Confronting Christianity with Rebecca McLaughlin

Unpacking Post-Christian America with Michael Keller

Dec 3, 2024

Michael Keller, a prominent pastor with a rich background in theology and academia, shares insights from his experiences leading diverse congregations in urban settings. He discusses the evolving perceptions of Christianity, tackling misconceptions about faith amidst social challenges in cities like New York. The conversation dives into themes of identity, unconditional love, and the significance of community diversity in church life. Keller emphasizes the importance of maintaining relationships despite differing beliefs, all while navigating the complexities of modern spiritual conversations.

37:41

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Episode guests

Michael Keller

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Keller emphasizes the shift from viewing Christianity as a cultural norm to questioning its benefit, highlighting the need for relevance in modern faith discussions.

Through his ministry, Keller advocates for curiosity and relationship-building as essential methods for engaging diverse individuals in meaningful spiritual conversations.

Deep dives

Identity Conversations in London

During his time with London City Mission, Michael Keller engaged with a diverse population, particularly Bengali Muslims from a small town in Bangladesh, who raised deep questions about identity and faith. Many of their inquiries revolved around understanding what it meant to be human within a multicultural society and how their Muslim identity intersected with their lives in London. This thematic focus on identity reflects a broader concern that remains prevalent in conversations today, especially as people in different cultural contexts grapple with similar existential questions. The similarities between the individuals he spoke to in London and those in New York highlight how identity and faith intersect across different socio-economic backgrounds.

Intro

2min

Faith and Identity in Urban Contexts

15min

Identity and Acceptance in Christianity

8min

Embracing Diversity in Faith Communities

7min

Navigating Love and Disagreement in a Diverse Society

2min

Navigating the Offense of the Gospel with Curiosity and Love

4min

Michael Keller is a prominent pastor with a distinguished career intertwining academia and theology. Having spent his formative years in New York City and obtaining degrees in History and Psychology from Vanderbilt University, Michael pursued theological studies at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, earning both M.Div and THM degrees. He has served in various pastoral roles across London and Boston and most notably, Michael holds a Ph.D. in Computational Linguistics applied to the sermons of Jonathan Edwards from the Free University in Amsterdam. He currently pastors in Manhattan where he engages with a diverse community, addressing contemporary Christian challenges.

Rebecca and Michael Keller explore the complexities of faith in urban environments and explore the changing landscape of spiritual conversations in cities like New York and Boston, addressing questions around Christianity's relevance and goodness in modern society.

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Produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

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