The Reason For God

4/6/2009

At the suggestion of Micah Tillman, I recently picked up Tim Keller’s The Reason For God from the library. So far, it’s been pretty reasonable even though it doesn’t have any particularly new ideas. Much of his work here is borrowing from CS Lewis or dressing up old arguments in new clothing, but it’s a good refresher course on basic apologetics.

As I get further into the text, perhaps I’ll throw in some commentary on Keller’s ideas, but so far I've decided that he’s one of the few Christian writers who know how to use theology and philosophy together in a way that makes sound use of each. Some writers, like John Piper, are really great on the theology end, but don’t use philosophy very well while others, like Brian McLaren, are powerhouses of Christian philosophy but don’t really do well at articulating their theology.

Keller seems to have his feet grounded in both realms.
It's quite refreshing.

Here’s a link to his book on Amazon:

The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism

Christopher link

4/6/2009 10:38:02 am

some would say that the difference between theology and philosophy is semantic. what would you say to that?

Nathan link

4/6/2009 12:14:02 pm

hmm... I think I know what your getting at.

Since both of us come from a sacred worldview rather than a secular one I think we tend to see philosophy through the lens of theology. We can't help it- our Jesus lens is just too thick (and I like my Jesus lens, thank you very much!)

So viewing philosophy from our particular worldview it probably seems like the overlap is great enough that one is basically interchangeable for the other.

I still think there's a difference, since you can argue philosophy with theology and argue theology with philosophy, but perhaps because of the semantics involved I'll rephrase my statement to this, which might make things a little more clear:

When I read Brian McLaren, I think- here's a guy who knows his philosophy and it's influenced the way he views and Christ.

When I read John Piper, I think- here's a guy who knows his Bible and it's influenced the way he views Christ.

(I didn't get rid of philosophy, because I think that's the best word for McLaren- and not a "bad word" either since I'm a big fan of his books and sermons. But in replacing theology with scripture, perhaps it makes what I'm saying a little more clear even though I don't equate "scripture" with "theology" in every case).

Nathan link

4/6/2009 12:16:02 pm

and when I read my own writing- I think: here's a guy who really needs to learn the difference between "its" and "it's." Dang... I knew I should have paid more attention to Mr. Tannery.

Christopher link

4/7/2009 08:18:24 am

I think I see what you mean re: scripture vs. theology in relation to Piper.

Also, a general organizing principle of my life is that everyone in all times and places should always pay attention to Mr. Tannery.

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