The Viewing
70 topics covering:
- recognising truth
- the nature of God
- the meaning of faith
- authenticity
- the Bible
- science
- the uniqueness of Jesus
- forgiveness
- the church
- sexual relationships
- suffering
- life and responsibility
243 Pages.
Summary
The Viewing addresses 70 questions about Christian faith that are often raised by people who don’t consider themselves to be Christians; those who may even be unsure if they believe that God exists. Many of these questions are also asked by Christians: thoughtful people who have unresolved queries. Maybe you have considered some of those and would really like to find answers that satisfy. As you read this book you won’t come across forceful, cleverly constructed arguments designed to prove a point. The Viewing provides honest, straightforward explanations - the sort that you might hope would be shared during a relaxed conversation.
House Analogy
We are all used to the idea of going to view a house; a prospective home that we want to check out to see whether it will meet our needs. In this book the topics covered are grouped to correspond to the features of a house: foundations, various rooms, roof and garden. Readers are invited to progress through the house, looking at each feature in turn, and consider the answers provided. At the end a question is addressed to the reader: is this the house for you?
The structure of this book makes it readily accessible. Just as with a house viewing, there may be certain aspects that readers are more interested in than others. This might be the kitchen, lounge or garden. The Viewing is arranged in a way that makes it easy to locate specific areas, and to find particular topics that are of special interest.
"A very helpful book for somebody who has questions about the Christian faith. John writes in a very practical way explaining many questions that both new believers and people looking at the faith may have. Certainly a book worth passing on to someone who is searching for answers to questions."
When I first heard about a book that would answer all of my friend's questions about my faith, to be honest, I was very sceptical! How do they even know which questions my friends are asking? And even if they do get the questions right, how are they going to answer? Which answer will this book present and will I agree with it?
When I got my hands on a copy, I went straight to the most difficult questions first - the ones that would usually make me cringe. I was amazed. The author had confidently and skilfully put together a short, simple and well-presented point of view that was easy to understand and hard to argue with. I checked another tricky subject, and found he had nailed that one too.
I finished the book surprised, with a renewed confidence that even the hardest of questions could have beautifully simple answers. This book has taught me that it is possible to steer a clear and concise path through controversial topics and I have discovered the peace and joy that comes with being able to accept the beautiful simplicity of our faith afresh.