'The Reason for God' by Timothy Keller - Book Review

Timothy Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York, presents a case for the rationality of belief in God in The Reason for God. In the first part of the book, Keller addresses the seven most common objections to Christianity in our culture. In the second part of the book, he builds evidence for Christianity as a reasonable choice for explaining the world. Keller's book is intelligent and accessible. The Reason for God provides a good counter-argument to books such as Hitchens' God is Not Great, and would be an excellent resource for anyone interested in learning more about Christianity.

In America's pluralistic society, it often seems as if religion is polarizing the country. Those who consider themselves believers are offended by books like God is Not Great and Letter to a Christian Nation, while evangelical Christians in the spotlight tend to push a confrontational political agenda that make secular people bristle. Into this atmosphere comes Timothy Keller's new book, The Reason for God. Rather than adding fuel to the debate, Keller attempts to open dialogue while presenting a clear case for the rationality of Christian belief.

In The Reason for God, Keller shows a keen understanding of and empathy with those who object to Christianity. He has spent more than twenty years as pastor of a Manhattan church, and says he often asks the people he meets in the city, "What is your biggest problem with Christianity?" From these conversations, Keller developed a list of the seven biggest objections to Christianity. Keller devotes a chapter to each of these objections, showing why it makes sense for people to "doubt these doubts."

After addressing the arguments against Christianity, Keller presents a clear summary of core Christian beliefs, with special emphasis on the difference between religion and the Christian gospel. Keller admits that there is no proof for the existence of God, but lays out several clues that he says point toward the existence of a higher being.

Keller writes as one with a deep knowledge of religion, history and philosophy, but explains things in a way that the average reader would understand. The Reason for God is an excellent book for anyone interested in a deeper understanding of Christianity and the case for belief, whether a longtime Christian or someone who is just beginning to question whether there is a God.