Many Christians believe that they have to understand everything about their faith for that faith to be genuine. This isn't true. There are many things we don't understand about God, His Word, and His works. And this is actually one of the greatest things about the Christian faith: that there are areas of mystery that lie beyond the keenest scholarship or even the most profound spiritual exercises. Sadly, for many people these problems raise so many questions and uncertainties that faith itself becomes a struggle. But questions, and even doubts, are part of faith. Chris Wright encourages us to face the limitations of our understanding and to acknowledge the pain and grief they can often cause. In The God I Don't Understand, he focuses on four of the most mysterious subjects in the Bible and reflects upon why it's important to ask questions without having to provide the answer: The problem of evil and suffering. The genocide of the Canaanites. The cross and the crucifixion. The end of the world. "However strongly we believe in divine revelation, we must acknowledge both that God has not revealed everything and that much of what he has revealed is not plain. It is because Dr. Wright confronts biblical problems with a combination of honesty and humility that I warmly commend this book." —John Stott

Called "the best preacher in the family," by her father, Billy Graham, Anne Graham Lotz speaks around the globe with the wisdom and the authority of years spent studying God's Word. In her latest book, Anne shares her heart and God's teachings on the universal problem of suffering. Drawing her characteristically keen insights from the familiar story of Lazarus in the ninth and eleventh chapters of the Gospel of John, Anne offers Jesus' reassuring answers to our heartfelt cries for understanding: Why doesn't God care? Why does He let these things happen? Why me? Why doesn't God answer my prayers? Why didn't He protect me? Why doesn't He perform a miracle? Why? helps us understand and deal with suffering while guiding us to the ultimate answer-the Savior who shares our grief and our tears.

One of Christianity Today's 2003 Books of the Year! We give ourselves to God and then struggle profoundly with the relationship. We are drawn in and then want to flee in fear. We move from faith to doubt, trust to confusion, intimacy to a feeling of abandonment. Coming to faith is like falling in love. It can be a head-over-heels rush to the altar or a slow acceptance that slips into a heartfelt embrace. Either way, eventually romance crashes headlong into reality. Often we make things worse either by feeling guilty about our struggles with doubt or by trying to dismiss them as unimportant or insignificant. We may even become resentful that God does not simply step in to clear up our confusion.When we find ourselves in any of these predicaments, the only way out is to face our uncertainties about God--deliberately and directly.In Embracing the Mysterious God James Emery White explores these struggles we all face--struggles of heart, soul, mind and strength. And struggles to love our neighbors as ourselves. Here you will find your tough questions about God addressed. Better still, you will find the way to renewed faith.

James Emery White explores the doubts, confusion and uncertainties about God that we all face. He tackles deliberately and directly our toughest questions. And better still, he leads the way to renewed faith.

Explaining how to become a Christian hedonist, a bestselling author offers guidance on how to find spiritual joy to readers who are unsure of where to seek it.

Have you ever envied the arrogant? The prosperity of the wicked?I'll admit it. I have. And worse, I've wondered if I've kept my heartpure and hands innocent for nothing. Yep, it can feel like we're on a"Slip 'N Slide" coated with olive oil as we struggle with unansweredprayers, unfulfilled promises, and unpunished evil.As we'll learn Asaph, one of the chief musicians of KingDavid and King Solomon, watched the glorious rise of Israel-andits shameful decline and utter destruction. His psalms-50, 73-83-poetically and painfully chronicle his dark doubts, crippling confusion, and constant questions.Perhaps you feel the same way because Unanswered Prayer, Unfulfilled Promises, and Unpunished Evil challenge your faith and perception of God. These three issues have confronted believers for thousands of years. Walk with award-winning author, James N. Watkins, as he follows the path through the honest and passionate struggles of Asaph, King David's Minister of Music. --Watkins utilizes Scripture, the work of biblical scholars, and the experience of everyday people to bring hope an healing to those struggling with soul-shaking questions.

It can no longer be assumed that most people--or even most Christians--have a basic understanding of the Bible. Many don't know the difference between the Old and New Testament, and even the more well-known biblical figures are often misunderstood. It is getting harder to talk about Jesus accurately and compellingly because listeners have no proper context with which to understand God's story of redemption. In this basic introduction to faith, D. A. Carson takes seekers, new Christians, and small groups through the big story of Scripture. He helps readers to know what they believe and why they believe it. The companion leader's guide helps evangelistic study groups, small groups, and Sunday school classes make the best use of this book in group settings.