TGC Hard Questions

Exploring the Impact of Christianity throughout History In our increasingly secular world, many claim that Christianity is oppressive and toxic. Christians are accused of standing on the wrong side of history, failing to accept human dignity, freedom, and progress. Are these accusations valid? Is Christianity actually causing more harm than good in the world? In this concise booklet, author Sharon James shows that through history and across the globe, true followers of Christ have challenged injustice and abuse, and provided care for the needy. This has had a beneficial and widespread impact on all areas of human life. Without the moral ideals given to us by God, humans would lack the ability and desire to pursue justice, freedom, and compassion altogether. When Christians follow the biblical worldview with integrity and align their actions with their self-giving God, that results in sacrificial service to others. - Outlines the Positive Effect Christianity Has Had across the Centuries: Argues a biblical worldview is essential for human freedom, flourishing, and fulfillment - Useful for Church Leaders and Laypeople Alike: This book provides knowledge and confidence for believers as they interact with those who argue Christianity is oppressive - Short, Accessible Format: A concise biblical exploration of Christianity's impact in the world - TGC Hard Questions Series: Equips readers with answers to difficult questions facing the modern church

Replacing Loneliness with a Biblical Vision of Belonging A local church should be a place of true community and connection-where people belong to God and one another. But in our individualistic culture, many Christians end up struggling with social isolation and loneliness. Lacking a sense of authentic belonging within the church, some eventually stop attending or question their faith altogether. How can believers overcome these negative cultural effects and restore the biblical vision of belonging in their churches today? In this concise booklet, author and pastor Jeremy Linneman encourages readers to pursue a life of fellowship through 5 practices: taking initiative in hospitality, being patient in building friendships, maintaining relational stability, persisting through conflict, and praying together. By understanding the human need for belonging and reflecting on Jesus's lifestyle of mission, ministry, and care, readers will be better equipped to build fruitful communities that bear witness to Christ's glory and purposes alone. - Offers a Biblical Vision of Belonging: Shows how true belonging is only found in a local Christian community - Useful for Church Leaders: Encourages church leaders to build needed spiritual communities that bear witness to Christ's glory alone - Short, Accessible Format: A concise biblical exploration of belonging and community - TGC Hard Questions Series: Equips readers with answers to difficult questions facing the modern church

A Biblical Vision of Gender Identity Since the beginning of humanity, people have recognized God's distinct design of male and female gender. But at the onset of the gender revolution, individuals became more likely than ever to question who they were designed to be. As a society, we have expelled gender distinctions and celebrated psychology over biology. Do the core teachings of the Bible uphold this modern divorce? In this concise booklet, Samuel D. Ferguson carefully and compassionately compares the core beliefs and practices of the transgender movement with the fundamental truths expressed in Scripture. Ferguson argues human identity is not determined by the individual but is given to us by our Creator, who designed us with purpose and encourages us to live in Christlikeness-valuing heavenly transformation over earthly transition. - Short, Accessible Format: A concise biblical exploration of gender identity - TGC Hard Questions Series: Equips readers with answers to difficult questions facing the modern church - Great Resource for Parents, Pastors, or Those Struggling with Gender Identity: Offers advice for tackling personal and corporate controversies related to sex and gender

Addressing Doubts about God's Justice and Goodness in the Face of Evil In the face of evil and suffering, many people question God's goodness. Even faithful Christians may struggle to see God's justice when they experience the heartache, pain, and tragedies of our broken world. Why does God seem to remain silent when we need him the most? Collin Hansen's short and accessible guide answers suffering peoples' questions about God's character by exploring the stories of Job, Jesus, and the Jewish people during the horrific events of the Holocaust. Ideal for both skeptics and Christians who want to help others in their pain, this booklet reminds us that God speaks through the cries of his people and offers us the gift of his Son-a suffering servant who makes all things new. - Great for Personal Use and Evangelism: Ideal for both skeptics and Christians who want to help others in their pain - Short, Accessible Format: Combines anecdotes, a historical overview of moral revolution, testimonies from sufferers in the Bible, and literature to answer doubts about God's goodness - Part of the TGC Hard Questions Series: Equips readers with answers to difficult questions facing today's church

Biblical Hope for Those Who Suffer from Clinical Depression Studies show that everyone will encounter someone who struggles with clinical depression at some point in their lifetime. Depression's debilitating, pervasive joylessness is crippling. It can affect your body and brain, numb your emotions, and put strain on your relationships. For Christians, it can even inhibit them from delighting in the greatest gift ever known-the good news of the gospel. What should Christians think about clinical depression? How can church leaders respond lovingly to those who face this dark, unsettling, and sometimes baffling dilemma? In What Does Depression Mean for My Faith? author and physician Kathryn Butler addresses common misconceptions about mental illness in the church. She offers grace, relief, and practical help to Christians who feel shame, and she equips church leaders with the tools they need to extend Christ's love to the vulnerable. - Comforts Those Who Suffer: Offers grace, relief, and practical help to Christians who feel shame over clinical depression - Equips Those Who Care: Provides a clinical, theological, and practical understanding of depression so church leaders can compassionately assist those who suffer - Short, Accessible Format: Combines anecdotes, a concise overview of depression, and practical pointers - TGC Hard Questions Series: Equips readers with answers to difficult questions facing today's church

How Faith and Science Can Coexist to Glorify Our Creator Questions surrounding the origins of the universe and the accuracy of biblical accounts place science at the forefront of discussions between atheists and Christians alike. Believers criticize the natural sciences as untrustworthy or even as an enemy of faith, while atheists reprimand Christians for denying empirical facts of nature. Is it possible to rightly love both God and science? In this concise book, author Hans Madueme offers a biblically informed perspective on science, helping readers embrace both faith and science in a responsible and God-glorifying way. Does Science Make God Irrelevant? addresses misconceptions, explains how Christian assumptions make science possible, clarifies the tension between science and miracles, and illustrates ways faith and science can coexist as allies. In turn, readers will see how good science glorifies God and helps us praise our Creator. - Optimistic: Helps readers maintain a biblically sound worldview and a positive view of science - Informed Perspective: Author Hans Madueme's medical and theological background informs his thoughts on the topic of faith and science - Short, Accessible Format: Explains science from a biblical perspective using 4 simple steps - Part of the TGC Hard Questions Series: Equips readers with answers to difficult questions facing today's church

A Concise Look at the Evidence for Christ's Resurrection The entire Christian faith depends on the belief that Jesus of Nazareth rose from the dead. If there was no empty tomb, Christians have an empty faith. But how can we be confident the resurrection really happened? In this concise booklet, author Timothy Paul Jones addresses the doubts and questions that arise from Jesus's resurrection as recorded in the New Testament. Jones argues this story is not a mere repetition of old pagan tales or a fabrication to fulfill Jewish expectations. Instead, it was a historical event, and that is supported by compelling evidence, including accounts of men and women who were willing to die for what they believed they had seen. Skeptics are correct to assume that such claims should not be taken lightly. But what happens if Jesus really did rise from the dead? What would it mean for me and you? - Written for Skeptics: A respectful appeal to those who doubt Jesus's story that provides convincing evidence for his resurrection - Short, Accessible Format: A concise exploration of the resurrection of Jesus and why it matters for believers today - Part of the TGC Hard Questions Series: Equips readers with answers to difficult questions facing today's church