There is something/someone beyond our understanding that created the universe. However, it does not involve religion. You can believe in a God without believing in Religion
Interesting approach. Though I am atheist, one of my favorite authors is C.S. Lewis. I have not read the treatise mentioned in this video.
But, IF the Christian religion actually adheres to the teachings of Jesus, you cannot have the Christian religion without the gospel. So why, in order to be fishers of men, do you separate these? If the Christian religion adheres to the teachings of Jesus, then it shouldn't NEED to be distinguished from the gospel.
@LyraM13 He isn't saying there are 3 approaches to the gospel. I see why you would get that from what he said because that is what it sounded like. I didn't even understand your statement until I replayed it and caught it. He is speaking of three understandings of men that they use to contextualize what they are hearing. Christianity cannot be distinguished from the Gospel. There is no Christianity without the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I didn't say anything about 3 approaches. I was simply stating that IF the Christian religion actually adheres to the teachings of Jesus, then one cannot have the religion without the gospel. My question was, why would this be separated in order to attract converts? A logical next question would be, what NEED is there to obscure the religion from the potential believer when one is preaching Jesus' message?
@LyraM13 because IF members/groups of the christian religion stop adhering to the gospel then they will consider themselves to be christian, but in fact will not be so - by your formula. distinguishing between these groups is critical, as one has the 'clothes' but not the 'heart'. you don't want to say to people 'jusrt dress up nice and god will accept you', do you? this discernment between false and true religion, btw, is also a fundamental teaching of jesus, part of core doctrine.
I've often felt this. I have seen 2 basic professions of one's faith: 1 -- a works based that says I am a good Christian because i do all these things and I dont do the bad things; 2 -- I am a Christian because I believe in the intercessory work of another who took my punishment for my sins in my place. One is an I centered religion and the other is a Christ centered religion. Then there is of course the irreligious... 2 + 1 = 3. I learned that in grade school rithmatick.
That's not entirely true in my opinion. The Gospel says that one must believe the Gospel to become better people. The Pharisees were obeying man's law that while perhaps being established by good people, doesn't make a person good.
To say that the Gospel makes people "better" oversimplies it--the Gospel crucifies and resurrects from the dead all those who believe; it removes the old and brings in the new.....there is a big difference between being "improved" and being "transformed."
yes, but its primary focus isn't you or I, it's God. We exist to glorify God as does He. I won't lose any sleep over anyones 'best life now'. What i will lose sleep over is where their eternity will lie.
I agree there are these three different sections. However he didn't really qualify each section distinctively nor did he explain HOW to present to the other sectors. He makes an observation about Christians not 'distinguishing' the three, then goes on to not distinguish them himself! How strange. The music fades in as though there was somehow a conclusion yet the dialogue was left significantly inconclusive.
I got his book "The Reason for God." It's an amazing book and helped me look at Christianity in whole new way than I had before. Keller is a really admirable man!
it would be nice to share the Gospel as effectively & as eloquently as Pastor Tim Keller ... awesome
DonnaLOVESGOD 8 months ago
Yep, people don't understand. All they have to do is accept Jesus. So easy, but for people consumed with darkness. So so hard.
jasonwkeller76 1 year ago
There is something/someone beyond our understanding that created the universe. However, it does not involve religion. You can believe in a God without believing in Religion
fostokjian 1 year ago
There is enough evidence of the existence of god, i am god thankfull for what i have
but the supernatural god can't help me, so i never ask for help, because i know he can't help me. the only thing i do is beeing gratefull.
I am irreligous, but not a atheist, i believe that religons have more disadvanteges than advantages.
peace out
misteranonymous12345 1 year ago
Interesting approach. Though I am atheist, one of my favorite authors is C.S. Lewis. I have not read the treatise mentioned in this video.
But, IF the Christian religion actually adheres to the teachings of Jesus, you cannot have the Christian religion without the gospel. So why, in order to be fishers of men, do you separate these? If the Christian religion adheres to the teachings of Jesus, then it shouldn't NEED to be distinguished from the gospel.
LyraM13 1 year ago 2
@LyraM13 He isn't saying there are 3 approaches to the gospel. I see why you would get that from what he said because that is what it sounded like. I didn't even understand your statement until I replayed it and caught it. He is speaking of three understandings of men that they use to contextualize what they are hearing. Christianity cannot be distinguished from the Gospel. There is no Christianity without the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
sirmoosa 1 year ago
@sirmoosa, Greetings-
I didn't say anything about 3 approaches. I was simply stating that IF the Christian religion actually adheres to the teachings of Jesus, then one cannot have the religion without the gospel. My question was, why would this be separated in order to attract converts? A logical next question would be, what NEED is there to obscure the religion from the potential believer when one is preaching Jesus' message?
LyraM13 1 year ago
@LyraM13 because IF members/groups of the christian religion stop adhering to the gospel then they will consider themselves to be christian, but in fact will not be so - by your formula. distinguishing between these groups is critical, as one has the 'clothes' but not the 'heart'. you don't want to say to people 'jusrt dress up nice and god will accept you', do you? this discernment between false and true religion, btw, is also a fundamental teaching of jesus, part of core doctrine.
MarkHolgate 1 year ago
I've often felt this. I have seen 2 basic professions of one's faith: 1 -- a works based that says I am a good Christian because i do all these things and I dont do the bad things; 2 -- I am a Christian because I believe in the intercessory work of another who took my punishment for my sins in my place. One is an I centered religion and the other is a Christ centered religion. Then there is of course the irreligious... 2 + 1 = 3. I learned that in grade school rithmatick.
rvhelm 2 years ago
That's not entirely true in my opinion. The Gospel says that one must believe the Gospel to become better people. The Pharisees were obeying man's law that while perhaps being established by good people, doesn't make a person good.
numberonesurvivor75 2 years ago
Friend,
To say that the Gospel makes people "better" oversimplies it--the Gospel crucifies and resurrects from the dead all those who believe; it removes the old and brings in the new.....there is a big difference between being "improved" and being "transformed."
jasonchambers1015 2 years ago 2
the gospel's primary goal is not to 'become a better person'.
Revinius 2 years ago
Well, it depends what "a better person" is. The gospel, along with the rest of the New Testament, establishes a new covenant between man and God.
numberonesurvivor75 2 years ago
yes, but its primary focus isn't you or I, it's God. We exist to glorify God as does He. I won't lose any sleep over anyones 'best life now'. What i will lose sleep over is where their eternity will lie.
Revinius 2 years ago
I agree there are these three different sections. However he didn't really qualify each section distinctively nor did he explain HOW to present to the other sectors. He makes an observation about Christians not 'distinguishing' the three, then goes on to not distinguish them himself! How strange. The music fades in as though there was somehow a conclusion yet the dialogue was left significantly inconclusive.
naechancelad 2 years ago
I got his book "The Reason for God." It's an amazing book and helped me look at Christianity in whole new way than I had before. Keller is a really admirable man!
coolrabbit88 3 years ago 11
Good stuff
Redempt88 4 years ago 6
Blah, blah, blah. These people are like the Borg.
ClumsyRoot 4 years ago
i love nyc traffic...its so entertaining
superghype 5 years ago