It’s intermission so it must be time for popcorn, right? Actually, it’s time to shift our focus as we begin the second section of The Reason for God. In Keller’s words we are ‘between missions.’ Our first mission was an attempt to regain ground lost to secular humanism and antitheistic thinking. Our tactic was to show that ‘underlying all doubts about Christianity are alternative beliefs, unprovable assumptions about the nature of things.’ Now, however, our focus is changed. Instead of attacking the doubts about Christianity by showing them to be unwarranted and lacking justification, we begin to proclaim the Christian message and ‘to argue that there are sufficient reasons for believing it.’
There are two reasons why I think the second section of the book will be more engaging, edifying, and entertaining (hmm-almost looks like a sermon outline). First, as Christians, telling the story is part and parcel of our life. Keller, in dealing with the residents of New York City, has had to present the gospel in a context that differs somewhat from our Midwestern culture without changing or diminishing its content. I think he has been successful in this and presents much material that we can use as we try to tell the story to friends, family, etc.
The second reason involves the message itself. The second section is a retelling of the gospel, the power of salvation to all who believe. We may be confronted and challenged by the content, but at the end of it all is the grace, mercy, and peace that is our inheritance as those rescued from darkness by our Lord Jesus Christ. Here are Keller’s words (from Monergism):
…’the gospel’ is not just a way to be saved from the penalty of sin, but is the fundamental dynamic for living the whole Christian life–individually and corporately, privately and publicly. In other words, the gospel is not just for non-Christians, but also for Christians. This means the gospel is not just the A-B-C’s but the A to Z of the Christian life. It is not accurate to think ‘the gospel’ is what saves non-Christians, and then, what matures Christians is trying hard to live according to Biblical principles. It is more accurate to say that we are saved by believing the gospel, and then we are transformed in every part of our mind, heart, and life by believing the gospel more and more deeply as our life goes on.
Any ideas, comments, or suggestions as we continue or study are always welcome. I hope you share my enthusiasm for the rest of the book.
randy
I agree with Keller’s quote from Monergism 100%. After we believe the Gospel and are born again, we continue to grow and mature in our faith for the rest of our lives. Throughout our lives we go through a lot of trials and tribulations. Each time we emerge from these trials we come out with a deeper faith. We see how God was with us in our tribulation and “never leaves us or forsakes us”. The trials that I am presently going through would have driven me to depression and despair a few years ago. But experience as an “older” believer has given me peace. I know that He will be with me and give me the grace to get through whatever comes my way. His grace is sufficient for me and every believer.