Tim Keller, Equality, Believer and Non

Pastor Emeritus, Tim Keller, had written:

 

·       [Jonathan] Edwards agrees that God enables nontheists to be capable of great good and love. It’s the doctrine of “common grace”—namely, that sin makes believers less good than their supposedly right doctrines should make them, and the image of God in non-believers makes them more virtuous and wise than their wrong beliefs about God should make them. So in the end, I think Edwards argument is right and hard to refute. https://www.facebook.com/TimKellerNYC

 

If this had been Edwards’ argument, Keller has not demonstrated this. Instead, Keller has misused Edwards to claim that “the image of God in non-believers [and their behaviors] makes them more virtuous and wise than their wrong beliefs about God should make them.” Keller is claiming that the love of the non-believer is just as virtuous (and perhaps even more virtuous than) as the love of believers.

While this is certainly true in the eyes of man, it is not true where it really matters – in the eyes of God:

·       And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Heb 11:6)

 

To not acknowledge God for His gift of love and compassion, is to take the gift and to reject the gift-Giver. Therefore, in God’s eyes, His children – those who trust in Him – are children of the light, while those who do not trust in Him are in rebellion against the light, which is manifestly obvious to all of us (Romans 1:18-20):

 

·       Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-17)

 

Contrary to these verses, Keller has placed believer and non-believer on the same plain before God. While these verses might be offensive to many today, they are clearly the authoritative Word of God. Therefore, we can only reject them at great harm to ourselves and our Church.

 

Contrary to Keller, our beliefs and the regenerated heart that have made these beliefs possible serve as the foundation for the rest of our lives and our relationship with God. This is also the preaching of Jesus:

·       “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” (Jn 8:23–24)