Deus Misereatur

  The Apostle Paul says somewhere, "For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment,..." (Romans 12:3a). And that concept is center stage in Tim Keller's teeny 48-page booklet, "The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness ". It is easy to read, simple, and to the point. Keller is working on exactly what is in the title: Freedom. Not patriotic freedom, but liberation from the driving force of our ego. Liberation from a superiority or inferiority complex. Liberation from taking ourselves to court every day to be judged or vindicated. Liberated from building our self-resume. But also liberated to be alive. To be alive before God and with God because of Jesus Christ. As Keller points out, "the essence of gospel-humility is not thinking more of myself or thinking less of myself, it is thinking of myself less" (32).  "The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness " is j...

How to Reach the West Again: Six Essential Elements of a Missionary Encounter by Timothy J. Keller My rating: 5 of 5 stars This short little booklet (just under 60 pages) is written to address what the Christian Church needs to focus on in a post-Christian western society. Not so much a "how-to" but a "why-to" and "think-through" kind of approach. It's an easy read that may envelope about an hour of one's time. Keller brings out the way the story has changed in the West and that this post-Christian world is asking different questions from different perspectives than in the past. But also that it is narrating different tales and plot-lines. Then the author goes on to point out how Bible-believing, Gospel-embracing churches and denominations need to realize where we are now and to see better how to come at where we are. This post-Christendom evangelistic dynamic includes attention, attraction, demonstration, and conviction. The author draws fro...

The Prodigal Prophet: Jonah and the Mystery of God's Mercy by Timothy J. Keller My rating: 5 of 5 stars Tim Keller preached his way through Jonah in 1981, 1991, and 2001, and so this 360 page hardback flows from Scripture, seasoning, and years of service in pastoral ministry. Readability is easy, which makes reception feasible. It is a thoughtful book packed with application, and material for prayer and reflection. But "The Prodigal Prophet" is also a book that doesn't shy away from challenging readers. For example, sin "always begins with the character assassination of God...One of the main reasons we trust God too little is because we trust our own wisdom too much" (138-9). Keller allows Jonah to challenge our idolatries of unrestrained patriotism and anti-patriotism; ethnic bigotry and dis-attachment to our heritage; heartlessly preaching God's wrath and heartlessly preaching a God who has no wrath; to name just a few. The book left me with on...