The Atlantic recently interviewed pastor and author Tim Keller. Without comparing myself to Tim Keller!, I can relate to a great deal he says about what it’s like for a pastor to write.
In 1989, Timothy Keller moved from rural Virginia to New York City with his wife and sons to start Redeemer Presbyterian Church. The church started small but in the past two decades has grown to 5,000 weekly attenders, attracting attention from the New York Times for its ministry to New Yorkers after the September 11th attacks and New York magazine, which called Keller the “most successful Christian Evangelist in the city” in 2006. Keller’s influence began to extend beyond New York in 2008 when he published The Reason for God, a rational defense of belief in God that became a New York Times bestseller. Keller spoke with The Atlantic about how his success as a writer has affected his church and the process he went through to write his latest book, The King’s Cross: The Story of the World in the Life of Jesus, which comes out this week.
What made you decide to write a book about the life of Jesus?
In a way, the reason why I wrote the book is I’m a Christian minister. And a basic job, I think, is to get people to be attracted to Jesus. That’s the purpose of the book: to take the continual, almost inexorable, interest that people have in Jesus—it seems like no matter whether people have a positive or negative view of the church, regardless of whether the culture is secular or religious, there is an interest in Jesus. I’m trying to connect with that because I find Jesus very attractive, and I want people to be attracted to him.
And why did you choose to focus on the Gospel of Mark rather than any of the other three gospels?
You’re an author, so you’ll probably laugh at this: I chose Mark because . . .
Read the rest here.
I previously recommended that a great way to prepare for Holy Week would be to spend time reading the Gospel of Mark while also reading Tim Keller’s book, King’s Cross.
I’ve been reading Mark since I read that previous post, and I bought Kellers book, but haven’t started reading it yet. I want to read it with my wife.
Every time I read Mark I am struck by his use of “immediately” or “straight way” or “at once” depending on the translation you use.
Greetings to your wife. It is such an encouragement to hear about a couple thinking of reading together.
Yeah, I’ve always noticed that as well. Do you think it is just the style of Mark’s writing or is he trying to make a point?
I think it is some of both. It’s the shortest Gospel so he keeps things moving. Along with that, I think he wants to show that Christ’s life and ministry was to make a bee-line to the Cross.
That’s just off the top of my head. I’m sure there is a more theological answer.
Tim Keller was interviewed by Jim Daly on Focus on the Family this week. I only heard part, but enjoyed it. I really liked what he said about Christians’ response to politics.
Nice hook on why he chose Mark. Now I have to click…
I really enjoyed reading the interview with Pastor Keller. Our small group study just completed the book and DVD “The Prodigal God” and it was a great experience. He is a gifted preacher and his insights are very thought provoking. Thanks for putting this on your blog.
Thanks Barbara. It’s encouraging to know that people are clicking through.
Hi Shannon!