Tim Keller on Preaching if He Was Starting Over & The Decline and Future of the Evangelical Church

I never met Tim. But I do really miss him...

Keller is one of the best teachers of the Gospel ever.

THAT was amazing, inspiring and challenging. thank you for letting him speak without interrupting his train of thought. I have some reading to do, old books to re-read, and new books to read. I am so thankful for this interview.

Great interview Tim Kellers sermons impacted me more than any other growing up

TK is the Just the BEST TEACHER . You have introduced the gospel to me❤

Christianity is the only identity that is received not achieved because of Jesus Christ.

I thought this interview was very interesting. Thought provoking.

Thank you for interesting interview

Good to see another interview with the late Tim Keller. I still remember that review on Yelp of Redeemer Presbyterian Church from some ten years ago. Nothing I've ever heard or read about Redeemer has ever been proven more accurate or cogent. Excerpts edited for brevity and clarity: 1/17/2011 I have been to Redeemer West side and East side services. I still go from time to time. I used to take part in several of the volunteer opportunities at Redeemer. First, I will start with the founding Pastor Tim Keller. Tim Keller's sermons are some of the most thought provoking you will ever hear in your life anywhere! He is also an author. I would go so far as to say that he is one of the great thinkers of our time. He is also a visionary in many ways. My husband and I regularly purchase and listen to his sermons. So why only 3 stars? Because a church is more than just a pastor. Now there is no perfect church. But there are some serious things lacking here: First of all, there is no prayer meeting or focus on corporate prayer for the entire church. The very basic part of the Christian faith that Jesus himself said with his own lips was Matthew 21:13. "It is written," He said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers." Prayer is just talking to God, it doesn't require any special talent, skill or training. So the lack of prayer at this church is very alarming to me. And I haven't heard anyone speak of repentance at Redeemer --- ever. Again, I have listened to hundreds of sermons and been to at least a hundred services both on the W est and East sides. The church ministries are called "ministries" but are run like any secular organization. Redeemer Presbyterian is run like a business, a well-oiled corporate machine, and not a church. The other 2 things which are cultural and not spiritual but are off-putting to me are: 1. Most of the members and regular visitors to Redeemer are transplants, not New Yorkers, so the church is a large city church but run like a small town church where there are very few native New Yorkers. It seems most of the members are not established in the city and are just passing through. 2. The other is that it seems the majority of the congregation is looking for a spouse, and very aggressively. When you walk in, the first thing people do is look at your hand for a ring, and then are bold enough to ask if it is a wedding ring. That experience is not unique to me, but to all of the guests I bring here. In addition, in any volunteer group I have been to, the small talk from both men and women centered around trying to find a spouse. Then the few married people were usually complaining about their marriages. The pastor knows about this, and does see it as a problem because he addresses it in his sermons. But people don't seem to listen. It is like they are all living in 1950's rural America. One other major problem I have with the church is that it is mostly white and Asian. I believe the reason is that the congregation ---- and this is not the pastoral team's fault --- seems to be focused on their careers and making money, and not on God at all. God is there to bless their agendas; this is how they seem to operate. I believe this is true for a few reasons. One, the culture of the church and focus of the congregation seems to be on Whites and Asians who make good money and have high-end careers, rather than on God. A huge basic tenet of the Christian faith is Death to Self. But at Redeemer, when you hear testimonies approved by the pastoral staff, they usually start with the person's professional credentials. I do not see any Death to Self there, but actually the opposite: It's "Look at what I can do for God because of my high income and education." It is not wrong to have a high income or education as a Christian. But the focus (at Redeemer) is wrong. So for these reasons, I think the church is best for those who are not Christians yet but are seekers of God, or those established in the faith already. It is not good in my opinion for the average believer looking for a home church. But by all means, purchase Tim Keller's sermons and do something that the congregation fails to do: Learn from his sermons. The church in my opinion is more intellectual than spiritual. end

Thank you for this podcast! Great perspective and very insightful.

Thought you guys would enjoy this.

If we want to be able to lead the US community - and be a positive influence on its church - at the current turning point - we are going to have to find answers to the following two questions (which I have identified as a result of listening to the various Tim Keller interviews): 1. Prompted by the state of those on the right - who have according to Tim turned to moralism, separatism, individualism, dualism, anti-intellectualism, and anti-institutionalism - how do we intend to redirect those who are suspicious of the way in which people have corrupted institutions - who use ideas as weapons to defeat the best welfare of people - to God and his kingdom? And how do we do it in a manner which affirms as well as challenges these beliefs - how can it be done in a way that is reaching to the other person instead of merely throwing grenades at them? 2. Prompted by the state of those on the left - how do we intend to evangelise - with a mixture of affirmation and confrontation/challenge - those who believe that it’s okay to abort babies - and those who believe that man and woman - instead of mirroring Christ’s love for the church and the church’s right response - is a matter of self-definition? How is it possible to affirm the worldviews of people who have such beliefs - who believe lies - while challenging/confronting them? And again it will need to be grace - it will need to be love given - instead of demanding first that love be offered. Is there anything in the worldview of a person who believes untruths that can be affirmed - as part of affirming them as people? Is there anything in the choices of those who refuse to obey God's word - which can be affirmed? Yes in both cases. When we consider that sin is taking by force something that God would gladly give us in his time and his way it's clear that there is a way to view sinful behaviour in a way that affirms the sinner (while also confronting them). Tim Keller has departed - leaving us with questions to answer but not with answers to those questions. I believe that he has effectively done two things: - analysed the recent changes in culture (which have happened since he left pastoral ministry) - reminded us that gospel preaching - like the gospel - will always affirm and confront people’s worldview. What Tim hasn’t done is reveal how to reach the emerging culture - beyond stating that the issue is centred around identity now instead of around idols. While I won’t attempt to provide detailed answers let me put foward a broad principle - if our Christianity is Pharisaical (if our general pattern individually and as churches is to welcome God’s word without welcoming and relying on his presence - John 5:39) it will not be able to win those on the right who can only be redirected by Jesus present - made manifest (it instead reflects the attitudes of the right) - and if it is liberal (if our general pattern individually and as churches is to welcome God’s presence without welcoming his word - John 14:15) it will not be able to win those on the left - who can only be redirected by being shown how God’s way is superior - alone the way - our approach will instead reflect the attitudes of the left). God has allowed the world to head in a direction where if our Christianity is incomplete we won’t be able to prosper in the emerging climate. (This was no less true in previous times - although it might have APPEARED to be less true then). It's always been possible to transition a Pharisee from his secular Pharisaical framework to a 'Christian' framework - and to transition liberals in the same way, This is one way to APPEAR successful while not really creating real disciples (I believe that much of what has been considered to be growth in recent decades is those in leadership following the people in this way). We might be able to APPEAR to have succeeded for a while - especially if we locate ourselves in a part of the country which matches our faults. We may be able to run a church where we match the prejudices of the local people in order to get bums on seats - but if we do that we should expect the same people will do what they hae been doing to those who have been leading like this in recent decades - who haven't given them answers big enough to face the problems they face - they will turn on us and eat us alive.

I enjoyed this video and learned a great deal. What is David's last name? I'm not familiar with him. Thank you.

I think the only way we can be equal is in Christ Jesus. As humans, we can never create a fair and equitable society because of human nature. No one is without prejudice. No one has equal amounts of talent, and not all talents are equal. Not everyone has equal amounts of beauty. Intelligence, or perseverance. But there is plenty of opportunity in America for those who want to rise above their circumstances and and that is across all races. People come from all types of trauma and hardships to be successful but it is always through hard work. Those with less talent and less opportunity have to work harder to open doors but there are also many who squander their talents and opportunities. Success can have different meanings. Social Justice will not solve any of this. Socialism. Redistribution of wealth and a multitude of laws governing society will never create an equal and equitable society. Yet, we do all have equality in Christ. We’re all invited to the table. We can come to the cross and partake in the forgiveness of sins. Apart from forgiveness, redemption in Christ Jesus, we can never truly experience equality. The Bible holds us accountable as individuals for our behavior and call us, as individuals to care for our brothers and sisters in need, there are also morals and standards of personal behavior and accountability. Pouring money into social programs and Having a socialist government will not solve the ills of society. I wish I could know with certainty that Pastor Keller believed that because its not what I hear from his teachings. I think his way of dealing with the socialism encroaching upon the church was to embrace it.

Lot of interesting perspective - quite intellectual approach. Wise comment on blue /red approach! A. 16 comments? B. Pulpit mindset assuming & preaching things or ideas. Jesus is teacher: his teaching is bilateral, parable- & spiritual centric & extremely personal. ↔ direction. C. We're living in TED TALK culture so we must start the original teaching form. D. Adoption is keyword. This is the core of my ID as Christian. Righteousness is key. Guilt is not on the table for the lost... anymore. C. Cross is the true visdom of Gd. Our part in the sufferings? Comfort zone - as Mr Keller mentioned.. D. Catholic has no Christian Ethic - it's wrong. They have a pseudo Chr Ethic with strong human Ethic. Plus they have {wrong} priestly culture. Protestantism practically has no priestly culture. And this basic ID @ 1Pt 2:9 was not mentioned here. ??? E. Cities are difficult places. That's why we should start with places with human relationships. Thus we follow the apostles. The modern mega city has no much human relationship. The modern suburb is a sleeping town. But The nowaday countryside is filled with connections. Plus I'm Christian actor. We are acting. Not simply dealing with theories.

Christians are “holy enough” because we have Jesus Christ’s imputed righteousness. God has a Sovereign Will in our freewill choices to protect and draw us closer to Him-Romans 8:28 Romans 4:23-24👑

Currently through the first portion. One thing I see with institutional Christianity is what I perceive as a bit of intellectual and emotional arrogance surrounding its own culture. If God exists, He is the creator of all cultures, not just Jewish and Christian. I can't believe that God would leave billions of people without any insights or revelations. I wish Christianity would embrace a more ecumenical stance. See the good and wisdom in other traditions and take a more humble stance of, "You can speak into our lives and we can speak into yours. And together we can grow in understanding." This isn't limited to just Christianity. Especially in the West, there seems to be a lot of yelling over who's right. Maybe we're all a little right and a little wrong.

Who has seen that moo ie

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The Catholic Church is another gospel, teaching a believer how to not be Catholic isn’t a problem, if the focus is imitating Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:8-9 1 Timothy 2:5-7