The Reason For God by Timothy Keller

I have read a couple of Timothy Keller's books before. They never disappoint. He is the pastor of a church in New York City so if it is one thing he understands it is having members of his congregation who are both seekers and doubters.

In this book he talks of The Reason for God. Not only the actual reason God exists but how the case for God's existence can be made.

He addresses both the Leap of Faith needed and then the Reasons for Faith that make one continue to believe in what he calls " an age of skepticism"

Mentioning Christianity's Critics by name, Harris and Dawkins for example, Keller makes a cogent appeal. Addressing many of the peripheral reasons folks turn away from religion he shows how, for example, many of those folks who proclaim thier own religosity from the rooftops and thus feel superior are missing much of the message of Jesus.

First and foremost is the fact that there is only one way to get to heaven and that is through the grace of God. Good works, being a good person, honoring the commandments these are, to Keller, outward manifestations of a desire to please God, but they in no way get you to heaven. If we were to get to heaven by our own works no one would be there. We all would fall short. Therefore God's s grace is the only way. Once one realizes this then feeling pride and better than those you feel live not as Godly as you do is silly. You all, rich and poor, those living in mansions and on the street, those who go to church and those who do not, will all only get to heaven by the goodwill and grace of God.

Talking of folks uncomfortable in church, turned off by what they perceive as hypocrites in churches Keller cautions that you will find sick people in hospitals and you will often find broken people in churches.

The book is not easy, it requires you to think about what he writes. It is broken up into sections and chapters and takes you on a good course through the book. As Keller says you do not have to wait to have no doubts to embrace God, if you do you might never do so. Let God find you.

A great religious writer Keller provides what he calls clues to God and makes a very plausible, not on just religeous means, but on secular truth and reasoning for those who want evidence that not only was Jesus real but divine. That he did die on the cross, their was an empty tomb and that he was seen after the resurrection. Depending heavily on Paul's letters which were written less than two decades after crucifixion he makes a historical case for Jesus and the resurrection.

If you are a seeker but faced with skepticism so common amongst the educated in a secular world this will not answer all your questions. It will make a case one can believe in however without feeling like they are believing in fairy tales.

Simply put the case for God and the creation, and Jesus and the resurrection is one that can be made. Alternative answers are just that , cases of their theory. For me I choose to believe in Jesus. I did before. I still do. This book however does offer some heavy arguments for apologists to believe in.