What do you think when you hear the word "faith"? Do you think of deep spiritual connections, or irrational will-to-believe? What even is faith, how does it work, and what is it founded on? This book might help you answer some of these questions, as it explores the interplay between faith and beliefs, the foundations of religious beliefs, and how someone might go from having no faith to having a faith.
If you are interested in faith and spirituality--and let's face it, you are interested enough to read the back cover of this book--but don't know what that might mean, then this book might be for you. I hope it will help you discover what faith means and how you might explore whether it is for you.
If you have a faith but are struggling with doubts or uncertainties--if you are feeling untethered and in need of a foundation--then this book might be for you. I hope it will help you find the next chapter of your faith, a faith that is open to questions and flexible to challenges.
Thomas E. Gaston has a doctorate in theology from the University of Oxford. He is the author of Reasons: Evidence for God, Jesus, and the Bible (2011), Historical Issues in the Book of Daniel (2016), and Dynamic Monarchianism (2020).
“Thomas Gaston is an easy and genial conversationalist who—without you realizing it—will show you how to think clearly and sensibly about faith and belief. From the beginning you will be engaged painlessly with serious and rigorous argument. But there is nothing dogmatic about this book; rather it is an invitation to us all to examine the foundations of our own web of convictions and to ask ourselves how securely they are anchored.”
—Robert J. Wilkinson, author of Tetragrammaton: Western Christians and the Hebrew Name of God
“This is a frank and accessible approach to the Christian faith, aimed at thoughtful enquirers. Thomas is committed to a balanced approach, exploring arguments and counterarguments in a generous way. He sees Christian faith as supported by a web of beliefs, which can lead us to confidence in God within the uncertainties of life.”
—Susannah Reide, Chaplain and Welfare Link, Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford
“It’s not possible to argue someone into faith. But it is possible to clear away some of the obstacles and show that some kinds of faith can be rational, coherent, and make very good sense. This book sets out that case, in a powerful, clear, and highly engaging way.”
—Peter Jeavons, Professor of Computer Science, University of Oxford