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My next book, Faith Simplified: What We Believe and Why We Believe It, releases on May 20th. Today, I’m sharing book’s foreword, written by my friend Trevin Wax.
Whenever I see a book that promises to lay out the basics of Christianity or present the big story of the Bible. I become immediately curious. There are countless ways to tell the “old, old story.” So I begin to wonder: How is this author going to sum up the Bible? What themes will they choose to emphasize? How will they handle the wide range of Christian interpretation that has taken place over the course of nearly 2,000 years? How will they present the truths of Scripture in a way that speaks to our current cultural moment?
But the big question that truly makes me lean in is, How did the author make Christian theology accessible to someone who is just starting out in their exploration?
How do you simplify the vast, deep waters of Christian teaching without reducing them to something shallow? How do you achieve simplicity without succumbing to reductionism? How do you provide simple speech that isn’t simplistic? That is no small task, especially considering the greatest theologians in history have plumbed the depths of Christian teaching and have never run empty of awe-inducing truths.
Clear, Engaging, Faithful
When I picked up Faith Simplified, I was eager to see how my friend Aaron Armstrong would tackle such an ambitious task. I was pleased with what I found. He’s done something special in these pages. Aaron presents the heart of the Christian faith in a way that’s clear, engaging, and—most importantly—faithful. He’s not interested in watering down concepts or lecturing through a surface-level overview. No, this book digs down to the essential truths of Christianity. But in a way that makes them accessible without being superficial. Aaron doesn’t shy away from the complexity of our faith, but he also doesn’t let it become a barrier to those just beginning on their journey.
Aaron’s approach in Faith Simplified is to sit down with you and walk you through the big questions about faith, like Who is God?, Why is there suffering?, Why did Jesus come?, and What does it mean to be born again? And he does this in a way that’s thoughtful and practical. Aaron seeks to help you through the basics without getting lost in a maze of theological jargon. He is the kind of guide who knows the terrain well but doesn’t show off his knowledge. He desires for you to love what he loves. And he wants the Christian faith to make sense for you.
If you are new to the faith, this book is a road map to guide you on your journey. If you’ve been walking with Jesus for years, this book is a chance to see the surrounding landscape with fresh eyes. And if you’re reading as someone who is curious but not quite sure what to make of it all, this book is your invitation to try the untried.
Enjoy the Swim
Faith Simplified reminds us that theology isn’t only for scholars. It’s for everyone. Aaron wants you to engage with these truths, to wrestle with them, and to own them. If theology is the study of God then Christian theology is about knowing God as he’s revealed himself in Christ. The heart of our faith isn’t simply a set of theological bullet points or a list of ethical dos and don’ts. It’s about a Person. All Christian theology is a response to that pivotal question Jesus asked his disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).
Christian theology is not some tedious exercise in sorting out irrelevant details. It’s an invitation to know more about this Jesus who saved us. He said it himself: Eternal life is knowing God and the One he sent (John 17:3). We want to speak in a way that matches his majesty and to proclaim his excellencies to the world.
So whether you’re just now dipping your toes into the Christian faith, or you’ve been swimming in its waters for years, Faith Simplified is a book worth diving into. Aaron has given us a gift—one that will help you to know and love God more deeply. Enjoy the swim.
Photo by Amy Lister on Unsplash
Faith Simplified releases May 20th. Order today from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Christian Book, or your favorite book retailer.
