Walking Away from Faith : Unraveling the Mystery of Belief and Unbelief

by Tucker, Ruth A.

• ISBN13: 9780830823321
• ISBN10: 0830823328
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-03-01
• Publisher: Intervarsity Pr

Summary

Why do some people lose their faith?Why do some choose to abandon religious beliefs that were once meaningful to them?And what happens when they do?In this no-holds-barred book, Ruth Tucker tackles the tough questions about losing faith. Providing historical perspective, she looks at the stories of prominent Christians, like Chuck Templeton and Billy Graham, who have struggled with faith. She grapples with difficult philosophical and theological issues, exploring the intractable questions that bring people to the point of losing faith--suffering, science, answer to prayer, hypocrisy in the church, and more. Throughout the book, she explores the testimonies of some who have made the choice to walk away--and some who have returned.Tucker writes not just as a detached observer but as one who has also struggled with doubt and disappointment. In Walking Away from Faith, she shares her from her experience and tells you why she continues to choose faith. Reading her story and her interviews of others, you will find help for working through your own questions and doubts. You will also find insight for ministering to your friends, family, coworkers and neighbors who stumble between belief and unbelief.

Author Biography

Ruth A. Tucker, Ph.D., is associate professor of missiology at Calvin Theological Seminary. She is the author of fourteen books, including From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya, Another Gospel and Women in the Maze

Table of Contents

Preface	7	(8)
Part One
``Lord, I Believe; Help My Unbelief''	15	(14)
A Tale of Two Evangelists	29	(14)
Billy Graham & Chuck Templeton
The Smith Family	43	(11)
A Case Study in Doubt & Unbelief
Knowing God	54	(13)
Mystery or Matter of Fact?
The Dark Night of the Soul	67	(14)
The Fine Line Between Belief & Unbelief
Part Two
Biblical & Historical Reflections of Doubt & Unbelief	81	(17)
The Challenge of Science & Philosophy	98	(19)
The Challenge of Theological Complexities & Biblical Criticism	117	(17)
The Challenge of Psychology & Social Issues	134	(17)
Disappointment with God & with Fellow Christians	151	(18)
Part Three
The New Life of Unbelief	169	(14)
Seeking Happiness Outside the Family of Faith
Missionaries of Unbelief	183	(13)
The Appeal of the Message & the Messenger
Answering Doubt & Unbelief	196	(13)
Confronting the Serious Issues
Real Stories of Returning to Faith	209	(14)
Postscript	223	(2)
Notes	225	(11)
Selected Bibliography	236	(3)
Index	239