Is it impolite-is it even imperial-for Christians to invite others to
faith? James Krabill, who grew up in the freewheeling skepticism of the
late ’60s and early ’70s, writes vulnerably about how he answers. A
confessing Christian, Krabill looks at Jesus and what he said and did.
Then Krabill walks right into discussions often considered off-limits.
Are Christians hopelessly narrow and willfully uninformed? Why do they
act as though only they are right and everyone else isn’t? Why would
Jesus possibly be someone to follow today? And what difference would
that have a chance of making in the world? Never arrogant and never
shifty, Krabill acknowledges both the audacity of God’s efforts, the
often miserable failings of the church, and yet his own hope. Among his
chapter titles are "What was God thinking anyway?" "Why our encounters
with other faiths create unease." And "One faith, one hope, one God. . .
how crazy can you get?" Krabill’s very readable style and honest manner
make this book accessible to young adults and other critical thinkers.
The book honestly explores whether Christians can talk about and live
their faith without veering into a salesman mode or without condemning
persons who believe otherwise, and why this is such a tension-filled
matter.