Generous Justice
In Generous Justice Timothy Kellor demonstrates that although the Bible was once widely acknowledged to be the moral bedrock of justice in society, over the years , conflicting conservative and liberal viewpoints have polarised opinion to the extent that now ,even the churches cannot agree on what it means to “do Justice”. Keller reassesses key Bible verses that promote just practice and reveals that it is only through a profound experience of God’s grace that we can truly be motivated to care for the poor. ( )

It is commonly thought in secular society that the Bible is one of the greatest hindrances to doing justice. Isn't it full of regressive views? Didn't it condone slavery? Why look to the Bible for guidance on how to have a more just society? But Timothy Keller, pastor of New York City's Redeemer Presbyterian Church, sees it another way. In GENEROUS JUSTICE, Keller explores a life of justice empowered by an experience of grace: a generous, gracious justice. Here is a book for believers who find the Bible a trustworthy guide, as well as those who suspect that Christianity is a regressive influence in the world.

At this point in my life, this is the probably the most thorough explanation and best balance I have yet to find in holding evangelism and social justice in tension. It gave language, research, and examples to things I've wanted to articulate about how to do ministry holistically. It was recommended by a friend about 3 years ago. I started reading it then and it just felt dense. The language is accurate but heady and dense. I came back around to it about 2 months ago and I took my time reading it, considering the impact of the points that Keller was making and deciding whether or not I agreed.

Keller struck a balance between theological, political and idealogical camps so well, he made it look easy, like we all should have already come to the obvious conclusion that he was drawing, which in my opinion, was that the gospel is incomplete if it lacks either evangelism and social justice. They must accompany one another and we are able to do both because God's grace has empowered to do so.

There aren't many books I can agree with 100% but this one came to about 98% close. It's 5 stars in my book and is a great piece to add to any believers arsenal of resources. Just click the image and get it. It's worth it. ( )

This book confuses "justice" and "righteousness," eisegeting Job 29: 12-17 in this regard. Furthermore, it displays Keller's ignorance of economics and adoption of socialist economic policies of helping the poor, in effect harming those he claims we should be helping. ( )

Keller's bold starting point, linked to his subtitle, "How God's Grace Makes us Just", is a real challenge to the church. The notion that "a real encounter with grace will make us just", is a challenge to the Gospel-focused Christian, and also a direct challenge to those who think the Gospel consists solely of doing justice. There has often been an unfortunate disconnect in the church, and in evangelicalism, between Gospel proclamation and social Justice. There are notable exceptions (for example Trent Vineyard in the UK has oen of the largest compassion ministries in the world, and runs HUGE Alpha launches as well), but by and large the two do not go easily hand in hand. Keller writes into this situation as a pastor of many years, with a desire to bring the power of God's Grace to bear on justice, and that in that we would as a church get an idea of God's heart for the poor; in this life and the next.

Early on, Keller notes that "in the mind of many orthodox Christians... "doing justice" is inextricably linked with the loss of sound doctrine and spiritual dynamism", which is an important starting point. Keller helpfully then uses the example of the wonderful American theologian Jonathan Edwards, who had a heart for the poor. With these key ideas in place - an awareness of the environment Keller is writing in and what is at stake, we launch into the book. The chapters that comprise this superb book are, in my mind, divided into two rough sections, though no division is made in the book. The first four chapters ask the questions "What is Doing Justice?". "Justice and the Old Testament", "What Did Jesus Say About Justice?", and "Justice and Your Neighbour". The second chunk is the meaty and practical application of the first half of the book; "Why Should we Do Justice?", "How Should We Do Justice?", "Doing Justice in the Public Square" and "Peace, Beauty, and Justice". This review will seek to give a rough sketch and evaluation of Keller's idea of Justice (The first half) and his suggested application of Justice (the second half).

Firstly, then, a look at what Keller has to say about Justice. Keller is very good at using and integrating his own story into his books, and this is no exception. We read a challenging story where an African American student told Tim "You're a racist, you know". This is real stuff, real stories, because real justice relates to real people. Keller's excellent chapter on Justice and the Old Testament is superbly summed up by his note on Amos 1:3-2:3, that "It is clearly God's will that all societies reflect his concern for justice for the weak and vulnerable", followed immediately by a superb exposition of Deuteronomy 15, which Keller titles "A Community of Justice". Throughout this ideological end of the book Keller is very quick, and very firm, to make it clear that the Bible (and thus Jesus) can not be forced into a 'liberal' or 'conservative' worldview. Whilst Keller is writing for - and challenging - the American Culture, this is useful challenge to those of us in the UK. For example, regarding the causes of poverty, Keller states that "the bible gives us a matrix of causes". There is no easy, label-confirming answer here. Keller is very clear on the need for the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus, as the means of grace and the message of Grace. But, in his chapter on what Jesus says, we see Keller state emphatically that "anyone who has truly been touched by the grace of God will be vigorous in helping the poor". This bold challenge sets the tone for the more practical part of the book.

Secondly, we can turn to what Keller thinks we should do regarding justice. Having looked at the Old Testament, and Jesus, and what Justice is, we turn to an application which is a framework for responding to Keller's bold challenge. Interestingly Keller opens with the challenge to have "a higher view of the Law". This is because, as Tim puts it, "The law of God demands equity and justice, and loves of one's neighbour. People who believe strongly in the doctrine of justification by faith alone will have this high regard for God's law and justice. They will be passionate about seeing God's justice honoured in the world". Keller's emphasis here, on the justice of God, is grounded in a serious sense of the gravity and necessity of Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross. The rest of this practical section is a superb articulation and application of this initial point; including the bold challenge (Based on the story of a conversation between theologian Miroslav Volf and pastor Mark Gornik) that "the doctrine of Justification by grace contains untapped resources for healing". This is a bold statement. And it sits amidst half a book that is superb at enabling readers to actualise the thoughts and theology here.

In conclusion, Tim Keller has given us another superb book. He has challenged us to care for the poor - yet reminding us of the essential truth that "the most loving thing anyone can do for one's neighbour is help him or her to a saving faith in God" - in a way that is calm, intelligent, pastoral and reasonable. Keller's passion for God's kingdom comes out, as well as his cohesive command of the full counsel of God's Word, the Bible. Above all, I believe Keller catches God's heart for the poor, and God's heart for Justice, not least in his obvious love of Jesus. I'd highly recommend this book to everyone - both as a theology for Justice and as a picture of what a realised, vibrant, engaged and caring Christianity can be. This is one of the best books I've read this year. ( )

I’ve always loved listening to Tim Keller speak; I find his style very relatable. Generous Justice is the first book of his that I’ve read and I find that his writing style is very similar to his speaking and it made this a very good read for me.

From the very beginning he challenges our views of what is just and what is not. Each chapter builds on the other, but one of the themes that I saw strongly weaved through the text is God’s grace to us, and showing that grace to others.

He tackles what justice looks like (in relation to the Old Testament and Jesus’ teachings), why we should be just and how that looks in our community and beyond. I wouldn’t say this book is necessarily the end all of social justice texts, it reveals a way of thinking that I find different from the norm when it comes to social justice and it gives the reader a lot to reflect on when it comes to the topic of what it means to be just.

I enjoyed the way it was written and the smooth flow from one topic to the next. It was direct without being preachy and thoughtful. A quick and exceedingly engrossing read. ( )

http://www.wordandspirit.co.uk/blog/2011/08/28/tim-keller-generous-justice/ ( )

A lot has been said in recent years of orthodoxy & (or vs) orthopraxy. We have become a people who know the Book but don't "do" what the Book tells us to do. We aren't being changed. We are better on paper than we are in practice.

And we don't take correction well. It takes a distinct voice to speak in a way we can hear, to lift the conversation above misunderstanding and reactionary responses. I believe Tim Keller is one of those voices and has accomplished that goal. He's done it before. For example, in The Reason for God he elevates the conversation with skeptics. I've read and encouraged others to read his Introduction there a number of times because it changes the conversation, it raises it "to the level of disagreement." Brilliant stuff. I think Keller does that again here on a polarizing topic: Justice.

"Scars" from old battles are hard to overcome. Theological conservatives, like me, tend to react against issues beloved by theological liberals, like social justice. And the more justice issues are brought up, the more likely (typically) theological conservatives will be leery of an author. But, and all man-love aside, Tim Keller in Generous Justice has done something I consider remarkable. He has cut through the thicket on justice to show us a clearing. It's a breath of fresh air among stuck arguments and stuffy minds.

Here's how Keller sets up his argument from the introduction...

"Elaine Scarry of Harvard has written a fascinating little book called On Beauty and Being Just. Her thesis is that the experience of beauty makes us less self-centered and more open to justice. I have observed over the decades that when people see the beauty of God's grace in Christ, it leads them powerfully toward justice."

Through dealing with several Old & New Testament passages, including word studies made simple (not just a scholarly work), Keller writes deep enough for the scholar and simple enough for the layperson. He shows himself well-read in both historic Christianity and modern cultural scholarship. Several times I found myself finding the endnotes for more info on an author or book I've never heard of and want to check out.

Some of my favorite sections are on biblical passages I'm very familiar with but Keller explains in a fresh way, such as his explanations of gleaning, tithing and Jubilee in chapter 2. Keller argues with these concepts that, "God's concern for the poor is so strong that he gave Israel a host of laws that, if practiced, would have virtually eliminated any permanent underclass" (p 27). I have not encountered a discussion on business and profit like this before (p 30). I believe it will shake the rich up and, Lord-willing, lead them toward justice. Keller reveals how profoundly American (and worldly) we are, yet he uses thoughtful, biblical argument to open our eyes.

Then Keller discusses Jesus and "your neighbor" in chapters 3 and 4. His explanation of The Good Samaritan in chapter 4 is rich. Just as he makes Luke 15 and "The Prodigal Son" come alive in The Prodigal God, he continues to surprise us at our own dullness as he reveals the *sparkle* of familiar stories. In this instance he does it both through exposition of biblical texts as well as the liberal use of the writings of Jonathan Edwards. Keller works through the objections he's received to teaching love for neighbor and the answers he's seen from Edwards. His use of Edwards is compelling. Then Keller does what too many fail to do with The Good Samaritan, which is bring Jesus directly to bear. Instead of teaching the parable merely as the great example of how to love neighbor, he goes one step further.

Jesus is the Great Samaritan to whom the Good Samaritan points.

"Before you can give this neighbor-love, you need to receive it. Only if you see that you have been saved graciously boy someone who owes you the opposite will you go out into the world looking to help absolutely anyone in need." (p 77)

Keller then discusses the motivation for doing justice, treasuring human beings because they are creations of the Almighty. It's how we show God respect, by seeing His image in people. He mentions our redemption as motivation. Keller says, "If you look down at the poor and stay aloof from their suffering, you have not really understood or experienced God's grace" (p 96). "If you are not just, you've not truly been justified by faith" (p 99). How can someone who has experienced justification not respond by doing justice? When you understand the gospel, you see the poor and realize you are looking into a mirror. There can be no superiority or indifference when you get God's grace toward you.

Biblical background and motivations in mind, Keller gets practical in chapter 6. He says it should be our constant thought, to look for ways to do justice. We should ponder it. We should have "sustained reflection" on issues and places of justice. He considers big justice needs and areas. He discusses education and social capital, the need for business owners to be neighbors, racial reconciliation, and more. But then he does zero in on what everyday, neighborhood Christians can do. He mentions the mission of London City Mission as "the same person, going to the same people, regularly, to become their friend for Jesus's sake" (p 143). I love that. Keller does well to bring all our efforts, individually and organizationally, to bear on a community needing justice. "While the institutional church should do relief inside and around its community, the 'organic' church should be doing development and social reform" (p 146).

Keller also considers justice in the world of ideas, the public square. Keller's proposal: "Christians' work for justice should be characterized by both humble cooperation and respectful provocation" (p 158). I'm particularly encouraged by Keller's understanding of being distinctly Christian even when working in cooperation with others...

"Christians should identify themselves as believer as they seek justice, welcoming and treating all who work beside them as equals. Believers should let their co-workers know of how the gospel is motivating them, yet also...they should appeal to common values as much as possible." (p 161)

Keller avoids pitfalls on both liberal and conservative sides by encouraging bold Christian work for justice while embracing a cooperation with others for the good of the oppressed. Yet he says Christians should "at the same time be respectfully provocative with them, arguing that their models of justice are reductionistic and incomplete" (p 164).

I love the way Keller ends Generous Justice. A chapter on "Peace, Beauty, and Justice." He ends where he started, remember the quote from Elaine Scarry above. Here Keller focuses on "shalom" or "harmonious peace." He refers to the "interwovenness" of rightly related human beings into community. He describes shalom as "flourishing in every dimension -- physical, emotional, social, and spiritual" (p174). Keller considers shalom and justice...

"In general, to 'do justice' means to live in a way that generates a strong community where human beings can flourish. Specifically, however, to 'do justice' means to go to places where the fabric of shalom has broken down, where the weaker members of societies are falling through the fabric, and to repair it. This happens when we concentrate on and meet the needs of the poor.

How can we do that? The only way to reweave and strengthen the fabric is by weaving yourself into it." (p 177)

But Keller doesn't paint us as the hero. We do justice "because serving the poor honors and pleases God, and honoring and pleasing God is a delight to you in and of itself" (p 183). Loving and seeking justice means hard work. It's painful and people are difficult to love. But Keller says, "Don't shrink, says the Lord, from spending yourself on the broken, the hurting, and the needy. I'm good for it" (p 185).

Keller has written the best sort of book. He deals with something that has and can divide us, and does it winsomely. He does it biblically and theologically. He does it convincingly and compellingly. I finished Generous Justice desiring to see the hurting and oppressed with new eyes, a new generosity, and a new desire for shalom.

This book is suited to many audiences. It can be read and understood by the average Christian and the more learned. I think it will be quite helpful for Christians involved in the leadership of business or government. Those responsible for much will be challenged to do it different, do it justly. And yet those with the simplest of lives and in the smallest of places will see in this book the profound, eternal purpose of God as they seek justice where they live. What a great gift a book like this is!

I highly recommend Generous Justice, though I'm sure I haven't done the book justice (pun intended). There are a few books I know will be a constant reference for the remainder of my life, and this is one of them. Go get it.

(Originally posted at Reformissionary | http://www.stevekmccoy.com/reformissionary/2011/01/book-review-generous-justice.... ( )

It is commonly thought in secular society that the Bible is one of the greatest hindrances to doing justice. Isn't it full of regressive views? Didn't it condone slavery? Why look to the Bible for guidance on how to have a more just society? But Timothy Keller sees it another way. In Generous Justice, Keller explores a life of justice empowered by an experience of grace: a generous, gracious justice. Here is a book for believers who find the Bible a trustworthy guide as well as those who suspect that Christianity is a regressive influence in the world.

Keller's church, founded in the eighties with fewer than one hundred congregants, is now exponentially larger. More than five thousand people regularly attend Sunday services, and another twenty-five thousand download Keller's sermons each week. A recent profile in New York magazine described his typical sermon as "a mix of biblical scholarship, pop culture, and whatever might have caught his eye in The New York Review of Books or on Salon.com that week." In short, Timothy Keller speaks a language that many thousands of people yearn to comprehend. In Generous Justice, he offers them a new understanding of modern justice and human rights. ( )

Keller's analysis of the concept of justice as expressed in the Old and New Testaments and its applications for modern Christianity.

Keller does well at demonstrating how God's concept of justice as expressed in Scripture does not fit any one modern political ideology, remaining far more holistic, addressing community, individual, and mores. He shows convincingly how assisting those in need and standing up against oppression are necessary for disciples of Christ, for God in Christ assisted them in need and stood for them despite their undesirability and continued sinfulness. Keller does well at showing that poverty is a multi-faceted problem that evades simple answers, the insufficiency of political answers, and how all political ideologies fail to adequately address the problems.

Keller stands firmly on the "faith only" principle although he does acknowledge the necessity of obedience for faith to be manifest, although I must confess that his exegesis of James 2 is rather stupefying. The author's understanding that the work of standing for the poor in the community as being a task better suited for the "organic" church-- the work of individual disciples working together, as opposed to the work of the "corporate collective," is refreshing, although I would take it further than he does.

A work worth considering and applying to life. ( )

I read "Generous Justice" by Timothy Keller for this book review. This book talks about justice in the Bible and deconstructs people's false perceptions of the Bible's justice. It also brings up different stories/events in the Bible that are examples of God being a just God. God loves justice. In the Bible, we have read many stories of where God/Jesus has shown justice either in a public way or a private way (I will be writing about a few that the book has covered. It also mentions inferiority and how we need to see people as worthy and valued because that is how God sees them. The book also mentions people's arguments with moral standards and many other things. The book brings up Christian ethics and morality as well. It is also great to see different perspectives when reading this book. I will write about many areas of the book that caught my eye and the knowledge I gained. I will also write about the different perceptions of the Bible from people who took it out of context, as mentioned in this book. Also, I will say many things in the Bible that the book mentions that I never realized before. Based on what I have read, I will give my opinion of why the author wrote this book. I will also talk about the pros and cons of this book and if I would recommend this book to others.
One of the reasons why Keller created this book was for readers to be aware of injustices and to ensure that we do justice, even if it is a little act of kindness. Keller also brings a lot of Biblical evidence to this. He brings up the story of the Samaritan woman and how there was an injustice that happened to the Samaritans because they were not Jews. Also, the Jews had the issue of the Samaritans worshiping on a mountain and not in a temple, but what were they supposed to do if they were not allowed in the Jerusalem temple because they were Gentiles? Jesus bridged the gap between the Jews and the Samaritans. When Jesus even talked to the Samaritan woman, He brought justice. Also, the fact that God wanted to bridge the gap between Jews and Gentiles tells me that God is a God of justice. Keller mentions why we need to do justice. Chapter 5 states, "Human beings are not accidents, but creations. Without a belief in creation, we are forced to face the implication that ultimately there is no good reason to treat human beings as having dignity" (pg. 82). This was one of the quotes that I loved. Keller has other reasons, but this is just one of them that I want to put into this review. God has created us, and we are all equal. We have just as much worth/value as any other person. If we look at people as what God sees them, then if there are injustices, we need to help stand up for them. Justice could be helping people who have experienced injustice; it can be simple acts of kindness. For example, Keller reminds us that we must give grace to others as God gives us grace. Keller also explains that God's grace makes us just and compassionate to others.
Keller also mentions society's perceptions of the Bible and some of its history. There have been people who used the Bible to try to support their beliefs that are not biblical, or the context of the scriptures has been twisted. Keller mentions that some people have tried to twist some verses in a way that supports their opinions. Some people have tried to use the Bible in a way to make the Bible sound like it supports slavery or other injustices. They have been attempting to use the Curse of Cain and Abel and the mark by trying to relate it to skin color and slavery when it was a whole other context and had nothing to do with skin color or slavery at all.
Keller makes many points in the book. I can't cover everything, but I agree with his writing. There is so much, but you must read the book to understand and get the whole story. We need to be peaceful people who stand for justice, especially when happenings are against the Bible; we must still show compassion.
If I rate this book, I would give it a 10 out of 10. I recommend this book to everyone or anyone. I have learned a lot and changed a few of my perspectives and thinking. It is a great read. Also, it has eight chapters, totaling 189 pages, for people who struggle with reading. It is an easy read, but it simultaneously has a lot of depth.
To the author, thank you for this beautiful book. You gave so many perspectives and have helped me understand some concepts even more. I appreciate you! ( )

from Granny Jeanne; Read 12/2011