*10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin

With Christianity increasingly under fire, apologist Rebecca McLaughlin answers 10 questions every young Christian will have to confront.

*10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin. Crossway, 2021, 208 pages

Reading level: Teen, ages 12-15

Recommended for: ages 10-16

In Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion, Rebecca McLaughlin pulled no punches in defense of Christian faith and worldview. As one who has wrestled with such questions herself, she reasons through each one to arrive at orthodox, biblical answers. 10 Questions is a slightly scaled-down version for younger teens. The questions are similar but not entirely the same. For example, rather than one question about LGBT issues (“Isn’t Christianity Homophobic?”), she acknowledges the latest surge in transgender ideology with “Who Cares If You’re a Boy or a Girl” in addition to “Why Can’t We Just Agree that Love Is Love?” As in Confronting Christianity, she is frank about her own same-sex attraction and how indulging it would not square with God’s purpose and design. These are topics of intense debate in high schools across the nation—provided kids are allowed to talk honestly about them.

Other chapters address classic issues: the reliability of the Bible, the challenge of “science,” the possibility of morality \without God, and the problem of evil. As befitting a younger audience, the chapters are shorter and more conversational than those of Confronting Christianity. Another difference is the use of pop-culture references, particularly to the Harry Potter series. Without condoning or condemning the series, McLaughlin simply assumes that many of her readers are familiar with it and draws out copious examples to illustrate various Christian themes. This is an excellent way to show that Christian consciousness still permeates an anti-Christian culture: a point she makes both implicitly and explicitly.

It’s a tough world out there, in a culture that has become actively hostile. But in every age, young people need specific tools to meet the misrepresentations and outright lies that challenge their faith. 10 Questions is just such a tool. Quick note: Though described as “illustrated,” the illustrations are simple block-print figures at the beginning of each chapter.

Overall Rating: 5 (out of 5)

• Worldview/moral value: 5
• Artistic/literary value: 4.5

Also at Redeemed Reader:

• Review: David Murray has written two helpful devotional books for encouraging middle-graders and up to study the Bible for themselves: Exploring the Bible (starred review) and Exploring the Bible Together (for families). Transformed by Truth (starred review) can help older teens develop good study habits.
• Reviews: Back to the Bible: Some of our favorite study Bibles for teens are the Teen Essentials (CSB), the Jesus Centered Bible (NLT), and the Student Study Bible (ESV).
• Reflection: Speaking of Harry Potter . . .

We are participants in the Amazon LLC affiliate program; purchases you make through affiliate links like the one below may earn us a commission. Read more here.