The Bankruptcy of Secularism

Last week we lost one of the best Christian thinkers of our time. Pastor Timothy Keller's writing and preaching had an incredible influence on me and many other pastors and Christians of my generation.

Allow me to share one (of countless) quotes that I find so helpful:

“The secular framework . . . has nothing to give the wounded conscience to heal it. It has nothing to say to the self who feels it is unworthy of love and forgiveness. Anyone who has seen the depths of their sin and what they are capable of will never be mollified by the bromide of ‘Be nice to yourself—you deserve it.’”

If secularism is correct, then there is no factual and substantive hope for our suffering and despair. Why? Because we've all looked within our own hearts and felt the emptiness. We can, perhaps, will our minds into better thinking. We can numb or distract ourselves from the empty reality. But we know our own thoughts. We perceive our own desires. We've gone to the same well a thousand times hoping to find water, only to be reminded that it's dry.

Into that self-awareness, Jesus proclaims, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink." "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

These are the Gospel realities that Tim was so gifted at unearthing and putting on display for us. Blessed be his memory!