Why and What: A Brief Introduction to Christianity

by Douglas M. Jones III

Imagine that one day you woke up to find that you are mistaken about everything you hold dear. Things you once adored you now find disgusting. Things you once hated now command your deepest loyalty. You might start to ask yourself, "Could I really be so wrong about the world after all these years?" It's easy to believe that "fanatics" are wildly deceived about the world. But why couldn't a more mundane, middle-of-the-road view be equally out to lunch? It's not a question of whether you will have a faith and rationality. The question is which faith and which rationality will you choose to follow? This is the fundamental question, and this is the challenge of the Christian gospel.

Genres: Theology

76 pages, Paperback

First published June 3, 1996

About the author

Douglas Jones holds a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of California, Irvine, and a Master of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Southern California.

Former senior editor of Credenda/Agenda and editor of Canon Press, he has taught philosophy at New Saint Andrews College and the University of Idaho, both in Moscow, Idaho, and Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho.

Among Jones's many writing credits are three children's books, Huguenot Garden, Scottish Seas, and Dutch Color, and contributions to Back to Basics: Rediscovering the Richness of the Reformed Faith, Repairing the Ruins: The Classical and Christian Challenge to Modern Education, Bound Only Once: The Failure of Open Theism. He co-authored Angels in the Architecture with Douglas Wilson.

Jones's scholarship and short creative writing credits include "Reading Trees," a review of Thomas Campanella's Republic of Shade: New England and the American Elm, in Books and Culture: A Christian Review, September/October 2003 and "Coverings," a poem in the Spring/Summer 2004 issue of Valparaiso Poetry Review. Jones contributed numerous pieces to Credenda/Agenda, including the volume 14, issue 4 cover article, "Just Wood," which was anthologized in Best Christian Writing 2004. He has also written several short plays, including "University Cafe," which was selected as a finalist for the 2005 Theatre Publicus Prize for Dramatic Literature.

Reviews

[Felipe Sabino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ótimo ferramente de evangelismo.

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and concise summary of the Christian faith. I heartily commend this!

[Edielton Paulo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Livro pequeno, porém enorme em conteúdo pela forma simples e bem objetiva como introduz o leitor ao cristianismo.

O livro é válido tanto para quem não é cristão como para aqueles que já são mas que precisam relembrar as verdades do Evangelho, do cristianismo.

Recomendo a leitura, bem como que você utilize o livro como forma de discipulado. É, também, um ótimo livro para presentear aquele amigo, colega que não conhece a Cristo.

[Juliana Hellwig · Rating 3 out of 5]

No começo não estava gostando muito pois achei que os argumentos estavam sendo apenas querer mostrar que o outro lado estava errado. Entretanto, com o decorrer da leitura, isso foi ficando para trás e de fato uma exposição foi sendo feita. Os melhores capítulos para mim foram os dois últimos pois me ajudaram a firmar os conhecimentos que eu já tinha.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent overview of the world's greatest religion.

[Adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

The introductory chapters of this little book almost made me drop it. It’s hard to tell who exactly Jones pictures as his target audience. Also, though he makes many good points, he just doesn’t build his argument on a convincing foundation. Too much is assumed, debatable generalities are common, and sometimes strange tonal lapses creep into the prose. That said, however, there are some helpful things here: especially his talk of covenants as well as the Reformed vision of history which takes up the final chapter (about half of the book). Approach this as a novice in Reformed studies, and you’ll have some gaps in your understanding filled--that’s probably the best way to come at the book.

[Mark Nenadov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good. Jones at his best. A fantastic big-picture thematic look at the Christian faith.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fresh re-statement of the Christian gospel that even a believer can benefit from.

[Daniel da Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Livro de fácil leitura! Excelente para presentear uma pessoa incrédula ou um novo convertido. O autor apresenta de modo claro as doutrinas básicas do cristianismo.

[Claudio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uma ótima introdução ao Cristianismo.