Doubting - by Alister McGrath (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

We live in a culture that doubts everything as a matter of principle. In such an environment, how can even faith be immune to doubt? Can I really trust in the gospel?Does God really love me?Can I really be of any use to God?We are taught to doubt but commanded to believe. Somehow we think that admitting to doubt is tantamount to insulting God. But doubt is not a sign of spiritual weakness--rather it's an indication of spiritual growing pains.Alister McGrath, no stranger to a faith born of doubt, here offers good news to doubters: your faith can grow, and strengthen as it grows. It needs to take root in your experience of God, it needs to take in the nourishment of instruction in the words and ways of God, it needs to be stretched into greater obedience to the commands and calling of God--but it can grow beyond doubt into a thriving relationship.

Review Quotes

"How do we contend with opposing worldviews? How do we deal with uncertainty about such fundamental things as God, Jesus Christ and the Bible? How do we deal with doubt about ourselves? All of these and other questions we struggle with on a daily basis are covered in eleven helpful chapters."

Jim Miller Review, August 13, 2007

"In this short book, McGrath's pastoral concern for those struggling with doubt is apparent. His words provide encouragement and hope to continue to pursue faith in God in the midst of doubt."

Glenn R. Kreider, Bibliotheca Sacra, October-December 2008

"It's a rare thing to find a theologian altogether thorough, brief, and satisfying. Irish author, theologian, and former atheist Alister McGrath offers a manageable first-read on addressing a new believer's doubts."

Modern Reformation, July/August 2007

"Many Christians experience doubt of their faith in the first years after accepting Christ. This book is for them."

ECIBA.org, February 13, 2008

"McGrath deals intelligently and methodically with the stigmatized subject of doubt, clearly separating it from disbelief."

Church Libraries, Summer 2007

"McGrath has a knack for giving us a good bird's eye view of broad ideas. For those of us who have lots of questions about God's perplexing interaction with humanity as well as those of us who are just plain skeptics. Doubting invites us to look deeper and to grow 'through the uncertainties of faith.'"

Relevant, November 2007

"McGrath writes in a conversational manner which makes this book accessible to a wide variety of readers. . . . [A]nyone with questions about the veracity of Christianity should benefit from reading this book."

Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, September 2007

About the Author

Alister McGrath is the Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at the University of Oxford, Director of the Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion at Oxford, and (from 2015 to 2018) Gresham Professor of Divinity. His previous posts include Professor of Theology and Education at King's College, London, and Professor of Historical Theology at Oxford University. Alister gained first class honours from Oxford University in Chemistry (1975) and first class honours in Theology (1978).He holds an Oxford DPhil (1978) for his research in molecular biology, a DD from Oxford University's Faculty of Theology for his work in historical and systematic theology (2001), and a DLitt from Oxford University's Division of Humanities for his research in science and religion (2013). He was elected FRSA in 2005, in recognition of his work as a public intellectual.