I’m about half way through the uncopyedited manuscript of Tim Keller’s forthcoming The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. I am finding it to be an excellent read: lucid, engaging, and very fair to skeptics of all stripes who question the veracity and coherence of biblical Christianity. In the first half of the book, he takes on seven tough assertions he has frequently encountered as Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York city:
1. There can’t be just one true religion.
2. A good God could not allow suffering.
3. Christianity is a straitjacket.
4. The church is responsible for so much injustice.
5. A loving God would not send people to hell.
6. Science has disproved Christianity.
7. You can’t take the Bible literally.
Keller articulately and intelligently shows that many of these assertions stem from unwarranted assumptions. But his responses reveal more than a solid, rationale apologetic (as important as that is). Keller displays compassion for the emotional aspect prompting many of the doubters’ concerns while remaining mindful of the noetic effects of sin. That balance, combined with logical cogency, is what makes Keller so worth reading, in particular on this subject.
The Reason for God is scheduled to be released on February 14, but is available for pre-order today. For just a few dollars more, it is available in an abridged audio format.