Timothy Keller’s popular The Reason for God presented a case for belief in God and Christianity, but Keller does not believe it began back far enough for the true skeptic, and thus the reason for this present volume (p. 4). He wants to demonstrate to secular readers that Christianity is “sensible and desirable” (p. 216). More than that:
My aim from here on through the book is to do just that, and, I hope, to show that Christianity makes the greatest sense in every way–emotionally, culturally, and rationally. In the process, I hope to show readers that Christianity offers far greater and richer goods for understanding, facing, enjoying, and living life than they had previously imagined.
In order to do this Keller tackles the primary philosophical issues with which modern humans wrestle, devoting a chapter to each: the delusion that religion is waning, the myth that secularism is not based on faith, the problem of suffering and pain, the futile search for satisfaction and meaning, the emptiness of self-centered freedom, the question of identity, the need for hope, especially facing the reality of death, the problems of morals, and issues concerning justice and rights.
Keller concludes Making Sense of God with a chapter presenting and updating the six standard and historical philosophical arguments for God and finally a chapter on the self-revelation of God in Scripture.
Making Sense of God is a winsome, thoughtful, well-written philosophic apologetic for the existence of God and the truth of Christianity. For those looking for such a work this volume would be hard to beat. However, it is not a biblical apologetic which recognizes that people do not reject God because of lack of evidence of well-reasoned arguments, but because they are depraved and predisposed to deny God His rightful place in the universe and in their lives (Romans 1:18). As with all evidential-based apologetics this book will mostly encourage the believer rather than convince the non-believer. For Christians seeking such encouragement they will find it in Making Sense of God.
Making Sense of God, an Invitation to the Skeptical by Timothy Keller (New York: Viking, 2016) 326 pp., Hard $17.70
Reviewed by Gary E. Gilley, Southern View Chapel