Book Reviewby Christine Mead
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“I never met a Christian who could actually provide a good reason as to why they had faith in God”.
I overheard this snatch of conversation on the library lawn of UNSW recently and my brain immediately went into overdrive. Arguments, reasons, defences were running through my mind as I wondered what my personal response to this question would have been.
In today’s society it is not enough to simply have faith; one must provide a logical basis for their beliefs. Furthermore, there’s nothing like a first year philosophy course to make a Christian wonder....
"Is my faith rational?"
It is precisely the above question that Timothy Keller tackles in his book "The Reason for God". Divided into two main sections, the first half addresses the ‘tough questions’ associated with Christianity and the main concerns of sceptics. Topics covered include religious pluralism, suffering, hell, scientific discovery and the injustice caused by the Church over the ages. Non-Christians and Christians alike should be looking for answers to the questions posed in these areas and Keller provides them simply but convincingly. He frequently refers to the arguments put forward by the most prominent atheists of today and dismantles the view that one cannot be of sound intellect and have faith.
The second half of Keller’s book is dedicated to providing the most compelling reasons for faith – evidence both historical and philosophical. The unmistakable ways in which God reveals Himself to us, the nature of morality, the problem of sin, the real story behind the cross and the reality of the resurrection are examined by Keller and provide Christians with a greater understanding and therefore confirmation of their faith. Alternatively, those who doubt will be forced to question their own perceptions of Christianity and consider the historicity of the gospels, Jesus’ death and resurrection as nothing less than historical fact (once one overcomes their philosophical bias as Keller puts it), and the common sense of the Christian worldview.
I also found the ‘Intermission’ of the book helpful
as Keller bluntly tells us that no airtight argument or indisputable piece of empirical evidence may be offered for Christianity (empirical evidence = evidence that can be tested by experiment rather than logic). This doesn’t sound very promising but Keller explains the concept of ‘strong rationalism’ and points out that in the first place, no one can ‘empirically prove that no one should believe in something without empirical proof’. Touché.
Keller also dispelled another concern that I had despite myself – if the reasons for God were indeed good ones, why is it so hard for people to believe? Further, why doesn’t God just reveal himself to us explicitly, why must we have to put the pieces of the puzzle together ourselves? Keller uses the example of the way a playwright relates to the characters in his play. This analogy allowed me to understand that creation can only learn of its creator as the creator allows. Certainly, if God revealed His majesty to us completely, every human should fall to their knees in obedience. But God, who truly loves us, wishes us to seek and follow Him of our own will and to enjoy a real relationship with Him. Needless to say, these reassurances from Keller encouraged me greatly and it is but one example of many.
Woven throughout the text are also extracts of great Christian and atheist literature and philosophy. The only downside of this was that I would sometimes find myself distracted by the eloquence of Dostoevsky or Lewis and want to devour their books instead. Also significant are Keller’s personal anecdotes and the quotes of non-Christians that precede every chapter. The misconceptions of many well-educated and successful ‘Manhattanites’ are effectively countered and I pray that books like Keller’s would make their way into the hands of sceptics and that their views would be challenged.
Christians must also find a logical basis for their faith and ‘The Reason for God’ is a brilliant starting point. Reason certainly isn’t the be all and end all but the intellectual aspect of faith shouldn’t be ignored. The Reason for God will allow Christians to engage more effectively with non-Christians and atheists especially and will encourage us further to evangelise as we become more convinced of the unique truth of Christianity.
I overheard this snatch of conversation on the library lawn of UNSW recently and my brain immediately went into overdrive. Arguments, reasons, defences were running through my mind as I wondered what my personal response to this question would have been.
In today’s society it is not enough to simply have faith; one must provide a logical basis for their beliefs. Furthermore, there’s nothing like a first year philosophy course to make a Christian wonder....
"Is my faith rational?"
It is precisely the above question that Timothy Keller tackles in his book "The Reason for God". Divided into two main sections, the first half addresses the ‘tough questions’ associated with Christianity and the main concerns of sceptics. Topics covered include religious pluralism, suffering, hell, scientific discovery and the injustice caused by the Church over the ages. Non-Christians and Christians alike should be looking for answers to the questions posed in these areas and Keller provides them simply but convincingly. He frequently refers to the arguments put forward by the most prominent atheists of today and dismantles the view that one cannot be of sound intellect and have faith.The second half of Keller’s book is dedicated to providing the most compelling reasons for faith – evidence both historical and philosophical. The unmistakable ways in which God reveals Himself to us, the nature of morality, the problem of sin, the real story behind the cross and the reality of the resurrection are examined by Keller and provide Christians with a greater understanding and therefore confirmation of their faith. Alternatively, those who doubt will be forced to question their own perceptions of Christianity and consider the historicity of the gospels, Jesus’ death and resurrection as nothing less than historical fact (once one overcomes their philosophical bias as Keller puts it), and the common sense of the Christian worldview.
I also found the ‘Intermission’ of the book helpful
as Keller bluntly tells us that no airtight argument or indisputable piece of empirical evidence may be offered for Christianity (empirical evidence = evidence that can be tested by experiment rather than logic). This doesn’t sound very promising but Keller explains the concept of ‘strong rationalism’ and points out that in the first place, no one can ‘empirically prove that no one should believe in something without empirical proof’. Touché.Keller also dispelled another concern that I had despite myself – if the reasons for God were indeed good ones, why is it so hard for people to believe? Further, why doesn’t God just reveal himself to us explicitly, why must we have to put the pieces of the puzzle together ourselves? Keller uses the example of the way a playwright relates to the characters in his play. This analogy allowed me to understand that creation can only learn of its creator as the creator allows. Certainly, if God revealed His majesty to us completely, every human should fall to their knees in obedience. But God, who truly loves us, wishes us to seek and follow Him of our own will and to enjoy a real relationship with Him. Needless to say, these reassurances from Keller encouraged me greatly and it is but one example of many.
Woven throughout the text are also extracts of great Christian and atheist literature and philosophy. The only downside of this was that I would sometimes find myself distracted by the eloquence of Dostoevsky or Lewis and want to devour their books instead. Also significant are Keller’s personal anecdotes and the quotes of non-Christians that precede every chapter. The misconceptions of many well-educated and successful ‘Manhattanites’ are effectively countered and I pray that books like Keller’s would make their way into the hands of sceptics and that their views would be challenged.
Christians must also find a logical basis for their faith and ‘The Reason for God’ is a brilliant starting point. Reason certainly isn’t the be all and end all but the intellectual aspect of faith shouldn’t be ignored. The Reason for God will allow Christians to engage more effectively with non-Christians and atheists especially and will encourage us further to evangelise as we become more convinced of the unique truth of Christianity.
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1 comment:
Yep, read it! - its a great book. Not too long... not too simplistic. Read it and pass it on. You don't even have to read all of it - you can pick the chapters that sound good to you.
Thanks for your review Christine.
Steve
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