Archive for the ‘Tim Keller’ Category

Posted on June 26, 2010 - by Stephen Murray

Why I can’t Walk Away from the Faith

Here’s a list of reasons why I could never walk away from the Christian faith:

1. I find the historical person of Jesus too compelling. Even with the most skeptical and literary critical reading of the gospels the man that comes forth from those accounts (let me stress again: even when torn apart by literary criticism) still demands more than a mere nod of the head as a moral teacher or visionary or whatever you want to call him.

2. I find the coherence of the reformed, evangelical worldview deeply satisfying in how I understand events and circumstances around me. I think if I fell into another branch of the Christian family I might struggle more with certain issues. I once read an atheist suggest that if he were to become a Christian he’d feel intellectually bound to adopt a reformed understanding of the faith given the way it synthesizes the Scriptures with the existential.

3. I find atheism intellectually unsatisfying. The vast majority of atheists I have encountered seem to me to be on a quest for absolute truth and the ability to be able to empirically attest to absolute truth. I am becoming more and more convinced that such a quest is impossible in this life. I don’t think we can know truth absolutely – in the way that many atheists would demand we must if we are to verify anything. I once heard D.A. Carson say that we cannot know truth absolutely but that does not mean that we cannot know truth truly. There’s a difference between the two and for me its made the world of difference. So in that sense I find atheism to be largely built on a premise that I find intellectually and philosophically unsatisfying. If we acknowledge Carson’s statement the whole ball game changes.  A classic example of this is the debate about the resurrection. The Christian scholar can stack up the historical and sociological evidence for the resurrection in such a way that the evidence is near overwhelming but the atheist will dismiss it on the premise that for a person to rise from the dead would be to defy the laws of nature and therefore be completely unverifiable empirically. So because miracles cannot be empirically verified they cannot happen. That’s essentially saying that unless I can know the truth absolutely I will not go with the rest of the overwhelming evidence that points to me being able to know the truth truly. Who really lives like that on a functional level? We trust in truths truly (not absolutely) on a day to day basis – so why move the goal posts when it comes to faith?

4. The way the Bible expounds the concepts of sin and idolatry line up with my own heart inch perfectly. I’ve been greatly helped by Tim Keller to understand these two concepts with more biblical depth in the last few years and the deeper I search the deeper my conviction grows that the Bible’s estimation of the human heart is spot on. Everybody, atheists included, worships something.

5. Suffering and pain in this life, ironically (or maybe not), help me make sense of the Fall and a holy and just God. C.S. Lewis and John Piper have helped me see that suffering, more than anything, exists to show that things are not okay and that human sin has caused this world to be plunged into a chaotic, dysfunctional existence. We more than ever need a God who allows suffering and evil so that we will wake up to the reality of sin. I know this is controversial, even amongst some Christians, but to me it makes way more sense than any other explanation, faith-based or secular, that I’ve heard.

5. The hope of th New Creation means I just don’t want to take any chances. I guess this is a little like Pascal’s Wager, but seriously if this whole existence is headed to a restored and renewed creation where every tear is wiped away and unending joy reigns forever don’t you at least want Christianity to be true?

Posted on September 25, 2009 - by Stephen Murray

New York Trip: Part V

So, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday update…

Tuesday we listened to some of the intensive guys give presentations about their future plants and then we watched Tim Keller’s address at last year’s Dwell Conference, entitled ‘Dwelling in the Gospel‘. After that we had a bit of fun planning a philosophy of ministry for a simulated occasion and place – interesting getting church planters to work together in a team.

Wednesday was an off day to catch up on reading (and we had a lot) and to check out more of the city. So after some reading we headed out to the Central Park Zoo – saw a snow leopard for the first time.

Thursday we spent most of the morning having a Q&A session with Tim Keller on ‘Gospel Ministry’ – we decided beforehand, after our reading, which specific questions we wanted to ask. It was a fantastic experience to be able to just sit with him in a small intimate group and talk gospel ministry with him. As you’d expect his answers to our questions were soaked in biblical faithfulness, cultural sensitivity, pragmatic wisdom and serious humility. We were all very grateful for the privilege of that meeting – and we’re looking forward to having a few more before we leave.

More to follow…

Posted on September 16, 2009 - by Stephen Murray

New York Trip: Part II

Ok, so these updates are not exactly daily – but there’s a lot going on that keeps us really busy so that’s my excuse. It’s Tuesday afternoon as I write this, I’m sitting in our apartment’s living room still enjoying the amazing view of Manhattan. We’ve been here for a week now and it’s still a bit surreal to wake up in the morning, get up to go make coffee, and see the Manhattan skyline stare you in the face across the Hudson – my guess is that it will still be surreal in 5 weeks time when we leave.

So what have we been up to? Let me back-track to last week. Wednesday through to Friday saw us attend the Global Cities Initiative Conference with 400 other leaders from around the world. Tim Keller spoke in the plenary sessions each morning about planting gospel-centered churches that start movements of renewal in global cities. There were lots of other breakout sessions in the afternoons about networking on a city-wide level and planting multiplying churches. Keller’s talks in the mornings were superb (we’d heard a lot of it before but he just seems to make it fresh and compelling each time he opens his mouth).

Slowly we’ve gotten to meet the rest of the church planters attending the Fall Intensive with us. Amongst us we represent the following countries:

Cape Town, South Africa

Pretoria, South Africa

Barcelona, Spain

Mexico City, Mexico

Seoul, South Korea

Monterrey, Mexico

Rome, Italy

Dublin, Ireland

London, England

Paris, France

Budapest, Hungary

We’re quite a diverse bunch but all committed to gospel-centered church planting in global cities. On Saturday we all met up at the Redeemer Church Planting Center’s offices which are on Broadway in the middle of Manhattan. We had an introductory lunch and got introduced to each other and the staff. On Sunday then we we’re required to attend two Redeemer services: One on the upper west side and one on the upper east side. It was a frantic rush to get to these two services and we only just made the sermon on each occasion where we heard Dave Bisgrove and Tim Keller preach respectively.

That evening we visited a church plant, Resurrection Presbyterian, in Brooklyn where we heard this really great young guy by the name of Vito Aiuto preach (one of the best sermons I’ve heard all year).

Monday morning saw the Fall Intensive classes start. We had sessions with Dave Bisgrove (one of the Redeemer pastors) and Vito Aiuto where we got to ask them questions about their churches and philosophies of ministry. Vito was super engaging and really gave us down to earth insight into the life of a new planter.

This morning I had to give a presentation about the church planting work we’re involved in back in Cape Town and we got hear about our flatmates (and now friends) Endre and Eneh’s work in Budapest, Hungary. After that Al Barth (who many of you know) took us through a session on the spiritual dynamics of gospel-renewal. We visited Columbia University this afternoon, and Union Theological Seminary in particular where we spent the afternoon with two of the Redeemer staff talking through the pastor’s devotional life. They day had a very devotional focus in general and I think we’re all feeling deeply grateful for the mercy shown us in Christ Jesus as we’ve explored it in depth today.

So yes, we’re fairly busy. We’re about to have supper with some of the planters (Robin is making curry). We’ll let you know more as we experience more. I’ll try to be more regular so that I don’t have to write such long posts in future. Hope you’re all well – we’re loving NYC but we still miss our beautiful Cape Town (and I think our presentation this morning made some of the guys wish they were planting in Cape Town!). Later…

Posted on February 25, 2009 - by Stephen Murray

New Tim Keller Wiki

Everything you ever wanted to know about Tim Keller can now be found at one place. This wiki will link you to tons of Keller resources around the web. I think this is a really helpful wiki and worth pointing a lot of people towards.

(HT – Dave)

Posted on December 24, 2008 - by Stephen Murray

Top 8 for 2008: Everything

Who was I kidding? There’s no way I’m going to find the time to write a series of ‘top 8 for 2008′ posts between now and the end of the year so instead I’ll simply cram them all into one post. So here you have it, my top 8 for 2008 of everything!

Top 8 things I did or experienced in 2008:

1. Got married! (October)
2. Got engaged! (March)
3. Started planning and implementing a church plant (All year – but especially last three months)
4. Heard Piper, Driscoll, Chandler and Mahaney at the Resurgence Conference at Mars Hill in Seattle, spent time at the Journey Church in St Louis and met a whole lot of great peeps from Acts 29, and others, in the States (February)
5. Was taught Deuteronomy by Gary Millar – the best Old Testament teacher I’ve been taught by to date (September)
6. Road up Sani Pass – my first real 4×4 experience behind the wheel (October)
7. Decided to stay in Cape Town long term – gotta love this city (March)
8. Had my thinking about the gospel deepened and enriched ten times over by Tim Keller through numerous mp3s, articles and the odd blog comment (throughout the year)

Top 8 Blogs I followed in 2008 (See my 2007 list here):

1. Church Planting Novice – Jonathan Dodson. A newcomer to the list, this blog has been perfect for where I’m at in my thinking at the moment. So much wisdom and insight from a guy on the ground.
2. Between Two Worlds – Justin Taylor. Last year’s number 1 drops down one place – but still a great blog.
3. Tim Chester. Up from last year’s number 7 spot. Tim’s writing never stops enlightening, challenging and encouraging all at the same time.
4. John Scheepers. Give it up for the Saffa bloggers! John is a friend of mine who writes a great blog and brings a welcome voice to the South African Christian blogsphere.
5. Drew Goodmanson. Down from #2 – sorry Drew. Drew doesn’t post very often, but when he does its almost always worthwhile.
6. Justin Moffat. Another newcomer to the list. Justin writes an informative and challenging blog with an Anglican slant – I’ve enjoyed it a lot this year.
7. Michael Jensen. Michael drops down from last years 3rd but still turns out great post after great post. Plus he sent me a copy of his new book which I’ll be reviewing here shortly.
8. Jason Allen. Jason was one of the first people I became ‘blog friends’ with when I started blogging. I’ve always enjoyed his blog and the sanity he brings to some current trends that rage through the church blogging world.

Top 8 Books for 2008 (books I read this year – most of them are older than 2008 – please note that the books are a little one-sided topically because most of my reading this year revolved around my dissertation):

1. Total Church – Steve Timmis and Tim Chester. Ok so I first read it in 2007 but I’ve read it several times this year because of my dissertation and I still think its the most important book I’ve ever read on ecclesiology.
2. The Reason for God – Tim Keller. The first apologetics book that I feel comfortable giving to my friends.
3. Planting Missional Churches – Ed Stetzer. Great book with practical insight. Really helpful for where I’m at.
4. The Forgotten Ways – Alan Hirsch. Really good yet at times frustrating. I’m on the same page as Hirsch with a number of things – I guess I’m just a bit more conservative on one or two others.
5. Breaking the Missional Code – Ed Stetzer and David Putman. Another great help on all things missional.
6. On the Incarnation – Athanasius. I delved into a bit of church history this year and thoroughly enjoyed this one.
7. The King of God’s Kingdom – David Seccombe. Dr Seccombe (Doc) was my New Testament lecturer this year and so I got a chance to have a crack at his book. It’s a great overview of Christ in the gospels.
8. Jesus and the Victory of God – NT Wright. Vintage Wright – I don’t agree with him at every point but this is an important book.

Top 8 places I visited in 2008

1. Seattle, Washington, USA
2. St Louis, Missouri, USA
3. Castleburn, Drakensburg, KZN
4. Sani Pass, Lesotho
5. Lost City, Sun City, North West Province
6. Franschoek, Western Cape
7. Betty’s Bay, Western Cape
8. Durban, KZN (my old stomping ground)

That’s my year in a nutshell. It’s been the year with the biggest changes in my life to date. Not only did I get married but we decided to stay in Cape Town and plant churches here rather than in Durban. Things have come a long way in the last 12 months – here’s to an equally exciting 2009.

Merry Christmas all – have a great one!

Posted on December 7, 2008 - by Stephen Murray

Kimball Meets Fitch Meets Keller

David Fitch responds to Dan Kimball’s Missional Misgivings and then Dan, along with a whole lot of other comments, responds to David. Finally Tim Keller adds his voice to the comment thread. And so the missional/attractional debate continues…

Posted on November 26, 2008 - by Stephen Murray

Tim Keller Preaching to the Heart

You can now get hold of two lectures that Tim Keller gave recently at Oak Hill on the subject of ‘Preaching to the Heart’. (HT – Reformissionary)

Posted on November 23, 2008 - by Stephen Murray

Page 56

Time for a little blog/book game (for people with nothing worth posting on their blog at the present moment, like yours truly):

Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence along with these instructions in a note to your Facebook wall/blog post
* Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

“Societies that have rid themselves of all religion have been just as oppressive as those steeped in it.” Timothy Keller, ‘The Reason for God‘

(HT – Gordon)

Posted on September 6, 2008 - by Stephen Murray

Three Way Exegesis

When Josh Harris posted Tim Keller’s preaching notes a few days ago he also included an introduction to Keller’s preaching by Tullian Tchividjian, pastor of New City Presbyterian Church. I thought these two paragraphs were especially insightful:

“To be a great preacher, one needs to be tri-perspectival in their exegesis. That is, they need to be committed to the exegesis of the Bible, the exegesis of our culture, and the exegesis of the human heart. Some preachers claim that if you exegete the Bible properly, you don’t need to bother yourself with the exegesis of our culture or the human heart. The problem with this view, however, is that the Bible itself exhorts us to apply Biblical norms to both our lives and to our world.

As a preacher myself, I benefit greatly from listening to a wide variety of preachers. In some cases I learn what to do, and in other cases I learn what not to do. But in every case, I learn something. Some preachers teach me how to be a better exegete of the Bible. Others teach me how to be a better exegete of our culture. And still others teach me how to be a better exegete of the human heart. But no preacher has consistently taught me how to do all three in the context of every sermon more so than Tim Keller. His balanced attention to all three forms of exegesis makes him very unique, in my opinion.”

Read the rest here.

Posted on September 2, 2008 - by Stephen Murray

Tim Keller’s Preaching Notes

Tim Keller must have been Jason Bourne in a previous life or something because his preaching notes read like an encoded top secret message. Take a look at them for yourself. With a manuscript like that its no wonder that there’s no one who preaches quite like he does. Keller’s teaching and thinking has influenced me a stack load in recent years – but by the looks of this the one place he won’t be influencing me is on how to write out my sermon notes.

(HT – JT)