"Why are you in New York? Deep down, you think something is wrong with you." — Tim Keller, Redeemer Presbyterian, New York CityIt's always interesting when the media tries to cover faith, beliefs, religion, Christianity, evangelicals, or anything close.
This story in the December 7 issue of New York magazine, though, seems to cover Tim Keller's church-work in New York City pretty well. When they quote him, it's less about shock effect, and you can see the point of his message come through.
The best thing about Keller's ministry is that his church is actually sticking to Biblical principles and is still attracting a gathering in New York City. After the article came out, a lot of people criticized Redeemer Presbyterian for being too conservative, but you have to draw the line somewhere (especially since Christianity's hallmark is its basic, unnegotiable principles). I'm happy Keller decided to draw his line along the Bible, and that people aren't buying into a populace movement; they're coming to the truth because he's taking a strong stance.
Best of all, Keller's main tone goes beyond Gotham, calling the world to find a deeper meaning. He tells people to hunt for something other than satisfaction and worth in materialism and achievement.
"We want to feel beautiful, we want to feel loved," Keller says. "We want to feel significant, and that's why we're working so hard, and that's the source of evil."
New York just happens to be the place where a lot of people have landed for their final push to the top.
"Why are you in New York?" Keller asks. "Deep down, you think something is wrong with you."
My favorite part of the entire story, though, is when Keller makes the clear point that his faith is backed by his intellect. As conservativism and Republicanism and Bible Beltism rips through the nation, making people think Christians are a willfully ignorant, scared, much-too-large part of the populace. Keller draws attention back to arguments that hold together his church's beliefs.
"Keller says he fell under the spell of religious writers, C.S. Lewis being the best known, whose faith in Jesus and the Bible was untainted by the anti-intellectualism of American fundamentalism," the article reads.
Keller: "I think you simply can't get orthodox Christianity into one political mold."
Amen.
The regular arguments against religion and faith will be thrown against Keller and Redeemer Presbyterian. They will include cries of intolerance and judgment. It's always going to be that way, however. For this story, realize that thousands of people have said that, despite parts of their faith that are oft-ridiculed, they're still holding to that which they've discovered is true.
As Keller says, "Well, you know what. You can't teach what we teach — that you must be born again through belief in Jesus Christ — without saying most of the world is wrong."
And Keller's wife, Kathy, even has something to say about the mainstream news outlets that can easily skew the story. A 1998 New York Times article unduly highlighted the church's views on premarital sex and homosexuality without giving space to the rest of its beliefs. It "could have been entitled 'Manhattanites More Stupid Than We Thought — Attend Christian Church,'" Kathy says.
The NYM article is more along the lines of, "Manhattanites Seem to Have Found Something Interesting — Faith That Makes Sense."
People will say what they may, but at least we have a beefy article out there saying what we actually believe.
Kudos, Keller.
