A Good and True Story: Eleven Clues to Understanding Our Universe and Your Place in It

by Paul M. Gould

Overview

Young adults today want authentic answers to their soul-deep questions about God. They want meaningful ways to communicate those answers to others. Most of all, they want to know that they are living a life that matters.

In A Good and True Story, philosopher, apologist, and international speaker Paul Gould leads readers on an engaging journey through eleven clues that suggest Christianity is not only true but satisfies our deepest longings. This creative foray into the foundations of Christian truth explores the universe, morality, happiness, pain, beauty, and more for readers looking for culturally informed apologetics.

Ideal for college-age and twentysomething readers, small group leaders, and anyone interested in the intersection of faith, philosophy, and culture, A Good and True Story reminds readers that their search for identity and purpose is a gift from a loving and purposeful God.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781587435195
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	11/15/2022
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Paul M. Gould (PhD, Purdue University) is associate professor of philosophy and director of the philosophy of religion master's program at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida. He is the founder and president of the Two Tasks Institute, an apologetics institute and podcast, and is on the faculty of Summit Ministries and the Colson Center Fellows Program. Gould is the author of 11 books, including The Story of the Cosmos and the award-winning Cultural Apologetics. He is a popular guest on national radio programs and podcasts as well as a sought-after speaker on apologetics and philosophy.

Table of Contents

Contents
Introduction: The Search
1. The Universe
2. Life
3. Species
4. Humans
5. Morality
6. Meaning
7. Happiness
8. Pain
9. Love
10. Beauty
11. Religion
Index

Editorial Reviews

09/05/2022

This underwhelming outing by Gould (Cultural Apologetics), a philosophy professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University, finds evidence in the everyday for Christianity’s veracity. The author examines “eleven features of the world”—including the universe, morality, and beauty—and contends that they are “signposts” that confirm Christianity’s worldview. He posits that the difficulty of finding happiness in earthly pleasures indicates the need for all humans to commune with God and cites Anthony Kiedis’s memoir, in which the Red Hot Chili Peppers front man describes the despair he often felt despite his wealth and success. Gould suggests that the existence of animal species with stable “essences” points to the reality of a creator and asserts that evolution can’t account for the development of new species, shrugging off the role of genetic mutations as “highly unlikely.” The author concludes that “Christianity is the true story of the world” because the gospels’ inclusion of such “embarrassing details” as Jesus “cursing a fig tree” means that the authors were likely telling the unvarnished truth, failing to consider that other sacred texts include elements modern audiences might also find “embarrassing.” The flimsy apologetics are unlikely to either sway skeptics or provide Christians with a cogent defense of the faith. This comes up short. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly