The Reason for God
Belief in an Age of Skepticism
by Timothy Keller
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The Reason for God
ONE
There Can’t Be Just One True Religion
“How could there be just one true faith?” asked Blair, a twenty-four-year-old woman living in Manhattan. “It’s arrogant to say your religion is superior and try to convert everyone else to it. Surely all the religions are equally good and valid for meeting the needs of their particular followers.”
“Religious exclusivity is not just narrow it’s dangerous,” added Geoff, a twenty-something British man also living in New York City. “Religion has led to untold strife, division, and conflict. It may be the greatest enemy of peace in the world. If Christians continue to insist that they have ‘the truth’ and if other religions do this as well the world will never know peace.”
DURING my nearly two decades in New York City, I’ve had numerous opportunities to ask people, “What is your biggest problem with Christianity? What troubles you the most about its beliefs or how it is practiced?” One of the most frequent answers I have heard over the years can be summed up in one word: exclusivity.
I was once invited to be the Christian representative in a panel discussion at a local college along with a Jewish rabbi and a Muslim imam. The panelists were asked to discuss the differences among religions. The conversation was courteous, intelligent, and respectful in tone. Each speaker affirmed that there were significant, irreconcilable differences between the major faiths. A case in point was the person of Jesus. We all agreed on the statement: “If Christians are right about Jesus being God, then Muslims and Jews fail in a serious way to love God as God really is, but if Muslims and Jews are right that Jesus is not God but rather a teacher or prophet, then Christians fail in a serious way to love God as God really is.” The bottom line was we couldn’t all be equally right about the nature of God.
Several of the students were quite disturbed by this. One student insisted that what mattered was to believe in God and to be a loving person yourself. To insist that one faith has a better grasp of the truth than others was intolerant. Another student looked at us clerics and said in his frustration, “We will never come to know peace on earth if religious leaders keep on making such exclusive claims!”
It is widely believed that one of the main barriers to world peace is religion, and especially the major traditional religions with their exclusive claims to superiority. It may surprise you that though I am a Christian minister I agree with this. Religion, generally speaking, tends to create a slippery slope in the heart. Each religion informs its followers that they have “the truth,” and this naturally leads them to feel superior to those with differing beliefs. Also, a religion tells its followers that they are saved and connected to God by devotedly performing that truth.
Excerpted from, The Reason For God
Copyright © 2008 by Timothy Keller
The Reason for God
At a time when scientists and cultural critics are questioning the very reason for belief in God, The Reason for God gives us an impassioned, practical understanding of why believing in God makes perfect sense.
Pastor Tim Keller’s list of the most frequently voiced “doubts” skeptics bring to his church includes: Why is there 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 rest “wrong”? These are just a few of the questions even believers wrestle with today. Using literature, philosophy, real-life conversations and reasoning, Keller demonstrates how faith in a Christian God is a sound, rational belief, held by thoughtful people of intellectual integrity with a deep compassion for those who want to know the truth.
The Reason for God provides a strong platform on which true believers can stand their ground when bombarded by doubters, challenging the ideologies of skeptics at their core and pointing to the true path and purpose of Christianity. You’ll emerge with a new understanding of Christianity’s place in the modern world and all the reasons God has an important place in your life.
Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Dutton, Div of Penguin Putnam ( February 14, 2008 )
Item #: 74-1210
ISBN: 9780525950493
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.25 x 0.65 inches
Product Weight: 12.0 ounces
Outstanding Apologetical Book!
February 20, 2010
As a trained theologian, I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. However, I was wonderfully surprized with Dr. Keller's approach to answering some very difficult questions. He presents to the reader actual questions he has encountered over the years and uses his knowledge of Theology and philosophy to help the reader better understand their logic and the presuppositions. I highly recommend this book!
Reviewer: Brad R
LOVED IT!!
July 08, 2009
I thought this book was excellent!! Well written and excellent references!! He addressed questions that have been an issue for me since I first began my Christian walk.
Reviewer: Thessalonians
okay
October 13, 2008
This book was not a fast easy read. It was a lot of thinking but informative..slow down and take time if your going to read it.
Reviewer: Jackie R
Hard to understand
September 29, 2008
I was looking forward to reading this book but was extremely disappointed once I started it. To me the book was written for someone who is more well versed in theology than the just the average Christian.
Reviewer: Suzanne C
Very informative reading!
June 02, 2008
This book made me look at people views with an open mind. I enjoyed the variety of references used
good book.
Reviewer: Linda D
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