Tim Keller

Ann Coulter Likes Tim Keller

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Coulter_keller_2I'm getting a bunch of hits from AnnCoulter.com.  She seems to be fond of Tim Keller's The Reason for God and my Tim Keller Resources page. 

For all you Ann Coulter haters out there, this should finally prove how amazingly brilliant she is.  Anyone who likes Keller is right all of the time.  And let's be honest, anyone who likes Tim Keller AND links to my site is a borderline superhero.

If you have come here from AnnCoulter.com, welcome.  And thanks to Ann (yes, we are on a first name basis now) for putting my link on the same page as the word "whoreable."  My Southern Baptist brethren love that kind of thing.

I have produced a screen capture so as to never forget...  Reformissionary_on_anncoulter_3

Keller @ Veritas and Google

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Google_keller_5As Tim Keller continues his book tour and college campus talks (in Chicago last night and tonight), Veritas has put up his Columbia University talk, "Exclusive Religion in a Pluralistic Society: What are the Tensions and How Do We Move Forward?" 

I'm sure many of you have seen that Keller spoke at Google.  How awesome is that?  Justin Buzzard was there and gave us plenty to chew on.  Thanks Justin.

I did not make it to Keller's talk last night because I was at the Doctor trying to figure out what is wrong with me.  He thinks I may have a touch of pneumonia.  Exciting.  I'm not going tonight either, unfortunately.  If anyone makes it to a Chicago event, I'd love to hear/read how things go.

Reason4GodSpotting

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I've been taking camera phone photos of The Reason for God as I find it out and about.  I'm encouraging you to find Keller in your context so when you recommend the book you know who has it on the shelf.
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First Things Interviews Tim Keller

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Kell

Anthony Sacramone at First Things has interviewed Tim Keller on The Reason for God (#18 NYT Bestseller List).  In the interview he does clarify the Genesis/evolution issue that has come up before.  But this is the most intriguing part of the interview...

AS: Whenever people write about Redeemer, they usually refer to it as a megachurch.

TK: Stop that!

AS: Now, I’ve heard you—

TK: Have you seen Bob Newhart? Stop it!

AS: Oh sure.

TK: Stop it. Go ahead.

AS:I actually have his “Button-Down Humor” stand-up album from like 1968 or something.

For those needing clarification and context, here you go...

The Reason for God: Introduction Quotes

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2268598417_226c381662From the introduction of The Reason for God by Timothy Keller...

Only if you [believers] struggle long and hard with objections to your faith will you be able to provide grounds for your beliefs to skeptics, including yourself, that are plausible rather than ridiculous or offensive....But even as believers should learn to look for reasons behind their faith, skeptics must learn to look for a type of faith hidden within their reasoning.  All doubts, however skeptical and cynical they may seem, are really a set of alternate beliefs....Every doubt...is based on a leap of faith.
- p. xvii

The only way to doubt Christianity rightly and fairly is to discern the alternate belief under each of your doubts and then to ask yourself what reasons you have for believing it.  How do you know your belief is true?  It would be inconsistent to require more justification for Christian belief than you do for your own, but that is frequently what happens.  In fairness you must doubt your doubts.  My thesis is that if you come to recognize the beliefs on which your doubts about Christianity are based, and if you seek as much proof for those beliefs as you seek from Christians for theirs--you will discover that your doubts are not as solid as they first appeared.
- p. xviii

Keller & Woodstock

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KellerI was just in our little hometown, independent bookstore and they not only have Keller's The Reason for God, but they've sold copies and already ordered more at my request.  When I mentioned the title they knew it immediately and were a buzz with interest.  I know the local outspoken Unitarian guy picked up a copy today.  Great to see local interest.

Lots-o-Links 2.13.08

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I have two orders pending (Amazon and Westminster) for Tim Keller's The Reason for God.  I have a book and audio copy coming for me, and several copies to give away. Amazon's is on the way!

The WGA writer's strike is over.  I've been following the strike online and through some podcasts, and was hoping the writer's would get a fair shake.  It appears they are content, and now we can get back to watching some well-written new TV and movies.

Al Hsu has enjoyed Juno and reflects on the movie's suburban flair.

I recently rented The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters, a documentary of one man's effort to beat the high score of Donkey Kong from a guy who you want to see lose it.  It's a very entertaining movie that I highly recommend.  Rent it and then tell me what you think.  Here's the trailer...

I met Jonathan Dodson, an Acts 29 church planter, at the Chicago boot camp.  Good guy.  Check out two recent articles he has online on Community and Missional Discipleship.

Pitchers and catchers reporting today for the Cubs.  Very good news.  I've briefly visited HoHoKam Stadium, where the Cubs have spring training, in Phoenix a few winters ago when on a golf trip with my dad and uncles.  My rabid-sports-nut-7-year-old, Elijah, reported as a pitcher last Sunday here in Woodstock.  They have a handful of pitcher's and catcher's training sessions at our local rec center.  He's shorter than most kids his age, but has an arm on him.  AND he is accurate.  I often have to encourage him to throw harder because he's afraid the kid across from him will not catch it and get hurt, or something.  And since I'm helping to coach his team this year, I'm considering trading him to another team for a case of Schlitz!

Some of you know I have an autistic son.  My wife enjoyed this video recently, so I thought it was worth sharing...

Tim Keller: Call to Plant in NYC

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KellFrom page 10 of Tim Keller's Redeemer Church Planters Manual, on Keller's call to plant in NYC...

A great darkness descended on me, because I knew I had no good reason not to [plant in NYC], but I felt totally inadequate for the job.  I know that everyone feels inadequate for any ministry, but this was different.  I knew that I was as humanly well-equipped as anyone to try this ministry, but I also knew this was well beyond the human abilities of anyone at all.  That meant only one thing: it would not be my talent, but my love for, and dependence on, God that would be the critical factor in the project.  I felt that my spirituality would be laid bare for all (worst of all, for me) to see.  But the opportunity was too ripe and I also knew it was a door that might not be open for even a few more weeks...

I prayed and was reading Gurnall's A Christian in Complete Armour one day and came upon a passage: "It requires more prowess and greatness of spirit to obey God faithfully than to command an army of men; more greatness to be a Christian than a captain."  I realized that if was an illusion to imagine that I would have to start being brave if I took this job; I should have been living bravely all along.  Even if I turned the NYC church down, I could not go back to being a coward.  So I might as well go to New York!  On July 1, [1988], I gave Westminster Seminary a year's notice.  Immediately, my prayer life broke open like never before.  I did not wonder why.

Evangelism 2008: Calm Before the Storm

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Z38466040I haven't posted much on evangelism lately, but that should change soon.  The main reason is that I'm doing a ton of work on some strategic planning for the next two years (and beyond) at our church.  I've had some extra meetings and lots of sketchy ideas and plans that are starting to gel.  Hopefully in the next couple of weeks I'll have some things nailed down and can share more about my evangelism plans for the rest of 2008.  Some of them are directly tied to our church's plans.

Here are a few books I'm currently reading, rereading, perusing, etc

Promoting the Gospel by John Dickson (info here): To be fair, I haven't gotten past the table of contents.  But that's because I just got it in the mail today from Lisa at Narwee Baptist Church in Australia.  Thanks Lisa!

unChristian by Kinnaman and Lyons: Used some stats in last Sunday's sermon.  Good resource.

Love Walked Among Us by Paul Miller: A book I reread or reskim at least yearly on the compassion of Jesus.  You can get it used for about $4 at Amazon.  Well worth it.

Redeemer Church Planting Manual by The Godfather (Tim Keller): How can you NOT own this?  It's simply outstanding.  Been using it a lot for church strategy and planning, but also pulling much on evangelism, ethnographic interviews, etc.  I'll be blogging on a few things from the book soon.

Also worthy to note is the short New Church Initiatives (NCI) paper on "The Work of an Evangelist."  Check out NCI and their other resources.

I'm curious about the Mulit-Site Exposed Conferences.  I'm not a video venue kind of guy, but I'm very open to thinking multi-site if we are growing and it makes sense for our area.  Keller's approach is my favorite, with live preaching at all locations.

Tim Keller in Newsweek

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Update: Anyone concerned about Keller the evolutionist (see last paragraph of the article below), please check out Ed Stetzer's blog where he makes public Tim Keller's response to the article with a few minor corrections.  Ahh, everyone can breathe again.

Keller_2 Tim Keller is in Newsweek and the article is online for your enjoyment: "The Smart Shepherd: A New York pastor who says he thinks too much wants to bring his Christian message to the world.  (via Stet)

Stetzer adds some response at his blog...

Last time I was in Manhattan I attended the church and spent some time with Tim on Monday. 

I was most impressed with how, well, non-"hip" the service was. (The giveaway was the note in the program reminding you to not applaud.)

The "band" was four men in suits who played wind instruments accompanied by an organ.

Yet, most of the crowd was young and engaged... a reminder that contemporary is not always contextual.

Keller Sermons on The Reason for God

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Lots-o-Links 1.31.08

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Doug Wilson on how friendship evangelism is really about your money and material possessions...

Friendship evangelism rests upon generosity, sacrifice, kindness,openness, hospitality, goodness, and open-handedness. That is to be the texture of your life, and non-believers are welcome to come along with you. In short, is your evangelism giving or taking? Are you a benefactor or a salesman?

Alex Chediak is working through a pre-publication copy of Tim Keller's new book, The Reason for God.  (Amazon)

Steve Ogne on mobilizing leaders (from GCA conference).

Whiteboard Sessions website is up.

Mike Cosper is Worship and Arts Pastor at Sojourn Community Church in Louisville, KY.  In 2006 Mike gave Acts 29 talks on "Missional Strategies for the Arts."  Both messages are here.

Mark Batterson - Four Dimensions of Courage.

Timmy Brister interviews Mark Dever on Richard Sibbs.

I've been looking forward to Son of Rambow for over a year now.  It's finally coming out in May.  Here's the trailer...

Lots-o-Links 12.20.07

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