The Reason For God

The Best Book I've Read all year!!!



Voted the best apologetics book of the year by Christianity Today as well. I first heard about Pastor Tim Keller from my former pastor in Malaysia, Rev Wong Fong Yang who pastored me for 2 years at City Discipleship Presbyterian Church in Subang Jaya. He went on one of his many trips around the world to Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC pastored by Tim Keller. Notice the link (Presbyterian). He raved about Tim and his modern church and how we can learn from Redeemer.

So when I saw the book on the shelves at my local WORD bookstore in Frankston, I picked it up. Interesting cover and he starts the book with a quote from Darth Vader. How cool is this guy? So I bought it. He's as smart as he's cool. As witty, as logical, rational. He quotes so many sources and examples and presents his case immaculately and structured brilliantly. He is the best new writer I've read this year.

The book is divided into two. 1st half he answers the 7 most common questions he faces from non-believers and in the 2nd half he establishes a strong case for faith. He makes us realize that behind every doubt, there is an inherent worldview held by the atheist.

Below is an excerpt from the website



Why does God allow suffering in the world?

How could a loving God send people to Hell?

Why isn’t Christianity more inclusive?

How can one religion be “right” and the others “wrong”?

Why have so many wars been fought in the name of God?

These are just a few of the questions and doubts even ardent believers wrestle with today. As the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, Timothy Keller has compiled a list of the most frequently voiced “doubts” skeptics bring to his church as well as the most important reasons for faith. And in The Reason for God, he addresses each doubt and explains each reason.

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.

This guy is the man.

My Favourite Book of the Year 2009

I try to read as much as I can. I wouldn't call myself a voracious reader but I think reading is essential to life. The book I read the most every year is the Bible so it is excluded from contention. Most of the books I read are Christian literature. This year, my favourite has been a book I've only bought recently.

SPURGEON GOLD
compiled by Ray Comfort



This is a book of quotes by one of the finest preachers ever to walk this earth. Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Known as the Prince of Preachers. He was a British minister who lived in the 1800s.

In this book, Ray Comfort compiles nuggets of Spurgeon's wisdom specifically about evangelism. It is some of the most inspirational words I have ever read. When I lack zeal, I read this book and it fires me up.

Its almost like a book of quotes. I used to read CS Lewis quotes a lot. They would be packed with reason, wisdom and insight. Spurgeon's are packed with passion, zeal and inspiration. Any person serious about winning people to Christ has to read this book.

Evangelism Explosion

When I was 19, I did my first and only evangelism course so far called Evangelism Explosion. Although I don't use this method all the time or even the complete method, (in fact I use it very little now) it was an excellent training course for me to give me a framework for evangelism and training me to talk to strangers about God.

This being the internet age, I just found out you can actually access the full EE Gospel Presentation online for free!!! Whee!!! EE Learning Cards

The Man Piper and WOTM

Hi all,

I just thought I'd put up some resources as well, as in stuff I use personally.

1. John Piper Sermons















John Piper is the man! He is the bomb! Writer of Desiring God, one of the most influential and eye opening books I've read (excluding the Bible of course). He helped me understand a lot about God through that book and I have become a fan of his teachings ever since. You can get all his sermons on his website http://desiringgod.org for free! Also, you should buy his books but that will cost you some money.

Here's a link to the section on evangelism: CLICK ME

2. Ray Comfort's 'Way Of The Master' Method


















Ray Comfort's WOTM (Way Of The Master) is seemingly popular in America. I have seen people doing street preaching in Frankston who use this method and although I doubted the street preacher's theology at the start, but I decided to be obedient and 'test everything but hold on to what is good' (1 Thessalonians 5:21) and after buying and reading the book, I am convinced that Ray Comfort's theology is sound. Reading the many testimonies from his book and site, there are numerous pastors and Christians who opposed his methods first but after searching the Scriptures have agreed with him.

His method is highly controversial and confrontational in direct opposition to the modern evangelism methods we are accustomed to (Four Spiritual Laws, Evangelism Explosion). He even goes to say that these methods are counter productive. For that he has predictably been branded an arrogant snob. I don't think he is though but neither will I label other evangelism methods as the work of evil.

I can't exactly explain everything in one post. You have to check it out yourself.

CLICK ME

Till next time, run the race, keep the faith.