Counterfeit Gods

The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters

By: Timothy Keller

Narrated by: Tom Parks

New York Times bestselling author of The Prodigal Prophet and nationally renowned minister Timothy Keller exposes the error of making good things "ultimate" in this book, and shows readers a new path toward a hope that lasts.

Success, true love, and the life you've always wanted. Many of us placed our faith in these things, believing they held the key to happiness, but with a sneaking suspicion they might not deliver. No wonder we feel lost, alone, disenchanted, and resentful. There is only one God who can wholly satisfy our cravings—and now is the perfect time to meet Him again, or for the first time.

In Counterfeit Gods, Timothy Keller shows how a proper understanding of the Bible reveals the unvarnished truth about societal ideals and our own hearts. This powerful message cements Keller's reputation as a critical thinker and pastor, and comes at a crucial time—for both the faithful and the skeptical.

Critic reviews

Praise for Timothy Keller and Counterfeit Gods

"Keller's wisdom and biblical understanding, served up in clear, engaging writing, can help both Christians and non-Christians to identify the idols in our own hearts and replace empty promises with hope in Christ." —World magazine

"Offers much insight for shepherding local churches. Keller argues that Christians cannot understand themselves or their culture unless they discern the counterfeit gods." —Christianity Today

"Tim Keller knows how to tell a Bible story. Like The Prodigal God before it . . . Counterfeit Gods is built around them. And every time I read one of those stories, I feel like I am hearing it for the first time. . . . Counterfeit Gods is easily one of the best books I've read this year." —Tim Challies

"Smashes the arrogant conclusion that violation of the first commandment was merely an ancient problem. Combining biblical theology with experienced surgery on the soul over the years in modern Manhattan . . . Keller's heart diagnostics will leave us neither ignorant nor unmoved." —David B. Garner, associate professor of Systematic Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary

Truth in Life -

Abiding in Christ, and understanding how the world can change our perceptions of how we were to live by design, Timothy Keller is a truly mature Christian.

Idols need to be replaced with not just removed.

This has been a real helpful book for me. We don’t just have one or two idols but structure of idols in our hearts. Tim Keller says what goes on in the privacy of our hearts matters most. I encourage Christians read this book and look unto Jesus for healing from our idols.

Highly recommended!

It was one of the best books I’ve ever read! All stuff that were discussed in the book are applicable to our daily lives.
Really enjoyed reading/listening to the book and leaned a lot from it.
This book opened up a whole new window in how to grow in my faith!
God bless you, Dr. Keller.

Keller at his best

In Counterfeit Gods Keller lays out the basic description of us as a people us as humans. The heart above all is deceitful
We kid ourselves and lie to ourselves about what we truly treasure. We place our trust in false gods. We have not truly encountered God at that deep level which moves us. We trust ourselves and our hearts more than we trust the Almighty God and creator of the universe. A great read that challenges to examine yourself

Wonderful book! Learned a lot.

Profound and very detailed in explaining hard stuff! Anyone would be blessed by reading it.