Timothy Keller (1950–2023)

Keller does here what he does best, as he draws out the every day, practical applications of the Christian worldview. Organizing the Christian view of work around three pillars, Keller begins with God’s original plan for work. God’s rule over His creation is mediated (to a large extent) through our work, as we cultivate His world and serve one another. However, the second pillar acknowledges our deep problems with work. Work in a fallen world often suffers from fruitlessness, show more pointlessness, and selfishness. And, of course, it is work that often reveals our idols. But, praise God for the Gospel – the third pillar of the Christian’s view of work. The Gospel integrates a realistic view of man’s sinfulness with hopeful faith in God’s transforming love. The Gospel provides a new story for work, not as the means by which we will earn “salvation” nor as an exercise in futility, but as a meaningful chapter in the story of redemption. The Gospel provides a new orientation for work, as we work unto the Lord. And, the Gospel provides a new power for work, as we work from a place of Sabbath rest, under the shadow of Christ’s completed work. show less

I understand that I am going completely against the grain in my less than enthusiastic review of The Prodigal God. In actuality, I join with the majority in extolling the book for its trenchant application of the parable of the Prodigal to the lost state of humanity as well as its depiction of the immeasurable grace of God in saving sinners but two dangerous weaknesses hold me back from recommending it with enthusiasm.
I found in The Prodigal God an unfortunate weakness in its presentation show more of man's sin problem. When comparing the plights of the two brothers Keller contrasts the younger son's prodigious sinful life with the self-righteous Pharisies who were equally lost. So far, this is fine. But when describing the condition of the Pharisies, Keller made it seem as if they actually did keep the law of God perfectly. Jesus debunked this faulty approach to the law and salvation through outward piety in his Sermon on the Mount which exposed the wickedness of the heart which causes every man to violate the law of God even in our thoughts. Keller failed to show this and, by implication, failed to show the depths of fallen man's condition before God.
What disturbed me most, however, was Keller's reinforcement of a dangerous false dichotomy that is so prevalent in society and even the evangelical world today. One may have religion or one may have Jesus. The Pharisies were deeply religious but lost in their religiosity; therefore religion is bad. Although in the last chapter Keller urges believers and seekers to belong to a church, he only stresses the need for community. Keller is right about that but he ignores the necessity of partaking in the "religious" activities - the means of grace - that are available only through the Church by Christ's appointment. These are not options but Christ's requirements of all believers. To be Christian requires us to be religious, but with our hearts engaged along with our tongues, hands, and feet. Keller misses this and subsequently encourages an antinomian approach to the Christian life which the Scriptures condemn.
Had it not been for these two detractions, I would have a much easier time in recommending The Prodigal God, for there remains within its 135 pages a very powerful message that is often overlooked in expostions of this great parable. show less

正如尼采在《偶像的黄昏》（Twilight of the show more Idols）里所说，“在这世界上的偶像比真实的事物还多”，因为人心本是制造偶像的工厂。许多人把信心寄托在成功、金钱、爱情和所谓的美好人生之，相信这些就是通往终极快乐的钥匙。这些无形却闪耀的偶像在人们寻求意义、保障、安全和满足的路上，占据了人心中极重的位置，人们依赖和信靠它们。

作者在书中指出，人们错把这些美好事物当作上帝，然而事实上它们并不能解决真正的需要。所有我们曾经想要的美好之物都有可能成为偶像，最后变为手中的尘土，因为它们原本就是尘土。

本书将带读者认清诸神的面具背后的虚假，分辨假神明带来的影响，也指出获得真正的自由的唯一路径，引领人回到那能满足人心渴望的真实面前。

目录：

引言：偶像工厂

· 01 所有你曾经想要的东西

· 02 爱情不是你全部的需要

· 03 金钱改变了一切

· 04 成功的诱惑

· 05 权力与荣耀

· 06 隐藏在生活中的偶像

· 07 假神的末路

结语：认清并拆除你的偶像 show less

The human heart is an idol factory, argues Keller (invoking Calvin). Often times idols are truly good things that we seek to fashion into god-things. Interlacing biblical stories and contemporary culture with stinging insight, Keller unpacks the power of idols such as money, sex, and power in our society and our personal lives. He masterfully draws us back to the gospel, however, demonstrating how only Christ can truly fulfill these deepest longings. Keller's examination of idolatry also show more includes a short comparison of "surface idols" and "deep idols" - a three page (pp. 64-66) summary that alone is worth the price of admission. A great read on several levels. A+ show less