If Christianity is So Good, Why are Christians So Bad? (The Big Ten)

Review\n… a highly accessible work that is a must–read for Christians in our sceptical times. -- Peter G. Riddell (Senior Research Fellow, Australian College of Theology, Sydney, Australia)\nThis book models concise expression, shrewd logic, clear organization,subtle wit, brutal honesty, graphic illustration, cultural savvy, and charitable characterization of opponents. It answers the title’s question as much by showing how to think about the matter as by seeking out best answers. -- Robert W. Yarbrough (Professor of New Testament, Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri)\nOver the last 25 years whilst running Christianity Explored courses at my local church – All Souls, Langham Place – I have had to say on every course that the poet Swinburne said, ‘I would love Christ, where it not for his leprous bride, the church.’ I then plead with people to not allow their experience of so–called Christians in the church to stop them looking at Jesus. This book will be a very helpful tool for us at All Souls with some people who come to investigate but have had their hearts broken by the behaviour of Christians they’ve known. I’m so grateful for it and have already made a mental list of those whom I need to send it to. -- Rico Tice (Author, Christianity Explored & Associate Minister at All Souls Church, Langham Place, London)\n… both answers honest questions about Christians and the Christian faith and serves as an encouragement to any believer who wants to follow Christ more faithfully. -- Tom Ascol (Pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Cape Coral, Florida)\nThis book doesn’t whitewash the bad behaviour of many Christians, but it also offers some helpful insights, theological context, and practical wisdom for how Christians can respond to this important challenge. -- Sean McDowell (Professor of Christian Apologetics, Biola University, La Mirada, California Best–selling author and popular speaker)\nChristians are supposed to be new people, not just forgiven people; but they still sin, sometimes in scandalous ways. So how should Christians answer this objection, often raised in evangelistic settings?Dr. Mark Coppenger offers a strategy for doing so that is biblical, accessible,honest, and seasoned with wit and wisdom. -- Thor Madsen (Professor of New Testament, Ethics and Philosophy, Midwestern Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri)\nIt is reasonable to expect that the followers of Jesus Christ would exude the same sort of moral goodness that he did. But what does it mean to be good? What does it mean for the reality of the Christian faith that Christians fail to live up to the standards set by the Bible? Mark Coppenger engages with these questions.\nContents include:
Introduction
A Few Questions About the Question
I Suppose We Asked For It
Some You Might Have Missed
The Bible Tells Me So
Are You Sure About That? The Problem of False Professors
Are You Sure About That? Doubtful Narratives
Who’s Counting?
Antibodies: Devotional and Congregational
Antibodies:Beyond Home and Congregation
Environmental Protection
The Rest of the Story\nEach chapter includes a summary of the main points.\nThe Big Ten: Critical Questions Answered is a Christian apologetics series which addresses ten commonly asked questions about God, the Bible, and Christianity. Each book, while easy to read, is challenging and thought–provoking, dealing with subjects ranging from hell to science. A good read whatever your present opinions.