The union of classical agnosticism and traditional Christianity has produced a more contemporary "middle of road Christianity." This book presents numerous facts about history and theology in an easy to understand manner. It also re-introduces us to the badly misunderstood theology of agnosticism and introduces us to Contemporary Agnosticism. Presented are Jesus' teachings after intense historical and scientific analysis. Contemporary agnostics consider Jesus a great visionary and wandering sage but no more the son of God than any of us. With that in mind, the reader is urged to appreciate various contemporary religious principles, not because they'll go to a mythical hell if they don't, but because of its positive effect on the individual and society. Christian history and theology are candidly scrutinized providing the reader with a tremendous amount of reference material. TABLE OF CONTENTS PROLOGUE CHRISTIAN HISTORY & DOCTRINE OF THE UNIVERSE The New Testament & Its History Classical Christian Doctrines about God and the Universe Popular Religious Virgin Births Prior to & During Jesus' Lifetime CLASSICAL AGNOSTICISM (History & Definition of) CONTEMPORARY AGNOSTIC PRINCIPLES ANTHROPOMORPHISM & THE FEAR OF GOD LITTLE KNOWN BIBLICAL DEMANDS That It's Important to Respect the Slave Owner Women are to be Submissive Foods You're Not Allowed to Eat Forbidding Marriage to Another Race or Religion How Bad Lending or Borrowing Money With Interest Is Having Sex During A Woman's Menstrual Period PARABLES FROM THE HISTORICAL JESUS PRAYER & THE AGNOSTIC BELIEVER Brief History of the "Black Death" (Worst Ever Plague) LIFE AFTER DEATH Popular Religious Resurrections Prior to & During Jesus' Lifetime Afterlife From the Standpoint of Science JESUS & THE APOCALYPSE Brief Summaries of Famous Apocalyptic Groups The Slaughter of the Cathars of Lanbuedoc USURY OTHER NOTABLE PEOPLE RELATED TO AGNOSTICISM APPENDIX 1: The Inquisitions APPENDIX 2: Persecution of Witches APPENDIX 3: Major World Religions GLOSSARY

We live in an age of skepticism. Our society places such faith in empirical reason, historical progress, and heartfelt emotion that it’s easy to wonder: Why should anyone believe in Christianity? What role can faith and religion play in our modern lives? In this thoughtful and inspiring new book, pastor and New York Times bestselling author Timothy Keller invites skeptics to consider that Christianity is more relevant now than ever. As human beings, we cannot live without meaning, satisfaction, freedom, identity, justice, and hope. Christianity provides us with unsurpassed resources to meet these needs. Written for both the ardent believer and the skeptic, Making Sense of God shines a light on the profound value and importance of Christianity in our lives.

From the provocative author of Straw Dogs comes an incisive, surprising intervention in the political and scientific debate over religion and atheism When you explore older atheisms, you will find that some of your firmest convictions—secular or religious—are highly questionable. If this prospect disturbs you, what you are looking for may be freedom from thought. For a generation now, public debate has been corroded by a shrill, narrow derision of religion in the name of an often vaguely understood “science.” John Gray’s stimulating and enjoyable new book, Seven Types of Atheism, describes the complex, dynamic world of older atheisms, a tradition that is, he writes, in many ways intertwined with and as rich as religion itself. Along a spectrum that ranges from the convictions of “God-haters” like the Marquis de Sade to the mysticism of Arthur Schopenhauer, from Bertrand Russell’s search for truth in mathematics to secular political religions like Jacobinism and Nazism, Gray explores the various ways great minds have attempted to understand the questions of salvation, purpose, progress, and evil. The result is a book that sheds an extraordinary light on what it is to be human.

To some, the concept of having faith in a higher power or a set of religious beliefs is nonsensical. Indeed, many view religion in general, and Christianity in particular, as unfounded and unreasonable. Norman Geisler and Frank Turek argue, however, that Christianity is not only more reasonable than all other belief systems, but is indeed more rational than unbelief itself. With conviction and clear thinking, Geisler and Turek guide readers through some of the traditional, tested arguments for the existence of a creator God. They move into an examination of the source of morality and the reliability of the New Testament accounts concerning Jesus. The final section of the book deals with a detailed investigation of the claims of Christ. This volume will be an interesting read for those skeptical about Christianity, as well as a helpful resource for Christians seeking to articulate a more sophisticated defense of their faith.

This Element is an elementary introduction to atheism and agnosticism. It begins with a careful characterisation of atheism and agnosticism, distinguishing them from many other things with which they are often conflated. After a brief discussion of the theoretical framework within which atheism and agnosticism are properly evaluated, it then turns to the sketching of cases for atheism and agnosticism. In both cases, the aim is not conviction, but rather advancement of understanding: the point of the cases is to make it intelligible why some take themselves to have compelling reason to adopt atheism or agnosticism.

Both believers and non-believers who are looking for answers to life's hard questions will find this an engaging and thought-provoking book, which defines each term, historical person, event, or doctrine as it arises, rather that relying on a presupposition to prior acquaintance with Christian history, vocabulary, or beliefs.

Do you describe yourself as spiritual but not religious? Whether young or old, church connected or not, are you spiritually restless for an authentic faith life but do not find conventional religious teachings pertinent to you? This accessible guide to a meaningful spiritual life is a salve for your soul. It reinterprets traditional religious teachings central to the Christian faith - God, Jesus, faith, prayer, morality and more - in ways that connect with people who have outgrown the beliefs and devotional practices that once made sense to them.