added by Jonathan Simcoe · updated 2y ago
How I Evolved on Tim Keller | James R. Wood
At that point, I began to observe that our politics and culture had changed. I began to feel differently about our surrounding secular culture, and noticed that its attitude toward Christianity was not what it once had been. Aaron Renn’s account represents well my thinking and the thinking of many: There was a “neutral world” roughly between 1994–2
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Jonathan Simcoe added 8mo ago
There are so many assumptions baked into his model for if and how our country and politics have changed.During the 2016 election cycle, I still approached politics through the winsome model, and I realized that it was hardening me toward fellow believers. I was too concerned with how one’s vote might harm the “public witness” of the church, and I looked down upon those who voted differently than me—usually in a rightward direction. “Public witness” m
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Jonathan Simcoe added 8mo ago
This sounds like a personal problem.Keller was extremely effective as a minister and public theologian in the neutral world. At the beginning of his time in New York, he spent years conducting sociological research by not only reading the best literature of the day, but also surveying residents in the city and hosting Q&A sessions after his sermons. The insights he gleaned from t
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Jonathan Simcoe added 8mo ago
The past tense here is some brutal shade-throwing. Keller's model is still effective, present tense, and his legacy still holds healthy models on how to approach modern evangelism and ministry.Keller’s apologetic model for politics was perfectly suited for the “neutral world.” But the “negative world” is a different place. Tough choices are increasingly before us, offense is unavoidable, and sides will need to be taken on very important issues. Recent events have proven that being winsome in this moment will not guarantee a favorable hea
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Jonathan Simcoe added 8mo ago
The past 20 years were not really the "neutral" world.And I started to recognize another danger to this approach: If we assume that winsomeness will gain a favorable hearing, when Christians consistently receive heated pushback, we will be tempted to think our convictions are the problem. If winsomeness is met with hostility, it is easy to wonder, “Are we in the wrong?” Thus the slide toward secular c
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Jonathan Simcoe added 8mo ago
Here is abstracting "winsomeness" as an approach, instead of a core piece of our character. If we instead view ourselves as image-bearers of Christ with a whole character that is marked by grace and love, then we approach truth-telling and all disciplines with this approach. James is being much too pragmatic in his abstractions.Keller was the right man for a moment. To many, like me, it appears that moment has passed. That does not diminish my admiration for the important service Keller provided to the church in America for many years. My family and I wouldn’t be the same without him.
from How I Evolved on Tim Keller | James R. Wood by firstthings.com
Jonathan Simcoe added 8mo ago
This is really pathetic.