If you read only one book in '08 make it The Reason for God by Tim Keller. I just finished it while on vacation in Coronado with Natasha. I had high expectations because Keller has been a huge blessing to Kaleo and to me personally. I was not let down, The Reason for God is one of the best books I have ever read.
There are a few things in it that will upset some Christian readers such as Keller's belief in the compatibility of the Bible with evolution and his C.S. Lewis-like explanation of Hell (like in Lewis's The Great Divorce). Neither of which get me worked up and I hope they wouldn't stop you from benefiting from this amazing book.
I originally got The Reason for God for the first half of the book in which Keller addresses common objections people have to Christianity. I didn't think much of the second half when I first skimmed the book. Well it turns out that the first half was great, but I really bought the book (in God's providence) for the second half. In it Keller does an amazing job of laying out a positive case for the Gospel. He draws clear distinctions between the Gospel and religion in ways that are so refreshing. The chapter on the Trinity (chapter 14 - "The Dance of God") alone would have been worth the price of the book. I was originally going to blog choice quotes, but they are really too numerous to pick from.
One thing is clear Keller wrote The Reason for God for unbelievers in a way similar to C.S. Lewis's classic Mere Christianity (I actually think Keller's is better, at least for our time). The cool thing is that it appears that unbelievers are buying it. It has now been on the New York Times Bestseller list (the non-fiction list, not the advice list) for 5 weeks and it isn't because Christians are buying them all. In fact I think that few Christians even know about it. Keller was very savvy in having it published by a branch of Penguin instead of by a Christian publisher making it clear that it is intended for the secular market.
I have already given it to several of my clients and colleagues, as well as, family. I been giving it specifically to those who are wrestling with intellectual objections with the Christian faith with the hope that it will be a starting place for further discussion. (Who do you have in your life that fits that description? Get them one!) An audio version is also available, as well as, a website about the book.
But even though it is written to unbelievers I was hugely blessed by it. Reading it taught me new ways to communicate the Gospel. But not only that reading it ministered the Gospel in a fresh way to my soul.
The Reason for God is not just for beginners - just like the Gospel is not just for beginners - it is for YOU to nourish your soul on.
Thanks Dr. Keller for leading us to the banquet again!
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