http://www.amazon.com/The-Skeptical-Believer-Telling-Stories/dp/0970651155/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

Again, Dan has some well-chosen quotes to lead off each chapter.  Here is one by Samuel Johnson: “The existence of twilight is not an argument against the distinction between night and day.”

Here are a few other things I appreciate from further reading in The Skeptical Believer:

Christianity invites us to a entirely different type of life.  Dan does a great job of underscoring the ethical implications of Christianity and how our doubt may involve a whole lot more than just intellectual difficulties.

People who blurb books often say “Chapter 3 is worth the price of the book.”  They are obviously wanting to underscore how invaluable that particular section was to them.  Well, one of Dan’s chapter titles may be worth the price of the book: “Wanting What You Cannot Have: Certainty as Metaphysical Gluttony.”  Noodle on that for a few minutes!

There are some wise reflections on the importance of both story and propositions.

Dan has a wonderful way of taking popular views and turning them on their proverbial head.  For example, he argues that it is actually easier to believe when one lives in a skeptical age.

And learn why Satan is our first literary critic!

I am grateful to Scot McKnight for bringing my attention to Daniel Taylor’s wonderful book, The Skeptical Believer.

The title is terrific, but I like the subtitle even better: Telling Stories to Your Inner Atheist.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Skeptical-Believer-Telling-Stories/dp/0970651155/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

There are far too many things I like about Dan’s book to do one post, so I am going to do several in the weeks ahead.  Those who know me best understand why I would find so much resonance with The Skeptical Believer.  You could say I am a “serial doubter.”

Before we embark on Dan’s terrific book, let me say something about its design.  Dan’s son, Matthew, designed the book.  It is exquisitely and creatively put together.  Even though it is beautifully done and almost 400 pages in length, the cost is only $14.95!

*Many Christians feel the compulsion to act like the life of faith is easy and struggle minimal.  Dan provides loads of wisdom and breathing room to be more honest with our nagging questions and doubts.  And Dan offers humor throughout his book!

*In his inimitable way, Dan does a great job of describing how the old faith v. reason conundrum is bogus.  Others have demonstrated this as well, but Dan the literature professor and gifted writer offers us a fresh perspective.

*The Skeptical Believer has one of the best explanations of the power of “story” that I have ever read.

*Daniel Taylor isn’t interested in simply offering witty and well-written words about skepticism.  He wants to help us.  His section (I won’t tell you the page numbers because I want you to buy the book) on dealing with what he likes to call “clutter” rather than busyness is one of my favorite parts in the first section.