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Life's Big Questions, God's Big Answers
In 2002 Barna conducted a study that revealed 70% of church youth left home after high school and then, consequently, left the church. Seventy percent. If your church lost 70% of its congregation yearly, wouldn't you be scrambling for an answer as to why? Well, Barna asked the 70% of youth why they left their church, and, in an open-ended question, 32% listed intellectual skepticism. This can be anything from religion made no sense and there was no proof, to there were no answers to legitimate questions. Youth have questions. Show them that God's Word has the answers. Youth aren't afraid to ask the tough questions about faith, the Church, and life. Answer those tough questions with theologically tough responses. Life's Big God's Big Answers digs into key questions in a question-and-answer format to explore the Bible, academic journals, and books by Christian authors to give you biblical, straightforward answers. Each chapter includes 5 interactive study questions. 13 Big 13 In-Depth Answers.
Are You Ready to Defend Your Faith?
What is a Worldview?
Does Evolution Explain the World?
Does Creation Explain the World?
What are Humans?
Is the Bible true?
What is the Canon?
Was Noah's Flood a True Worldwide Event?
What About Dinosaurs?
Did Jesus Really Exist?
What About Jesus' Death, Resurrection, and Their Effects?
What is Postmodernism and the New Tolerance?
How Can We Witness Effectively Today?
Are You Ready to Defend Your Faith?
What is a Worldview?
Does Evolution Explain the World?
Does Creation Explain the World?
What are Humans?
Is the Bible true?
What is the Canon?
Was Noah's Flood a True Worldwide Event?
What About Dinosaurs?
Did Jesus Really Exist?
What About Jesus' Death, Resurrection, and Their Effects?
What is Postmodernism and the New Tolerance?
How Can We Witness Effectively Today?
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 13, 2021
This book works well as an introductory or elementary book to apologetics. It is by no means extensive and that is not Alles' objective. For more extremely detailed and expert reading, I would recommend Douglas Groothuis' "Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith" and Gary Habermas & Michael Licona's book "The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus." Alles' book is intended for a youthful audience, which I would recommend any youth to read. However, I do have two problems with the book.
The first is in chapter 8 when he's dealing with questions concerning Noah's ark and the Flood. When treating the subject of the origin of all the waters that flooded the earth, Alles merely puts forth possible scientific explanations according to creationists' conjectures (largely from Ken Ham and Answers in Genesis, which is questionable for other reasons I won't cover here). While I do not deny that these creationist theories ARE possible, Alles (and Answers in Genesis) fail to consider one other possibility that's probably far more likely: that the event was entirely supernatural. After all, God does impossible, miraculous things. We have an impossible God who does impossible things. There may not be a natural explanation that creationists are looking for but a SUPERnatural one, and a supernatural one God has not revealed to us. What other things do we know of that God did miraculously and impossibly, which cannot be naturally explained? As Christians, if we are a people who believe that "with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26), then this does not exclude the Flood event. We should be open to the high possibility that the Flood was supernaturally miraculous.
The second is rather small and is just me being pedantic, but it matters. Just a few pages later, still on the subject of the Flood, Alles says, "The God of heaven who flooded the entire earth now makes a covenant with Noah (and all mankind), using the rainbow as a sign of the covenant. He promises never again to flood the whole earth" (p. 75). This is a narrow view of this covenant. God's covenant is not merely with mankind but ALL of creation. He even quotes the Scripture, which must be read carefully (emphasis mine), "When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember My covenant that is between Me and you AND EVERY LIVING CREATURE OF ALL FLESH" (Genesis 9:14-15). The promise is not only for mankind but the rest of creation as well. This fact is often overlooked.
Overall, the book functions expertly as a brief treatment of apologetics, especially for its targeted audience: youth. This is a book I'll be keeping on my bookshelf and will likely recommend to youth in my future ministry as an endeavouring pastor. I would also recommend this book to any adult layperson who has not yet studied or been trained in apologetics.
The first is in chapter 8 when he's dealing with questions concerning Noah's ark and the Flood. When treating the subject of the origin of all the waters that flooded the earth, Alles merely puts forth possible scientific explanations according to creationists' conjectures (largely from Ken Ham and Answers in Genesis, which is questionable for other reasons I won't cover here). While I do not deny that these creationist theories ARE possible, Alles (and Answers in Genesis) fail to consider one other possibility that's probably far more likely: that the event was entirely supernatural. After all, God does impossible, miraculous things. We have an impossible God who does impossible things. There may not be a natural explanation that creationists are looking for but a SUPERnatural one, and a supernatural one God has not revealed to us. What other things do we know of that God did miraculously and impossibly, which cannot be naturally explained? As Christians, if we are a people who believe that "with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26), then this does not exclude the Flood event. We should be open to the high possibility that the Flood was supernaturally miraculous.
The second is rather small and is just me being pedantic, but it matters. Just a few pages later, still on the subject of the Flood, Alles says, "The God of heaven who flooded the entire earth now makes a covenant with Noah (and all mankind), using the rainbow as a sign of the covenant. He promises never again to flood the whole earth" (p. 75). This is a narrow view of this covenant. God's covenant is not merely with mankind but ALL of creation. He even quotes the Scripture, which must be read carefully (emphasis mine), "When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember My covenant that is between Me and you AND EVERY LIVING CREATURE OF ALL FLESH" (Genesis 9:14-15). The promise is not only for mankind but the rest of creation as well. This fact is often overlooked.
Overall, the book functions expertly as a brief treatment of apologetics, especially for its targeted audience: youth. This is a book I'll be keeping on my bookshelf and will likely recommend to youth in my future ministry as an endeavouring pastor. I would also recommend this book to any adult layperson who has not yet studied or been trained in apologetics.
July 14, 2023
I used this book for apologetics discussion with 8th grade students.
It is good for that age level, getting them thinking about the big questions in life and how they will defend their faith when people question them.
Chapters focus on worldviews, evolution, creation, the Bible, the flood, Jesus and the resurrection, postmodernism, and witnessing. Some of the chapters were a bit simplistic, but that is probably just what teenagers need, a starting point.
It is good for that age level, getting them thinking about the big questions in life and how they will defend their faith when people question them.
Chapters focus on worldviews, evolution, creation, the Bible, the flood, Jesus and the resurrection, postmodernism, and witnessing. Some of the chapters were a bit simplistic, but that is probably just what teenagers need, a starting point.
October 19, 2017
I absolutely love this book. I read this, and then ended up having Brad Alles as a professor. I love the way the book is laid out and would definitely read it again!
September 17, 2023
What is described as a guide on how to defend your Christian faith for teens seems to be actually (mostly) helpful to people of all ages. Author Brad Alles, roughly 13 years ago, put together this book with the intention of it helping people, but to be honest, I finish this book with some concerns.
I found myself in disagreement on pg 42. Brad Alles injected a hint, not a blunt statement, that the foundation for marriage was the genders of Adam and Eve, one man and one woman. I fully support marriage equality. Alles also incorrectly claimed that the foundation for family was gender specific, and then implied that marriage and heterosexual procreation is required of every Christian. Sounds bizarre in a book supposedly and purportedly from a protestant perspective as opposed to a Latter-day Saint one. Genderizing procreation is unnecessary in a time with scientific advancements in surrogacy. It's also odd and homophobic at the same time. What truly matters in having and raising children is not whether those children have a mom and a dad, but rather whether or not those children are entering into and being raised in a healthy, safe, and loving environment as well as being properly provided for and that their basic needs are being met.
Oy. On pg 47, Alles said that G-d killed Jesus to cover our sinfulness. *Bangs head on a table* No! Jesus's death was caused by flogging and crucifixion. The Sanhedrin sent for Jesus in the night, in secret, and eventually took him before Pontius Pilate and Caesar seeking Crucifixion. G-d did not kill Jesus. Also, in Christian Triune doctrine, G-d is One in three persons. So, Alles is basically saying that Christian doctrine says G-d committed suicide. Has this man ever read the Gospels????????????????????????????
Come pg 57 and 58, Alles decided to claim that the Bible as we know it, in every translation, has never been edited or changed. Lies! Lies! Lies! Let's take a gander at the German Bible, shall we? Till roughly 1980, it condemned pedophilia. Not homosexuality. Next, let's stare confoundedly at the mistranslations of Leviticus 18:22. Some translators completely disregarded what the original Hebrew said and wrote it as "do not partake in homosexuality. It is a grotesque sin." Next, let's get bug-eyed at one of Paul's letters. The famous "be not deceived" scripture (1 Corinthians 6:9) about who won't get into Heaven has been abused many times. There is a word Paul used that even the most educated and multi-lingual experts don't know what it means. It has been "translated" as homosexuals, thieves, murderers, and (as more commonly known) effeminates. How in the world could that word mean (at least) 4 completely different things??? Answer: it doesn't. Homophobes just want you to think Paul condemned homosexuals or feminine homosexual men. I'm fine with people who are Christians, but saying the Christian Bible -- or Hebrew Bible, for that matte -- has always condemned homosexuality and has never been edited is just an uneducated statement. 🤷🏻
Also, pg 60 states boldly that Bible editors haven't hid anything from us. This is a boldface lie! The lie continues onto pg 61 with a quote from some professor saying the Bible has never been mistranslated. Dearest Brad Alles, a quote from someone does not actually constitute as proof.
Finally, on pg 138, Alles updated his implication on pg 47 to an outright accusation that homosexuality is not only sinful but basically a worldview as bad as that of people constantly attacking Christianity. This argument falls apart immediately when you factor in all of the lgbt Christians around the world.
This is basically a book that starts and ends with homophobia but has some truth in places within amongst the biblical inaccuracies I pointed out above. The chapter on dinosaurs being in the Bible was fascinating and the majority of the rest of the book from there came to me with only one objection, though it is written a bit neurotically. In the end, though, despite what I did agree with, I cannot -- as a Jew -- fully support a book that I believe goes against the Hebrew Bible or a book that includes outright homophobia, so I am compelled to give this one star.
I found myself in disagreement on pg 42. Brad Alles injected a hint, not a blunt statement, that the foundation for marriage was the genders of Adam and Eve, one man and one woman. I fully support marriage equality. Alles also incorrectly claimed that the foundation for family was gender specific, and then implied that marriage and heterosexual procreation is required of every Christian. Sounds bizarre in a book supposedly and purportedly from a protestant perspective as opposed to a Latter-day Saint one. Genderizing procreation is unnecessary in a time with scientific advancements in surrogacy. It's also odd and homophobic at the same time. What truly matters in having and raising children is not whether those children have a mom and a dad, but rather whether or not those children are entering into and being raised in a healthy, safe, and loving environment as well as being properly provided for and that their basic needs are being met.
Oy. On pg 47, Alles said that G-d killed Jesus to cover our sinfulness. *Bangs head on a table* No! Jesus's death was caused by flogging and crucifixion. The Sanhedrin sent for Jesus in the night, in secret, and eventually took him before Pontius Pilate and Caesar seeking Crucifixion. G-d did not kill Jesus. Also, in Christian Triune doctrine, G-d is One in three persons. So, Alles is basically saying that Christian doctrine says G-d committed suicide. Has this man ever read the Gospels????????????????????????????
Come pg 57 and 58, Alles decided to claim that the Bible as we know it, in every translation, has never been edited or changed. Lies! Lies! Lies! Let's take a gander at the German Bible, shall we? Till roughly 1980, it condemned pedophilia. Not homosexuality. Next, let's stare confoundedly at the mistranslations of Leviticus 18:22. Some translators completely disregarded what the original Hebrew said and wrote it as "do not partake in homosexuality. It is a grotesque sin." Next, let's get bug-eyed at one of Paul's letters. The famous "be not deceived" scripture (1 Corinthians 6:9) about who won't get into Heaven has been abused many times. There is a word Paul used that even the most educated and multi-lingual experts don't know what it means. It has been "translated" as homosexuals, thieves, murderers, and (as more commonly known) effeminates. How in the world could that word mean (at least) 4 completely different things??? Answer: it doesn't. Homophobes just want you to think Paul condemned homosexuals or feminine homosexual men. I'm fine with people who are Christians, but saying the Christian Bible -- or Hebrew Bible, for that matte -- has always condemned homosexuality and has never been edited is just an uneducated statement. 🤷🏻
Also, pg 60 states boldly that Bible editors haven't hid anything from us. This is a boldface lie! The lie continues onto pg 61 with a quote from some professor saying the Bible has never been mistranslated. Dearest Brad Alles, a quote from someone does not actually constitute as proof.
Finally, on pg 138, Alles updated his implication on pg 47 to an outright accusation that homosexuality is not only sinful but basically a worldview as bad as that of people constantly attacking Christianity. This argument falls apart immediately when you factor in all of the lgbt Christians around the world.
This is basically a book that starts and ends with homophobia but has some truth in places within amongst the biblical inaccuracies I pointed out above. The chapter on dinosaurs being in the Bible was fascinating and the majority of the rest of the book from there came to me with only one objection, though it is written a bit neurotically. In the end, though, despite what I did agree with, I cannot -- as a Jew -- fully support a book that I believe goes against the Hebrew Bible or a book that includes outright homophobia, so I am compelled to give this one star.
June 19, 2020
This was a great book. Alles is succinct but thorough. He gives you what you need in a clear, concise, and well-throughout manner without bogging you down. I highly recommend this book. You can find my full review in the following link:
Review: Life's Big Questions, God's Big Answers
This is a brief but engaging read that I'm excited to share!
https://madelynrosecraig.wordpress.co...
Review: Life's Big Questions, God's Big Answers
This is a brief but engaging read that I'm excited to share!
https://madelynrosecraig.wordpress.co...
October 2, 2019
Brilliant! Easy to read, clearly thought out. I bought copies for my whole youth group.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews