Tim Keller (Redeemer Pres. NYC) is wrong about "Cultural Renewal" and Theistic Evoultion

Comment on Tim Keller's theistic evolution from mature Christians in NYC:

Tim Keller has referred to himself as an "optimistic amillennialist"-- which says he believes that we are living in the 'kingdom now,' and that Christ is reigning on earth (even if it is from heaven). His point seems to be that we must WORK now to save the world and make it a better place for Christ when He returns-- and working doesn't mean working to save souls from hell but to save creation from destroying itself. It is like their goal is not to save sinners from hell, but to "save sinners" in order to save this material world! Do they think so little of the power of God? They must, as they hold to the position of theistic evolution, so their "theory" makes sense (to them). As if God needs our help!

Here is a quote:

"Jews and Christians believe that this material world is permanent – it’s a good thing in itself. That an eagle’s flying and great music and the ocean pounding on the shore and a great cup of wine are good things in themselves, because God is not temporary-- ‘God is here so someday we’re going to live in heaven,’ --but the whole purpose of salvation is to make this world a great place. God sees this world as not a temporary means to an end of salvation, but actually salvation is a temporary means to an end – to the renewal of creation. Saving souls is a means to an end of cultural renewal. Does the Christian church understand that? I’m not sure.” - Tim Keller

But Tim is wrong. 1 Tim 1:15 "It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all."

Sinners pollute the world because of sin, and it is only when sin is eliminated that God creates a new heaven and a new earth. We are sinners by nature; it is only by the grace of God that we are saved. It is God who calls us out and draws us to Him, not the other way around.

...."They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy." 1 Peter 2:8-10

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Another comment with more telling quotes from Tim Keller:

I found some more disturbing audio from Tim on “cultural renewal” and bashing Christians.

This is from the 2006 Entrepreneur's Forum.

http://www.faithandwork.org/index_page842.php

The audio is here:

http://www.faithandwork.org/uploads/photos/461-1%20Cultural%20Renewal_%20The%20Role%20of%20th.mp3

Tim Keller says,

"Conservative churches say, 'this world is not our home -- it's gonna burn up eventually, and what really matters is saving souls... so evangelism and discipleship and saving
souls is what's important.'

And we try to say that it's the other way around almost. That the purpose of salvation is to renew creation. That this world is a good in itself. That God loves and cares for his creation, the material creation. And if you see it that way, then the old paradigm if you're going to put your money and your time and your effort as a Christian into doing God's work in the world, you wanna save souls which means the only purpose of your ministry and your effort is to increase the tribe, increase the number of Christians.

... there's nothing wrong with that, but I think in the past the theology that says all that matters is salvation so that we can go to heaven some day. And doesn't understand the goodness of material creation, as a result, everybody but ministers and missionaries and so on, your job was just to get out there and earn a pay check and then give us the money in order to do God's work.

I think the good theology shows that it is God's work for you to do something about the unraveling of God's creation. When you see it physically unraveling, psychologically unraveling, socially unraveling, falling apart because of sin. For you to use your best efforts to re-weave it right there, in order to work for the common good. Because God saw salvation as eventually for the good of the whole world. That's God's work.

In the past Christians have tended to do things that only Christians would be interested in and only Christians would give to. I mean who else besides a Christian would give money to get something started that's going to win many many people to Christ? Just pretty much only Christians.

BUT, when you have something that's going to improve the schools in a particular city for everybody. When you have a venture that's going to re-weave creation physically --that's going to deal with health problems that's going to deal with poverty. When Christians do that - out of their theology - they do that effectively because they're dealing with the common good, because you have the theology to deal with the common good -- you're going to find that all kinds of non-Christians are not only going to invest in that and want to partner with you in that but a lot of them are also going to be attracted to the gospel because of that."

...

"The material world is an end in itself. Then you can move out and work for the common good instead of just simply building up the tribe (i.e. sharing Christ with people and winning converts). And what that's going to do is build up the tribe in the long run, but it's also going to be doing God's work and it's actually going to weave together Christians and non-Christians in your community in a way that a lot of other Christian ministry just doesn't. [i.e. those Christian ministries that share Christ with people and win converts]."