit more confident in their beliefs without ever experiencing discomfort or meaningfully questioning anything. It rejects "simplicism," but the answers that it substitutes are only slightly less reductionist. I just don't see the point.
(If you’ve followed the track of my readings and ratings on Goodreads for the past five years, this is probably not a surprise, but I still run into people who assume that because I was involved with Summit for six years that I still support, champion, or keep up with the organization. But that's not the case. Thus the clarification.)
With that out of the way, as far as the book itself goes, I thought it was a step up from Myers’ previous book The Secret Battle of Ideas about God: Overcoming the Outbreak of Five Fatal Worldviews, which I fiercely disliked (my thoughts here), but Unquestioned Answers was still considerably underwhelming.
Ostensibly, Unquestioned Answers claims to move readers from cliché inherited answers into a more serious engagement with the world of ideas (diving deep, to borrow a metaphor from the book's conclusion) and to encourage comfortable with doubt and uncertainty. But the "depth" Unquestioned Answers offers is so shallow it seems more calibrated to help people feel a bit more confident in their beliefs without ever experiencing discomfort or meaningfully questioning anything. It rejects "simplicism," but the answers that it substitutes are only slightly less reductionist. I just don't see the point.
February 21, 2020
We’re living in interesting times. Knowledge has truly increased over the years, but unfortunately it appears that majority of the human race are still not only technically, but practically ignorant, and this is most seen in matters pertaining to the knowledge of the word of God, i.e. the Bible. Both to unbelievers, and some believers alike. With this issue being mind, it isn’t strange to hear on a daily basis some clichés being uttered by men which sound spiritual, or even biblical, but the issue is, is it really right? To help answer these common sayings, one of the authors of Understanding the Times, Culture, and Faith apologetics trilogies Jeff Myers takes time to unpack these issues so that we may gain a proper knowledge of these answers that are usually given by people.
The first issue that he addresses is on the truth concerning the Bible, as it is the book which gives answers to the rest of the spiritual and biblical answers that he addresses. In this first chapter, he shows us in a few words that the Bible is sufficient, perspicuous, authoritative, inerrant, inspired, and necessary. He then tackles the issue dealing with the question of ‘faith’, as to its meaning, and he tells us that the proper object of our faith is Christ Jesus, and that furthermore that we’ve got a body of faith, thus with this being in mind, a response from us is needed by us believing aright. Perhaps like me, nay, almost every believer, you’ve interpreted 2nd Cor. 7:14 in a wrong way, out of its context, thus, in order to deal with this, he explains how proper understanding of the Scriptures will enable our prayers to be aright since we will gain a good knowledge of God, His person, character, and promises, and how these truths inform our prayers. The fourth thing he deals with is on the place and truth of the church community, and our place in it, thus church membership. He also answers the issue of sin, sinners, and how a good understanding of this will lead not only to forgiveness, but also to sanctification. One of the issues I loved best is on chapter 6 which deals with the biblical Christian worldview, and its effects on us, I encourage you to read Understanding the Faith to gain more insight on this chapter. Living in these days of virtue signalling woketopia, it has really clouded our view of justice, and this results to our understanding of justice, and even how we view Jesus, so, its good that social justice and judgment are dealt with also by Myers. (pssst: I really encourage you to read the statement on social justice and the gospel). Having already dealt with worldview concerns, so, what is our place in it? This is also answered, and the author then finishes off with reminding us about God’s goodness amidst a broken world.
This book is a reminder of the need of having a proper understanding of biblical Christian Theology since it affects our worldview and everyday living. So, in order to reduce, or at best remove it completely, there’s a need for us especially believers of Christ Jesus to have a life shaped by the Bible so that we may be able to answer appropriately questions being asked by people, and this is what Jeff Myers tells us in this book.
I highly encourage you to read this book!
December 29, 2021
I've studied under Dr. Myers in multiple different contexts. He's a wonderful guy and a fantastic mentor. His books always have such a neat conversational style to them which makes them easy reads.
I do find that my brain desires more depth or meatiness or brainy-ness when discussing the topics he covers, which is why I feel like I can't rate this book as a 5-star, but that's just me. I also have already thought through the things he covers in his books because I've attended and staffed Summit Ministries (where he's the President) and taken his Signature Leadership courses. So this stuff isn't super new to me.
That said however, I really enjoyed this book. I listened to it as an audiobook for free via my library, but I plan to purchase a hard copy to have on hand as a reference book. I also really appreciated his take on "If my people will humble themselves and pray..." He hit that one right on the head.
Overall a great book, definitely one I will recommend and possibly give as gifts. Just not one that blew my mind. It very well could for others who haven't already studied under Dr. Myers though. Again, a great book by a great person.
I do find that my brain desires more depth or meatiness or brainy-ness when discussing the topics he covers, which is why I feel like I can't rate this book as a 5-star, but that's just me. I also have already thought through the things he covers in his books because I've attended and staffed Summit Ministries (where he's the President) and taken his Signature Leadership courses. So this stuff isn't super new to me.
That said however, I really enjoyed this book. I listened to it as an audiobook for free via my library, but I plan to purchase a hard copy to have on hand as a reference book. I also really appreciated his take on "If my people will humble themselves and pray..." He hit that one right on the head.
Overall a great book, definitely one I will recommend and possibly give as gifts. Just not one that blew my mind. It very well could for others who haven't already studied under Dr. Myers though. Again, a great book by a great person.
November 17, 2021
I really enjoyed this book - it is written intelligently, and straightforwardly discusses ten popular Christian clichés. As the description notes, this book provides an in-depth and fresh look at these overused statements. The author, president of Summit Ministries and one of America’s most respected authorities on youth leadership development, explores critical topics such as social justice, faith, sin, loving others, God’s goodness, prayer, and more. He explains that he wrote the book because he "knows what it feels like to be given over-processed and prepackaged answers. I want to forsake my unquestioned answers and awaken again to the wonder of God, the Bible, and the world He made."
I enjoyed the honest, biblically-based perspective, and Myers' warm, conversational writing style. Using anecdotes and personal examples, he isn't afraid to question basic truths, yet his answers are relevant and compelling.
Thought-provoking discussion questions at the end of each chapter were thoughtful and make this a great book for a small group.
I enjoyed the honest, biblically-based perspective, and Myers' warm, conversational writing style. Using anecdotes and personal examples, he isn't afraid to question basic truths, yet his answers are relevant and compelling.
Thought-provoking discussion questions at the end of each chapter were thoughtful and make this a great book for a small group.
March 5, 2020
Without a doubt, this is Jeff Myers' best work yet. Accessible, relatable, and relevant. Every day Christians think and say simplistic things in an attempt to summarize huge truths. This only reduces the value and impact of these truths. Jeff Myers graciously, but honestly shares how we need to move beyond these clichés to be able to grow in the depth of our faith.
One of my favorite quotes from the book is "God's word does not stop our inquires, it invites them." This comes from chapter 1 and is an excellent way to summarize Jeff's urging throughout the entire book. The Christian faith doesn't need to be boiled down into bite-sized pieces. The Christian faith is for everyone, in every circumstance, it can be questioned, thought critically of, and ultimately will stand above the shallow platitudes. Thankful for this book arriving at a time when thoughtfulness is needed more than ever.
One of my favorite quotes from the book is "God's word does not stop our inquires, it invites them." This comes from chapter 1 and is an excellent way to summarize Jeff's urging throughout the entire book. The Christian faith doesn't need to be boiled down into bite-sized pieces. The Christian faith is for everyone, in every circumstance, it can be questioned, thought critically of, and ultimately will stand above the shallow platitudes. Thankful for this book arriving at a time when thoughtfulness is needed more than ever.
December 6, 2020
An important book asking us to consider the Christianese phrases we use and why we use them. I found most of the chapters addressed significant clichés that we should be re-evaluating in how and why we use them. Jeff Myers does a good job giving problems for each of these and then prescribing solutions for moving forward. The only part I found challenging was that some of the personal stories and portions of the chapter didn't always seem to relate to the main points of the chapter. An important book to consider for everyone who might be tempted to use faith clichés without first aligning them with Scriptural truth.
March 1, 2021
If you've been a Christian (or even if you haven't) for any length of time, you've probably heard these almost cliché answers to various questions we might have had or even given these answers to people. But they often have really been thoughtfully looked at for what they might mean of if they are even true. Here are a few.
"Just have faith"
"Love the sinner, hate the sin"
"It's not my place to judge"
"God is good all the time -- All the time God is good."
Myers addresses these and six other unquestioned answers by giving thoughtful and winsome responses to these unquestioned answers.
"Just have faith"
"Love the sinner, hate the sin"
"It's not my place to judge"
"God is good all the time -- All the time God is good."
Myers addresses these and six other unquestioned answers by giving thoughtful and winsome responses to these unquestioned answers.
December 28, 2021
Jeff Myers has created a great resource for Christian’s at all stages in life to help better understand some of the Christian cliches we hear on a regular basis. I found the section on social justice and not judging very good. It addresses how Christian’s should help others come to Christ and how this can sometimes make people feel judged. I also liked his illustration on how we don’t assume a composer is bad based on a bad performance of their price by someone else. This book has made me want to look more into Summit Ministries as well as Myers other books. I can’t wait to see what he publishes next!
June 19, 2022
Learning your Catechism is about so much more than memorizing a Bible verse or the "right" phrasing of an answer to a theological question. God says, in Hosea 4:6 we learn that "My people perish for lack of knowledge."
Merely memorizing a verse does nothing to help us grow. It is only when we make the verse our own by understanding its meaning that we truly grow closer to God and His desires for us.
This is an easy read, and does not give fully comprehensive answers to the questions it raises. If, however, it makes you think even a bit more deeply on many items we take "on faith" it will have served its purpose. it is a very worthwhile read.
Merely memorizing a verse does nothing to help us grow. It is only when we make the verse our own by understanding its meaning that we truly grow closer to God and His desires for us.
This is an easy read, and does not give fully comprehensive answers to the questions it raises. If, however, it makes you think even a bit more deeply on many items we take "on faith" it will have served its purpose. it is a very worthwhile read.
November 16, 2020
A whimsical and intelligent response to some common Christian clichés. Jeff makes a distinction between 'simplicism', cherished beliefs that are too simplistic, versus simple wisdom. Not all the choices he suggests are intrinsically bad, but are in their common forms.
Myers is also a good and heartfelt story teller. The story of Maximilian Kolbe, for one, was most moving and Myers tied that into the redemption the Polish people felt after the cold war and fall of the Soviet Union, beautifully! He also shares his own story- difficulties in his first marriage and the burden of his wife's illness, without losing hope and quoting a beautiful poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow as an expression of the faith he still has.
Myers is also a good and heartfelt story teller. The story of Maximilian Kolbe, for one, was most moving and Myers tied that into the redemption the Polish people felt after the cold war and fall of the Soviet Union, beautifully! He also shares his own story- difficulties in his first marriage and the burden of his wife's illness, without losing hope and quoting a beautiful poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow as an expression of the faith he still has.
April 1, 2022
Think
After reading this book I realize how often we make these statements instead of looking for the truth or offering genuine compassion for others. I will endeavor to avoid using any of these cliches in the future!
“God said it; I believe it; that settles it for me.”
“Just have faith.”
“God will heal our land if we humble ourselves and pray.”
“It’s just me and Jesus.”
“Love the sinner; hate the sin.”
“Christianity is a relationship, not a religion.”
“Jesus was a social justice warrior.”
“It’s not my place to judge.”
“This world has nothing for me.”
“God is good all the time—all the time God is good.”
After reading this book I realize how often we make these statements instead of looking for the truth or offering genuine compassion for others. I will endeavor to avoid using any of these cliches in the future!
“God said it; I believe it; that settles it for me.”
“Just have faith.”
“God will heal our land if we humble ourselves and pray.”
“It’s just me and Jesus.”
“Love the sinner; hate the sin.”
“Christianity is a relationship, not a religion.”
“Jesus was a social justice warrior.”
“It’s not my place to judge.”
“This world has nothing for me.”
“God is good all the time—all the time God is good.”
April 7, 2022
Here is a book aimed at a very narrow slice of white American evangelicalism. Though it promises to fight Simplicism, its conclusions are easily summarized in the two page bullet point version of its ten points in the last few pages. The rest of the 200 pages are filled out with lots of sermon style anecdotes and take downs of a few straw men. Though this might be a good starting point for young adults who have have little solid teaching in their backgrounds, there is little here for mature Christians who have already done a lot of their own wrestling and studying.
May 17, 2021
I was expecting an academic analysis of the simplistic phrases that many older Christians know and quote as often as scripture. However, the book took some unusual directions to analyze the simplistic sayings and was more of a author’s perspective of how these simple sayings do not help him address the challenges and trials in his life. It was good and makes one evaluate one’s usage of simple phrases.
September 3, 2021
Very helpful!
Myers takes ten Christian cliches and analyzes each in light of orthodox Biblical thought, showing how there are better answers than the cliches. This is true soul food. His honesty and transparency regarding his own spiritual struggles demonstrate a desire to know God in all his glory and make him known. I would love to teach this book in a Sunday School or similar class. We need to get to truth and live by it.
Myers takes ten Christian cliches and analyzes each in light of orthodox Biblical thought, showing how there are better answers than the cliches. This is true soul food. His honesty and transparency regarding his own spiritual struggles demonstrate a desire to know God in all his glory and make him known. I would love to teach this book in a Sunday School or similar class. We need to get to truth and live by it.
June 23, 2025
Unquestioned answers is a really good book. The type of book that you can’t put down. With practical application and deep wisdom people of all ages can learn from the 10 Christian cliches and rediscover the truths about God, ourselves, and the world around us. One of the quotes that sums up the book comes from the conclusion. “It took me years to realize that it wasn’t small-minded faith that was suffocating me; it was my own reluctance to yield my will to Jesus”
December 10, 2020
I had high hopes for this book, but I didn’t enjoy it. I found a couple of pieces good, but overall, I think some questions were not answered. I reread parts to see if I missed anything, but I hadn’t. I enjoyed the personal anecdotes, but I thought overall too many words were used to describe something.
January 17, 2021
Myers hits on ten common Christian cliches that are often used to skirt the tough issues of our personal lives and the lives of those around us. I recommend it as a thought-provoking exploration of one’s thinking ability our role as Christians in the world.
Myers’ style is engaging and readable. He makes you think.
Myers’ style is engaging and readable. He makes you think.
September 6, 2021
Thoughtful
I found this an interesting read. I've heard the clichés so many times, and blindly accepted them. This book helped me understand and dive deeper into sayings, such as "Love the sinner, but not the sin" and "It's not up to me to judge." Even if you disagree with the author's views, it gives you a different perspective to mull over.
I found this an interesting read. I've heard the clichés so many times, and blindly accepted them. This book helped me understand and dive deeper into sayings, such as "Love the sinner, but not the sin" and "It's not up to me to judge." Even if you disagree with the author's views, it gives you a different perspective to mull over.
November 18, 2022
I used this as a teaching tool for our youth group. I tweaked a lot, but it was a decent read. I like the premise that he takes of not just taking a cliche and running with it but dig deeper to be sure you can give a reason for your beliefs. That's what we focused on more throughout the study.
I do love summit ministries. They put out really good studies.
I do love summit ministries. They put out really good studies.
November 9, 2023
Overall very good. I appreciate the concept and wished it could have gone even more in depth for each “unquestioned answer” and explored every facet of it. I would have loved to read this in early high school to allow myself to question and dig deeper into things I was taught that were supposedly Biblical.
April 3, 2020
Very good read. Jeff engages Christians to consider 10 Christian phrases in the light of a true perspective from the Scriptures. I found this book to be very thoughtfully written and it caused me pause to consider each chapter in light of my thinking on each topic.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews