Some interesting views:
Pike: I'm starting seminary next month. biggest piece of advice you can give me?
Keller: Always ask the, "So what?"--question. When studying we can forget "the WHY we are" question.
Nelson: how come you don't like/pay attention to sports?
Keller: It often takes too much time.
[A "nice" way of saying, it's a waste of time].
Andlovec: what drew you to Presbyterianism, as opposed to CRC/RCA, Anglicanism, etc...?
Keller: Roger Nicole's stuff on infant baptism help start it, but Kathy was there first.
Galiardo: if you could recommend one book this year, what would it be?
Keller: Words of Life by Timothy Ward is a great book on Scripture I read recently.
Noe: favorite puritan?
Keller: That's easy, John Owens because Jonathan Edwards is not technically a Puritan.
Noe: favorite Lewis book?
Keller: Another easy one: Mere Christianity.
Rischmuller: What is your opinion of "praying in tongues"?
Keller: I like Don Carson's book "Showing the Spirit" on this one. Balanced, thoughtful, and rooted in Scripture.
Finch: should infant baptism be an issue that ends a dating relationship?
Keller: You shouldn't marry someone who will not happily go to the same church with you.
Poblete: Most influential book on pastoring?
Keller: Charles Bridges "The Christian Ministry" and Richard Baxter's "The Reformed Pastor" and William Still's book on pastoring
Lingafelt: What is your favorite movie?
Keller: The Black Stallion
Eventides: What advice, counsel, or scripture would you give to a new father struggling with anger?
Keller: Get help in discovering what idols are at the root of your anger.
Russell: fav commentary series for the NT?
Keller: Pillar and Bible Speaks Today Series.
Stead: what brings you the most joy in ministry??
Keller: Conversions.
My answer too.
Burdeaux: ministry ever hurt so bad you thought your heart couldn't take anymore?
Keller: Of course.
Poblete: One mistake you witness church planters making more frequently than others?
Keller: Concentration on superficialities-such as vibe or look.
Moore: I've listened to your sermon on Gods love for cities. How do you feel about rural ministry?
Keller: I think its important. See my article "The Country Parson" from 2009.
Deighton: Can a person be a Christian without being a member of a church?
Keller: Yes, but you are not an obedient Christian if u are not a member of a church. You can't obey Heb 13:17 without membership.
Membership is overrated, I do see the all churches of God as my church, and thus, submit to their leaders. However, I am not against membership and its package (comply with local rules).
Lockhart: Confused while trying to see story of Jesus/Gospel while reading 1&2 Chronicles. Can you help?
Keller: See Michael Wilcock on 1&2 Chronicles.
Shidler: Your process to teaching someone how to pray?
Keller: I have a book coming out in Nov. on prayer and it's my effort to teach people how to pray more fruitfully.
Horn: Calvinism or Arminianism?
Keller: Calvinism. You must have known I would say that? 🙂
Matthew: advice for someone who wants to be a future theology teacher?
Keller: Get some pastoral experience as well as a great academic degree.
Crane: Are there any books you would recommend to someone who is grieving? My friends just lost a child at 6months old.
Keller: Books are hard with those who are grieving, but try to find Elisabeth Elliot's book "A Path Through Suffering."
Morgan: Tips for raising a family in the city?
Keller: My wife Kathy has written on "Why the City is a wonderful place to raise children." It is very good.
Mckinney: What would you say is the MAIN difference between teaching and preaching?
Keller: The goal. The goal of teaching is inform the mind, maybe warm the heart, but preaching is worship.
I'm with Pak Tong on this...preaching is like child labor, teaching is cultivating, etc. Neither of Keller's goals deal with personal relationship, which is an issue.
Cook: What would you say is the primary purpose of apologetics?
Keller: To clear the way for evangelism.
Etherington: Is the Problem of Evil the biggest objection to faith people have today?
Keller: It is still in the top 2. The other one is the charge of narrowness and bigotry, but that has many forms.
Furney: Would you care to mention one of your failings that we might find encouraging? Many thank yous.
Keller: Not one-I have struggled with sins of all types-not enough love, not enough faith, not enough hope, self-pity, selfishness, more
I'd add "It's not right to use others' flaws as encouragement." Sounds harsh, but it must be heard.
Reedy: Why did God create people. Did His own great value compel Him with an irresistible enthusiasm to share Himself?
Keller: Read Edwards "Concerning the End for which God created the World."
Dagenais: What's one piece of advice you would tell your younger self, or something you wished you knew then that you know now about The Lord?
Keller: I would tell him that prayer is way more important than he thinks.
Ward: recommend any bible reading plans?
Keller: I like to use M'Cheyne's first three columns. That takes you through the Bible once in a year, three chapters a day.
Ligon: Why are so many of our fellow Reformed believers so bitter/angry?
Keller: In fairness, those opposing Reformed theology seem pretty bitter and angry too. It may be "the age" and the internet.
White: Whats your favourite book this year?
Keller: Charles Taylor's A Secular Age.
Morcos: Can you please recoomend books on 1-Sin in believer's life 2-Spiritual discipline
Keller: 1-Owen On Mortification. 2-Owen on Spiritual Mindedness. These are not easy reads.
Noble: Serious question: Have you read 's How (Not) to Be Secular? If so, any thoughts?
Keller: Yes, It's a very subtle and sophisticated critique of secularism. Christians need it.
Hopkins: what was your favorite Theological class? Undergrad or Grad
Keller: Meredith Kline's class on Old Testament theology.
Baker: How much does your wife influence how you think, prep, and preach?
Keller: Enormously. More than any living person.
Schniepp: What's the first step you take when you begin writing a new book?
Keller: I read a lot of other books on the subject.
Kramer: An open endorser of BioLogos would almost certainly be outside the theological bounds of TGC. Why do you get a pass?
Keller: theological statement is on the website and council members are free to believe in an Old Earth.
Hubbard: (this is real question) point me to a good understanding of "women will be saved through childbearing"?
Keller: Many theories-one good one is Paul is thinking of Eve in Gen and the promise that the Savior will come through her offspring
Kim: And where do you get your news from?
Keller: NYT, WSJ, New Republic, Atlantic, and my sons.
Tati: What is most important when choosing someone to marry?
Keller: Besides being of the same faith, it would be someone who can forgive and repent regularly.
Breen: biggest problem you see in modern evangelism efforts?
Keller: Talking past each other is happening more and more as we have less and less common ground to stand on.
Smith: What is your opinion of street evangelism? Can it work? Is it a helpful alternative / addition to relational mission?
myself: Was this one answered? I would like to know the answer to that as well
Keller: It was answered. Depends on context and demographic.
