Why I Still Believe, Mary Jo Sharp
Why I Still Believe, Mary Jo Sharp
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Why I Still Believe
A Former Atheist’s Reckoning with the Bad Reputation Christians Give a Good God

Author: Mary Jo Sharp

Narrator: Jill Blackwood

Unabridged: 6 hr 1 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Zondervan

Published: 11/05/2019

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included


Synopsis

For anyone who feels caught in the tension between the beauty of God's story and the ugliness of human hypocrisy, Why I Still Believe offers a stirring story of hope.Why would anyone be a Christian when there is so much hypocrisy in the church? Mary Jo Sharp shares her journey as a skeptical believer who still holds to a beautiful faith despite wounding experiences in the Christian community.At a time when de-conversion stories have become all too common, this is an earnest response - the compelling conversion of an unlikely believer whose questions ultimately led her to irresistible hope. Sharp addresses her own struggle with the reality that God's people repeatedly give God's story a bad name and takes a careful look at how the current church often inadvertently produces atheists despite its life-giving message.For those who feel the ever-present tension between the beauty of salvation and the dark side of human nature, Why I Still Believe is a candid and approachable case for believing in God when you really want to walk away. With fresh and thoughtful insights, this spiritual narrative presents relevant answers to haunting questions like:Isn't there too much pain and suffering to believe?Is it okay to have doubt?What if Jesus' story is a copy of another story?Is there any evidence for Jesus' resurrection?Does atheism explain the human experience better than Christianity can?  How can the truth of Christianity matter when the behaviors of Christians are reprehensible?At once logical and loving, Sharp reframes the gospel as it truly is: the good news of redemption. With firmly grounded truths, Why I Still Believe is an affirming reminder that the hypocrisy of Christians can never negate the transforming grace and truth of Christ.Further resources and discussion questions are available in the audiobook companion PDF download.

About Mary Jo Sharp

A former atheist who came to faith, Mary Jo has experienced two worlds of American culture: the post-Christian culture of the Pacific Northwest and the evangelical culture of the Bible Belt. She first encountered apologetics in her own spiritual search while seeking answers. Mary Jo is now an assistant professor of apologetics at Houston Baptist University and the founder and director of Confident Christianity Apologetics Ministry. She has been featured in Christianity Today’s cover story “The Unexpected Defenders,” and is an international speaker on apologetics, focusing on love and logic to uncover truth. She lives with her husband and family in Portland, Oregon. Connect with Mary Jo at confidentchristianity.com


Reviews

Goodreads review by Donna on May 13, 2021

Mary Jo Sharp grew up atheist. She became a Christian as a young adult. After struggling with some church experiences, she began to search for more evidence and support for Christianity—or, maybe for a reason to stop believing. I really enjoyed going along with Ms Sharp on her journey. Her thoughts......more

Goodreads review by Debra on October 09, 2019

Can you be a critical thinker and a Christian? Is it ok to agree to disagree with other Christians on topics that are not considered absolute truths in the Christian faith? My response to these questions is yes and amen! With logical, critical thinking and a heart for Jesus, the author invites the r......more

Goodreads review by Alexis on October 10, 2019

Why I Still Believe is not only a compelling and relatable memoir for anyone who has found themselves at odds with the church in terms of critical thinking or just plain compassion, it is also a fabulous introduction to the world of apologetics. Mary Jo Sharp shares her story with wit and candor whi......more

Goodreads review by Alex on October 14, 2019

Gandhi was reported to have said, “I like your Christ. I don’t like your Christians.” Mary Jo Sharp is one who certainly would echo that statement for many years. She was a religious skeptic for most of her life and, though she transitioned from disbelief to trust, became another type of skeptic: an......more

Goodreads review by Dennis on October 23, 2019

"Easy to read" is not a category I usually think of with apologetics books, but then this is not a normal apologetics book. It is a mixture of the author's story, her disillusionment with the Church, and how that propelled her to explore more deeply the basis for the Christian faith. Her story is en......more


Quotes

'By discussing her own struggles and ways to address them, Sharp hopes to connect with others who deal with these barriers as well. She emphasizes that when people share their own faith stories, they can supplement the logical arguments with authentic life experiences. Her goal is to address both unbelievers who are exploring religious faith as well as believers whose faith commitment have happened somewhat recently. and shy;. . . Recommended for those interested in apologetics, both from theistic as well as a nontheistic perspectives.'--Library Journal Library Journal