"_Why I Believe_ tackles some of the toughest questions of our day. Through both research and personal stories, Chip shares why he went from a full-blown skeptic to a Christian. Whether you are a believer or a skeptic, you will be greatly encouraged and challenged by the stories and evidence in this book."--__Sean McDowell__, PhD, author, speaker, professor  
  
"Chip Ingram has given us a fantastic guide for not only knowing what we believe but for owning, understanding, and defending those beliefs. His careful attention to doubts and questions will help Christians dive deeper into their faith and live it out more fully. Read, study, and share this book."--__Andy Stanley__, senior pastor of North Point Ministries  
  
"The apostle Peter tells us to always be ready to answer anyone who asks for a reason for the hope we have (1 Peter 3:15). Being ready doesn't have to be intimidating. Chip Ingram has presented a straightforward case for why he believes. This book will help strengthen your own belief and give you resources for communicating it to others."--__Jim Daly__, president, Focus on the Family  
  
"This is a keeper--a classic! You will learn so much that will help you encounter the culture in a powerful way. In fact, buy a few extra copies because you will want others to have this book."--__Kay Arthur__, cofounder of Precept Ministries International  
  
"Chip Ingram has a way of taking complex and intimidating material and making it accessible and applicable to everyone. That's the reason I didn't just pick up one copy of _Why I Believe_ to add to the apologetics section of my bookshelf, but why I ordered boxes of this book. As a pastor, I will be handing it out for years to come."--__Kyle Idleman__, pastor, author of _Grace Is Greater_

__Chip Ingram__ is the founder and CEO of Living on the Edge, an international teaching and discipleship ministry. A pastor for over thirty-five years, Chip is the author of many books, including _Discover Your True Self_, _Marriage That Works_, _Culture Shock_, _The Real Heaven_, _The Real God_, _The Invisible War_, and _Love, Sex, and Lasting Relationships_. Chip and his wife, Theresa, have four grown children and twelve grandchildren and live in California.

Responding to the perception that Christians are prejudiced, anti-intellectual, and bigoted has become a greater challenge than ever before. The result is often intimidation, withdrawal, and even doubts among God's people about what we really believe. Chip Ingram wants to change that. In _Why I Believe_, he gives compelling answers to questions about  
  
· the resurrection of Christ  
· the evidence of an afterlife  
· the accuracy and intellectual feasibility of the Bible  
· the debate between creation and evolution  
· the historicity of Jesus  
· and more  
  
His solid, biblical, logical answers will satisfy the honest doubts that every believer experiences, and will provide thoughtful arguments for those who are struggling with their faith, curious about Christianity, or who honestly want to follow Jesus without checking their brains at the door.

In our post-Christian, pluralistic society, responding to the perception that Christians are prejudiced, anti-intellectual, and bigoted has become a greater challenge than ever before. The result is often intimidation, withdrawal, and even doubts among God's people about what we _really_ believe. Bestselling author and teaching pastor at Living on the Edge, Chip Ingram, wants to change that.  
  
In _Why I Believe_, he gives compelling answers to questions about  
  
\- the resurrection of Christ  
\- the evidence of an afterlife  
 -the accuracy and intellectual feasibility of the Bible  
\- the debate between creation and evolution  
\- the historicity of Jesus  
\- and more  
  
The solid, biblical, logical answers he shares will satisfy the honest doubts that every believer experiences now and then, and will provide practical, thoughtful answers that can be shared with family and friends. This is the perfect resource for churches, small groups, and individuals who long not only to really know what and why they believe, but also to be equipped to explain the intellectual justification for their faith in everyday language.

Well-respected pastor and Bible teacher addresses some of the most confounding questions associated with the Christian faith: Is there an afterlife? Can we trust the Bible? Did the resurrection really happen?

\["For Christians seeking to strengthen their faith and beliefs", "Addresses doubts about faith in today's pluralistic society", "You will gain confidence to share your beliefs with others"\]

Why I Believe offers solid answers to tough faith questions.

Ingram, Chip

Cover

Title Page

Copyright Page

Endorsements

Introduction

1. Why I Believe in the Resurrection

Reason #1: The Historicity of Jesus of Nazareth

Reason #2: The Character of Jesus Is Unquestioned

Reason #3: The Works of Jesus Went Unchallenged

Reason #74: The Identity of Jesus Was Confirmed

Jesus Claimed to Be God

God the Father Affirms Jesus' Identity

Jesus' Disciples Claimed He Is God

Jesus' Enemies Confirmed His Identity

Extrabiblical Sources Confirm Jesus' Identity

The Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecies Confirms Jesus' Identity

Conclusion

2. Did Jesus Really Die?

Reason #5: The Death of Jesus Is Undisputed

Reason #6: The Burial of Jesus Was Public and Secured

Reason #7: The Evidence Is Convincing and Reasonable

Exhibit A: It was predicted by the Old Testament prophets.

Exhibit B: Jesus predicted it openly numerous times.

Exhibit C: The testimony of women.

Exhibit D: He appeared twelve different times to over five hundred witnesses.

Exhibit E: The transformation of the disciples.

Exhibit F: He appeared in multiple locations and times for over forty days.

Exhibit G: The explosion of the early church.

Exhibit H: It is not logical—in fact, it is inconceivable—for the disciples to willingly and knowingly "die for a lie."

Exhibit I: The conversion of Saul of Tarsus.

Exhibit J: The transformation of the Roman Empire and the world.

Exhibit K: The best legal minds state the evidence is conclusive.

Exhibit L: He changed my life.

3. Why I Believe in the Bible

Reason #1: Archaeology

Reason #2: Revelation

All Scripture—Both the Old and the New Testaments

Reason #3: Origin

Reason #4: Authenticity

Reason #5: Jesus

4. Don't Take My Word for It

Reason #6: Fulfilled Prophecy

Reason #7: Transmission

Reason #8: Impact

5. Why I Believe in Life after Death

Six Strong Indicators of Life after Death

1. Nature

2. Anthropology

3. Psychology

4. Ethics

5. Philosophy

6. Science and Near-Death Experiences

Jesus and the Bible on Life after Death

Truth #1: At death, every person's soul or spirit enters immediately and consciously into the relational aspects of eternal existence.

Jesus' Paradigm of the Afterlife

Paul's Paradigm of the Afterlife

Truth #2: Every person will one day be resurrected and live forever.

Truth #3: Every person will be judged and granted the extended capacity to fulfill in eternity the deepest yearnings and desires of their hearts while on earth.

Truth #4: Every person will spend eternity in heaven with Christ and fellow believers or in hell separated from God forever.

Why There Has to Be a Hell

A Preview of Heaven—the Great Adventure

A Preview of Hell—the Horrible Choice

The Reasons for a Hell

Man's Dignity and Freedom Demand a Hell

God's Holiness and Justice Demand a Hell

Sin's Seriousness Demands a Hell

Evil's Defeat Demands a Hell

6. Why I Believe in Creation

The Origin of Life

The Fundamental Question Is . . .

Evolution

Creation

Exposing the Controversy

1. The Classic Macroevolution Position

2. The New Voices Challenging the Macroevolution Position

3. The Theistic Evolutionists

4. Intelligent Design

Complexity of Life

Question 1: How did life begin?

Question 2: Why did life begin?

7. Science or God

Question 3: How did various plants and animals develop?

Question 4: Which theory best explains our most recent scientific discoveries?

Molecular Biology

Genetics

In Astronomy and Physics—the Big Bang

Question 5: Which theory best explains the fossil record?

Darwin's Admission and Confidence of Future Discoveries

Present State of Fossil Records

Question 6: Which theory or claim has the greatest moral or social benefit to mankind?

Darwinism and Humanism: God Dethroned

Darwinism and Morality—Relative Truth Birthed

Darwinism and Racism, Sexism, Abortion

Question 7: Which theory or claim reflects most accurately the laws of empirical science and research?

__Follow Jesus without checking your brains at the door__   
Responding to the perception that Christians are prejudiced, anti-intellectual, and bigoted has become a greater challenge than ever before. The result is often intimidation, withdrawal, and even doubts among God's people about what we really believe.   
  
Chip Ingram wants to change that. In _Why I Believe_, he gives compelling answers to questions about  
  
● the resurrection of Christ  
● the evidence of an afterlife  
● the accuracy and intellectual feasibility of the Bible  
● the debate between creation and evolution  
● the historicity of Jesus  
● and more  
  
His solid, biblical, logical answers will satisfy the honest doubts that every believer experiences, and will provide thoughtful arguments for those who are struggling with their faith, curious about Christianity, or who honestly want to follow Jesus without checking their brains at the door.

"Why I Believe" by Chip Ingram offers clear answers to key questions about Christianity, the Bible, and faith. Ideal for individuals and groups seeking to understand and articulate their beliefs.

\["For Christians facing doubts in today's society", "Addresses common questions about God and the Bible", "You will feel more confident in sharing your faith"\]

Discover solid answers to tough questions about faith with Chip Ingram's insightful guide.

Straight Answers to Honest Questions about God, the Bible, and Christianity

Why I Believe

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