Why we love Keller - Part 2

Ok, so why do we love Keller? Reason two: he can walk and chew gum at the same time. What am I talking about? He can boldly tell people about Jesus AND do genuine social justice simultaneously. Good gosh!

Now, you might think that this ain't such a big deal, and really it shouldn't be. Christians used to have no problem integrating both of these important imperatives. Sadly, at some point in the last few hundred years, evangelicals in particular lost their way and struggled to keep both balls in the air.

Luther could do two things at once - Brew beer and bring on the Reformation.

I reckon (and some smarter people seem to agree) that this dilemma started with the rise of liberal Christianity. When you take away the uniqueness of the gospel, the reality of the resurrection, the prospect of either heaven or hell, and with them all the authority of scripture, the only thing you have to save people from is injustice and suffering in this life. What's the point of doing anything else?

Given the liberals rushed to make social justice their own, evangelicals distanced themselves a bit as a counter-balance. It was important, after all, to stand up for the importance and priority of gospel preaching.

Gradually, however, a subtle shift towards the primacy of the “evangelistic mandate” was discernable [as a] growing protest against the this-worldliness of the Social Gospel.
(Bosch, Transforming Missions, 403)

Even the greats, like Billy Graham, advocated that simply preaching the gospel would cause social justice to naturally follow.

But, even though we might debate if one should be a priority over the other, or if they both are equal, evangelicals have begun again to realise that both need to be part of authentic gospel proclamation - both word and deed. Many evangelicals looking for a way to integrate both have found a leader in Keller.

Keller seems to have a unique ability to think, speak and act positively to the world around him whist still maintaining his evangelical convictions. I think this is the real reason why we love him so much. Keller has helped us look at the world and appreciate what is good, he has helped us find the words to speak about what is good. And we like that.

We don't like being the one to always be saying, 'Turn or burn!' We want to get along side our non-Christian neighbour and appreciate the created world with them as we point them to the creator who stands behind it and entered into it. Keller gives us a way to do this. We want to show people that loving the poor, the weak and the vulnerable is consistent with telling people about Jesus. Keller appears to be doing this.

Fifty years from now, if evangelical Christians are widely known for their love of cities, their commitment to mercy and justice, and their love of their neighbours, Tim Keller will be remembered as a pioneer of the new urban Christians.
(Christianity Today, May 2006)

That is the second reason why we love Keller, he helps us love the world while still loving to tell people about Jesus. Feel free to add some other reasons!