Reasons for God - Pt. II

In the second part of Keller's book The Reason for God, he moves from handling questions of doubt, to supplying clues or answers for faith in God.

In Chapter 8, "The Clues of God", Keller explains that no proof of God is airtight, and all are rationally avoidable at some point. But he talks about clues being found everywhere. Science, beauty, art, love, etc... The following is a concluding paragraph on pg. 135. What do you think about Keller's idea of "The Clues of God"?

Doesn't the unfulfillable longing evoked by beauty qualify as an innate desire? We have a longing for joy, love, and beauty that no amount of food, sex, friendship, or success can satisfy. We want something that nothing in the world can fulfill. Isn't that at least a clue that this "something" that we want exists? This unfulfillable longing, then, qualifies as a deep, innate human desire, and that makes it a major clue that God is there. p. 135

Discussion Q:2

One of the interesting points brought out by Keller in The Reason for God, is how the message of Christianity impacts culture. In Chapter 3, "Christianity is a Straightjacket", Keller explains how the gospel moved in parts of Africa:

When Africans become Christians, their African-ness is converted, completed, and resolved, not replaced with European-ness or something else. p. 42

He goes on to say how the same type of thing happens in Manhattan:

I am repeatedly asked, "How are you reaching thousands of young adults in such a secular place?" The answer is that Christianity has done in New York City what it has done in all the other places that it has grown. It has adapted significantly and positively to the surrounding culture without compromising its main tenets. p. 42

Through your reading, how does the message of Christianity effect our culture? For the better or for the worse?

Discussion Q:1 - The Reason for God

In Chapter 4, The Church is Responsible for So Much Injustice, Keller addresses the idea of Fanaticism in religion, particularly in Christianity. This is a hot button issue for many people. How can the church promote fanaticism that seems to manifest itself in hate, violence, and intolerance?

Keller writes on the bottom of pg. 57:

Think of people you consider fanatical. They're overbearing, self-righteous, opinionated, insensitive, and harsh. Why? It's not because they are too Chrisitan but because they are not Christian enough.

What is your reaction to that statement, and how does Keller further unravel what he means in saying, "not Christian enough?"

Happy reading!

The Reason for God

Here's a link to a video of
Tim Keller, author of
The Reason for God,
our book of the Summer. In this short video he gives the basic reasons for writing the book.

There will be a few more posts coming soon with some fresh discussion questions.

For now, what have been your opening impressions of the book?

Enjoy the clip!
The Reason for God-Clip

A Tale of Two Cities

This month the Codex Book Club is reading Charles Dickens' classic A Tale of Two Cities. A monumental work from one of the greatest literary figures in history.

We'll be meeting to discuss the book on Thursday night, April 24th.
The location for the meeting hasn't been decided, but be sure to check back here regularly for more details.

Our first point of discussion is a simple question...

How do you respond to Dickens' style of writing? His choice of words and vocabulary is spectacular, what are some of the challenges reading a work like this?

The times Dickens' describes are not pretty. Early on in the book, there's a scene in which a box of wine breaks and pours out onto the street. The onlooking people quickly run to drink up the spilled wine, some lapping it up through the mud. How does the conditions of society early on in the book play into the story?

Happy reading!

Culture's Father

The first discussion question for The Kite Runner deals with the culture of Afghanistan. As you read the opening chapters of the book, what's your reactions to Afghan culture?

Were you surprised by the way in which the author portrayed his upbringing?

Finally, the relationship between Amir and his father is a fascinating one. How does Amir's hopes for his relationship with his father effect the rest of is early life?

We hope you're reading and enjoying The Kite Runner.
Let the discussion begin.

Happy reading.

The Kite Runner

Thanks to all of you who joined us for our discussion of The Road last Thursday night. We had a great time, with very spirited discussion. When our discussion and thoughts are as passionate and interesting as they were the other night, that's a good sign you've engaged a great piece of writing.

This month Codex is looking to another recent novel. One with political, social, and religious tones throughout. The Kite Runner has been on best seller lists throughout the past year around the world. Right now, you can find a paperback copy in almost every Starbucks in the country.

The book has also been made into a feature motion picture, picking up many nominations during this current award season.

To describe it, here's what the New York Times Book Review says:

This powerful first novel...tells a story of fierce cruelty and fierce yet redeeming love. Both transform the life of Amir, Hhaled Hosseini's privileged young narrator, who comes of age during the last peaceful days of the monarchy, just before his country's revolution and its invasion by Russian forces. But political events, even as dramatic as the ones that are presented in The Kite Runner, are only a part of this story. In The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini gives us a vivid and engaging story that reminds us how long his people have been struggling to triumph over the forces of violence- forces that continue to threaten them even today.

When we decided to read The Kite Runner this next month, we all expressed an interest in learning more about Islamic culture. In these days, it is incredibly important to gain insight and perspective in our world. The Kite Runner gives us a glimpse into a world so vastly different than our own. And from all accounts, it's a page turner!

Our next scheduled Codex meeting will be Thursday night, February 21st. Time and Location TBA.

As always, we encourage your input and discussion, as well as your recommendations for reading over the next few months. Look for the first discussion question for The Kite Runner to be posted later this week.

Happy reading!