Ray Li’s Blog

It’s been about 10 years since Tim Keller wrote his last book. The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism is targeted to skeptics and believers. It’s the first book that I feel like would be really helpful to give to my friends who are skeptics.

It is divided like this:

The first half is called “The Leap of Doubt” and addresses 7 big questions against Christianity.

1. There can’t be just one true religion
2. A good God could not allow suffering
3. Christianity is a straitjacket
4. The church is responsible for so much injustice
5. A loving God would not send people to hell
6. Science has disproved Christianity
7. You can’t take the Bible literally

In the middle, there is an intermission.

In the second half of the book, titled “The Reasons for Faith,” he examines seven reasons to believe in the claims of the Christian faith.

1. The clues of God
2. The knowledge of God
3. The problem of sin
4. Religion and the gospel
5. The (true) story of the cross
6. The reality of the resurrection
7. The Dance of God

And then it closes with an Epilogue.

I had started reading a little bit of the 1st half and found it so-so. So I skipped to the intermission and 2nd half and loved it.

It is very well thought out, pierces the heart, and clarifies and puts many things in a framework which can be easily understood.

Now there are a few things that I feel iffy about, including his description of hell. But overall, I think the book is fantastic. Keller is like a surgeon, going straight for the heart. I’d really recommend picking up a few copies and giving them away.

Tis Valentine’s Day. Romance is in the air, people will go on fancy dates, and Google Docs is pink.

Today I listened through the first part of the 2 part series Mark Driscoll preached on Lovemaking. He goes through the Song of Solomon.

John Sullivan, my buddy in Crusade, had been telling me about it for a while. Last week, he sent me an e-mail about the message again.

Subject Headline:

the best sermon mark driscoll has ever or will ever preach….ever

Body Text:

and you need to listen to it mr raymond li.

http://www.marshillchurch.org/audio/03.10.02_10am_lovemaking_part_one_driscoll.mp3
http://www.marshillchurch.org/audio/03.10.02_10am_lovemaking_part_two_driscoll.mp3

its so good that it got broken into 2 parts

so have fun wit dat

john

John was right. I just got done with part 1 and it was awesome. Here are a few thoughts:

• It seems that many Christians (including me) have been taught or grown up in a church environment where there is a more frigid view of sex or an unwillingness to talk frankly about sex.
• Even those who intellectually believe the Bible says sex is good may have a repressed and unbiblical view of sex.
• The Bible has a very high and beautiful view of sex.
• Not only is it high and beautiful, but it is also hot and liberated.
• I want to get married and hope I do not have the gift of singleness.
• John was right when he said that having a truly biblical view of sex makes it easier to fight lust
• It’s about oneness for the glory of God.

Enjoy your Valentine’s Day.