TGC Podcast Assessing the Ministry of Tim Keller (Pt. 2)
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Nov 8, 2025 Collin Hansen, an editor and writer with a deep background in church ministry, teams up with theologian James R. Wood to dissect Tim Keller's influential yet controversial approach. They ponder whether Keller's 'winsome' method sidesteps tough truths. Topics include the effectiveness of cultural engagement in a negative world, and whether Keller’s pastoral neutrality during pivotal political moments was appropriate. They highlight an emerging openness to faith among younger generations and debate the balance between political teaching and spiritual conversion.
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Cultural Shift After Mid-2010s
- Cultural hostility to Christianity increased notably after Obergefell and the mid-2010s, changing ministry context.
- James Wood argues Keller's model sometimes produced false moral equivalencies by treating both sides as equally culpable.
Negative-World Framing Is Misleading
- Collin Hansen rejects the "negative world" framing as American, political, and historically myopic.
- He contends Keller's third-way concerns were primarily theological (moralism vs licentiousness), not merely political moderation.
Election Day With Keller
- Collin recalls spending Election Day 2016 with Keller and not discussing the election at all.
- He attributes this to Keller's pastoral and theological priorities rather than political disengagement.
