An Overdue Recommendation

Not uncommonly , I am a about a year behind the rest of the world; I just recently finished Tim Keller's The Reason for God. Keller serves as senior pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. Dutton published Keller's book early in 2008. Aimed at skeptics and/or believers with doubt, the book presents a defense of the orthodox Christian faith. 

Keller organizes his book in two sections: the first seven chapters respond to seven different objections to Christianity, and the last seven offer "reasons for faith." The chapters dealing with objections seek to answer common apprehensions to Christianity using logic and rational. The "reasons" chapters present highly logical, empirically-based arguments for the existence and knowledge of God, sin nature, misconceptions about Christianity, etc. Keller does not use Scripture (much) to support his arguments, making his book seemingly less circular to a skeptical audience. The epilogue gives the gospel message and makes a call to action. 

I found chapter fourteen, The Dance of God, the most helpful in the book. In this chapter, Keller reveals the relational nature of the Christian life. Chapter fourteen serves to teach (remind) readers about the relationships within the Trinity, and the implication of those relationships.

Chapter five deals with Hell. Reading through it, I found this chapter ambiguous and confusing. I struggled to decipher whether or not Keller thinks Hell is an actual place, or more of a state of existence. After hearing a couple of lectures/talks by Keller, I undoubtedly believe him to propagate an orthodox position on Hell. However, chapter five of The Reason for God presents Keller's position quite confusingly. If you were also confused by Keller's statements in chapter five, or you are about to read through the book, here is an article by Keller from Redeemer's website about Hell. The article not only well outlines a proper view of Hell, but it clarifies any confusing points from Keller's book. 

Apart from one ambigious chapter, The Reason for God represents one of the great contibutions to orthodox Christian apologetics in recent years. I strongly recommend this book to both belivers and non believers alike (and yes, the book is going on my recommended list).

Here is a link to the Reason for God website. And my friend Luke recently commented on a chapter of Keller's book, here.         

Buy The Reason for God here. May growth and renewed confidence ensue!