In part 2 of this interview, Tim Keller continues his discussion of his newest book, King’s Cross: The Story of the World in the Life of Jesus. The book shows what the gospel of Mark tells us about the life of Jesus, and how it attracts people to Christ.
Because Mark is the shortest gospel, he says, “you get more Jesus per chapter.” In the book, an overview of the entire book of Mark, Keller makes a case for the attractiveness of Christ and the urgency and profound peace of the gospel. The resurrection tells us that the cross works, he says, and that the future is sure. If the resurrection really happened, we should be assured that everything will be okay.
Jesus’ statements about himself force people to either make Him center of their lives or reject Him completely. It’s all or nothing with Jesus.
About Tim Keller
Tim was raised in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Bucknell University (B.A., 1972), Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div., 1975), and Westminster Theological Seminary, where he received his D.Min in 1981. He became a Christian while at Bucknell University, due in large part to the ministry of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, with which he later served as a staff member. He was ordained by the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and served as a pastor in Virginia for nine years, while also serving Mid-Atlantic Presbytery’s director of church planting for the PCA. He was an associate professor of preaching on the faculty of Westminster Theological Seminary, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1984-1989 while also serving as the Director of the Doctor of Ministry program.
Tim is the founder and senior pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. Tim and his wife Kathy, along with their three sons, moved to New York City to plant Redeemer in 1989. Since then the church has grown to a weekly worshipping community of over 5,000 people, meeting at five services in three different rented locations in Manhattan. The average age of the church community is 33 years, and over 60% are single. Known for sermons that illuminate the truths of scripture and engage the contemporary mind, Christian and skeptic alike, Dr. Keller’s ministry extends beyond NYC. He is the New York Times best-selling author of The Reason for God; as well as The Prodigal God; Counterfeit Gods; Generous Justice; and latest book, King’s Cross (release date 2/22/11).
the church I attend has just started tim’s book ‘the prodigal God’ on wed eve’s. tim’s writing and message is very eye opening…to say the least. after this segment of our wed eve studies I may suggest his new book. if its anything like his other writings, Im sure it will convict me. thanks for your time involved with Him. jw