Timothy Keller

The line of Cesar in specific is interpreted as “Give to authorities what belongs to authorities here on earth”

You are right on with this post. I had just signed on to this chat the previous day and now came back and a person at my local congregation confirms your viewpoint. Christianity is still 'complex' to me.

Agreed, He is part of the problem. I listened to one video, ...cringe ..

Lanolin said
What about the people trying to make rent in NYC apartments?

Ok ... and? I dont know what youre point is here. Could you please elaborate?

The way the Gospel is presented and the group to which the presentation is made needs to be considered. Not that this is immediately evident when reading the Bible but possible that Jesus took this into consideration during his ministry. Although the appeal of the Gospel may from the start have been to the downtrodden. What type of people made up the crowds that came to hear Jesus?

I dont think the gospel is lacking. In fact i think it is sufficient.
The video i watched with the guy in question, he never spoke a word of the gospel. It was all contrived cultural pandering, and false to boot.

That's what Jesus told the rich man...they have Moses and the prophets...

He appeals to me in what or the way he says it. pander >>> gratify or indulge (an immoral or distasteful desire, need, or habit or a person with such a desire, etc.): None of what he says meets the definition. You are possibly being a bit self-righteous. Many people have never heard any religious teaching and Keller is presenting to them something which is totally foreign to their way of thinking.

He was talking to people familiar with the Scriptures.

Sure. But not their meaning.

It seems there were very few that understood the meaning. Even His Apostles were confounded till the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came down upon them.

Jesus spent a notable amount of ministry on correcting doctrine, including in the Sermon on the Mount.

Philippians 2:3
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

So even those who heard the Scriptures being read, possibly in the Temple, as well as other meeting places were in need of being corrected in their understanding. Even if Kellers message is not 'perfect' at least some will consider the Bible. It's like in places where Jesus 'asks' whether the people were coming just in hopes of being healed or given some food, not Spiritual.

The value of good teachers cannot be overrated, in my opinion. The question becomes who is a good teacher?
For a newer believer this can be a source of great angst. But over time you will find those that you trust and learn how to be guided by the Holy Spirit.
Believe it or not, you already exhibit a fair amount of discernment as you wrestle with the scripture and are becoming a fine Berean.

amen if I can acknolwedge I don’t understand God better than Jesus then the gospel is our teacher and we can start learning from the lord

If I don’t think this

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭13:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

i should humble myself and realize who’s saying it

“It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6:45‬ ‭KJV‬‬


“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:24‬ ‭

“Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”
‭‭John‬ ‭18:37‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8:31-32‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8:11-12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8:51‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.”
‭‭John‬ ‭12:48-50‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:35‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

if we could realize what your saying and not try to interpret it but just go to what Jesus said hear him and believe we’re going to know the truth and it’s going to achieve this through the process of refinement

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

if we let Jesus and the gospel teach us it’s going to change our minds from what we thought we knew and accomplish this by faith hearing and believing Jesus

“and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:23-24‬ ‭

awe sin because in our minds we don’t understand Jesus came to teach us the truth what he says is what changes the mind of someone who hears and believes in him as lord that process changes us inwardly and then what comes out of us is changed

You posted a reaction but no reply so I'm not sure what you are surprised at. My post was meant to encourage you, but if it has been cause for offense, I sincerely apologize and ask your forgiveness.

No offense at all. Actually, a bit humorous. I am finding greater rapport with lay people with Assemblies of God than I have with any others so far. Maybe also a bit of understanding with a grad student and 'teacher' at Spurgeon Center. And good relationship with a teacher at House of Jacob here in Chicago. If you like to see my leanings check the links.
Maranatha Chapel in Evergreen Park IL (mchapel.net)
The House of Jacob Bible Study Class | Teaching The Truth About JESUS

I never heard the guy but it's good to have good preaching. Make sure it matches the Bible. Read the Bible every day. You'll be safe.