Alister McGrath: Does It Matter if Christianity Is Rational?

Can We Speak About Jesus's Transforming Power Without Reducing It To a Consumer Product?

You can believe Christianity is true and still wonder what difference it makes. Theologian and former atheist Alister McGrath joins Curtis Chang to discuss Rethinking Christianity and why conversations about faith need to address meaning, purpose, and hope alongside rational belief. They explore the danger of reducing Christianity to self-help, the limits of intellectual answers to suffering, and how Jesus' suffering speaks to people in their darkest moments. Curtis also shares his experience of anxiety and depression as they consider how truth, lived experience, and Christian friendship can sustain faith.

02:34 - Why Won't Christianity Stay Buried?

04:43 - Dr. McGrath's Journey from Atheism to Christianity

07:11 - From Debating Atheism to Addressing Meaning

15:30 - Consumerism, Relevance, and Losing Christianity's Story

19:19 - How Can We Find Purpose and Flourish in Faith?

23:46 - The Limits of Apologetic Answers to Suffering

30:43 - Explaining the Trinity

33:09 - Preaching to the Choir and Finding Companions

Find this episode on our website: Good Faith episode 256

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Mentioned in This Episode:

• Dr. McGrath's Rethinking Christianity: A Thoughtful Guide to a Life-Changing Faith
• C.S. Lewis's The Problem of Pain
• Henri Blocker's Evil and the Cross
• More about C.S. Lewis's conversion
• More about Dorothy L. Sayers
• More about Alvin Plantinga
• Dr. McGrath Debates Richard Dawkins
• Dr. McGrath Debates Christopher Hitchens
• Dr. McGrath Debates Daniel Dennett

Scriptures:

• John 4:1–42 (ESV)
• John 10:10 (ESV)
• Psalm 23 (ESV)
• Matthew 7:24–27 (ESV)

More From Dr. McGrath:

• Professor Alister McGrath at the University of Oxford
• Alister McGrath's website
• Alister McGrath's books