Making Sense of God: Finding God in the Modern World

Reviewed by:

G. Connor Salter, Professional Writing alumnus from Taylor University, Upland, IN.

Title:

Making Sense of God: Finding God in the Modern World

Author:

Timothy Keller

Publisher:

Penguin Books

https://www.penguin.com

Publication Date:

March 20, 2018

Format:

Paperback

Length:

336 pages

OVERVIEW

It’s become fashionable in some circles to describe religion as backward and oppressive. Progressives of various kinds extoll the benefits of atheism and modernism, and suggest that the key to living in a kinder world is removing religion altogether. The problem, Timothy Keller argues, is that secularism doesn’t give people any real justification for morality or give compelling meaning to life. Keller lays out a case for secularism’s lack of substances, including:

• Debunking misconceptions that religion is going away or irrational
• Key concepts that religion provides (such as satisfaction beyond circumstances) which secularism cannot provide
• Rational reasons for believing in God and Christianity

Keller wrote this book as a companion piece to his earlier book The Reason for God. In that book he focused mainly on proving Christianity’s validity. This book proves to be a great combination with his previous work, coming from the other side to show that not only does Christianity make sense, but that the alternatives don’t provide what they promise. 

However, Keller is careful not to come across as arrogant as he debunks secularism. He takes an honest look at the misconceptions that many secularists have, but also points out that frequently Christians have been in the wrong too. In one chapter he reminds Christians to listen carefully to people who’ve turned away from Christianity because of the self-righteousness and arrogance they experienced in churches. By doing so, he avoids a common trap too many apologists fall into: criticizing secularism in a way that comes off as elitist. His approach to apologetics is sober-minded yet humble, uplifting and always Biblical.

An excellent book on the problems of secularism and the hope Christianity provides.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5 stars)

5 stars

Suggested Audience

Christians interested in apologetics books that discuss problems with secular philosophy.

Christian Impact

Keller builds on a wealth of Biblical insights from past theologians and writers, showing the beauty and truth that Christianity’s provides in contrast to secular narratives.