7 Truths That Changed the World: Discovering Christianity’s Most Dangerous Ideas
Overview
Ideas have consequences, sometimes far-reaching and world-changing ones. The Christian faith contains many volatile truths that challenged—and continue to challenge—the cultural and religious status quo. This fascinating exploration offers a unique look at how the world changed when Christ and his followers came on the scene. In a world where Christian belief and practice are increasingly under fire, 7 Truths That Changed the World will give you the confidence to impact the world for Christ—for good.
In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Scripture citations link directly to English translations, and important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
- Discusses the impact that Christ and his followers had, the changes they brought forth in the world
- Addresses the counter-cultural nature of Christian truths
- Equips believers to share and defend their faith
- Dangerous Idea #1: Not All Dead Men Stay Dead
- Dangerous Idea #2: God Walked the Earth
- Dangerous Idea #3: A Fine-Tuned Cosmos with a Beginning
- Dangerous Idea #4: Clear Pointers to God
- Dangerous Idea #5: Not by Works
- Dangerous Idea #6: Humanity’s Value and Dignity
- Dangerous Idea #7: The Good in Suffering
Top Highlights
“The doctrine of the incarnation is at the heart of the biblical message, for it reveals the person and nature of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The incarnation teaches that the eternal Logos (Word), the second person of the Trinity, took to himself a fully human nature without diminishing his deity. Specifically, this doctrine holds that a full and undiminished divine nature and a full and perfect human nature (untainted by Adam’s sin) were inseparably united in the one historical and divine person of Jesus of Nazareth. According to Holy Scripture, Jesus Christ is God the Son in human flesh (Greek, theanthrōpos, the God-man).” (Pages 50–51)
“Competing religions of the world reflect humankind’s search for God, but they are hopelessly divided over who and what God really is. Outside of Jesus, none of the great religious leaders possess the qualities and prerogatives of divinity. They may reflect extraordinary human lives, but they remain solely human. Their death testifies to the truth of their mere humanness. And because these religious leaders are not divine, they cannot speak unequivocally for God.” (Page 72)
“false.25 In a biblical context, the cosmos derives its value and meaning from the Creator.” (Page 88)
“Astrophysicists understand that our solar system exhibits an amazing degree of fine-tuning that allows for the existence of complex and intelligent life. Specifically, the relationship of the earth, sun, and moon provides a rare habitable zone for life to thrive on planet Earth. Though scientists are only beginning to discover and study planets outside our solar system, these just-right conditions of the bodies of our solar system seem unmatched from what scientists yet know about other systems. In fact, the number and exquisite combination of factors that require fine-tuning to allow for life are so exceedingly improbable through natural means as to provide probative evidence for cosmic design.” (Pages 77–78)
While many Christians are accustomed to hearing that there is good evidence for their faith, far less common are arguments that point out how other worldviews are far inferior in terms of both evidence and explanatory power. Ken Samples develops a cumulative case for Christianity, arguing well that no other thesis even comes close to accounting for what we know about reality. 7 Truths That Changed the World is a very readable and recommended account that describes what Samples calls Christianity’s seven dangerous ideas that best encapsulate the current state of the evidence.
—Gary R. Habermas, distinguished professor of apologetics and philosophy, Liberty University
Ken Samples has combined clear thinking with clear writing to give us a guided tour through basic Christian truths. He shows us what those truths are, why we should believe them, and how they make better sense of the world than the alternatives. This book serves all kinds of people: those wanting to know about Christian belief, those whose Christian belief is wobbling, and those who, like good athletes, want to renew their commitment to doing the fundamentals well. Thanks be to God for this helpful, encouraging, and challenging book!
—C. John Collins, professor of Old Testament, Covenant Theological Seminary
Ken Samples has done it again. He has written about some of the most important issues in life, with seriousness and depth, and then made it accessible to everyone. I hope 7 Truths That Changed the World is read in Bible studies and home groups around the globe. It has a transformative message and a style that can engage everyone.
—Craig J. Hazen, professor of comparative religion and apologetics, Biola University
One of the most skilled and thoughtful apologists of our time, Ken Samples, has done it again. His 7 Truths That Changed the World is a powerful reminder that Christianity is a truth claim which confronts the beliefs and values of our contemporary age at a number of critical points. But Samples is neither confrontational nor combative as he spells out seven aspects of the Christian truth-claim which stand in opposition to much of what our non-Christian neighbors hold dear. This is must reading.
—Kim Riddlebarger, senior pastor, Christ Reformed Church, Anaheim, CA
- Title: 7 Truths that Changed the World: Discovering Christianity’s Most Dangerous Ideas
- Author: Kenneth Samples
- Publisher: Baker
- Print Publication Date: 2012
- Logos Release Date: 2013
- Pages: 240
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Christianity; Apologetics
- ISBNs: 9781441254030, 9780801072116, 144125403X, 0801072115
- Resource ID: LLS:TRTHSTHTCHNGDWR
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T03:31:39Z
Reviews
1 rating
Glenn Crouch
12/6/2019
This is my second reading of this book - as I grabbed it shortly after it was released, and think I rushed through it a bit. So I was feeling like a bit of an apologetics refresher, and I always enjoy this Author, so I thought I would give it a re-read. I do appreciate that the Author works hard to not only use Logic and Philosophy but also to teach and encourage these tools - whilst also clearly indicating that there is much more to learn. Unlike some other Christian apologists, I find that Samples is quite gracious with the views of his opponents - avoids creating "straw men" - and that he shows humility in his arguments. Even if you disagree with him, Samples shows a fine way to argue :) In this book, he covers 7 topics ("ideas") that have been apologetic topics since the Early Church - and as such, the Author does give us some good insight into Church History, including frequent references to Augustine, Luther, Pascal and others - as well as good references to modern philosophers and scholars. I would've liked more on the development of the arguments over history but understand that this would've been beyond the scope of the book - rather it should whet the appetite of the reader to go and find out more. Thankfully, Samples is one of this fine authors who does give references for further reading. I think this is essential in books like this. I would encourage any Christian who is interested in being able to give a defence of their beliefs, to give this book a try.