The Reason For and Making Sense of God

This December, we have been seeking to make available resources and opportunities for church members to share the gospel with those around them. At our services, we have been giving away a copy of these books by the late Timothy Keller — “The Reason for God” and “Making Sense of God”.

The Reason for God

“The only way to doubt Christianity rightly and fairly is to discern the alternate belief under each of your doubts and then to ask yourself what reasons you have for believing it.”

“The Reason for God” was written to engage with doubts and questions that people might have regarding Christianity. These were drawn from Keller’s own experience ministering and pastoring in New York City.

Each chapter addresses a question and Keller tries to show how faith in the Christian God is a “soundly rational belief”. Some of the questions the book addresses include:

• Why does God allow suffering in the world?

• How could a loving God send people to Hell?

• Why isn’t Christianity more inclusive?

• How can one religion be “right” and the others “wrong”?

• Why have so many wars been fought in the name of God?

Making Sense of God

“In the day-to-day trenches of adult life, there is no such thing as . . . not worshipping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship.”

“The Reason for God” was written to make a case for Christianity, but this book, “Making Sense of God”, takes a step back to address those who doubt that any faith or religion is useful or needed in our world today. We may think that we have no need for religion and can place our faith in “empirical reason, historical progess and heartfelt emotion”. Keller seeks to show how humans need “meaning, satisfaction, freedom, identity, justice and hope”, and Christianity addresses all of our needs.

Do consider giving a copy of these books to a friend this Christmas, and consider reading with them! These books also contain questions that Christians have and wrestle with, so also consider reading this yourself or with another church member in the new year!