Tim Keller Speaks Elvish

If you're the least bit interested in Tim Keller, the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, you'll want to read an excellent new profile at ChristianityToday.com. There's a lot of personal and family info, Redeemer history, Keller theology, and church strategy. All in all, it's an engaging article about a church that seeks to engage its city culture of artists and businesspeople with the message of Christ. Check it out.

Laura's Story

Laura Story Elvington is one of the worship leaders at my church. Christianity Today just posted an interview with her about her musical career and her husband, Martin.

Read it here.

Is Donald Miller a Prophet, or Just Odd?

If you're a fan of Donald Miller - or just don't get why he's so popular - you'll find this profile/interview on the Christianity Today website well worth reading.

Miller, of course, is the author of Blue Like Jazz, Searching for God Knows What, Through Painted Deserts, and To Own a Dragon.

As one who tends to think propositionally, always looking for outlines, principles, and "truths," I appreciate the balance that Miller brings in reminding me that the Gospel is first and foremost a story of God's passionate love for the world. That story has had its ups and downs, but it started with a beginning and it will finish with an end. For now, we're in the confusing middle, and there's no shortage of drama.

I think Miller is a good representation of what the "emergent church" movement would be if it were actually faithful to the Scriptures and its Author. Maybe they'll swing back that direction, when they eventually realize that it's OK to change the packaging, but not the Truth.

Kong Fights Godzilla, and The Winner Is . . .

Well, the 6th and final installment of the web debate between Christopher Hitchens and Douglas Wilson has now been posted on the Christianity Today website.

Contrary to my earlier predictions, this has been a surprisingly "flat" debate. Considering that there were only one or two posts per week, I would have expected a higher level of discussion, especially out of Wilson. Is this really the best he could do? With all his acolytes, disciples, and hangers-on? I feel that half of my friends could have debated Hitchens as well - in substance, if not in style.

Most tellingly, the debate never seemed to stay on topic for long, which was supposed to be, "Is Christianity Good For The World?" Instead, it devolved (I use that word on purpose) into the standard Atheist v. Christian Theist debate. Been there, done that.

I still like Wilson's thinking on a lot of issues, but this feels like a missed opportunity.

More "Lite" on the Subject

Rather than move on to something new, I'd like to continue yesterday's theme. Yesterday's post resulted in excellent comments from Gene and Ron. Please take a look at them - anything you'd like to add?

I'm especially interested in your thoughts about why evangelicals don't seem to do any better on divorce stats and the like than the rest of the population.

And finally, here's a link from yesterday's Leadership Journal blog that has a pastor discussing issues related to this discussion - in particular, "consumer Christianity."