Sunday, February 10, 2008

Tim Keller and the Emerging Church

Some interpreted my last post as saying that Tim Keller is a part of the emerging church. I did not say that, and I do not think he is. Others might disagree, but they can make their own case.

My point was that many in the conservative end of the emerging church (such as Mark Driscoll, Darrin Patrick, Matt Chandler, Ed Stetzer, most of Acts 29) have a great amount of respect for Keller. He is, as I said, kind of a yoda of sorts to them.

Or as Doug Moo once said about someone else, they "have a lot of time for him."

Keller has been invited to speak for Acts 29, which is a key part (perhaps the only part) of the conservative end of the emerging church.

Keller's concern for social justice and his ability to communicate with postmoderns, as well as his doctrinal orthodoxy causes these guys to have a great amount "time" for Keller.

At the upcoming Dwell Conference at Keller's church, Driscoll, Patrick, Mahaney, and Stetzer will be speaking along with Keller about urban church planting.

3 comments:

Don Johnson said...

Hi Larry

Dever spoke for Acts 29 in Chicago also. A key quote appears on the 9marks blog.

I recently found a site that tracks news and views of the emerging folks with a critical point of view. You might be interested. Here is the link, let me know if it doesn't come through well:

http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/index.php

Regards
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

Larry said...

I have downloaded both Dever's and Driscoll's session from that Acts 29 conference and look forward to listening to them as soon as I can. I thought it interesting that Dever spoke to them, given some of his past comments. But I also found his reasons for speaking to them interesting.

As for the website, I have seen it in the past. I think it errs in treating all emergents alike (and they are not), and it seemed not to be accurate in what it did say. I think it falls into the category of some bloggers who are so intent to "keep an eye" on people that they do not do good research or good thinking. In the long run, it doesn't help all that much.

Don Johnson said...

Hi Larry

I don't check in here frequently, but I would be interested in your take on Dever's remarks once you have had a chance to listen.

Regards
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3