Keller uses literature, philosophy, real-life conversations, and reasoning to explain how faith in a Christian God is a soundly rational belief, held by thoughtful people of intellectual integrity with a deep compassion for those who truly want to know the truth. At others times God controls our decision because He knows of some impending danger, or a unlikely future turn of events that a common sense decision-making approach would miss completely. Title: Making Sense of God: An Invitation to the ScepticalAuthor: Timothy KellerPublisher: Hodder & StoughtonPublication Date: 2016Pages: 336Price: Hardback £16.99 / e-book £10.99, Andrew studied Theology at Exeter and is now a UCCF Staff Worker in the South West of England. Keller’s understanding of opposing views, displayed in the breadth of authors quoted from differing perspectives, allows him to respectfully present arguments in their strongest form, before engaging in a critique. View all resources by Andrew Larkin. There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Join Sam Harris as he explores some of the most important questions about the human mind, society, and current events. Introductory Study Guide for Mere Christianity Created by: Liz Evershed, C.S. Making Sense of God will repay careful reading and I will certainly return to the second section on many occasions as I wrestle with the “six givens” and seek to articulate the thought in the various contexts I speak in. That's when he first began to realize that God can be found in the ugliest messes of our lives. The book is written for those for whom the issue of God seems fanciful and not even worth considering, so a more accurate reflection of the book is that it is “An Invitation to the Sceptical” to reconsider their views on God. View Episodes. Site Policy & Cookies Contact us, https://www.bethinking.org/is-christianity-true/making-sense-of-god-review, Making Sense of God: An Invitation to the Sceptical. The third section, ‘Christianity Makes Sense’, is where Keller makes the cumulative case for God from cosmic wonder, perceived design, moral realism, consciousness, reason and beauty. Keller’s aim in these chapters is: [To show that] there are competing narratives – there is both a secular and a Christian way to understand and address the needs…in each case the secular narratives, while often partially right, are not self-evident and are attended by a host of difficulties…[He then outlines] Christianity’s penetrating analysis and explanation of our life experience in each area…[before looking] at Christianity’s unsurpassed offers…making the case that Christianity makes the most emotional and cultural sense. This book will be of interest to those who are willing to wrestle with Keller’s thesis and consider the arguments he makes regarding secularism and religion in general, and Christianity in particular. Written for both the ardent believer and the skeptic, Making Sense of God shines a light on the profound value and importance of Christianity in our lives. ), but then God would open the doors for the captives’ return. MAKING CHOICES: A FRAMEWORK FOR MAKING ETHICAL DECISIONS. Sabbath School Lesson. Resources are: Lesson reading, Video, Audio, PDF, PPT, Mission story and video. This book seeks to demonstrate to skeptics that secularism is based on unprovable assumptions and that secularism cannot account for some of the most basic and important human realities. Your love never changes. First, through His Spirit: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth ... so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God” (1 Peter 4:1-2). Lord, You stay the same through the ages. God’s Voice Within: The Ignatian Way to Discover God’s Will By Mark E. Thibodeaux, SJ Discussion Guide Notes from the book: The Spiritual Exercises provide us a framework to practice discernment in making decisions. Making Sense of God addresses skeptic objections to faith by attempting to create a true secular "safe space" for those exploring faith and ideas. As human beings, we cannot live without meaning, satisfaction, freedom, identity, justice, and hope. Waking Up is a guide to understanding the mind, for the purpose of living a more balanced and fulfilling life. I also wonder if the title and subtitle should actually be the other way round. He blessed them and gave them every creature and the whole earth to rule over, care for, and cultivate. to 537/536 B.C. Keller pushes back against the idea that secularism is rational, evidence based and non-biased, while religion is the opposite. Will mainly address the idea of God as understood by Jews/Muslims If God is a transcendental being, existing outside of space and time, how do we make sense of religious language when it talks about the actions/attributes of God. Keller argues that such a space is needed since there is no "truly secular state" in which all beliefs and ideas can be presented in mutual respect and peace (3). I recommend it highly. © 2021 UCCF: The Christian Unions, Registered Charity number 306137 (England & Wales) and SC038499 (Scotland). Counterfeit Gods Study Guide 7 The Seduction of Success Read Chapter 4 of Counterfeit Gods. The challenge for such readers is to not only read but reflect, absorb and own the material for themselves rather than simply parrot it in conversation with others. As Daniel studied the writings of Jeremiah, he realized that the time had come f… Also, be sure to check out our... Collaborative Resources, Guides. Secularism and religion are competing worldviews; the real question is which makes the most emotional, rational and cultural sense. My feeling is that the gap between the content of this book and the endnotes is narrower here than in Keller’s other books, particularly the second section. All words and thoughts my own. What are the possible signs in an individual’s life that point to … These two chapters, along with an epilogue, feel like a bridge to The Reason for God. Join Sam Harris for the Making Sense podcast as he debates questions of atheism, politics, self, religion, free will, philosophy, economics, science & more - listen now! Rather he affirms the strong points of the differing view, and where there are points of correlation between the secular and religious worldview, he points this out. Dan challenges us to think of our lives as the place where God is acting upon us. The second section, ‘Religion Is More Than You Think It Is’, investigates what Keller calls “the six givens of human life” (216): meaning, satisfaction, freedom, identity, hope and justice. Learn More + St. Ignatius believed that God desires … In this short guide, IDHE offers some discussion questions to help students engage during a debate watch event. The level of the book is one that will be appreciated by those at university and graduate level but some of the chapters may go over the heads of those who have not received that level of education. With transgender issues raising difficult questions, this book from Vaughan Roberts offers a helpful introduction. This Leader Guide, designed for group use with Making Sense of the Bible Book and DVD, features Adam Hamilton discussing his ideas in six sessions. “For this is God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death.” (Psalm 48:14) “ The Lord will guide you continually …” (Isaiah 58:11) Notice the specific words that God will “guide you continually, be our guide even to death, guide you with His eye, leads you by the way you should go, teaches you to profit, instructs you and directs your paths.” Making Sense of God’s Will: God’s Love Prevails God’s Love Prevails First United Methodist Church, Sallisaw—Weekly Prayer & Study Guide 9/2/12 Prayer - Use this prayer to begin your time with God each day. Keller pushes back against the idea that secularism is rational, evidence based and non-biased making sense of god discussion guide: while is! The time had come f… Making Sense of Calling: movie Review & Discussion. 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