What I Learned from Tim Keller About Reaching Post-Christian America

[@Nancybelongs2Jesus]

Lord Jesus, please touch Tim Keller and heal him...we need him in this hour more than ever.

[@annchovey2089]

After losing Ravi, I’m really not ready to lose TK too!

[@karenkusko561]

Amen

[@davidiadeleke]

Amen.

[@kaufmanat1]

God knows what he's doing. If he takes Tim Keller home, surely God will have a plan.

[@Texasbird026]

I am so Thankful that people have been recording him and he has written so much. Truly the CS Lewis of our time. I hope God gives him many more years with us. I have heard him say, in other videos, his relationship with God is even more real in his sickness. He is my main search topic on KZbin each week, if not almost daily. God bless him, a gift to our generation.

[@TheAnbyrley]

Tim Keller is one of my favorite pastors. I would say that I am a Kellerite even in 2023 haha

[@vnusa1]

What a goldmine interview! You let Tim shares his wisdom and experiences without interrupting him. We all love it.

[@Breadalbane52]

I was struck by how good an interviewer Carey Nieuwhof is as well. Great open questions and active listening.

[@dkruse180]

Q

[@dkruse180]

@@Breadalbane52 qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq qq

[@CareyNieuwhof]

Thanks Vincent...one of my tests of a good interview is did I let the guest have 95% of the air time. If I did, I did my job.

[@operasinger2126]

@@CareyNieuwhof Jesus Christ believes in helping the poor. Love and compassion for others. The church could come back strong by sticking to those three. The younger generation care less about debating gay marriage and abortion. The church has become far right politically. These things should be a personal choice, not condemned and criticized. Following this tolerant path would attract the young and fill up the churches again.

[@johnupshaw5565]

I have this compulsion to share everything I hear from Pastor Keller. He’s a voice of reason, and a reason to ponder how each one of us fits into this broken world....And immediately humbling to boot....

[@CareyNieuwhof]

Couldn't agree more. :)

[@tjclark5900]

👍🏿💯

[@sistercee5389]

Same! I have been reading his books for years and just shared one his KZbin videos with my husband. He was blown away!

[@brettschlee7090]

"How to Bring the Gospel to Post-Christian America"? Preach it.

[@healingwordartists5815]

So much wisdom; truly going to miss him!

[@gardenladyjimenez1257]

I'm 70 today, encountered Christ instantly 30 years ago, and walked through all the doubts, challenges and cultural/secular "mantras" during my life...the Protestant "flavors" of the day...and into the Catholic Church. This interview is terrific. As Vincent (combox) says..."Goldmine Interview!" I hope to draw non-believers to an encounter with Christ and have learned so much from this interview and Keller's book, "The Reason for God." I pray blessings on Keller's work and for those who are a part of it!

[@sangeetaatwal3172]

Thank you. Great interview. Tim Keller's wisdom will last forever.

[@kim.parsons]

Great walk-through, Sarah! Thank you. I'll watch it again while I go through each section of my own account next.

[@lisacochran407]

I live 20 minutes from Hot Coffee, MS :) " Christianity is the one identity that is received and not achieved" - Such a beautiful truth

[@eligarcianazario9562]

An amazing interview right on point. Carey asks great questions. Thank you for always bringing relevant content.🎉

[@johntobey1558]

Thank you T.K.for a life faithfully lived for Kingdom values.

[@timrabara5625]

Love Tim Keller’s insights. Justice and equality are everything in today’s generation! Thank you Carey.

[@CareyNieuwhof]

Totally.

[@hannahrenee9870]

We need to wake up to the Holy Spirit if we want to reach people in American culture. Its impossible without Him.

[@peterblock6964]

Very true. And when you wake up to direct experience of the Holy Spirit, don't just use that to spew verbal, textual "truths." Learn how to wake other people up to the direct experience of the Holy Spirit. And I don't mean mental/emotional belief and honoring and worship of the Holy Spirit, I literally mean "direct experience of the Holy Spirit," which by the way won't be a one time, same experience every time, same level every time kind of thing.

[@anthonyhartnett1002]

Tim Keller’s a genius. This is so rich. 🔥🔥

[@ianpeacock2132]

Fantastic interview. Great questions, lots of insight and wisdom from Tim Keller.

[@CareyNieuwhof]

Thanks Ian. It was such a privilege.

[@kaueseoane6885]

Tim Keller never disappoints us! Thanks for the interview Carey!

[@johnfutch8258]

At one hour in, when they're talking about resources for church leaders to navigate in the post-Christian West: please, PLEASE!! listen to "This Cultural Moment," a podcast with two pastors (one in Portland, OR, the other in Melbourne, Aus) addressing this issue. A friend told me about it a few months ago, and I can't say much other than that it's perfect. Start w/episode 1 and I promise you'll be hooked!!

[@kevingriggs1707]

This video is well worth the hour of one's time. Informative. Challenging. Inspiring. Thanks for sharing!

[@CareyNieuwhof]

Thank you Kevin!

[@CareyNieuwhof]

Thanks Kevin!

[@tjclark5900]

👍🏿👍🏿

[@christopherli7754]

Carey & Tim! Had to watch instead of listen - legendary!

[@CareyNieuwhof]

It was a wonderful conversation.

[@lasaundralb]

I am always so grateful when sound teaching crosses my feed!

[@lauradimama9794]

Soaking this up. Saving to listen again. Oh and I’m from AL and am very churched. Tim Keller helped me understand gospel grace which of course is life changing. I’m so grateful for his ongoing ministry to me and untold numbers of others! Praise be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

[@annbrucepineda8093]

Laura Dimama Amen, Laura.

[@TheNewYorker360]

Good to hear from Tim Keller, who is on point as usual. I still remember that review on Yelp of Redeemer Presbyterian Church from some ten years ago. Nothing I've ever heard or read about Redeemer has ever been proven more accurate or cogent. Excerpts edited for brevity and clarity: 1/17/2011 I have been to Redeemer West side and East side services. I still go from time to time. I used to take part in several of the volunteer opportunities at Redeemer. First, I will start with the founding Pastor Tim Keller. Tim Keller's sermons are some of the most thought provoking you will ever hear in your life anywhere! He is also an author. I would go so far as to say that he is one of the great thinkers of our time. He is also a visionary in many ways. My husband and I regularly purchase and listen to his sermons. So why only 3 stars? Because a church is more than just a pastor. Now there is no perfect church. But there are some serious things lacking here: First of all, there is no prayer meeting or focus on corporate prayer for the entire church. The very basic part of the Christian faith that Jesus himself said with his own lips was Matthew 21:13. "It is written," He said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers." Prayer is just talking to God, it doesn't require any special talent, skill or training. So the lack of prayer at this church is very alarming to me. And I haven't heard anyone speak of repentance at Redeemer --- ever. Again, I have listened to hundreds of sermons and been to at least a hundred services both on the W est and East sides. The church ministries are called "ministries" but are run like any secular organization. Redeemer Presbyterian is run like a business, a well-oiled corporate machine, and not a church. The other 2 things which are cultural and not spiritual but are off-putting to me are: 1. Most of the members and regular visitors to Redeemer are transplants, not New Yorkers, so the church is a large city church but run like a small town church where there are very few native New Yorkers. It seems most of the members are not established in the city and are just passing through. 2. The other is that it seems the majority of the congregation is looking for a spouse, and very aggressively. When you walk in, the first thing people do is look at your hand for a ring, and then are bold enough to ask if it is a wedding ring. That experience is not unique to me, but to all of the guests I bring here. In addition, in any volunteer group I have been to, the small talk from both men and women centered around trying to find a spouse. Then the few married people were usually complaining about their marriages. The pastor knows about this, and does see it as a problem because he addresses it in his sermons. But people don't seem to listen. It is like they are all living in 1950's rural America. One other major problem I have with the church is that it is mostly white and Asian. I believe the reason is that the congregation ---- and this is not the pastoral team's fault --- seems to be focused on their careers and making money, and not on God at all. God is there to bless their agendas; this is how they seem to operate. I believe this is true for a few reasons. One, the culture of the church and focus of the congregation seems to be on Whites and Asians who make good money and have high-end careers, rather than on God. A huge basic tenet of the Christian faith is Death to Self. But at Redeemer, when you hear testimonies approved by the pastoral staff, they usually start with the person's professional credentials. I do not see any Death to Self there, but actually the opposite: It's "Look at what I can do for God because of my high income and education." It is not wrong to have a high income or education as a Christian. But the focus (at Redeemer) is wrong. So for these reasons, I think the church is best for those who are not Christians yet but are seekers of God, or those established in the faith already. It is not good in my opinion for the average believer looking for a home church. But by all means, purchase Tim Keller's sermons and do something that the congregation fails to do: Learn from his sermons. The church in my opinion is more intellectual than spiritual. end

[@ginnyrobinson1716]

I have learned so much over the years from Tim. I love to listen to him. God has blessed me through him. May God heal his body. In Jesus name…

[@kennethdias9988]

Here in America we are the Laodicean church of Revelation. When preaching the Gospel what is your goal fill the seats and the tithe baskets or save souls. To save souls it’s not hard because we are called to plant seeds the Holy Spirit will give the increase.

[@alexanderschultz4545]

Wow. Thanks for this!! Tim Keller is the best - simple as that

[@brycebaliko7050]

This is convicting as someone living in a city that would REALLY feel more comfortable somewhere else

[@adeodata6364]

What a gem 💜 So precious. Thank you so. much. 🌻

[@samfarren4018]

This, along with the previous Mike Todd interviews are so helpful, challenging and inspiring for the next 50 years of church ministry and beyond. Thanks Carey and thanks Tim.

[@CareyNieuwhof]

Love this Samuel. Keep going. :)

[@samfarren4018]

Carey Nieuwhof thanks Carey! Love the video to compliment the podcast as well! Keep blessing and serving the local church 🙌🏻

[@paullaso3645]

Thanks for doing this interview, Carey. Took loads of notes. Keller is such a gift.

[@Aquines]

Thank you for your insight Tim Keller God Bless you . Brian from Dublin Ireland

[@stevecuss6723]

What a fantastic interview, Carey, thanks so much. TK is such a gift, I learn so much every time. I love watching how you interview too.

[@kathyridge4282]

Such an excellent interview! So much to ponder and pray about.

[@marybasilelogan8252]

Greatly appreciate the sandbox context of the discussion; inquiry balanced with freedom of thought exploration. Dr. Keller continues to honor his gift, bestowed by Christ, for which I am eternally grateful. Good health and blessings ahead.

[@willrobinson1229]

RIC Tim Keller. RIC = Rest in Christ

[@dathonlawler81]

Timothy, if this message to ever reach you I won’t speak watered down. I’m a 40 year young man. I’m grateful for your teachings. Your sermons brought me to Jesus’ feet. Though I continue to live in sin, I’m better because of you. You’ve gently ushered me. I love you. I’m sorry your life is coming narrow. You’re leaving a legacy. Countless hours of preaching on KZbin and your Redeemer podcast. Your voice will continue to inspire. Thank you for your life work. Forever grateful for bringing me to Jesus.

[@djchuang]

yes indeed, thanks for recording and sharing this conversation, very vital for the reality of our post-Christian and pluralistic world today

[@CareyNieuwhof]

Thanks DJ. So great to hear from you!

[@LIJ]

Great interview - great to see you on KZbin! I'm subscribed :).

[@RobKlarmann]

This is one incredible hour! Thanks for this and thanks to Tim for answering all those questions. It has enriched me and given me much food for thought! An excellent interview for anybody leading a church. Bless you!

[@koersmichiel]

Thanks Carey and Tim, that was really inspiring and encouraging. Tim has a lot of wisdom and experience to bring to the table and Carey was great in keeping the conversation going with some thoughtful questions. I will probably rewatch and take notes!

[@lestariabadi]

About time adapting sharing the gospel to a prayer-filled 2-way conversation in a contextual way.

[@AndyBleach]

Thank you Carey and Tim, so helpful.

[@CareyNieuwhof]

Thanks Andy!

[@rgvwingchun]

what an excellent interview!! The questions were very well appreciated and the answers especially!!!

[@natediemer1306]

21:50 is such an easy thing to see yet it's also so insightful and important

[@CamMcCannOnline]

So much wisdom in this! Thanks for sharing.

[@claudinearce9109]

Excellent interview! So much wisdom here!

[@CareyNieuwhof]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lindawarner7496]

I listen to Tim every day and this is an incredible interview!!! Clarifies so much.

[@jackjones3657]

It's fascinating to learn some historical context around this issue of waxing and waning Christianity in America. The modern narratives of social justice and self-imposed, individualized morality are like a rudderless ship leading to nowhere and worse. Interestingly, true freedom is realized for those who follow Christ within the framework of God's Word, the Bible. Unbridled freedom for man's every desire does not end well, ever.

[@charliedsurf1267]

I'm sure history bears you out... Oh...wait....

[@harmonicpsyche8313]

True freedom is obedience? Thanks Orwell. The social justice movement has begun to liberate women, Black people, and LGBT+ people from continuing to suffer under oppressive heirarchies - with conservative Christians standing in the way at every step. If Christians refuse to budge from letting conservative politics determine their theology, then my post-Christian generation will have no choice but to run them over to liberate the oppressed.

[@jswok]

Thanks for doing this! Really timely in a time like this

[@worshipiano247]

Incredible insight. I plan to watch it again.

[@CityLightSeattle]

Thanks for doing this interview, Carey. It was helpful and insightful!

[@CareyNieuwhof]

Thanks!

[@bonniesarfwalker6785]

Prayer Dear God we pray for continuous healing for Pastor Tim, and are thanking you in advance for this healing, thank You Jesus in Your name we pray Amen 🙏

[@annbrucepineda8093]

100 to 800 is the way forward. That encourages me because our church is small. There are people all over the world who loved and continue loving Union Church of San Salvador but were only here for a relatively short period of time and then were reassigned to another city.

[@gabrielaprofetaphillips1740]

min 13 is so powerful, a given identity vs one you create...is liberating

[@pescatoralpursuit1726]

I think we've been so evangelistically oriented for so long that we projected Jesus on the outside of us and there's not much of him left in our hearts and it would be a good time in this post-christian nation for us to reflect and get the Lord back in our hearts and for the church to get back in love with him and then mano a mano evangelism will take place at that point rather than the current McDonald's corporate style say a prayer to go to heaven evangelism that we are engaged in currently.

[@oswaldomayberry9260]

Carey I’ve been reading your blog and checking out your content, and it’s really been very therapeutic for me. I am in the midst of deconstructing my fundamental evangelical upbringing and it’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I agree with you that Christians need to address the issue of Christian nationalism. That’s the main reason I left. I want to reconstruct back to some sort of Christianity but it’s really hard for me to go back knowing that my parents and teachers growing up lied to me and in some cases manipulated me to stay indoctrinated. I was a biblicist, so it’s hard for me not to want to throw the baby out with the bath water and think the whole thing is BS. Sorry for the long rant but thank you for the deconstruction content you’ve posted, it’s been a light to me in this dark period.

[@CareyNieuwhof]

Thank you for your honesty. I'm hopeful that you're reconstruction experience will strengthen your faith, cheering for you!

[@ac4110]

This was so good on so many levels. Thanks!

[@CareyNieuwhof]

Thanks Alan!

[@beve83]

I miss Keller's voice in our generation 😢

[@kathleenchen4850]

I know 😢

[@andrewwilson3918]

Sooo good. He explained my exact situation in St.Louis inner city as a conservative Christian. .. why I've been lumped into both good & bad categories...by both believers & (largely) non believers. I've been confused by a lot of the reactions people have given me who don't even know me. He nailed the times we're in. He could get rid of that little head-wiggle he does when he knows he's arrogantly right lol.

[@peggieadamson9330]

Gave much insight to the big city church!! God bless you!!

[@fernandoalarcon8534]

Awesome interview. I always learn so much from TK. Great questions, you just earned a new subscriber.

[@stbedesdrummoyne6669]

I'll be sharing this with my leadership team. Thank you Tim and Carey.

[@CareyNieuwhof]

So glad it helped!

[@o-s-e]

Thank you for this interview

[@johnfortune2311]

Wow. loved this. thanks guys!

[@katielagreca3628]

This was so great, so comprehensive and helpful. Thanks Carey and Tim.

[@CNNieuwhof]

Thank you Katie!

[@snowpharoah3839]

This is a very nice interview. Many thanks to Carey and Tim for this.

[@snowpharoah3839]

I must correct myself. This is an amazing interview.

[@garysweeten5196]

Great insights and wisdom. As to Identity, our world has moved to Shame from Guilt. Biblical shame is “A loss of identity and inheritance. In Christ we have the identity as “Children of God”. We are in the family of God.

[@pastordanaddo]

I love this! Thank you Carey and Tim!

[@dr.gplastina1678]

This is a great interview, Carey! You just earned a new subscriber! Would love to listen for more!

[@CareyNieuwhof]

Thanks Glenn! Welcome!

[@CesarDepaz]

You guys are genius. Great Interview. I'll be binging more videos from you Carey.

[@fourwinds9947]

The scripture is fully sufficient for all human problems. Scripture has every answer revealed to us for behavior and wellness. The topic requires close relationships.

[@domenicdigirolamo9199]

Interesting concept but where in scripture does it say such?

[@KWCFchurch]

excellent interview! like your keeping up with video content Carey!

[@stumeister6891]

10 yrs. ago I decided that if I switched job's or careers, that I wasn't going to tell anyone that I was a Christian, but I could not go more than 3-6 months before telling anyone. I have switched job's since then, and it's hard to share with anyone. you have to have a relationship with people, and get them to sit down and really talk. I just try to be a team player at work, help with menial tasks, and just try to let my actions speak for me...but it is really hard to love people that you know will never love you in return.

[@nl9490]

Risk Meister, to start a conversation best thing I did was ask them “what is their favorite thing to research? Once they tell you and ask them why, etc....then ask if they have ever research Christ? Most people don’t research Christ but will research other things. God gave me this wisdom recently and it works. I’ve spread gospel for 20 years and it took me a while. When you have dialogue and questions them for them to think, they will respect more. God will lead you if you seek Him....God bless you...👍🙂🙏🏽

[@annbrucepineda8093]

Risk Meister Another great Christian apologist is Dr. John Lennox, a former math teacher at Oxford. I love his videos. Since I’m a retired teacher, I have more time than most people who have such demanding jobs.

[@Lorenshanks]

"Christianity is the only identity that is received and not achieved."

[@peterblock6964]

Cute quote. Doesn't make it true.

[@conservativemama3437]

@@peterblock6964 What's untrue about it? He is saying that Christ's identity is imputed to those of us who believe (through HIs grace). It is not our works that save us, but Christ's completed work.

[@peterblock6964]

@@conservativemama3437, Words to the effect of "I take Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior" or what ever variation thereof your particular sect uses are just magical incantations. They mean nothing to God. If Christ completed his "work" and paid everyone's price He did so. And it's paid in full. If you insist that your magical incantation is required to be saved, then you are really saying that it is NOT Jesus's completed work that is efficatious, but rather your little magical incantation.

[@conservativemama3437]

Peter Block oh I see what you are saying. I believe you are trying to say that Christ died for the whole world when actually the Bible does not teach that at all. He died for whoever He called and elected-who He gives the grace to to receive Him. What you are saying is something progressive Christians like to say but unfortunately isn’t Biblical or true.

[@peterblock6964]

I can't know what each non-Catholic believes, @@conservativemama3437. There are as many christian theologies as there are christian sects. All of them believe they understand the Bible correctly and others (where their interpretation differs) are wrong. The Catholic Church included. In your theology, Conservative Mama, ¿How does Christ chose those who He saves?

[@Texasbird026]

I agree with Tim, the younger generation in Houston and other Texas metropolitan cities are walking away from the faith and substituting with other “idols” or just blinded by culture. I see it in my immediate circle of contacts. Tailored emotional Apologetics relevant to this generation is critical as Keller has articulated.

[@akeenamateur7844]

On megachurches: 'its a discipleship problem; a lot of passivity, and there's a bureaucracy problem where people spend an awful lot of time looking at systems instead of doing ministry ' - Tim Keller. I really wanted to write this down as i cannot help but think that this is one of the main issues affecting the the church of England.

[@ags516]

“Christianity is the only identity that is received and not achieved” ❤

[@CareyNieuwhof]

Thank you for sharing that thought! It beautifully captures the essence of grace in Christianity.

[@Charity-vm4bt]

Excellent

[@CreateYourDestinyNow]

I’m new to this podcast. This is an incredibly insightful interview. Thank you for making this available on KZbin.

[@josephparkch]

inspired and intuition!!

[@bossitlive]

I’ve just discovered your channel from listening to you on the Bible app. I really enjoyed this discussion and look forward to listening to more.

[@peterblock6964]

May God bless every being on Earth with a thousand orders of magnitude acceleration of their spiritual evolution.

[@WINTODAYChris]

Fantastic, Carey.

[@CareyNieuwhof]

Thanks Christopher.

[@jesselusko]

This was phenomenal. Anyone know if it was filmed pre or post Covid? I thought I heard Carey say one thing about pastor’s staying home.

[@68robw]

Emotional apologetics" reminds me of a statement i learned in sales training. "people make emotional decisions and justify them rationally".

[@charliedsurf1267]

it's basically how all churches are able to operate.

[@donaldkunzer4097]

Great interview! And I love Tim Keller!

[@jaredkutz]

Fantastic interview! Thank you for doing this.

[@hellothere8425]

thank you for this.

[@chelsealittle9697]

Wow. So SO insightful. Double thank you.

[@dhurban]

Wow.

[@koersmichiel]

Is Tim Keller's book Centre Church about the topics he discusses in this interview? And if that isn't the case, has he written any books that are? Thanks!

[@andreso9595]

An Apostle of our generation.

[@gulanhem9495]

A woke infiltrator of our generation.

[@baileybao4447]

Wow. Very applicable to Seattle!

[@celenecranenburgh9566]

Amen Nancy...and God be with you too! Xxx

[@dougward1069]

Appreciate this gentleman. God bless him

[@BelayChurch]

So helpful! Thank you!

[@CareyNieuwhof]

:)

[@thedurlings2942]

Such a great interview. Thank you!

[@mwindulambewe1965]

Amazing interview!

[@MrDoctorrLove]

Wonderful!

[@GidgetTheSurferGirl1]

God can manage His own church. He doesnt need men to do that for Him. Its His church, the bible is for all of life and godliness.