The Reason For God
Sunday, Sep 18, 2011, 10:45am
What is The Reason For God?
The Reason for God is an opportunity for anyone (Christian or non-Christian) to explore Christianity over food, with others at a similar stage in their journey, and in a relaxed and friendly setting. Six common objections to Christianity will be discussed and all questions are welcome. Our goal is to foster mutual understanding, dialogue and relationship.
The Reason For God will run for 6 consecutive Sunday mornings,* from 10:45am-11:45am, starting on September 18th at the Arlington Senior Center (next to Town Hall -
*Note: There will be a Friday night offering as well at Friday Night Fellowship, which begins September 16th from 7:30pm-9:30pm at Highrock Church (735 Massachusetts Ave.). For more details go to the FNF page. Also, a Couples' Life Together Group will be going through the material on weekends. For more info, e-mail .
The introductory presentations, filmed live and unscripted, feature NYC pastor and author Timothy Keller meeting with a group of New Yorkers who don't identify as Christian to reflect on their doubts and objections to Christianity. Using literature, philosophy, real-life experiences, and the Bible, Keller and the group explore Christianity together from various different perspectives.
Who is The Reason For God For?
The Reason for God is great for anyone who doesn’t identify as a Christian. It helps them explore Christianity and process any questions or doubts they might have in a safe and low-key fashion. Whether you are very skeptical, just curious, or actively seeking to learn more about Jesus, The Reason for God is for you.
The Reason for God will also benefit Christians by helping them learn how to engage in fruitful dialogue about their faith in ways that seek mutual understanding and edification, and honors the concerns and doubts of others. It’s also a gentle, non-threatening and relaxed way to invite friends, family, neighbors and/or acquaintances to begin the conversation.
How Do I Attend?
If you're interested in attending, please RSVP to so we can plan accordingly (though last minute guests are always welcome). Also, please let us know if you are brining guests and if you need childcare.
What is the Schedule for Fall 2011? (optional resources below)
1. September 18th - Isn’t the Bible a Myth? Hasn't Science Disproved Christianity?
Optional Related Sermon - Literalism: Isn’t the Bible historically unreliable and regressive?
(To download, right click and "save as".)
2. September 25th - How Can You Say There Is Only One Way to God? What About Other Religions?
Optional Related Sermon - Exclusivity: How can there be just one true religion?
(To download, right click and "save as".)
3. October 2nd - What Gives You the Right to Tell Me How to Live My Life? Why Are There So Many Rules?
Optional Related Sermon - Absolutism: Don’t we all have to find truth for ourselves?
(To download, right click and "save as".)
4. October 9th - Why Does God Allow Suffering? Why is There So Much Evil in the World?
Optional Related Sermon - Suffering: If God is good, why is there so much evil in the world?
(To download, right click and "save as".)
5. October 16th - Why Is the Church Responsible for So Much Injustice? Why Are Christians Such Hypocrites?
Optional Related Sermon - Injustice: Hasn’t Christianity been an instrument for oppression?
(To download, right click and "save as".)
6. October 23rd - How Can God Be Full of Love and Wrath at the Same Time? How Can God Send Good People to Hell?
Optional Related Sermon - Hell: Isn’t the God of Christianity an angry Judge?
(To download, right click and "save as".)
Map
What's Next?
On Saturday, October 29th, we'll be hosting a presentation of The Prodigal God (9:30-11:30am) and the Case for Christ (1-4:30pm) as an end to our time together. However, anyone can attend, even if you haven't been to any of our Reason for God meetings. For more information, please visit:
http://www.highrock.org/event/2011-10-29-prodigal-god--case-for-christ/
A natural follow-up to The Reason for God is Christianity Explored which begins on Sunday, October 30th. For more info, please see: http://www.highrock.org/event/2011-10-30-christianity-explored/
For other opportunities to explore Christianity, please see Xplore.
Optional Resources
a. Open Forum Lecture - Losing My Religion: Why Christians Should Drop Their Religion
(To download, right click and "save as".)
The modern critique of religion comes from Freud, Marx, and Nietzsche. Freud claimed that religion is psychological self-justification, that we created God to assuage our guilt and fear. Marx claimed that religion is a sociological self-justification, that we created God to exclude those unlike us. Nietzsche said that religion is nothing but a power trip, an attempt to use God to accrue power over others. However, Jesus himself critiqued religion and turned it on its head.
As we begin to explore Christianity together, this lecture gives helpful background on what Christianity is and is not. While this is a helpful lecture to listen to at any time, it would be great to listen to it before or early on in the course to help clarify some potential misunderstandings about what we are talking about.
b. Book Chapter - Introduction to The Reason for God (book format)
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How do we handle doubt? Also, how do we engage in dialogue on matters of religion when religion can be such a divisive issue? How might doubt and dialogue relate to each other in a positive way? These are some of the questions considered in the introduction the The Reason for God.
As we begin to engage in dialogue together, looking at this chapter could help further frame our conversation. Ideally, this chapter could be perused prior to, or near the beginning of, our time together.
c. Sermon - Doubt: What Should I Do With My Doubts? (related to intro to book)
(To download, right click and "save as".)
Sermon covering some similar themes about doubt from the introductory chapter to The Reason for God book. Also ideal to listen to before or near the beginning of our time together.
d. Book - The Reason for God
This is the book that is framing our discussion. The book goes deeper into each topic we discuss. Highly recommended as a supplement to our time together.