The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism

by Timothy Keller

Publisher:

Riverhead Books

, 2009

Overview

Timothy Keller, the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, addresses the frequent doubts that skeptics and non-believers bring to religion. Using literature, philosophy, anthropology, pop culture, and intellectual reasoning, Keller explains how the belief in a Christian God is, in fact, a sound and rational one. To true believers he offers a solid platform on which to stand against the backlash toward religion spawned by the age of skepticism. And to skeptics, atheists, and agnostics he provides a challenging argument for pursuing the reason for God.

Key Features

• Provides compelling arguments for the ongoing relevance of Christian belief in society
• Addresses key practical questions all Christians wrestle with in their journey of faith

Contents

Top Highlights

“What is religion then? It is a set of beliefs that explain what life is all about, who we are, and the most important things that human beings should spend their time doing.” (Page 15)

“In response the philosopher Peter Kreeft points out that the Christian God came to earth to deliberately put himself on the hook of human suffering. In Jesus Christ, God experienced the greatest depths of pain. Therefore, though Christianity does not provide the reason for each experience of pain, it provides deep resources for actually facing suffering with hope and courage rather than bitterness and despair.” (Pages 27–28)

“The Biblical view of things is resurrection—not a future that is just a consolation for the life we never had but a restoration of the life you always wanted. This means that every horrible thing that ever happened will not only be undone and repaired but will in some way make the eventual glory and joy even greater.” (Page 32)

“If we again ask the question: ‘Why does God allow evil and suffering to continue?’ and we look at the cross of Jesus, we still do not know what the answer is. However, we now know what the answer isn’t. It can’t be that he doesn’t love us. It can’t be that he is indifferent or detached from our condition. God takes our misery and suffering so seriously that he was willing to take it on himself.” (Pages 30–31)

“In short, hell is simply one’s freely chosen identity apart from God on a trajectory into infinity.” (Page 80)

Endorsements

In a flood of bestsellers by skeptics and atheists Keller stands out as an effective counterpoint and defender of the faith. The Reason for God makes a tight, accessible case for reasoned religious belief.

—The Washington Post

It is easy to understand [Timothy Keller’s] appeal.

—The New York Times

It’s a provocative premise, in pursuit of which Keller takes on nonbelievers from evolutionary biologists to the recent rash of atheist authors.

—The Boston Globe

An intellectually compelling case for God.

—Publishers Weekly

Product Details

• Title: The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism
• Author: Timothy Keller
• Publisher: Riverhead Books
• Print Publication Date: 2009
• Logos Release Date: 2016
• Pages: 352
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Apologetics; Faith; Skepticism
• ISBNs: 9781594483493, 9780525950493, 9781594152955, 9780143142942, 9781429595506, 9781429595537, 1594483493, 0525950494, 1594152950, 0143142941, 1429595507, 1429595531
• Resource ID: LLS:RSNGDBLGSKPTCSM
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T02:47:31Z

About Timothy Keller

Timothy Keller (1950-2023) was the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, which he started in 1989. For over 20 years, he led a diverse congregation of young professionals with a weekly attendance of over 5,000. He was also president of Redeemer City to City, which plants new churches in New York and other cities. For the last decade, the organization has launched over 200 churches in 35 cities. Logos has collected his sermons in the Timothy Keller Sermon Archive (1989–2011) and Timothy Keller Sermon Archive (2012–2013).

Keller wrote multiple New York Times bestselling books, including The Reason for God and The Prodigal God. His recent work included The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God, Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, and Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God's Work. He is also wrote his own commentary and study guide series. Christianity Today has said, “Fifty years from now, if evangelical Christians are widely known for their love of cities, their commitment to mercy and justice, and their love of their neighbors, Timothy Keller will be remembered as a pioneer of the new urban Christians.”