Making Sense of God: An Invitation to the Skeptical

by Timothy Keller

Overview

We live in an age of skepticism. Our society places such faith in empirical reason, historical progress, and heartfelt emotion that it’s easy to wonder: Why should anyone believe in Christianity? What role can faith and religion play in our modern lives?

In this thoughtful and inspiring new book, pastor and New York Times bestselling author Timothy Keller invites skeptics to consider that Christianity is more relevant now than ever. As human beings, we cannot live without meaning, satisfaction, freedom, identity, justice, and hope. Christianity provides us with unsurpassed resources to meet these needs. Written for both the ardent believer and the skeptic, Making Sense of God shines a light on the profound value and importance of Christianity in our lives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780525954156
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	09/20/2016
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.50(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Timothy Keller was born and raised in Pennsylvania and educated at Bucknell University, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Westminster Theological Seminary. His first pastorate was in Hopewell, Virginia. In 1989 he started Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City with his wife, Kathy, and their three sons. Today, Redeemer has nearly six thousand regular Sunday attendees and has helped to start more than three hundred new churches around the world. He is the author of God's Wisdom for Navigating Life, Hidden Christmas, The Songs of Jesus, and The Meaning of Marriage, among others, including the perennial bestsellers The Reason for God and The Prodigal God.

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Excerpted from "Making Sense of God"
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Copyright © 2016 Timothy Keller.
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Table of Contents

Preface The Faith of the Secular 1

Part 1 Why Does Anyone Need Religion?

1 Isn't Religion Going Away? 9

2 Isn't Religion Based on Faith and Secularism on Evidence? 29

Part 2 Religion is More than You Think It Is

3 A Meaning That Suffering Can't Take from You 57

4 A Satisfaction That Is Not Based on Circumstances 77

5 Why Can't I Be Free to Live as I See Fit, as Long as I Don't Harm Anyone? 97

6 The Problem of the Self 118

7 An Identity That Doesn't Crush You or Exclude Others 133

8 A Hope That Can Face Anything 152

9 The Problem of Morals 176

10 A Justice That Does Not Create New Oppressors 193

Part 3 Christianity Makes Sense

11 Is It Reasonable to Believe in God? 215

12 Is It Reasonable to Believe in Christianity? 228

Epilogue: Only in God 247

Acknowledgments 255

Notes 257

Further Reading 327

Editorial Reviews

★ 08/15/2016
Prolific author Keller (The Reason for God), founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, again reaches out to skeptics, inviting them to think through their suspicions of religion and/or God. Keller has written a number of Christian apologetics, and this one is aimed more at "nones"—the religiously unaffiliated or uninterested—than at committed atheists; the polemical debate with hardcore atheist materialists has moved on. Keller is knowledgeable about contemporary philosophy and can offer intriguing arguments grounded in that discourse; the book is richer for those familiar with the work of philosopher Charles Taylor and other contemporary critics of hyperindividualism. Keller's clarity of expression rests on 60 pages of footnotes, roughly one fifth of the book. This is not for the drive-by reader looking for self-help gospel truths, but those interested in acquaintance and engagement with the use of reason in argumentation will find an open door, nagging questions, and a lot to learn. Agent: David McCormick, McCormick Literary. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for Timothy Keller and Making Sense of God

"Writing about philosophy and religion without jargon, condescension, or preaching, Keller produces an intelligent person’s invitation to faith." —Booklist

"Keller provides a calm and measured invitation to examine convictions and assumptions in a way that both believers and skeptics could use as part of a reasoned dialogue." —Library Journal

"Keller masterfully weaves in relevant history, politics, and literature while expounding on the scriptures, and effectively exposes the weaknesses of secularist and atheistic worldviews. . . . Skeptics with philosophical minds will appreciate Keller's thoughtful, tightly-argued prose." —The Christian Post

"Superb . . . we should be grateful to Keller for his wisdom, scholarship, and humility." —The Gospel Coalition

"Tim Keller’s ministry in New York City is leading a generation of seekers and skeptics toward belief in God. I thank God for him." —Billy Graham

"Unlike most suburban megachurches, much of Redeemer is remarkably traditional. What is not traditional is Dr. Keller’s skill in speaking the language of his urbane audience. . . . Observing Dr. Keller’s professorial pose on stage, it is easy to understand his appeal." —The New York Times

"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, Tim Keller will be remembered as a pioneer of the new urban Christians." —Christianity Today 

From the Publisher

10/01/2016
Perhaps Keller (Redeemer Presbyterian Church; The Reason for God) should have titled his book "making sense with God," since he sets out to show that the world makes the most sense from a Christian perspective. First, he counters arguments that, in the face of reason, faith in God fades in favor of a secular perspective. Keller then presents what he considers difficulties in a secular worldview; a sort of series of inferences to the best explanation—not unlike theologian Alistair McGrath—though at times it takes the more militant style of Francis Schaeffer. The author concludes with arguments for the existence of God and the truth of the central tenants of Christianity. Keller doesn't leave a lot of space for this section and it suffers accordingly. His treatment of theistic arguments is cursory, and the attempt to summarize a case for the Gospel accounts of Jesus cries out for more depth. VERDICT Despite these issues, Keller provides a calm and measured invitation to examine convictions and assumptions in a way that both believers and skeptics could use as part of a reasoned dialog.—JW

Library Journal