Pastor Tim Keller
Dr. Tim Keller (Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City) The most insightful and intellectually honest Bible teachers I’ve heard, deeply theological without a belittling tone to those with differing convictions. Gifted to speak in a winsome Gospel-centered way to Christians and non-Christians alike. Not afraid to read and use pop culture references. Read 14 reasons why I like Keller.
[quick links] | TimKeller.info unabridged wiki | Messages | Articles | Quotes | Texts | Excerpt 1: sun & frost | Excerpt 2: poor
Books (by Tim Keller)
- The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith (pub. Oct 2008)
- The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism (pub. Feb 2008)
- Ministries of Mercy: The Call of the Jericho Road (1997)
Featured in Newsweek, “The Smart Shepherd: A New York pastor who says he thinks too much wants to bring his Christian message to the world.” (2/18/08 issue; cf. Keller’s comments on this article and Ed Stetzer’s comments)
Featured in New York Times, “Clergy Again Shoulders Burdens of Consoling and Explaining” (9/11/06 memorial service; cache, sermon text) + “Preaching the Word and Quoting the Voice” (2/26/06; cached pdf; cf. disclaimer from kellered: “Redeemer does not aspire to fame. In fact, Redeemer did not want the article done but the journalist was going to do it whether or not Redeemer helped him to write it. … Redeemer is happy to fly under the radar…”)
Featured in New York Magazine’s Influentials 2006 List (5/16/06):
Rev. Timothy Keller
Redeemer Presbyterian
Keller has become the most successful Christian Evangelist in the city by recognizing what marketers have known for decades: that young professionals and artists are “disproportionately influential” in creating the country’s culture and that you have to meet this coveted demographic on its own terms. With intellectual, brimstone-free sermons that manage to cite Woody Allen alongside Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Keller draws some 5,000 young followers every Sunday.
Other Keller web pages:: Wikipedia entry on Tim Keller + TimKeller.info unabridged wiki + Reformissionary’s Tim Keller Resources (via Steve McCoy) + Monergism.com links (with a kitchy caricature) + the lengthiest Keller bio to date.
Listen to Redeemer’s original vision unpacked by Tim Keller (22:00 mins, posted with permission):
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Redeemer had a Vision Campaign in Fall 2005:: 7 Vision Papers, Overview, Vision video, 5 vision sermons, FAQs, materials, thoughts on giving (3 talks - mp3 audios), and blog; in-depth materials and prayer teams. Plus, video of Redeemer’s vision for cities
Perhaps the biggest faith-deterrent for the average person today is not so much violence and warfare but the shadow of fanaticism. Many non-believers in Christianity have friends or relatives that have become “born again” and seem to have gone off the deep end. They soon begin to loudly express disapproval of various groups and sectors of our society–especially movies and television, the Democratic party, homosexuals, evolutionists, activist judges, members of other religions (all of which are branded “false”) and public schools. When arguing for the truth of their faith they often appear intolerant and self-righteous. This is what many people would call fanaticism. What is the solution? … Do we have a secular society in which skepticism and relativism reign, making orthodox faith both exotic and deviant? Or do we have an increasingly religious social order in which fundamentalism flourishes and non-belief is stigmatized? In an unforeseen and unexpected turn of events, we have come to a cultural moment in which both secular skeptics and orthodox believers feel their existence is threatened. We have neither the western Christendom of the past nor the secular society that has been predicted for so long. We have something else entirely. Both doubt and faith are on the rise in significant, powerful ways. [from 6/29/2003] Derek Kidner commentary on Genesis.. At first sight, the rough handling of Joseph of his brothers has the look of vengefulness, but nothing could be further from the truth. Behind the harsh pose was deep, almost uncontrollable affection, seen in Joseph’s continual running out of the house, running out of the room to weep. And after the ordeal is over, there is nothing but overwhelming kindness and tenderness. Joseph’s enigmatic treatment of them was a kinder and more searching test. Just how well judged was his policy can be seen in the growth of new attitudes in the brothers as the alternating sun and frost broke them open to God. That’s the method perfectly put by Derek Kidner alternating sun and frost broke them open to God. If things get really hot and really cold, it breaks things. Stones can crack. Truth and love, frost and sun, convicting them, humbling them, and graciously encouraging them back and forth. Joseph does the very same thing to his brothers. With Jacob, it’s all love and affection for Joseph, but no boundaries. With the brothers, it’s all boundaries and rules, but no love. Truth and love changes people. Why is Joseph toying with them? It’s not just retribution, i.e. Just desserts for slavery and prison for years. Joseph just hasn’t forgiven them, if he wanted justice, he would have told them it’s me in prison. If it was just love he was after, he would say all is forgiven, all is fine. Would it have changed them? No. But by alternating sun and frost, love and truth, convicting them of their sin, giving them a taste of retribution, he brings them to this spot. He sets up the exact same situation - a new betrayal. To save their skin, in order to fail again, or too get it right. Judah says, “Let me become the slave, in place of the boy. Let me bear the blame.” At this point, Joseph can say, now let me tell you (what God’s done). Just justice wouldn’t have changed them. Just pardon wouldn’t have change them. If you love someone, you just don’t give them pardon. They need healing and restoration. Joseph loves them, he messes with them. He goes after them. Truth and love, truth and love, until they’re broken open to God. He engages them. God will never just let you be, as long as there’s foolishness in your heart. He has designed you to save lives. The liberal/pragmatists tend to scorn the religion of the poor and see them as helpless victims needing expertise. This is born out of a disbelief in God’s common grace or special grace to all. Ironically, the secular mindset also disbelieves in sin, and thus anyone who is poor must be oppressed, a helpless victim. The conservative/moralists on the other hand tend to scorn the poor as failures and weaklings. They see them as somehow to blame for their situation. But the gospel leads us to be: a) humble, without moral superiority knowing you were “spiritually bankrupt” but saved by Christ’s free generosity, b) gracious, not worried too much about “deservingness,” since you didn’t deserve Christ’s grace, and c) respectful of believing poor Christians as brothers and sisters from whom to learn. The gospel alone can bring “knowledge workers” into a sense of humble respect for and solidarity with the poor. [From Tim Keller's The Centrality of the Gospel]Messages (hear + see Keller)
Articles (about Keller)
“A cultural center like New York can be changed, says Keller, if it can produce two types of new churches: churches that reach new immigrants and new residents, and center-city churches that help professionals function as Christians in a pluralistic culture.”Texts (by Keller)
Questions people are asking after September 11th, like: How can you trust God after this …Quotes (attributed to Keller)
strict contemporary worship advocates may bind worship too heavily to one present culture, strict historic worship advocates may bind it too heavily to a past culture.. . . A refusal to adapt a tradition to new realities may come under Jesus’ condemnation of making our favorite human culture into an idol, equal to the Scripture in normativity (Mark 7:8-9). While contemporary worship advocates do not seem to recognize the sin in all cultures, the historic worship advocates do not seem to recognize the amount of (common) grace in all cultures.
Lord Jesus Christ, I admit that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever before believed, but, through you, I am more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope. I thank you for paying my debt, bearing my punishment and offering forgiveness. I turn from my sins and receive you as Savior. Amen.Blog Comments by Keller
also see Comments about Keller in the blogosphere
Excerpt 1
Excerpt 2: Our Approach to the Poor
