A wide-ranging argument by a renowned anthropologist that the capacity to believe is what makes us human Why are so many humans religious? Why do we daydream, imagine, and hope? Philosophers, theologians, social scientists, and historians have offered explanations for centuries, but their accounts often ignore or even avoid human evolution. Evolutionary scientists answer with proposals for why ritual, religion, and faith make sense as adaptations to past challenges or as by-products of our hyper-complex cognitive capacities. But what if the focus on religion is too narrow? Renowned anthropologist Agustín Fuentes argues that the capacity to be religious is actually a small part of a larger and deeper human capacity to believe. Why believe in religion, economies, love? A fascinating intervention into some of the most common misconceptions about human nature, this book employs evolutionary, neurobiological, and anthropological evidence to argue that belief—the ability to commit passionately and wholeheartedly to an idea—is central to the human way of being in the world.

Reflecting on the practice of disciple making in young adult, college, graduate, and local church contexts, Jonathan Dodson has discerned some common pitfalls. For many, discipleship is reduced to a form of religious performance before God. For others, it devolves into spiritual license and a loose adherence to spiritual facts. Both approaches distort biblical motivations for Christian obedience and are in need of reform. By explaining various motivations for discipleship, Dodson charts a biblically faithful, grace-driven alternative. Additionally, he provides a practical model for creating gospel-centered discipleship groups—small, reproducible, missional, gender-specific groups of believers that fight for faith together. This book blends both theology and practice to inspire and equip Christians to effectively fight sin, keep Jesus central, and make gospel-centered discipleship a way of life. Both new and growing Christians will learn to trust the gospel in community as they fight together for holiness as well as how to start gospel-centered community groups in any local church.

In today's shifting spiritual landscape, the authority and relevance of the Bible have come under intense scrutiny. YOUR GUIDE FOR DEFENDING THE BIBLE: Self-Education of the Bible Made Easy emerges as an indispensable resource tailored for both seasoned believers and those grappling with the big questions about the Bible's integrity, authenticity, and practicality. Structured in eight comprehensive sections, this book equips you with the necessary tools to navigate the complex world of biblical interpretation, translation philosophies, textual criticism, and beyond. Section 1 lays the groundwork for understanding the conservative objective historical-grammatical method of biblical interpretation, offering a counter-view by exploring the liberal-moderate historical-critical approach. In Section 2, delve into the intricacies of Bible translation, exploring key terms and processes that have guided how the Holy Scriptures have been rendered in various languages over the centuries. Section 3 is a deep dive into the realm of textual criticism of both the Old and New Testaments, a vital field that has played an essential role in restoring and preserving the biblical text. Section 4 tackles Bible difficulties head-on. Gain keen insights into the various types of difficulties and how to effectively deal with them, strengthening your confidence in Scripture's reliability. Section 5 serves as a practical guide to unlocking the treasures of Scripture, helping you dig deeper into the text and apply its truths to your life. In Section 6, the focus shifts to Christian Apologetics. Learn how to be prepared to make a defense for your faith and how to reason from the Scriptures in a manner that is both reasonable and persuasive. Section 7 transitions into the art of Christian evangelism, presenting methods to effectively communicate the Gospel message and speak the Word of God with boldness. Finally, Section 8 takes you on an archaeological expedition, offering insights into how the physical remnants of ancient civilizations provide ancillary support for the biblical narrative. With its rigorous scholarship, practical applications, and unwavering commitment to a conservative viewpoint, YOUR GUIDE FOR DEFENDING THE BIBLE serves as a go-to manual for anyone seeking a deeply informed and faith-affirming understanding of the Scriptures. Aided by a comprehensive bibliography, this guide is your one-stop-shop for biblical knowledge, designed to help you navigate and appreciate the complex yet awe-inspiring world of the Bible. Whether you're a pastor, student of theology, or layperson, this guide is designed to arm you with the knowledge, tactics, and confidence needed to defend the reliability and eternal relevance of the Bible.

Garvie offers the reader an overview of arguments for Christianity on subjects varying from the existence of God to eschatology. Alfred Ernest Garvie shows us the magnificence of the faith instead of becoming weighed down by tiresome arguments. He systematically covers every significant Christian teaching, making this handbook a valuable reference for believers and unbelievers alike, looking for appealing summaries of specific doctrines.

Brief account of Australian and Tasmanian religious beliefs.

Written by an L. A. County homicide detective and former atheist, Cold-Case Christianity examines the claims of the New Testament using the skills and strategies of a hard-to-convince criminal investigator. Christianity could be defined as a “cold case”: it makes a claim about an event from the distant past for which there is little forensic evidence. In Cold-Case Christianity, J. Warner Wallace uses his nationally recognized skills as a homicide detective to look at the evidence and eyewitnesses behind Christian beliefs. Including gripping stories from his career and the visual techniques he developed in the courtroom, Wallace uses illustration to examine the powerful evidence that validates the claims of Christianity. A unique apologetic that speaks to readers’ intense interest in detective stories, Cold-Case Christianity inspires readers to have confidence in Christ as it prepares them to articulate the case for Christianity.

Philosophically Thinking about World Religions is different from other works in the discipline today. It deviates from the typical approaches used for the study of world religions. Its goal is to engage readers in thinking hard about world religions, not about the data surrounding those traditions. By focusing on philosophical questions, each reader should be challenged to do their own investigations that may reveal the heart of these traditions. Another stance that this project takes that distinguishes it from other texts in the discipline is that it advocates an inclusivist perspective regarding the world religions. Pluralism, which is the predominate assumption today, ends either in contradiction or in the development of a metatheory that dismisses crucial distinctions between the various traditions or eliminates some ancient religions because they do not fit the metatheory. By taking an open inclusivist approach, all religious traditions may engage at the table of dialogue. The final essay is about justice and social affairs. While that discussion is couched within the context of a particular tradition, each religious tradition must have the discussion. But it must be more than an intrareligious dialogue; it must become an interreligious dialogue.