Questions of Faith A Skeptical Affirmation of Christianity

by Berger, Peter

• ISBN13: 9781405108485
• ISBN10: 1405108487
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781405143547
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-10-10
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

Leading religious and cultural commentator, Peter Berger, explores how and what we can believe in modern times. Deals clearly with questions such as 'Does God exist? What was so special about Jesus? How can one be Christian in a pluralistic society? Structured around key phrases from the Apostles' Creed. Draws on the Christian theological tradition and the work of other relevant thinkers, such as Freud and Simone Weil. The author takes the position of an open-minded sceptic, exploring his own beliefs.

Author Biography

Peter Berger, well-known sociologist and lay theologian, is director of the Institute on Religion and World Affairs at Boston University. His recent publications include Many Globalizations: Cultural Diversity in the Modern World (2002), The Desecularization of the World: Resurgent Religion and World Politics (1999), The Limits of Social Cohesion (1999), and Redeeming Laughter: The Comic Dimension of the Human Experience (1997).

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
1 "I believe ..."	1	(13)
2 "... in God"	14	(17)
3 "... the Father Almighty"	31	(12)
4 "... Creator of heaven and earth"	43	(10)
5 "I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord"	53	(16)
6 "He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary"	69	(16)
Excursus: On Prayer in Christ's Name	81	(4)
7 "He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried"	85	(18)
Excursus: On the Empty Tomb and Other Miracles	97	(6)
8 "He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated on the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead"	103	(12)
9 "I believe in the Holy Spirit"	115	(15)
10 "... the holy catholic church, the communion of saints"	130	(14)
11 "... the forgiveness of sins"	144	(19)
Excursus: On Christian Morality	156	(7)
12 "... the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting"	163	(14)
Bibliography	177	(3)
Index	180