Tim Keller quotes J. Gresham Machen—that seeking “obedience to the commands of Christ” is “works-righteousness” and “legalism.” That is outdated Pauline scholarship since E.P. Sanders’s book in 1978. No, faith is allegiance and obedience to Jesus, not absence of effort.
John Barclay says in Galatians "Paul is not attacking a life-hermeneutic that looks to works to secure the favor of God, he is not countering an erroneous soteriology dependent on the good works of the devout. Thus his foil in this letter is not works-righteousness." P&TG, 326.
"throughout this book, we have been suspicious of the modern (Western) ideal of the 'pure' gift … Paul emphasizes the incongruity of grace and the expectation that those who are 'under grace' … will be reoriented in the 'obedience of faith.'" John Barclay, Paul & the Gift, 412.
Matthew Bates argues that faith is best understood as allegiance, which involves obedience. Consistent with this, "The Bible consistently teaches that we will be judged by works" (Gospel Allegiance, 113).
Tim Keller's quote is from:
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/tim-keller-american-church/
And the correct spelling is J. Gresham Machen.
If someone prioritizes loving God and others—saying those are "more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices," they are on the right track, "not far from the kingdom of God,” says Jesus (Mark 12:33-34). They are to be encouraged, not denounced.
I am just critiquing that one small paragraph of Keller's essay which emphasizes faith as belief ("I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast" Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass) over against faith as trying to obey Jesus. I think that is wrong-headed.
I generally agree with Tim Keller's long rambling reflection on the American church's plight. I can't help but like people who think historically and practically and creatively about big important contemporary problems.
Originally tweeted by Andy Rowell (@AndyRowell) on September 13, 2022.
The problem with faith as believing hard-to-believe ideas is that long-time followers of Jesus find themselves paralyzed by doubt and people interested in Jesus think that they must believe before they obey. People who are trying to follow Jesus for many years will have moments where they ask whether they believe in the resurrection and will be embarrassed and afraid of their doubts but they still admire and love Jesus and realize their sinfulness. They are still dedicated to following Jesus. They have faith in terms of allegiance. Their spiritual or religious life need not come to a halt in crisis. They can continue to try to follow Jesus. They have the faith of a mustard seed. And in a similar way, the seeker, the person interested in Christianity, need not wait until they believe more confidently before they begin following Jesus. If they admire Jesus, they can begin to demonstrate allegiance to his way—to him. They should not be dissuaded from trying out his way because they don’t believe the whole theological scheme yet.