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TOGETHER MAY – JUNE 2022
Getting to Grips With
DARYL WEARRING COLUMN

Difficult Questions

Daryl Wearring selects seven recent releases that help us
answer some of life’s big questions.

It can be hard when we’re bombarded with world views that seem to be Well, help is at hand, and I’ve
at odds with our Christian faith and how we try to live that out in a secular selected a few books that have
society. And even harder when our teenagers come home with questions been recently published that may
or viewpoints that we wrestle to answer or justify with a Christian point of be useful for your customers
view. (I know – I get this regularly around the dinner table!) Whether it’s on to help them defend a biblical
TV, through social media or down the pub, we’re surrounded by people who viewpoint on the hot topics of the Daryl Wearring
think and live differently, and accept views that they maybe haven’t thought day, be confident in talking about
through for themselves or had the chance to hear an alternative biblical view. their faith, and show how to do
this with love and respect.
As the Apostle Peter says in 1 Peter 3:15, we are to be prepared to answer
(or make a defence) to anyone who asks us about the hope that we have,
but with gentleness and respect. I often feel ill-equipped and inadequate
when I’m asked what I think about certain hot topics as a Christian, and The Doubters’ Club – Preston Ulmer
sometimes do all I can to avoid having to face up to secular world views ISBN 9781641583350/NavPress
on various issues. Preston Ulmer/PB/176 pp/£13.50
On a slightly different tack, this book helps us to
Trying to get to grips with subjects like sexuality and identity, racism, social
justice, civil rights, cancel culture, science vs faith and many more can at engage with doubters and sceptics in a positive
times feel like a maze and cause us to run and hide, rather than face up way, giving room for questions and doubts. The
to, learn, engage with and confront the many false conceptions about author writes out of his experience of setting
what Christianity is, and explain how it answers many of the needs up a network of ‘doubters’ clubs’, providing an
that people have. environment for healthy discussion.

The Secular Creed – Rebecca McLaughlin The Case for Heaven – Lee Strobel
ISBN 9780999284308/The Gospel Coalition ISBN 9780310358459/Zondervan
Rebecca McLaughlin/PB/103 pp/£11.99 Lee Strobel/PB/320 pp/£12.99

This short book covers a lot of ground and I One of the things I’ve realised since the loss
found it particularly helpful in articulating the of my wife is that many people believe in
background to five key issues and movements something after this life, often a strange mix
in our society today, and how Christianity has a of ideas, but without any basis for what they
better answer in each case. believe. The latest ‘Case for’ book from Lee
Strobel brings real hope.

Faithfully Different – Natasha Crain Cosmic Chemistry – John C. Lennox
ISBN 9780736984294/Harvest House ISBN 9780745981406/Lion Books
Natasha Crain/PB/240 pp/£14.50 John C. Lennox/PB/400 pp/£13.99
An excellent look at secularism and its views For those willing to go deeper into the science
and influence. It helps us to recognise secular vs God debate, John Lennox is always a great
ideas, resist the pressure to make our faith voice to listen to. Here is another robust and
fit with them, and reclaim the confidence we respectful guide you help you engage the
need to stand up for Christ and biblical values. latest scientific ideas on a subject that is
as hot as ever.

The Lies We Are Told, The Truth We Must
Hold – Sharon James Hollywood Heroes – Frank Turek
ISBN 9781527107960/Christian Focus ISBN 9781641583510/NavPress
Publications/Sharon James/PB/224 pp/£9.99 Frank Turek/PB/256 pp/£13.50
The author takes us through current world In this contemporary tool for movie fans,
views with statements such as there is no the author shows us that the popularity of
God, no absolute morality and no universal franchises like Marvel, Star Wars, Lord of the
truth, unearthing the lies behind them. She Rings and Harry Potter can be a helpful way in
then counteracts this with the biblical world to talk to friends about key issues of sacrifice,
view of freedom, truth, justice, dignity and hope. love, power and loyalty.

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