God the Reason: How Infinite Excellence Gives Unbreakable Faith

by Craig Biehl

“God the Reason is a remarkable work, presenting theology proper–the knowledge of God–in all of its transcendent importance and breadth. It does so in a way that is accessible, clear and spiritually invigorating. If you are thirsting for a deeper and more personal knowledge of the Lord of the universe, drink deeply of this study. The divine perfections celebrated here will bless your life, stir your reason and ground your faith on an unmovable foundation.” ― Dr. Peter A. Lillback, President, Westminster Theological Seminary. Accessible to a wide Christian audience, simple illustrations display the impossibility of life and the universe without the God of Scripture. Indeed, every scientific discovery declares the truth of Christian faith. And while atheists would need infinite knowledge to know the infinite God does not exist, they deny Him even as He feeds and sustains them in a marvelous display of His power and genius. Moreover, God's infinite excellence gives comfort and assurance in the face of great evil, suffering, and mystery. His perfections provide the ultimate source and guide for knowledge about Him and the universe He created, and thrill the soul of the child adopted into His family in Christ. To know ourselves we must know the God who made us. To rightly live in the world, we must know Him who owns, orders, and sustains it. In our relationship to the Source and explanation of all things we have life, meaning, and purpose, while our trivial existence gains importance as part of God's eternal purpose.

Genres: Christian

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 29, 2015

About the author

Craig received his AB from UC Berkeley, MBA from UCLA, ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary, and PhD in Systematic Theology from Westminster Theological Seminary. Two years after graduating from college, Craig's life was turned right-side up from a view of the infinite excellence of Jesus Christ as revealed in Scripture. He writes on various theological topics, including apologetics, the theology of Jonathan Edwards, the majesty and beauty of God, and the Christian life. He recently launched Pilgrim's Rock to develop home school curriculum to nurture unbreakable faith in students about to enter college and parents worried about sending them there. Additional audio, video, and written material will explain the infinite excellence of the Triune God, justification and new life, the infinite merit of Christ, the Gospel, and other relevant biblical topics. He is happy to be redeemed in Christ, to whom he owes all things and apart from whom he is nothing.

Reviews

[Ezechel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great re-introduction to theology proper (doctrines about God), in the shape of an elaboration on the attributes of God. It reads like a classic, due to language style and argumentation method, but it does include some quotations from modern authors alongside the classic quotes. Reminds me of "The Attributes of God" by Arthur Pink in structure and style (even though it does not quote it). It sounds like it wants to be something more than that - an apologetics book building on the attributes of God - but it's not.

The attempt to prove the existence of God by appealing to the order of the universe is a missed opportunity, because it's a straw man argument: insists the atheists believe in a "random chance universe" and drives the point too hard, as if everything that happens NOW would be subject to random chance instead of the laws of nature - something no atheist I know believes. What he describes comes closer to quantum mechanics than the origin of the universe, and I don't think he is actually trying to refute quantum mechanics, does he?

And that bad argument not just a fluke, it's just the first example of many I noted. Overall, the book is pretty solid and even elaborate at times in matters of theology (especially reformed theology), but weak and simplistic when it talks about science and philosophy - even to the point of being ridiculous at times. Which makes for a lousy apologetics book, but I could be a strong book if one abandons the idea that it's meant to convince the skeptics, and instead focus on what it does pretty well: strengthen the faith of the believers (at the price of making it even harder for them to explain their faith to the unbelievers).

[Johanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christian theologian and apologist Craig Biehl presents a compelling and solidly scripture-based approach to defending the faith in his wonderful book, God The Reason.

Rather than refuting, one by one, common objections to Biblical theology, Biehl strikes at the root of unbelief by challenging and exposing its unjustified and faulty faith assumptions. In doing so, he also explores at depth the various attributes of God, examining their implications for right thinking, living, unbreakable faith, and defending and sharing the Gospel of Christ.

God The Reason is a fantastic resource for Christians looking to both bolster their faith and to firmly and accurately defend that faith when challenged. I really enjoyed the author’s unique approach to this vitally important subject, and while I did find the book to be more “academic” than other more basic apologetics books I’ve read in the past (certainly not a “fast and easy read” for casual readers) it is nevertheless a powerfully compelling book that offers readers a well-presented, exceptionally thorough, and profoundly logical approach to a defense of the foundations of the Christian faith. A very worthwhile read, and would make an excellent addition to any Christian’s library. Highly recommended!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Check out this review on my blog: EpicBookQuest.com

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I received this book in the giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this, especially the sections in each chapter lmplications for Living and Defending the Faith. They were thought-provoking and encouraged me to think of uses in my own life. I definitely recommend this book.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good strong points on why God is the reason for everything. We do not have to prove God exist, He proves it daily in everything we see, do, touch, think and wonder about. To ask if God exists is proof along that he exist. I really got into the book starting with chapter 11 to the end of the book. If you are non-believer I challenge you to read it just to put that 'maybe' thought in you mind.

[John]

Super, I won the book, really excited to start reading this one

[Angelica Biehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

God the Reason: How Infinite Excellence Gives Unbreakable Faith
Knowing God as He relates to my everyday experience is a goal of my spiritual life. In this book, I learned about the foundation of my faith and how I can understand and defend it compared to other world religions. I learned why my faith is defensible, logical, true, and trustworthy and understand how God's attributes build a foundation I can rely upon. I have tools to use to witness to unbelievers about God and not be so intimidated by their arguments. I am excited I don't have to research a ton of facts about other belief systems to be able to interact with people effectively! Growing up in the church, I have never heard this explained the way Craig Biehl explains it - so helpful!

[Blake Western · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not the kind of book that you would usually expect about the attributes of God. It deals much with world views and shows how the glasses one looks through influences one's views. There are some good apologetics in the book also.

[Judith Rocha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came to my hands in a perfect time, I need it and I am enjoying it a lot. I really appreciate that my giveaway was signed, it makes it even more special. Thank you Mr. Craig Biehl for sharing your thoughts.