E-Book Overview
Answers Fundamental Questions about Faith: "Is faith contrary to reason?" "How can we know for sure that God exists?" "Aren’t Christians who appeal to the Bible to justify their beliefs reasoning in a circle?" "Must we presuppose natural origins for this world?" "Doesn’t the theory of evolution prove the Bible to be wrong?" "Doesn’t the presence of evil in this world disprove the existence of an all-powerful and loving God?" "Do all religions lead to God?" Every belief system contains truth-claims. These truth-claims represent fundamental beliefs about God, man and the cosmos. Such beliefs are at the heart of every one's belief system. FAITH WITH REASON is an introduction to the Christian worldview. Author Joseph Farinaccio contrasts the truth-claims of biblical Christianity with other prominent views of Reality taught in the world today. He examines the nature of religious belief, the relationship between faith and reason, and then discusses the uniqueness of the Christian view of Reality. This book is a valuable resource that may be turned to again and again by readers who really want to understand what is being expressed in both religious and secular belief systems. FAITH WITH REASON is a concise, tightly focused apologetic for the Christian faith that highlights many of the key issues and subjects that will constantly surface in discussions regarding the validity of Christianity’s truth-claims. It serves as a basic primer for both Christians and non-Christians alike to better understand why biblical Christianity is a faith and philosophy of life unlike any other.
E-Book Content
FAITH WITH REASON Why Christianity Is True _______________________________ Joseph R. Farinaccio BookSpecs Publishing Pennsville, New Jersey i FAITH WITH REASON Why Christianity Is True Copyright © 2002 Joseph R. Farinaccio Cover design by artist George Perez. BookSpecs is trademark of BookSpecs Publishing, and is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All rights reserved. No part of this book or its cover design may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher and copyright owners. Published by BookSpecs Publishing 16 Sunset Ave. Pennsville, NJ 08070 www.BookSpecs.com Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication Data (Provided by Quality Books, Inc.) Farinaccio, Joseph R. Faith with reason : why Christianity is true / Joseph R. Farinaccio. -- 1st ed. p. cm. LCCN 2002092455 ISBN 0-9721461-1-3 1. Apologetics. 2. Christianity and other religions. 3. Christianity and culture. 4. Philosophy and religion. I. Title. BT1102.F37 2002 239 QBI33-569 ii This book is dedicated to my mother, Anne Dorothy Farinaccio, and my wife, Joni Lynn Farinaccio, - constant encouragers. iii iv Acknowledgements There are individuals whose contributions, both large and small, help turn someone’s idea into a reality. This book is no exception. Each of them contributed something special, not the least of which was their time. My parents, Joseph and Anne Farinaccio, are treasured gifts from God. Christian Education director Rev. David Hutchinson offered a theological critique. English instructor Vincent Farinaccio provided editorial skills. Fellow church member Linda Smookler made numerous manuscript corrections and offered insightful suggestions. Longtime friend George Perez created the book cover. My brother Paul Farinaccio furnished a logo. Pastor and theologian Charles Betters offered his endorsement. And my family Joni, Matthew and Nicole all patiently allowed me to spend many hours in front of the computer. I can never say “Thank You” enough to all of you. Joseph Farinaccio Vineland, New Jersey June 2002 v vi<