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Quick-fire Keller!

An interview with Tim Keller

Tim Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York, is the author of the best selling The Reason for God and recently spoke at the Urban Plant Life Conference in London called to encourage and build networks between church planters. He spoke to EN briefly.

EN: Tim, we understand that Redeemer is seeking to plant churches in the major cities of the world. Could you explain how this great venture has come about?

TK: It wasn’t our idea, honestly. Leaders from other cities of the world (Amsterdam, Berlin, and some Chinese cities) began to approach us for help in planting churches in cities. They basically said: ‘The people you are reaching in the centre of New York City are similar to the kinds of people we have in our greatest cities. We think that we can learn from what you are doing in Manhattan.’ I don’t think that they would have come to us if we were in any other American city. So they asked for help and we have begun to respond.

EN: At the Urban Plant Life Conference we heard from various groups who shared something of their church planting philosophy and methods. How would you compare and contrast Redeemer’s strategy with theirs?

TK: Well, this year in this series of consultations we are laying out our strategy, so I will be explaining this over the next several months. But it probably would be fair to say our ministry approach tends to combine emphases that often are often seen as incompatible with one another. For example, we would put stress on inner piety and evangelism like the British Puritans, but also on Christian worldview and cultural engagement, like the continental Reformed churches.

EN: You have been very clear and helpful on the fact that the gospel is the antithesis of works righteousness. In the light of this, what is your assessment of the New Perspective on Paul which is being embraced by many evangelicals?

TK: Hmm. A big subject! I first began to read NPP scholars who said that the problem Paul addressed in Galatians was not legalism but nationalism or ethnic exclusivity. But, I thought, nationalistic/racial pride is works-righteousness, just like formal legalism. I think the NPP’s basic thesis about justification simply misses the mark. But I read NPP authors regularly and appreciatively and I get many insights from them.

EN: You have a new book out titled The Prodigal God. Tell us about it?

TK: It is an extended exposition of the parable of the prodigal son. It contrasts the elder brother’s legalism with the younger brother’s hedonism and sees both as ways of missing the gospel of saving grace. Anyone who has heard any of my preaching will recognise the themes immediately.

EN: From your frequent visits to the UK, what do you see as the main strengths and weaknesses of British evangelicalism?

TK: Could I pass on that one? I’d like to be invited back! I’ll mention just one difference between British/European Christianity and US Christianity that has to do with the theory/praxis spectrum. Americans are more pragmatic, more anti-intellectual and skeptical of ‘experts’, and less able to follow complicated arguments. British evangelicalism tends to be more biblically and theologically rigorous, they demand more close exegesis and value expository preaching. This is a great strength, I believe, and one which I have profited from for years. However, (to my eyes) British evangelicals also tend to stay locked in their theory without much of an idea of how to organise and put their theories into practice. A typical criticism of British evangelical preaching is that it is theoretical, not heart-engaging or life-changing.

EN: As your world wide ministry develops, what pressures is this putting on you as a family and how can we pray for you?

TK: I’m not sure I have much of a ‘world wide ministry’. That may or may not develop. But the main thing I would need is for my family to be in good health and, in general, to be flourishing. If any members of my family would face medical problems or other difficulties, that would make it hard for me to travel. Thanks.