Four Disturbing Questions with One Simple Answer: Breaking the Spell of Christian Belief

by Tim Sledge

I’ve shared the details of my spiritual journey in Goodbye Jesus: An Evangelical Preacher’s Journey Beyond Faith. My aim in this book is raise four challenging questions that need to be addressed by every Christian believer and then to offer one incredibly simple answer—an answer that challenges the veracity of the Christian faith but can also be the gateway to a rewarding new life that is based on truth and does not require the suspension of common sense.

Objectively examining your closely held belief system is not a walk in the park. And facing up to the idea that you might be under a spell that makes it hard for you to think objectively is daunting, especially when you rely on the spell’s results to make you feel that everything is okay and when you’ve been warned that tampering with the spell is the worst thing you could ever do.

Choose courage. If what you believe is true, it can stand the test of any question that I or anyone else might raise. I encourage you to open your mind, face the facts, and decide that you will follow the truth wherever it leads.

I spent most of my life in a search for truth about faith, God, and religion. Maybe I can save you some time as you make your own decisions.

Tim Sledge

Genres: Religion

95 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 23, 2019

Reviews

[Book Shark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four Disturbing Questions with One Simple Answer: Breaking the Spell of Christian Belief by Time Sledge

“Four Disturbing Questions with One Simple Answer” is an average book that examines four challenging questions for Christian believers and one simple answer. Humanist writer and speaker Tim Sledge provides readers with a succinct philosophical look at Christian beliefs. This succinct 95-page book includes the following eight chapters: 1 – The Power Failure Question, 2 – The Mixed Messages Question, 3 – The Germ Warfare Question, 4 – The Better Plan Question, 5 – The One Simple Answer, 6 – The Way Faith Works, 7 – The Exits Are Blocked, and 8 – The New Old Me.

Positives:
1. Accessible and succinct book for the masses.
2. An interesting topic, Sledge raises four challenging questions for Christian believers.
3. Good choice of questions and provides sound arguments.
4. Author has great command of topic. Makes good use of his background as an evangelical preacher to answer his own questions as a former Christian versus how he actually responds now as a humanist. He also has a very upbeat and positive style.
5. Interesting facts. “Most U.S. churches never break the 200 mark in average attendance.”
6. Challenges the reader with provocative questions/statements. “No God—including the God of the Bible—has self-revealed in a manner that is completely clear and unmistakably true.” “How could a loving God who created a universe do such a poor job at clearly revealing who he is and what he expects?”
7. One of my favorite philosophical angles that resonated with me. “Why didn’t Jesus say anything about germs?” “Wouldn’t such a simple act of education have saved countless lives—exponentially more than all the people Jesus miraculously healed during his ministry?” “He didn’t mention germs because he knew nothing about them.”
8. How evolution debunks the creation story of Adam and Eve. “If evolution is true, then Adam and Eve didn’t exist. And our “fallen nature” is our evolved behavior, created by the need to survive. So, what did Jesus die for? Why are all humans so guilty at birth that they need a blood sacrifice of the most perfect being in existence to atone for something that was coded into our being through no fault of our own?”
9. Spoiler alert…the general answer to the challenging questions. “Christianity—and all other religions—are the creations of human minds, and there is no all-powerful, all-knowing, personal, loving God.”
10. Examines how faith works.
11. Provides insight into his secular life. “Instead, in my new life beyond faith, the primary question has become “What is true?” and the primary focus is on making the most of this life on earth.”
12. General advice. “Dig deep, aim high, and find your best self in the present moment. Connect.”
13. Notes linked.
14. Suggested reading list provided.

Negatives:
1. As atheist books go this is pretty much standard fare.
2. Succinct at the expense of technical depth.
3. Many notes link to the author’s previous books.
4. No visual supplementary material.
5. Except for the germ angle nothing really new here.
6. There are much better books covering the same topic.

In summary, as atheist books go this is average and fairly basic. It’s a quick enjoyable read and I really do appreciate the germ theory angle, it’s the one new idea that resonated with me. Sledge does provide provocative questions to challenge Christian beliefs and provides a truly simple and compelling answer. A quick bus-ride read. I recommend it with observations noted.

Further suggestions: “Outgrowing God” and “The God Delusion” by Richard Dawkins, “God: The Most Unpleasant Character in All Fiction” by Dan Barker, “Drunk with Blood: God’s Killings in the Bible” by Steve Wells, “Alpha God” by Hector Garcia, “The God Virus: How Religion Infects Our Lives and Culture” by Darrel Ray, “The Christian Delusion” and “The Case Against Miracles” by John W. Loftus, “Faith Versus Fact: Why Science and Religion Are Incompatible” by Jerry A. Coyne, “God and the Multiverse” by Victor J. Stenger, “Why People Believe Weird Things” by Michael Shermer, “The Soul Fallacy” by Julien Musolino, “Nonbeliever Nation” by David Niose, “Freethinkers” by Susan Jacoby, “Nailed” by David Fitzgerald, and “Think” by Guy P. Harrison.

[robert giles jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reasons for abandoning religious faith from a former pastor

I'm an ex Christian, now an atheist, and I enjoy reading atheist or agnostic books by former pastors because they understand Christianity from the inside and are often more skillful at debunking it than those who never believed.

This book gives excellent reasons for not believing. My favorite is the confusing and contradictory messages from god. Which is explained very well if there is no god after all.

[Tami Rellihan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you!

Thank you for writing this book! I'm angry about religion and because of that I tend to insult believers when debating and then separate myself from them because it's so difficult for me to wrap my brain around anyone still believing in what to me, has always been ludicrous. The way you explain HOW you would've answered questions presented to you as a religious figure before and (more importantly)WHY has helped me to at lest try to get a little more tolerance for believers. I'm still angry as I still believe that religion has done way more harm than good and still does but you have put some things in perspective for me and I'm glad I read this book and thankful to you for writing it!

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful

For anyone who has decided they are finished with the faith of their childhood, this book is reinforcement that your life continues to be valuable after faith- more so than ever before! You are now in charge of your one precious life. Tim gives voice to the doubts, questions, and difficulties those who have left faith have in common. After reading, I am encouraged to more confidently go and live my one precious life well, on my terms, a life based on genuine compassion and curiosity.
I deducted 1 star because I found several distracting misspelling and grammar errors.

[Harley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book demonstrates how one can be a pastor for nearly four decades and still not develop the ability to think more deeply than a teenaged atheist.

[Eugene G. Benson Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a deist... Faith melted away over 30 years...

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has doubts about their faith. I was raised in a Fundamentalist Evangelical Church from the time I was born. In the early 1980s I started reading books by Thomas Paine. I came to realize that my thinking was not far field from Thomas Paine and others. There is so much I could say here, however, suffice it to say that I am a happy 70 something and I'm Not Looking Back. Very well written book.

[Robert Rising · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Designed and Interesting!

While I am a committed Christian and rejected Tim's answer, the questions spurred considerable thought and I copied the questions to a workbook and came up with my own Faith based responses!

I am 81, severely disabled and in a card center. Anything keeping me busy is appreciated!

[RJTrahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeing clearly.

It’s amazing how obscuring God glasses are. Take them off and see reality.
There’s nothing wild about the concepts and questions in this book. They are readily visible to all who can read with an honest and critical eye.
Take off the glasses and see!
Great job Mr. Sledge.

[David Holman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It Makes A Lot Of Sense

The book speaks for itself and his reasoning seems sound. One point that I wish he had pointed out has to do with the unspeakable doctrine of Hell: Jesus is quoted as saying that a tree is known by its fruit. This is a truth that is self-evident. Good things come from things that are good. So, what does it say of a god who can't think of anything better than to torture souls in fiery torment forever? If sin offends Him so much, why not just poof the sinner out of existence? Or, better, why not heal the sinner as we imperfect people attempt to heal mentally ill people. But if hellfire is there to scare us into going straight, then it's nothing more than emotional extortion which has nothing to do with maturing spiritually. It places us into a dark, regarding place. We don't reach for heaven, we just run from hell. Its insincere, self-defeating, and ultimately leads us to self-loathing and a dreadful tendency to pass judgement upon others.

[Thordur · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a complicated book to read. I read it in few hours straight. What we got here are some questions and arguments I have never seen before. So I really liked the book. But I don't think this is a book for those who have faith in Jesus which gives them rich meaning to life. For those people I say, this is not a book for you. Still there are others who have been struggling with their faith and would like to leave it. Well then this book might help. Remember though that the Bible itself is much more deeper and richer than all of the arguments you can find in a little book like this; because of all the history in it, the psalms, the poetry, and the literature.

[Marlene M. Oaks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Similar but Different

I too have spent much of my life in church and have a doctorate in religious studies. The historical problems are clear and can only turn a thinking person away from usual religion. I have, therefore, reached some of the same conclusions. On the other hand, I have had some profound experiences that have proven to me that we do in fact continue after this life. If interested, you can check out my blog www.spiritualquest.today. It's a spiritual and philosophical series of writings.

[Jdo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read

I enjoyed reading Tim Sledge’s “Four Disturbing Questions with One Simple Answer.” As someone who left the cult of evangelical Christianity a long time ago, it was interesting to hear a fellow sojourner’s thoughts. While I remain a believer in a Creator, and an afterlife (not the Sunday School version), this book was compatible enough with my path that I benefitted from it. I will read his other books.

[Brandon Jubar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise but thorough

This was a quick and easy read, laying out the four questions and the reasons the Christian answer for each is lacking. The author then provides a single answer and demonstrates why it is the better answer. If you are looking for a comprehensive book of responses to all the problems with Christianity, this is not the book. However, if you're looking for a thoughtful discussion of some key issues, I would highly recommend it.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never considered your questions, let alone the answer.

But now that your book has presented some possibilities, I find that they make sense. Occam's razor, if the simplest answer seems the best, it probably is. Thank you for taking the time to write about your journey. It's given me a new way of looking at Christianity.

[Diane Bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this and admiring Mr. Sledge's clear writing, I read his longer autobiographical book, Goodbye Jesus. That book, while clarifying and expanding questions brought up in this to the point basically long essay, was poorly edited. I sympathize with Tim Sledge. And admire him. But this book is for a bigger audience than the longer one. It is excellent food for thought.

[Fernando Magalhaes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent little book

Excellent little book. This book is an excellent for believers and non believers alike. If you are in the process of thinking for yourself and doubting your faith, learn from someone who wakes up from the trance and live a truthful life.

[Cynthia Vandervelde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

I now understand why I believed my religion (not Christianity) for so long. It was my effort that I made all along and not supernatural forces. Not that its been a total waste though. I did get a sense of compassion for other people's sufferings and my own.

[Gary Korneman · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I need to know

Reinforces my belief that no deity involves itself in the affairs of man. Helps a lot with a twelve step program.

[Rose Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spot on

Just needed to hear I wasn’t the only one tired of believing illogical things for way too long. Still seeking answers but not from people
Who can’t give the

[Tom Mullins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read!

I was also raised in the church. In fact I knew the mass in Latin at 5 years old and thought of becoming a priest in my teens. I left religion in my early 20s and felt guilty for several years.

Tim’s perspective as a Southern Baptist evangelical preacher is much more compelling. For him to break free is a powerful and profound statement for those still trapped to never stop searching for the truth.

[David Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim "nailed" it once more. Growing up in a "Christian" home myself, starting college at a "Bible College" and muddling my way through years of grief and joy and guilt and joy and disbelief and joy and finally tossing all that gobbly gook of pious Bull Bleep out of my life, the joy that being a "believer" was supposed to bring to me, was actually and fully realized ... and it was without the God of my upbringing shoveling crap into my boiler. The farther away from rules of a poorly written, contradictory book and into the comfort of decency, honor, honesty and care for one's fellow travelers, there is indeed great happiness. For decades, I remember preachers and Billy Graham and many more idiots espousing that the only way to happiness and joy was through Jesus. Well drop me dead bunky, Christians, more than any other species, have done more damage to my life, my wellbeing, my wealth or lack thereof and a host of other things. I have all and more now than was ever promised by that great Spook in the sky. A great book, and well written!

[David]

*Full disclosure: I just bought the book. I have skimmed through it, but I haven't read it.*

The author presents his cases via contrast: building up why he chose his four key questions while presenting what he would have answered those questions with when he was a Christian. Scattered throughout the middle, but primarily in Chapter 5, he presents what he believes is the one answer that answers all four questions.

Many of the answers he says he would have given as a Christian I would have given at one time, too, so I do believe he is fairly familiar with modern day American Christianity.

However, I'd like to ask him a question: under your question "why didn't Jesus say anything about germs?", why did you leave out the quarantine procedures for infectious diseases found in the Bible?

[Gina Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best arguments yet!

Clear, concise well laid out arguments and reasoning. A must read for anyone trying to overcome childhood indoctrination of Christianity.