Tim Keller at UC Berkeley on Exclusivism
March 18th, 2008 by Sean
On March 4th Dr. Tim Keller, Senior Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church (New York City), delivered a wonderful talk at the University of California at Berkeley in which he defended the Christian notion of exclusivity. In our day it is frequently asserted that no religion has “the truth” to the exclusion of any other religion. We are often told that we are arrogant if we believe that we are right on any point of doctrine. This becomes a real problem for us as Christians who are committed to the following statements of Scripture.
John 14.6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
Acts 4.10-12
4 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead– by this name this man stands here before you in good health. 11 “He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone. 12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
1 Timothy 2.5-6
For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.
The biblical witness is unanimous that Jesus of Nazareth is the genuine representative of God who has provided the one true way of salvation for mankind through his preaching, death, and resurrection. In other words, if the idea of exclusive truth is false then Christianity cannot stand. However, those who assert that “no religion should dare make exclusive claims” is making an exclusive claim, namely that there are no exclusive claims. But this is self defeating and Dr. Keller cogently points out this hidden arrogance in the popular notion. Furthermore, he explains how Christian exclusivity can really be the solution so long as we adhere to a “grace narrative” rather than a “moral performance narrative.” He does magnificently at Berkeley which can be a very hostile environment. During nearly half of the time he answers questions, some of which don’t make much sense, but he does very well with them nonetheless.
Though I disagreed with his statements about Jesus being God (which are minimal) the overall message of this talk was enlightening, invigorating, and exciting to watch. He is an engaging speaker who exudes a genuine humility and reasonableness. Enjoy!
That was spectacularly done. If anyone here is dealing with the typical arguments about faith, evolution, and atheism, you would do very well to give a good listen to this. It is about 90 mins long, but about an hour of it is questions.
I thought this was excellent. He was really smart, confident, amusing, and entertaining.
If any religion is true, it must agree with Jesus.
I find I have to go with the greatest truth I know of at the time
to move ahead in Christ, and in this process I believe he will
perfect me.
All of us who seek truth will be confronted by imaginations and
errors of this world.
Where I go for walks nearby, the trail goes along a fence which
keeps a home owner’s 3 pit bulldogs on his property. I remember hearing
that pit bulls were bred to be thrown into a pit with a bull so that
men could be entertained for ’sport’. The dogs would attach themselves to the snout of the bull while the bull would thrash them
around in hopes the dog would let loose his powerful bite, and the
winning dogs were bred.
I believe God watches over these things and sets boundaries that
will not be crossed. The bull dog will never evolve into a matador.
Nor will it ever become as tall as a ten story building.
Isn’t that where science fiction begins, with our imaginations?
I thank God for his Divine Providence which was with him from
the beginning.
Jesus is one and the same with God.
Tim Keller is right. Without Jesus I have no hope of salvation.
This is real interesting. You might want to check it out:
http://www.revelationofjesuschristministries.com/teachings_by_taffie
It’s called the “Olympic Swimmers Dream”.
I believe that Jesus is the divine providence of God, that God created all things through him. How blessed we are that Jesus
chose to obey God in all things from the very beginning.
Jesus chose to abide in him who raised him up. God trained him
from the beginning.
Even from the days of his youth in the land of Israel, he walked by
the wisdom of God. The Bible says that he grew in wisdom and stature.
This wisdom of the Holy Spirit is a gift to all who seek God. All of us
who seek him with a pure heart will receive of his gifts.
Let’s seek Jesus where he can be found in the Old Testament as
well as in the New.
Prov 8:17
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
Jesus is understanding. Jesus has strength. (see Prov 8:14 KJV)