This fall many of Trinity’s Life Groups are studying the writings of respected author Rev. Timothy Keller who is pastor of a Presbyterian Church in America congregation in New York City. If you would like further background on his writings we have several of his other books in our church library. His book, THE PRODIGAL GOD, was reviewed in the Winter 2010 edition.The following is our review of Keller’s THE REASON FOR GOD from the Tidings of October 2009.

THE REASON FOR GOD: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by the Rev. Timothy Keller.

As followers of our Lord Jesus in a secular culture, we understand that the Bible teaches us the Creator God is also a loving God and watches over His entire creation. We know that we are in His loving care.

However, as believers who find ourselves in the branch of Christianity known as Reformed or Presbyterian we do get stuck with some tough questions. For example, have you ever wrestled with: “How could a good God allow suffering?”Or, has anyone ever confronted you with: “How can a loving God send people to hell?”These are not only deep or profound questions to be left to the scholars...

among our ranks.These and other questions are matters with which we struggle every day as we live out our faith.

The Rev. Tim Keller is pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. He and his flock seek to present the Christ of redemption and the Lord of all of life in the midst of an urban, secular culture. How would you present a clear understanding of your faith to unbelievers around you?

In The Reason for God, Keller tells of his pilgrimage into midtown Manhattan. He tells of his struggles to start a congregation in the middle of a cynical people—not necessarily the down-and-out but more frequently to the up-and-out, well-off folks who are convinced that they already know the “better way.”

Keller writes of his discussing the question “How can a loving God send people to hell?” Keller mentions that C. S. Lewis wrote that there are only two kinds of people—those who say “Your will be done” to God or those to whom God will in the end say “Your will be done.”The point being that all those in hell choose it in their wanting their freedom. Those who seek to love and obey their God will find true freedom with Him. [p. 78-79]

The walk of this pastor in sharing his faith in New York City is outlined in the book’s 14 chapters. He explains that the Scriptures tell the story of God’s grace. Most religions operate on the principle “I obey—therefore I’m accepted by God.” But the operating principle of the Gospel is “I’m accepted by God only through what Christ has done—therefore I obey.”This is the essence of God’s grace. [p. 179-180].

The Reason for God reads somewhat as an autobiography—an adventure in church planting in a highly secular city. But the true genius of this book is that along the way we find understanding and answers to our own deep questions of faith in our daily walk.Don’t let the 226 pages of Reformed teaching be intimidating; the teaching is wound around his telling his own experiences.You will find yourself tempted to underline and make your own notes for further reflections.

~review by Dan F. Bloem

The Reason for God by Timothy J. Keller is published by Dutton Press, copyright 2008. A copy is in the Trinity library.