Thursday, February 14
Keller in Newsweek
Not surprisingly, Newsweek got several essential facts wrong in its profile of Tim Keller, the articulate and influential pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. Nevertheless, I have to at least give the newsmagazine "style points" for recognizing the fact that Keller has broken the mega-church mold--and that his new book from Dutton, The Reason for God simply cannot be ignored.
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Off the subject - Is the Andrew Murray that you quoted earlier the same who wrote THE MASTER"S INDWELLING? It is a series of addresses from the Northfield Conference of 1895. I do not pretend to be familiar with him or the Northfield conference, but the quote got me curious.
The article claims it to be his first book published. Ministries of Mercy was written many years ago, I know it is at least four years old.
As for the tone about his ministry, there are several successful churches that have learned a great deal from Keller and Redeemer's ministry. Those who have found great success have remained orthodoxed while adapting to their communities. His ideas often out run his capabilities, but that is no criticism, he is a visionary. He is inspirational and give practical thoughts on being Christ in our communities.
He cannot be the hands and feet of every inspiration he has.
New York has had trouble expanding with independent churches because Keller is so dynamic that people travel across the city just to hear him. He is hard to compete with, even if you are a daughter church.
Regardless, he has inspired a generation of Christians(or a few of them at least) to step outside their own church walls and see those hurting around them. He has also equipped many with the tools to do something about it.
Thanks for the heads up on the new book.
George, Since I am not familiar with Keller or his church, would you clarify the errors of the article?
David: Well to start with, as Jason points out, Tim has written books before. In addition, the worship services at Redeemer are grossly underestimated in the article, Tim would hardly say he's dramtically changing direction, nor would he ever pitch himself as a 21st century C.S. Lewis. Tim is brilliant, visionary, and pioneering--but, he is also gracious, humble, and kind. What is happening at Redeemer with their recent vision-implementation is rootedness in a West Side neighborhood and a more strategic approach to church planting.
Jason: Yes, that is the same Andrew Murray--the famed South African pastor and devotional writer from the beginning of the last century.
Hello, my friend, it's been a long time! This is the second time today I've come across a compelling review of Keller's book. I have to pick my battles when it comes to reading these days, but it looks like one of them is shaping up to be a wade through the muck and mire of postmodernism, emergents and missional mediocrity. I've tried to avoid the issue, but Hannah has gone off to university and is attending a church with Emergent overtones. Hence, it's become priority #1. I'm reading Carson's critique now, but in further research I keep running across Keller's book. M of M came at the beginning of a spiritual revolution we've been going through, and I loved it and hated it at the same time. Am I right in assuming Keller addresses the motivations behind the movement (without naming names or getting directly into the fray himself) with more consistently biblical, yet still non-traditional, solutions? Thanks for the recommendation. And please give my salutations to Karen. -- Laura Miller
Laura: Good to hear from you. Keller's book really is more of a work of modern apologetics--though inevitably, emergent issues come up. Carson is probably the best critique out there--though, several excellent articles have appeared on the Reformation 21 webzine.
Dr. Grant, would you consider writing a little about Keller's creation beliefs? Or point us to a place to study.
Thanks.
Danny: Keller argues for an "old earth" view of creation. Essentially, what that means is he believes "in the historicity of Gen 1-11 and Adam and Eve." But, he is uncertain that "yom," the Hebrew word for "day," can only mean a "24-hour" evening and morning. Though he does not subscribe to a "young earth" view, he does hold to "intelligent design."
Keller's view certainly does not accord with my own position--I am a "young earth" creationist--but he is not altogether out of step with his theological and academic tradition.
Thank you.
Thanks for the recommedation.
I have the strange feeling that this Keller guy knows me and he's talking to me.
Highly recommended.
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