Why I Still Believe

A Former Atheist’s Reckoning with the Bad Reputation Christians Give a Good God

By: Mary Jo Sharp

Narrated by: Jill Blackwood

Length: 6 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's Summary

For anyone who feels caught in the tension between the beauty of God's story and the ugliness of human hypocrisy, Why I Still Believe offers a stirring story of hope.

Why would anyone be a Christian when there is so much hypocrisy in the church? Mary Jo Sharp shares her journey as a skeptical believer who still holds to a beautiful faith despite wounding experiences in the Christian community.

At a time when de-conversion stories have become all too common, this is an earnest response - the compelling conversion of an unlikely believer whose questions ultimately led her to irresistible hope. Sharp addresses her own struggle with the reality that God's people repeatedly give God's story a bad name and takes a careful look at how the current church often inadvertently produces atheists despite its life-giving message.

For those who feel the ever-present tension between the beauty of salvation and the dark side of human nature, Why I Still Believe is a candid and approachable case for believing in God when you really want to walk away. With fresh and thoughtful insights, this spiritual narrative presents relevant answers to haunting questions like:

• Isn't there too much pain and suffering to believe?
• Is it okay to have doubt?
• What if Jesus' story is a copy of another story?
• Is there any evidence for Jesus' resurrection?
• Does atheism explain the human experience better than Christianity can?
• How can the truth of Christianity matter when the behaviors of Christians are reprehensible?

At once logical and loving, Sharp reframes the gospel as it truly is: the good news of redemption. With firmly grounded truths, Why I Still Believe is an affirming reminder that the hypocrisy of Christians can never negate the transforming grace and truth of Christ.

Further resources and discussion questions are available in the audiobook companion PDF download.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 Mary Jo Sharp (P)2019 Zondervan

Critic Reviews

"By discussing her own struggles and ways to address them, Sharp hopes to connect with others who deal with these barriers as well. She emphasizes that when people share their own faith stories, they can supplement the logical arguments with authentic life experiences. Her goal is to address both unbelievers who are exploring religious faith as well as believers whose faith commitment have happened somewhat recently.... Recommended for those interested in apologetics, both from theistic as well as a nontheistic perspectives." (Library Journal)

a tree beard story

A good story with a bite. It is a well thought out reply to Christians and to Atheists. The author hits hard with experiences and thoughtful arguments.

A fantastic read for anyone....

This is a fantastic read for anyone who has had questions or isn't sure they have questions. It is a book that will make you think and then make you question why you believe that. I would highly recommend this book to everyone.

Why I Still Believe, an atheist's journey to God

This is the book I've thought of writing for so many years but have been too busy or lazy to do so. Mary Jo captured so eloquently the struggles I've gone through. Maybe some day, hopefully soon, I will share my own story like she suggests. While I found it a bit too academic and cerebral at times, overall it was very mind-opening. I highly recommend the book!