The Reason for God

Timothy Keller

Introduction

  • Is skepticism or faith in ascendancy in the world today? Yes!
    • Skepticism, fear and anger toward religion is growing.
    • Robust orthodox belief in traditional faith is also growing.
    • In short, the world is polarizing over religion.
    • But the received wisdom of the last generation is failing.
      • That technological advance brings inevitable secularization is being rethought.
      • Even EuropeÕs slide has moderated Ð though religious growth may be Islamic!
  • So how can we move forward?
    • Keller recommends that each side reevaluate doubt.
    • Belief without doubt is like a human body without antibodies Ð open to attack
    • Skeptics must learn to look for faith hidden in their reasoning
    • All doubts, no matter how skeptical, are really a set of alternate beliefs
    • ÒEveryone should determine moral truth for him or herself.Ó A faith statement.
  • Keller commends two processes to his readers.
    • Skeptics confront the unexamined Òblind faithÓ on which their doubts are based.
    • Believers confront their personal and their cultureÕs doubts about their faith.
    • Only when we can represent the otherÕs arguments in its strongest and most positive form is it. safe and fair to disagree with it.

Part I Ð The Leap of Doubt (reasons to not disbelieve)

  • There CanÕt be Just One True Religion.
  • How Could a Good God Allow Suffering?
  • Christianity is a Straightjacket.
  • The Church is Responsible for So Much Injustice.
  • How Can a Loving God Send People to Hell?
  • Science Has Disproved Christianity.
  • You CanÕt Take the Bible Literally.

Part II Ð The Reasons for Faith (reasons to believe)

  • The Clues of God
  • The Knowledge of God
  • The Problem of Sin
  • The (True) Story of the Cross
  • The Reality of the Resurrection
  • The Dance of God

Epilogue Ð Where Do We Go from Here?

Part I: The Leap of Doubt



Quotes and comments
Reading Reference
Index
 
Software ReferenceR Nave
Go Back