Tim Keller is one of the authors I miss reading the most. I recently suffered a brain aneurism that put me in a coma for 4 weeks. When I regained consciousness, I said about my wife of 17 years, "I'm not sure who she is, but I think I like her a lot." (I had to be TOLD that I said this, because I simply don't remember SAYING this!!!) To hear my story, run a search on RU-vid for my full name, "Charles Frank Kurtz." Then tell everyone you know that miracles STILL happen!!! For me to be alive to say that might not sound like much to YOU, but for my wife and 2 kids, it's pretty miraculous that I'm still alive to enter these words!!!
Which is frankly a little baffling that two Reformed theologians like Piper and Keller would be so taken with Lewis, since Reformed theology has a tradition of mistrusting human being's longings. Not that I'm complaining. I'm with Lewis on this... I just find it very odd that they would be too, given their theological preconceptions.
The idea of sharing views about important Christian thinkers should be generalized and made into a RU-vid series. I know quite a lot about C.S. Lewis but still benefitted from this discussion.
To anyone reading the comments, overwhelmed by the things people are saying (whether good or bad) about T.K., J.P., or C.S. Lewis and wondering "how will I ever know what is true?"... remember that we will never make it to know Jesus without his mercy an intervention, and he is merciful.. In Pilgrim's Progress you see over and over that Christian could have never made it on his own. Acknowledge your weakness and work hard to seek the truth. But always remember your dependence on him. And in the people who make claims about what is true look for the character of Christ. If you don't see it, run. But study and pray much so that you can know what that looks like. Don't be intellectually lazy and expect it all to be easy. One day at a time, don't lose heart.
Yes, almost. Lewis appeals to me both intellectually and emotionally. I feel with him that our deepest yearnings are for the absolute. And I enjoy the way he debunks the various rivals of mother Kirk.
+James van der Hoorn What you said brought me these verses to my mind: Acts 26:28 And Agrippa said unto Paul, With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian. 29 And Paul said, I would to God, that whether with little or with much, not thou only, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I am, except these bonds.
i hope you’ve made a decision for Christ...He is real. He is coming soon. These dramatic world events are His acts of mercy to a world that is about to suffer unimaginably because of their hatred of God. I’m praying that the message of God’s love, shown at the cross, will penetrate your heart. God bless you.
John, Tim... There are soon many ideas, dogmas and theological foundations in being a Berean student of Christ and His Gospel. How do I even begin to grow in these studies and understand their differences, issues and obstacles even possible stagnations that each of its opponents and critics charge them to have? May God lead me to truly dig deeper into the word of God and... interestingly enough... I think God just told me what I should do... By His grace I will come to those in time, but for now I think He wants me to dig deep into His word and know that, exegest His word to better understand my faith in Him, grow in my love for Him and so obey Him not faithfully. Because there is a particular sin I am suffering that I need to overcome first in order move toward I guess. I'm not sure...
@@jessewallace12able Nor does he mention Arminianism or Wesleyanism (the two main competing theologies). That is because they are a system or framework through which we interpret and reconcile the scriptures. Christ never mentions or condones any of them, but that is why we are able to debate them: we don't know which is true, if any. We compile the evidence for each in the Bible, and see which fits the best and makes the most sense: that is the one that is true. Technically Christ never mentioned the trinity either, yet few doubt that that is true.
Tim Keller is of the same cloth. As is Piper to a degree. Although Piper is more of a connecting, emotional teacher. But i dont mean that as a negative.
The opposites part is referring to the use of intellect and the use of the faculty that appreciates beauty and relationships. The title didn't help but the intro says it clearly
Many liberals love Keller. That should raise red flags. There has actually been strong reassessment of CS Lewis as far as being doctrinally sound. Personally, I’d say stick to his fiction for entertainment, but not his Bible commentary.
HEAVEN --- REVERSE OF PLANET EARTH Created beings are all given a different level of intelligence and in heaven, because God gave them all a grateful good nature, compassion, pity and charity flows down to a lower-class, grateful submission flows back up and humility, harmony, affection and peace is enjoyed by all. On the other hand, on planet earth, God has given virtually everyone an ingrate sinful nature, such that a fake morality causes people to enrich themselves upon the misery of those who have less education, less wealth or less whiteness of skin. Therefore, it is now clearly understood that sin is the destruction of life and that we hate sin, not because we fear punishment from God, but because evil is a cliff overlooking non-existence. Surely, a cliff of death that we just do not go near.
These "talks" become sophistry quickly...and very Rabbinical... it scratches the itch of very few self-assessed intellectuals but we're far from the Gospel on these trips. Lewis is a dubious character that may not have even been regenerate...many problems...but he's the kind of "philosopher" that just tickles people. Wait doesn't the Scripture say something about being tickled...?
Michael Rotolo He was for sure regenerate, though. He wrote about it in a few of his books and other writers of those times testified about his conversion.
Michael Rotolo In what way is two guys talking about what they personally get out of CS Lewis "sophistry?" By sophistry I assume you are alluding to linguistic legerdemain or even some sort of intentional deception? Like what, specifically? And what do you mean by "very Rabbinical?" You mean like they are laying down some sort of theologically unfounded framework of thought? You then go on to question Lewis's salvation, and allude vaguely to what you perceive as his "many problems," (naming none) then you essentially compare people who enjoy CS Lewis to children who like to be tickled. I have a fancy term for you and your comment: "Concern Trolling". Look it up. And then quit doing it. : )
Michael Rotolo Yes, typically when one asks a question, it is in hopes that the answer to that question will bring some sort of clarity. You made broad, ambiguous statements. I asked for clarification. But apparently you're not interested in providing any.
Adoniram McCarthy According to Google you do not exist... can't find anything or anyone by that name... instead of using anonymous "cut-out" accounts why not use your real identity as I do. Christians should be accountable even in cyberspace for what they write... otherwise how can anyone take you seriously.
