Q&A with Tim Keller - Reason for God? Belief in an Age of Skepticism

[TheWilliet21]

Dr. Keller for me, does a wonderful job articulating the reasons for needing God in our lives and the overwhelming faith one must have to believe. In reading and studying the Bible, my interpretation of why God allows for evil and suffering is solely based on the sin of man. As humans, we have totally rejected God and sinned against him. We deserve nothing but hell and enternal suffering. But by Gods wonderful grace and mercy, he offers all of us a way to be with him forever, and that way is Je

[fittguy]

Tim Keller is Awesome. What a gift. many of those questions were tough,. However, he managed to give fairly decent responses.(excellent responses in my opinion)

[ComradeOblivious]

@xdale2 Except that the son tells us himself in John 3:16 that it was an act of love, ergo, no second guess.

[torotnota]

thats professor xavier right there

[ElAleman1234]

Thank you for posting this video! It was very helpful.

[xdale2]

Very Interesting. Keller say we can't know god's intention so we can't second guess why he permits the holocaust; yet he second guesses God's purpose in having his son die on the cross as an act of "love".



[bethpops1]

someone please hold the camera still. I'm getting dizzy.

[AugustineCLee]

That last point is the crux of this whole thing: Why does God choose to allow darkness for a time if it was in His power to create a world completely devoid of pain and suffering? The Christian response would be to say that the toils make the reward more precious, but that's a weak argument if you consider that the definition of God is infinitely glorious such that no contrast need be given in order to make God "more glorious."

[AugustineCLee]

You could say that God is then showing favoritism because He chooses some people whereas He creates other people who He foreknew were destined for hell. But if I were to adopt a child, is it favoritism that I don't adopt every child that needs a family? You could say that God has the ability to adopt every single person and His choice not to do so demonstrates His favoritism.

[smccull5]

14:00 JUST SAY YES! "No eternal future of thriving?" "Christless eternity?" Yes, spiritual separation from God is eternity in hell. We're so scared to just say, "Yes, they'll be in hell."

[copylondon]

When the word 'hell' was used in Jesus' day it had a greater context because of the location of garbage tip in Jerusalem. In the same way that a word like 'love' needs explaining to the west as we only have one word for it the word 'hell' is better explained as a 'Chrstless eternity'.

[Bigborian92783]

@coldplay8125 Oh for sure, I think you misunderstood what I meant. I don't mean let's attack non believers. I mean questions like "Will muslims, jews, hindu's, buddhists, etc go to hell for not believing in Jesus" the answer should be a simple yes, with an explanation of course but we should stand firm on biblical truth even if it's unpopular and even insensitive to say such things. Unbelievers will be turned off by that answer but no one is going to talk someone into Faith in Christ.

[coldplay8125]

@Bigborian92783 But it seems these difficult answers which Christian believers view as having very concrete consequenses should probably be related to unbelievers in a gentle manner. While something may be true, there are tasteful ways to communicate truths. I don't think Dr. Keller, in discussing heaven and hell in this exchange, veered away from orthodoxy. I think it's vital to be gentler with nonbelievers in discussing some very harsh truths than with those who claim Christ.

[0610akang]

Martin Bashir (who happens to be a Christian) does a great job asking the tough questions about Christianity. Timothy Keller presents his Christian beliefs in a thoughtful, intelligent manner. This give and take helps us better understand things, even if it still leaves some questions unanswered. I wish two atheists would have the courage to ask the tough questions about atheism. Can we look at Neitzsche's atheist philosophy? His ideas were appalling. Even atheists would cringe at his atheism.

[dlbattle100]

Why do intelligent people come to listen to stuff like this? I guess I can answer that somewhat myself. I watch in order to try to figure out why everyone else is watching. If that's why you're watching this, perhaps we should all just stop watching.

[dlbattle100]

It's the asylum for all of you eventually.

[Bigborian92783]

I love Dr. Keller smartest theologian i know but I wish he would just answer the "insensitive" questions point blank and just deal with the fallout. It's not as if anyone is going to leave the veritas forum and say "I heard a compelling argument for Christianity I'm going to start believing now". God will save who he saves, the rest will not believe no matter how much convincing you do for them. A conversion is a miracle done by God not a reasonable argument that one accepts as their worldview.

[coldplay8125]

@Bigborian92783 That's no reason to not be tactful. Just because a conversion is a spurring on by the Holy Spirit does not give license to any believers to be crass, harsh, and blunt especially to unbelievers. Doing so is surely a recipe for disaster.

[hayoung1096]

Martin Bashir is a Christian

[HolyMisfit]

Q @ 57:29 Romans2-13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

[JWHurwitz]

@HolyMisfit Right? There are tons of things that seems to be "need to know", but the Bible does tell us a fair bit about the unevangelized.

[HolyMisfit]

This camera guy is making me sea sick.

[coachtoddclt]

Tim Keller is one of the best theologians and ambassadors or the faith that we have in America. His focus on Jesus is without question. "If Jesus is who HE says HE is then yes He is the only way", Keller says. That is a a great response. Keller knows who is but he delivers the message in a way that will get the listener to ask the question. Who did Jesus say he was? If Keller gets people to ask themselves that question then he is doing a great job. I think he does.

[rawrock24]

The problem isn't that only those who follow Christ go to heaven is open minded the problem would be is it moral.

[rawrock24]

Does not understanding a 2,000 year old Hebrew and Greek text send you to hell?

[rawrock24]

If you can't think of a good reason then isn't fair to say you don't have any good reason to think he is good.

[rawrock24]

It was liberating to learn most Christians don't care about any morally objections to everyone but Christians going to hell. Oh wow that answers my questions.

[muzikdude11]

In all honesty, how do you think Jesus would respond if He was asked "What about the millions of muslims, buddhists and jews who don't believe that Jesus is God? Where will they go when they die?" Do you think Jesus would respond like Keller did in this interview? I do not think so.

[redmusic1]

@muzikdude11

The problem with your question is self evident. Keller is not Jesus or a foreordained prophet who speaks with the authority of a deity such as christ. As a person who speaks with atheist and reformed-jews on a daily basis, it is dangerous to approach a non-christian as if you were Christ yourself. Come to think of it, that seems pretty silly for one to do at any time.

[junglehappiness]

@muzikdude11 ...and yet when Jesus was asked how a person can get eternal life he answered "why do you call me good. No-one is good except God alone". I would suggest that if Keller gave an indirect answer like this (rather than quote from a theological textbook) then you would label him a heretic.

[996vtwin2]

@muzikdude11 Jesus would say something like how can you see if there is no light. He is the light

[jcncnc]

The fact is, Tim Keller is not a Bible-believing Christian. At the end of Reason For God, Keller wrote this: “At the end of the final book of the Bible, we see the very opposite of what other religions predict. We do not see the illusion of the world melt away nor do we see spiritual souls escaping the physical world into heaven." Very sadly, this man is not who we all wish he was.

[andos50]

@jcncnc To all non christians reading this, Tim Keller is a fantastic Bible believing Pastor.

[karaj555]

@jcncnc ??? hes amillennialist!!!!! and honestly if you dont thing he is a bible beliving christian you dont know the bible

[jcncnc]

The fact is, Tim Keller is not a Bible-believing Christian. He doesn't believe in the Biblical versions of heaven or hell. He also believes the "primary purpose of salvation is cultural renewal."

[karaj555]

you obviously dont know his believes so i would stop talking about what you think he believes. Your wrong. you as a christian need to realize he was not writing the book to Christians, but non Christians so to use christian phraseology is completely illogical and honestly very dangerous. If you want to hear him speak to Christians listen to his sermons. and the purpose of salvation is to go out and love neighbors right?? that do you think cutural renewal is? its making your light shine

[JesusIsGodAmen]

Love this video!!!!!! Dr. Keller is so humble, articulate and forthcoming with his responses.

[andos50]

Thank you for posted the whole footage of this interview! I found it so refreshing to hear actual answers to questions rather than the usual bickering you get in the debates... Loved it :)

[RGuerra1980]

Is it just me or did he seem really squishy and uncomfortable giving answer about the fate of those who aren't in Christ (listen starting at 14:00)? We need men who can give clear and direct responses to those type of questions. His answer seemed cloudy, muddled and unconvincing.

[LarsTheHonest]

@RGuerra1980 True, but it's not exactly easy to answer. Im not sure what I would say had I been asked, but I would have mentioned that muslims believe we Christians will go to hell as well.

[revulayshun]

@RGuerra1980 nope, it isn't just you. The squishiness was evident.

[indigokiller]

@RGuerra1980 i agree. i understand that he's trying to be diplomatic about it but replacing the word "hell" with a phrase like "Christless eternity" doesn't do anyone any favors. the fact is, some people who don't like Christ would be quite comfortable with the idea of a "Christless eternity". also what disturbed me was his almost rob-bell-sounding answer about not knowing the eternal future when it comes to divine judgement. the "i'm on a need to know basis" argument doesn't sound very firm.

[karaj555]

@indigokiller the reason he puts it in that terms is because that is what the essence of hell is. To most non Christians they think hell is just a painful agonizing punishment , and heaven is like winning the lottery and having everything you want. That's not what heaven and hell are about. Heaven is eternity in God where as hell is an eternity outside of god. Heaven is not about having selfish desires its an eternity of worshiping God. its more accurat to say christless eternity than hell.

[MichaelSethKendall]

@indigokiller Why do you "need" someone to give clear and direct responses. Why isn't it ok that everyone has uncertainties. I don't feel like that's a problem. When two people don't agree completely that's a good, needed thing.

[che1609]

@indigokiller If the Christian contention that Christ is king and sovereign is true then a Christless eternity is an eternity without any relationship at all with the creator; such an eternity is without the source of life, joy etc - this would be hell. If Christ is just a historical figure and not God then this is not an issue and if you do not like the historical Christ that is your view; but as with any relationship; it works two ways; if he is God then this has consequences.

[indigokiller]

@che1609 re: your first sentence. says who? on what basis do you define that to be hell? the Bible is quite clear about hell. Jesus himself described hell in clear and graphic terms. i don't see how people can miss it. and yet there's always somebody who wants to redefine hell so as to soften the orthodox position and save God from some bad PR. to be fair to keller, though, he did issue a statement about this clip and apologized that he wasn't clearer at this particular moment in time.

[che1609]

@indigokiller I think when it comes to certain subjects Kant's aphorism "whereof one cannot speak thereof one must stay silent" holds true here - we don't know the exact nature of heaven/ hell. Speaking as a Christian the biblical position seems straightforward (which causes me concerns); I do think Keller's picture of people going one way or the other through life is significant; self-centerdness is the real killer; it is all a matter of the heart rather than external goodness/ badness.

[johhnycarlos]

@indigokiller Rom. 10:6-7. Its muddy, because the question asks the wrong one. We shouldnt be focused on WHERE will I end up, but instead WHO with. Christ and the Father or yourself? Whether that is heaven or hell doesn't matter. Remember what Christ said to the condemned criminal next to him? "Today you will be with ME in paradise." It isnt about the place. 

[justsaynotodrugs]

@indigokiller In order to understand what a christless eternity would be you would first have to know who christ is. It would be the same as telling a 2 year old that they can never drink water again. They may very well be ok with that decision but only because they have no understanding of the significance of water for their survival. The same with non-christians. The only difference is it will be too late when realization hits.

[ndzoko]

@justsaynotodrugs Christianity in a nutshell:God decides to redeem mankind, to save them from HIS eternal damnation.To do so, he will send his son to be sacrificed to HIMSELF,in atonement for the sins committed against HIMSELF. He chooses a people to help him do it. He makes sure that they know of his plan by sending prophets, But if they know he is the Messiah, they will not kill him, and spoil his plan. So, he makes the prophecies murky. His scheme works. .Praise be to god. Alleluiha.

[justsaynotodrugs]

@ndzoko Thats Not even relatively close. but nice try.

[ndzoko]

@justsaynotodrugs Try to prove anything wrong with my realistic assessment of Christianity. Thanks

[justsaynotodrugs]

@ndzoko Neither is it christianity nor the Gospel. Do your own research I'm not here to "enlighten" you on a subject in which you claim to be well versed.

[ndzoko]

@justsaynotodrugs; If all who don`t know Christ, go to hell, we will have plenty of company. Hell is infantilism. If you believe in hell, you believe that god is ,by far, the worst tyrant imaginable,

[justsaynotodrugs]

@ndzoko Thats bible, the path is narrow my friend. If an atheist believes there is no God and wants nothing to do with the Idea then hell is God only giving you what you wanted in the first place. Total absence of God, which is hell as you cal lit "in a nutshell". Of course I wouldn't expect anyone just to realize these things without first seeking God for themselves. Do yourself a favor.

[ndzoko]

@justsaynotodrugs Why is the path narrow. Did you ever ask yourself that question ? Why would a loving god limit his eternal bliss to a few elect..? Didn`t tell a parabel inviting the homeless to the banquet ? If your father acted like god, people would hang him on the spot.

[justsaynotodrugs]

@ndzoko By no means is it closed to anyone. "all who call upon the name of the lord will be saved" ROM10:13, You choose to not be the elect, Just because God knows the outcome does not mean that he chose your destiny.

[DanceDiggy]

@justsaynotodrugs The difference is water is necessary for survival...we can prove that. We cannot prove an afterlife, and we definitely cannot prove Christ is necessary for an afterlife. I was raised religous and knew Christ/God and decided that he doesnt exist; and if he does exist I refuse to worship a kid with an ant farm torching his "servants" for not doing what he wants.

[justsaynotodrugs]

@DanceDiggy The fact that you have expressed your perspective of Jesus as a "kid with an antfarm" tells me that you in fact had no relationship with Jesus Christ but rather a relationship with religion. To refute your previous statement, it is very possible to have an afterlife without Jesus that is what hell is in fact. Glad we got that out of the way. Just because you chose to believe in your mind that God does not exist does not in fact make him cease to exist, how naive is that? hah.

[DanceDiggy]

@justsaynotodrugs Just because you believe in your heart that a god exists does not mean he exists, how naive is that? Give me one shred of undeniable proof God exists and you can convert me on the spot.

[che16091]

@DanceDiggy Give me undeniable proof that anything exists

[DanceDiggy]

@che16091 Well Descartes has the old I think therefore I am. If I am thinking Then somewhere..maybe in another universe controlled by a universe...something exists. I can give you more proof that a tree exists then you can give me for god. I can show you a tree and you can touch it, smell it, take it apart, figure out how it grows. This cannot be done with a god. No matter what arguments you make the burden of proof is still on you.

[che16091]

@DanceDiggy Proof is admissible for very few categories. On the basis of evidence is how most Christians reach conclusions and here they can engage with atheists on the basis of this progressive journey. The atheist position has gaps - the believers does too - I think a Big Bang without a creator is unlikely and the elegant universe is another pointer. Atheists need to look at evidence - this is the burden in a court of law and is on this issue also - each has to reach his own conclusion.

[DanceDiggy]

@che16091 If religion were put up in court the evidence would not be beyond reasonable doubt. Not believing takes nothing. Someone never told about christianity will not be a non-believer...they just don't know it is there. To convince them they will evaluate evidence and the evidence is pretty weak. So you can consider non-belief not guilty and faith guilty. You assume not guilty and unless evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt is provided then the verdict is non-belief. Burden of proof.

[che16091]

@DanceDiggy Well the evidence is there and if true then in the end the ball is in your court; if the Judge is who Christianity says He is then you will have no defence that the evidence was not sufficient; if you reject that then that is up to you, but the consequences are pretty clear if you are wrong.

[DanceDiggy]

@che16091 There is equal "evidence" for numerous other religions.What makes yours right? And the only evidence I know of for Christianity is the Bible. Correct me if I am wrong but thats pretty shaky evidence. It was written by men at best decades later about stories passed on by illiterate people living in the desert. The Bible also contradicts itself so much and has so many fallacies it is really hard to entertain the notion that it is the word of god.

[che16091]

@DanceDiggy Paul is not illiterate by any measure and wrote his account shortly after Jesus life - moreover the growth of Christianity in the early Roman Empire (and indeed its genesis at all) was absurdly improbable. And as Keller says the rest of the Bible is completely irrelevant if Jesus is not who he says he is. Not all religions are equal in merit and message - you only need to look at the state and values of societies that are based on particular religions to see that.

[junglehappiness]

@indigokiller I sypathise with your concern, yet in Jesus' vast teaching on hell he uses the name 'hell' only a small percentage of the time. Keller uses 'Christless eternity' because this clarifies what hell is. The word hell is confused in many people's minds by tradition, art, other religions. So Keller clears up what Christians mean by hell: that it is eternal, and it is Christless. I hope that helps

[indigokiller]

@junglehappiness but is that all that hell is? Christless and eternal? not much difference to a non-believer's life now, except for the eternal part. no hell is hell because it is a terrible place of fire where the worm doesn't die, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth, where God destroys the soul. i think the phrase "Christless eternity" is powerful and communicates a lot. my only objection is when it is the ONLY thing used to describe hell.

[corrozu]

@indigokiller a legitimate interpretation of hell has always been a Christless Eternity. If people are comfortable with that, let them be. And no one knows how God will judge others; we only know what his words say.

[junglehappiness]

@indigokiller surely the real horror of hell is that it is Christless. I would suggest that if you consider any aspect of hell as more horrifying that its Christlessness then you have not only downplayed hell, but you have downplayed Jesus. It's ALL about Jesus. If you fear the fire more than being apart from your Lord and Saviour then something is wrong. It's ALL about Jesus

[indigokiller]

@junglehappiness i hear you. yes, a Christless eternity is a miserable prospect. but Jesus preached on hell. he was unambiguous about it and it clearly mattered to Him. He didn't say, "If you die in your sins, too bad coz you'll have to do without me" it was you'll suffer the unimaginable pain of a fiery hell. anyway, my main point is this: the phrase "Christless eternity" is more palatable to the ears than "hell." even Keller eventually agreed that his language here could have been stronger.

[mikeisi]

@RGuerra1980 I don't think he's squishy or muddled. Keller is one of the rare voices in the church who approaches theological questions in the same manner that CS Lewis did; with an understanding that much of his audience may be compiled of those who are prepared to walk out of the room if the answer they hear is simply a blunt, "Well they go to HELL thats what happens to them!" as may given by someone like John Macarthur. Many skeptics may hear nothing but 'hate' in that answer. (see 2)

[mikeisi]

@RGuerra1980 (2) Keller simply is someone who understands the importance to open up dialogue and put fourth a reason for what he believes. There are those today who would say this is a kind of dangerous "seeker friendly" approach but that's just silly to me. An apologetic approach does not 'lessen' the truth that ultimately God's sheep hear his word or they don't. I don't think it has anything to do with not being 'clear'..its just a manner of wanting to have dialogue. -peace

[johhnycarlos]

@RGuerra1980 Rom. 10:6-7. The question shouldnt be about heaven or about hell. Either answer brings the focus off of Christ and onto a place. When Jesus was on the cross, what did he say to the criminal next to him? "Today you will be with ME in paradise." Not "Today you will be in paradise." As Christians it shouldnt be about heaven or hell. It should be about eternity with Christ in the presence of our Father or not. Thats what matters and I think thats why he came off muddy.

[TheJdrocker]

@RGuerra1980 Uh, that's an affirmative. The Lord Jesus says that everyone and anyone who does not repent and believe in him is going to be burning eternally in a lake of fire. He likens them to trash in a burning garbage dump. Next question? I can't stand this kind of yuppie church "diplomacy". This sounds just like Joel Osteen avoiding the same question on Larry King. For heaven's sake, just speak the truth in love. If the word of God offends, then so be it.

[cbcommunity]

The answer that Hhitchens posses in his book is flawed Bertrand Russell in the 1920's stated 'You cannot claim/disprove the truth of a worldview by arguing against its cultural & social impact.- Bertrand Russell - After or all people of religion or no do horendous evil & good.

[nemirn]

It takes more faith to disbelieve in Thor than to believe.

It takes more faith to disbelieve in Ra than to believe.

It takes more faith to disbelieve in Swamp Thing than to believe.

Anything wrong with what I'm saying here?

[Haseo568]

@nemirn yes because of their consistency and logic. lol

[hhmcgrew]

I think the question is - 'is there a cameraman behind the camera'?

[aiflux]

@hhmcgrew Yes, but he's using a marionette.

[indignant99]

"I have a special pipeline to god." Oh, shut the hell up.

[indignant99]

Bashir did a pretty good job asking questions... Considering that he's a damned gooey-brained christian himself.

[huebman]

@indignant99 "damned gooey-brained christian".

Substitute the word Christian in that remark with any other people group and it is no longer socially acceptable.

Gooey brained Jew.

Gooey brained Asian.

Gooey brained Mexican.

Gooey brained Muslim.

etc...

How has it become socially acceptable for Christians to be targeted and judged by people who think they have the intellectual high ground? How do you feel if a Christian judges others, thinking they have the moral high ground. Both are wrong.

[nemirn]

@huebman

No, one if probably less wrong than the other. Simply evaluate their reasons.

[indignant99]

@huebman I didn't, and wouldn't, call those other ethnic groups gooey-brained. But christians, HELL YES.

[indignant99]

@indignant99 Correction. Religious (not cultural) Jews, and Muslims, are indeed "GOOEY-BRAINED."

[huebman]

@indignant99 Thanks for proving my point. I am not sure what has happened in your life to make you have such a negative response towards an entire group of people, but I sincerely hope you can grow up and stop your prejudices. I love God, Jesus, and you. Peace out.

[rusty2029]

The only perfect Christian was a Jew. (Jesus Christ) So we judge ourselves as fallen and in no way perfect. Why do non-Christians think they have a means to judge any group but by typical human behavior. So he who is perfected can then judge this way but only when they attain perfection in their own behavior. The Christian knows that we are all fallen and can in no way attain perfection so as to have the highest of moral position. Suffering can be taken if your free will goes as well.