The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller

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This book owes at least a small debt to the author's congregation. In New York City's Redeemer Presbyterian Church, Timothy Keller ministers to a flock of 15,000. Over the years, Rev. Keller has compiled a list of doubts by parishioners and visitors. In The Reason for God, he responds to seven common objections to religion in general and/or Christianity in particular. For believers or would-be believers, this book provides a reassuring response to books such as God Is Not Great, Letter to a Christian Nation, and The God Delusion.

From the Publisher

The End of Faith. The God Delusion. God Is Not Great. Letter to a Christian Nation. Bestseller lists are filled with doubters. But what happens when you actually doubt your doubts?

Publishers Weekly

In this apologia for Christian faith, Keller mines material from literary classics, philosophy, anthropology and a multitude of other disciplines to make an intellectually compelling case for God. Written for skeptics and the believers who love them, the book draws on the author's encounters as founding pastor of New York's booming Redeemer Presbyterian Church. One of Keller's most provocative arguments is that "all doubts, however skeptical and cynical they may seem, are really a set of alternate beliefs." Drawing on sources as diverse as 19th-century author Robert Louis Stevenson and contemporary New Testament theologian N.T. Wright, Keller attempts to deconstruct everyone he finds in his way, from the evolutionary psychologist Richard Dawkins to popular author Dan Brown. The first, shorter part of the book looks at popular arguments against God's existence, while the second builds on general arguments for God to culminate in a sharp focus on the redemptive work of God in Christ. Keller's condensed summaries of arguments for and against theism make the scope of the book overwhelming at times. Nonetheless, it should serve both as testimony to the author's encyclopedic learning and as a compelling overview of the current debate on faith for those who doubt and for those who want to re-evaluate what they believe, and why. (Feb. 14)

Library Journal

As founder of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, Keller has heard many people question religious beliefs and ask questions like, "How can there be one true religion?" or "How can a loving God allow suffering?" In his new book, written to help counter books like Richard Dawkins's The God Delusion , Keller addresses these and other questions and gives his reasons for believing in God unconditionally. He shares his personal path to Christianity through experiences with his own doubts about faith and conversations he holds with those still struggling with personal belief. Using literature, philosophy, and pop culture, the author gives convincing reasons for a strong belief in God. It is refreshing to read a book that presents a religious view without being overly critical of the secular side presented in other books. An excellent conversation starter, this book presents a valid, well-written, and well-researched argument and should be considered for public libraries.-Jennifer Kuncken, Williamsburg Regional Lib., VA

Product Details

• ISBN: 0525950494
  
• ISBN-13: 9780525950493
• Format: Hardcover, 320pp
• Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
• Pub. Date: February 2008
• Sales Rank: 2,551

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents