Unmasking the many faces of sin

John Woods reviews What Is Wrong with the World? by Timothy Keller.

Cornelius Plantinga, whose book Not the Way it is Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin is cited by Tim Keller in this book, suggests that from his observations “preachers mumble about sin”. I think that Plantinga is right, preachers often miss the mark when it comes to preaching on sin, which can often too vague to be helpful or so narrow that it fails to penetrate the hearts of every sinner.

This book of sermons by Keller is the first set of posthumous sermons that have been edited for publication. There is always a worry that, like the famous musician whose reputation is dented by the release of an album of mediocre out-takes, Keller will not be served by trawling his back catalogue. Keller, however, is more like Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young, whose out-takes contain many unreleased gems.

Kathy Keller was in effect an editor and co-writer of her husband Tim’s book, so she is well placed to navigate his thought world. This book is based on sermons that Keller preached in the 1990s under the title “The Faces of Sin”.

Kathy Keller writes in the Foreword to this book that the series did not meet with universal approval from New Yorkers, who came to listen. Yet they were intrigued by the question: “What is wrong with us?”

The title of the sermon series “The Faces of Sin” tells us a lot about Keller’s approach. This is not a one-dimensional treatment of sin. Keller recognises that sin comes in many guises and each of these faces need to be addressed specifically. Keller rejects a scattergun approach that sounds off at sin in general, but instead employs precision instruments to deal with the specifics of each distinctive expression of sin – Sin as Predator, Sin as Self-Deception, Sin as Leaven, Sin as Mistrust, Sin as Self-Righteousness, Sin as Leprosy (i.e. Pride – which gets two sermons. I remember hearing Keller say that nobody thinks they are proud!), Sin as Slavery.

With his characteristic skill he uncovers the nature of all these sins, exposing their dangers, and points to Christ as the one who can deal with each of these sins.

The final two chapters deal more specifically with the healing of sin. Again, Keller avoids a superficial approach to the subject. Many preachers would conclude with true repentance, but Keller does not leave it there; he then moves on to intimacy with God, which is the ultimate blessing that flows from the faces of sin being exposed leading us to repentance.

Each of the main chapters concludes with a prayer that brings the message to a point where we are forced to face up to what is wrong with us and come as a repentant sinner who can engage with a holy but gracious God.

Preachers do need to do more than mumble about sin. This book is highly recommended as a guide to how they might speak with clarity to the specifics of what is wrong with us as human beings. Any reader would benefit from these messages that probe our many hiding places, tear off our masks and expose our pride and idols.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE WORLD? The Surprising, Hopeful Answer to the Question We Cannot Avoid.
By Tim Keller
Zondervan. 240 pages. £16.99
ISBN 978 0 310 370 161